July 4, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Kings 9 - This chapter introduces us to Jehu, one of the unusual kings of Israel.  He started off pretty good, especially with his zeal to destroy the house and family of wicked king Ahab.  Yes, Ahab already died, but his family, especially Jezebel, were still very much alive and continuing to permeate Israel with their ungodly and idolatrous behavior.  Jehu was anointed king by a young prophet and then he went about fulfilling his calling.  Amongst his feats is the killing of Jezebel, and when he thought she should be buried, there was hardly anything to put in the ground.  Read for yourself.

2 Kings 10 - Jehu proceeded to execute the rest of Ahab and Jezebel's family.  Then Jehu went further and sought to destroy all the Baal worshipers in Israel.  He acted like he was promoting the worship of Baal, but in reality he was setting the stage to annihilate all who followed the idol.  Go ahead and read for yourself what Jehu did to be sure all the Baal worshipers were in one place.  And note how he made sure no one who worshiped the real God of Israel was in harm's way.

2 Kings 11 - In Judah, Ahab's families' influence is still being felt since Athaliah, from the family of Ahab and Jezebel, was seeking to rule as Queen of Judah.  But God provided a righteous priest, Jehoiada, who protected the one descendant of David, Jehoash, and had him anointed as king, even though Jehoash was only seven years old, verse 21.