Jehu Slaughters Ahab’s Decendants

Topic: Purpose
Passage: Philippians 1:22–30

February 8, 2021

Commentary

Seventy sons who were descendants of Ahab lived in Samaria, the capital of Israel. Jehu planned to execute every relative who could possibly succeed Ahab. He wrote letters to the officials of Jezreel inviting them to select a king from Ahab’s sons to fight against him in a contest to determine who had the right to the throne. They refused as they realized they were no match for Jehu.
He then sent a second letter demanding the rulers and guardians in Samaria to deliver the seventy sons’ heads to Jezreel by the next day, and these terms were promptly met. He had these heads stacked at the gate to discourage any counter revolution.
Jehu had wiped out Ahab’s heirs in Samaria and Jezreel, which God approved. However, he also executed all of Ahab’s close friends and priests which God did not approve and for which He later judged Jehu’s own dynasty. He simply got carried away in his zeal and killed many innocent people who could have helped him be a more effective king.
As Jehu was traveling south, he encountered a large caravan of travelers who identified themselves as members of Ahaziah’s family. Unaware of Jehu’s coup they were easy prey for his forces. Jehu killed all forty-two in this group.

Application

A good question for me to ask myself regularly is, “Am I conducting myself in a manner that fulfills His purpose for my life?

Philippians 1:22– 30 (NET)

22 Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: 23 I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, 24 but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body. 25 And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

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