Today’s Tasting: 2 Kings 9-11
I always get all these names and stories mixed up so let’s begin with a little background.
There was a civil war going on between Israel and Judah (1Kings 12).
| Israel |
Judah |
| Ahab was the king of Israel(1 Kings 16:28) | Jehoshaphat was King of Judah(1 Kings 15:24) |
| King Ahab married Jezebel(1 Kings 16 31) | Jehoram (also called Joram),Jehoshaphat’s son, becomes King(1Kings 22:50)* Different man the Jehoram, King of Israel |
| Jezebel was evil and had destroyed the prophets of the Lord(1 Kings 18:4) | Ahaziah, Jehoram’s son, became King(2 Kings 8:24)*Different man than Ahaziah, King of Israel |
| King Ahab and Jezebel had two sons – Ahaziah & Jehoram(1 Kings 22:51 &52) | |
| Ahaziah* became king of Israel after Ahab’s death(1 Kings 22:40) | |
| Jehoram* became king of Israel after Ahaziah’s death(2 Kings 1:17) |
In today’s reading we see Jehu was the Captain on Ahab’s army and the son of Jehoshaphat. Elisha anointed Jehu to be the King of Israel in the name of the Lord and told him to strike the house of Ahab to avenge the death of the Lord’s prophets by the hand of Jezebel. Jehu shot Jehoram, King of Israel and Jezebel’s son, through his heart with a bow. Jehu also killed Ahaziah, King of Judah. Then Jehu went to find Jezebel…
Jezebel, after putting on her makeup and adornment on her head looked out the window to see Jehu coming. Jezebel was thrown out of the window and her blood sprinkled on the wall, on the houses and she was trampled underfoot. The dogs ate her flesh and only her skull and palms and feet remained.
After seeing Jehu kill both kings, the remaining 70 sons of Ahab were beheaded by their guardians and presented to Jehu. Then Jehu killed any remaining of the house of Ahab; his great men, his acquaintances, and his priests. Then Jehu killed all the worshipers of baal. Jehu eradicated baal out of Israel!!
After all that great triumph, Jehu didn’t not keep the commands of the Lord. He followed the sins of Jeroboam, but for his faithfulness in destroying Ahab’s legacy his children were left the throne of Israel for four generations.
After Jehu’s death, his son Jehoahaz became king.
After King Ahaziah’s death, his mother Athaliah became Queen of Judah. Athaliah tried to have all the royal offspring killed so she could remain Queen. Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba, stole away his son Joash so her mother couldn’t kill him. He remained hidden in the house of the Lord for six years. Athaliah was put to death, the house of baal was torn down and his priest, Mattan, killed. Joash was seven years old when he became king.
Today’s Nourishment:
After today’s reading I couldn’t help but think of the tragedy that recently took place in my home state of South Carolina where nine Christians were gunned down in their church. Thinking of Jezebel destroying the prophets of the Lord and the punishment that followed her and her descendants and even to Ahab’s acquaintances. Do not doubt, the Lord will not be mocked. Vengeance is His.
Please join me in praying for peace and comfort for the families of the slain in Charleston. But also now, by the Blood of Jesus, even one such as the Carolina gunman has the opportunity for salvation and forgiveness. Please also lift up the accused shooter, Dylann Roof and pray for his salvation as we know it is God’s will for everyone to be saved.
Tomorrow’s Delight: 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24
Kelly Quinn, South Carolina, mom of seven
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