Jehu's Purge

Elisha the prophet summoned a young man from the sons of the prophets and instructed him to go to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, as king over Israel (2 Kings 9:1-2). The young man poured oil on Jehu's head, declaring that Jehu would strike the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the prophets. After his fellow officers recognized his kingship, Jehu traveled to Jezreel where Joram, the king of Israel, was recovering from wounds sustained in battle against the Syrians (2 Kings 9:14-16). King Ahaziah of Judah was also present in Jezreel to visit Joram.

As Jehu approached, messengers were sent to ask if he came in peace, but Jehu ordered them to fall in behind him. Joram and Ahaziah eventually met Jehu at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. When Joram asked if there was peace, Jehu cited the witchcraft and harlotries of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:22). Jehu drew his bow and struck Joram between the shoulders, and the arrow went through his heart. Jehu then pursued Ahaziah and struck him near Ibleam; Ahaziah fled to Megiddo and died there. Upon entering Jezreel, Jehu saw Jezebel looking out a window. At Jehu's command, eunuchs threw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall and the horses (2 Kings 9:30-33). When men later went to bury her, they found only her skull, feet, and palms, as dogs had eaten her flesh.

Jehu then sent letters to the rulers of Samaria, challenging them to choose a king or submit. The rulers, in fear, decapitated the seventy sons of Ahab and sent their heads to Jehu in baskets (2 Kings 10:7-8). Jehu proceeded to kill all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, as well as forty-two relatives of Ahaziah at Beth-eked of the Shepherds. Finally, Jehu gathered all the worshippers of Baal into the temple of Baal under the pretense of offering a great sacrifice (2 Kings 10:18-19). Once they were inside, Jehu’s guards and officers slaughtered everyone present, broke down the sacred pillar of Baal, and converted the temple into a latrine.