The Prophet ElishaSýnishorn

King Jehu: Partial Obedience, but No Love for God

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord.’” (2 Kings 9:6-7)

When God told Elijah to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria and Elisha to be a prophet, He also appointed Jehu as the future king of Israel. This man was to destroy the present king, Ahab, and his family because they were extremely wicked. However, when Elijah announced God’s judgment on Ahab, he repented. Therefore, God postponed His judgment until after Ahab’s death (see 1 Kings 21:28-29).

Now the time had come for Jehu to be anointed king. Elisha sent a man from the company of prophets with a flask of oil to Ramoth Gilead, where the commanders of the Israelite army were stationed. He took Jehu apart and poured the oil on his head, transmitting God’s orders to destroy Ahab’s royal line.

Jehu set out to kill both king Joram of Israel and king Ahaziah of Judah. Moreover, he killed queen Jezebel, all of Ahab’s descendants, some relatives of Ahaziah and many idol priests. However, Jehu did not rid the nation of the false religion established by king Jeroboam. His life story concludes, “Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart” (2 Kings 10:31). And in the end, that’s what counts!

What would you judge political leaders on? What are the most important criteria for good leadership?