2 Kings 9-10

Intro

Chapters 9 and 10 are a single unit, a continuous story arch.

We get to see the culmination and fulfillment of a prophecy that was made decades ago at this point, during the days of Elijah.

Before we jump into chapter 9 let’s remind ourselves of these words from 1 Kings 21.

1 Kings 21:21–24 ESV

Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”

Chapter 9

Dave brought this up last week, but in 1 Kings 19:15-18 Elijah was told to do 3 things.

What were they?

Anoint Hazael as king over Syria.

Anoint Jehu as king over Israel.

And call Elisha to be prophet in his place.

In 2 Kings 8, it appears that Elijah never went to Hazael.

In chapter 9 today, we see that he never made it over to anoint Jehu either.

v 1-13

Will someone please read 2 Kings 9:1-13?

Who is Jehu?

Son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi

Not the same Jehoshaphat that reigned in Judah (that would make Jehu from the line of David, and that is just not suggested here.

It’s a different line. We’re jumping Jehoshaphats here.

Flask of oil (v 1)

Reminiscent of Saul (1 Samuel 10) and David (1 Samuel 1)

Jehu is the only king of the northern kingdom of Israel that I could find that was set apart in this way.

v 14-29

What was the king of Judah doing?

Visiting the wounded king of Israel.

Continuing to show these kingdoms in league with one another when Judah should have been staying far away from the atrocities of Israel and the house of Ahab.

How does this section describe Jehu?

He drives furiously.

Apparently, in the 17th century, English speakers began calling any cab or carriage driver who was the least bit reckless a “Jehu”.

Fun little tidbit that I wasn’t really looking for, and you really didn’t need to know!

Jehu has strong words for Joram!

“Is it peace?” is answered with a litany of Joram’s family failures

Now we see that Jehu was there with Ahab when Elijah delivered the word of the Lord after Ahab stole the land of Naboth.

“When you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father.” (25)

Joram, Ahab’s son, is not the only one to die in this section. Who else dies?

Ahaziah, king of Israel.

2 Kings 8:27 ESV

He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was son-in-law to the house of Ahab.

The Lord, in His righteous justice, basically says, “If you are going to live like Ahab’s godless family, then you are going to die like Ahab’s godless family.”

vs 29 contrasted with 8:25.

Explanation of discrepancy?

Different methods of counting

Accession year verses regular year).

Started reigning in August and counting started in Aug vs Jan of the next year.

I could count myself as being a pastor here for 6 years already, but the actual 6 year mark doesn’t hit until Dec 14th.

Different accounting in the northern kingdom and southern kingdom.

However the accounting reconciles, we can see that 8:25 and 9:29 serve as brackets for the reigns of Ahaziah, Joram, and Jehu.

The author is creating context for us to help us hone in on what is happening in these chapters.

v 30-37

What does Jezebel do?

She decks herself out like a prostitute.

She calmly gets up and puts her makeup on.

Like, you’re being invaded. Maybe find some urgency?!

And he name is referred to time and again as a harlot and prostitute when communicating with Israel.

What does she say?

Conspired (1 Kings 16:15-20 - Zimri)

Zimri betrayed Baasha.

Jehu is going to do the same.

It was an insult, because Zimri didn’t last.

What was left of Jezebel after lunch?

Her skull and hands.

Her painted face was gone.

Death is the great equalizer.

Psalm 49:16–17 ESV

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.

Applications(s)

God’s Word is the ultimate weapon.

How did this all begin?

With the word of the Lord coming to Elisha (9:1, 12, 36)

Another note on structure.

The beginning of chapter 9 is led by the Word of the Lord through Elisha.

And the chapter is capped off with a call back to the Word of the Lord given through Elijah.

There’s no escaping God’s Word.

He may use earthly means to carry out His judgment, but it is all because of His Word that it occurs.

The punishment fits the crime.

This is true of Jezabel AND the final judgment.

We recoil from the brutality of Jehu.

But we have to remember that God’s justice of sin will be swift against those who do not find their rest in Christ.

It is easy for us to get tripped up on our understanding of what is and isn’t fair.

But God is always just in His actions.

Revelation 19:1–2 ESV

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

He is the only one who perfectly understands justice.

And He is perfectly equipped to carry it out.

Now, we will also see in the next chapter that Jehu is unnecessarily cruel and is condemned for it.

Let’s keep going...

Chapter 10

v 1-17

v 18-27

v 28-36

Application(s)

Don’t Be Double Minded (Like Jehu)

James 1:5–8 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Don’t Exceed what the Lord Asks of You

God deals with excessive cruelty just as He deals with injustice.

The prophet Hosea was told this when his firstborn son was born.

Hosea 1:4 ESV

And the Lord said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

Conclusion