2 Kings 10:1-36
10:1 God has begun to cleanse Israel of the destruction of Ahab's kingship. Jehu's next targets are the many sons of Ahab; for when God declares an intention to uproot evil, He is complete in doing so.
10:2-3 Jehu writes a letter to Ahab's sons, giving them an opportunity defend themselves. Though no evil thing is able to prevail against God, each soul is given the gift of free will. Jehu tells the sons to build their best defense, confident in God's power over whatever they produce.
10:4-5 When the elders of Israel receive Jehu's letter, they are terrified. Though Jehu has given them the opportunity to anoint a new king and defend themselves, they chose to follow Jehu instead.
10:6 Jehu receives the response of the elders. He responds: if the elders have truly switched allegiance, they must kill the sons of Ahab. They are then instructed to meet him in Jezreel. Our God is a God of peace, but evil often forces peace to defend itself.
10:7-10 The elders follow Jehu's instructions and kill the sons. Jehu meets with the elders and claims his own actions. He killed the king, and the elders have killed the sons, but all of it was work ordered by God. It is unpleasant work, but necessary work.
10:11 Jehu then kills the rest of Ahab's house in Jezreel, as well as his business and political partners, his friends and corrupt priests.
10:12-14 Jehu orders the killing of Ahaziah's brothers; everyone connected with Ahab's house is eliminated (Ahaziah was related to Ahab).
10:15-17 Jehu meets Jehonadab and they become friends with mutual interests (the restoration of faith). Jehu continues to kill remnants of the house of Ahab.
10:18-19 Jehu pretends to be a Baal (false-god) worshiper. By doing this, he has all of his enemies gathered in one place. He claims that he killed Ahab because he only followed Baal a little.
10:20-24 Together with Jehonadab, Jehu has all of the Baal worshipers assembled and makes sure that no followers of God are present. Jehu appoints eighty men to ensure that none of the Baal worshipers escape alive. The problem with Baal-worship is its evil principles. It is corrupting the kingdom and the families beneath it, people who God claims and cares about very much.
10:25-28 The army destroys the Baal-worshipers and their temple; thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel.
10:29-31 God is pleased with Jehu because of his commitment to his assignment of destroying Baal. But Jehu steps somewhat outside of his assignment and continues to target people God did not give him permission to (the house of Jeroboam). For this reason, Jehu is rewarded with the kingship for only four generations. God only gives us what He can trust us with; the more obedient we are, the more He will bless us with because He knows that we will maintain it well and faithfully.
10:32-33 The people of Israel (that is, the northern tribes of God's twelve - not the modern nation) lose their territory to their enemies. They have abandoned God and thus His protection also. God allows us free will; if we chose to neglect His principles, we can. But the result is the lose/forfeit of our many blessings provided by Him.
10:34-26 Jehu passes away after reigning for twenty-eight years and is buried in Samaria. His son, Jehoahaz reigns in his place.
