Chapter 4: Blood at Jezreel

God had been patient with the house of Ahab. But judgment was coming.

The prophet Elisha sent a young prophet to Ramoth-gilead. He found Jehu among the officers, took him into an inner room, poured oil on his head, and spoke.

THE YOUNG PROPHET (to Jehu)“Thus says the Lord God of Israel: I anoint you king over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, shed at the hand of Jezebel.”— 2 Kings 9:6-7

Jehu mounted his chariot and rode hard for Jezreel, where Joram and Ahaziah were together.

The watchman on the tower at Jezreel saw the company approaching.

THE WATCHMAN“The driving is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi. He drives like a madman.”— 2 Kings 9:20

Joram and Ahaziah rode out to meet him. They met at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. Naboth had been an innocent man who refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab. Jezebel had him falsely accused and stoned to death so Ahab could take the land. Now, on that very field, God's justice arrived. Jehu drew his bow and struck Joram through the heart.

JEHU (to his captain)“Throw him on the plot of Naboth. Remember how the Lord spoke this judgment: I saw the blood of Naboth and his sons, and I will repay you on this plot.”— 2 Kings 9:25-26

Ahaziah fled but was struck at the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam. He reached Megiddo, where he died. Scripture says this was not chance. It was the judgment of God. (2 Chronicles 22:7)

Then Jehu entered Jezreel. Jezebel, Athaliah's mother, painted her eyes and adorned her hair and looked down from a window.

JEHU (looking up)“Who is on my side? Who?”— 2 Kings 9:32

Two eunuchs looked down. They threw her from the window. Her blood splattered on the wall. When they returned to bury her, only the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands remained. Dogs had eaten the rest, exactly as Elijah had prophesied.

At Beth-eked, Jehu encountered forty-two kinsmen of Ahaziah, princes of Judah unaware of what had happened. He seized them and slaughtered every one at the pit. The royal family of David was now nearly extinct.