Jehu יֵהוּא
Son of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, destroyed Ahab's dynasty.
Who is Jehu in the Bible?
Jehu was an Israelite military commander who was anointed king of Israel by a servant of the prophet Elisha, as recorded in 2 Kings 9:2-5. Commissioned by God to destroy the house of Ahab, Jehu carried out this mission with brutal intensity, killing King Joram of Israel, King Ahaziah of Judah, Queen Jezebel, and all of Ahab's descendants, thereby ending a dynasty that had persecuted God's prophets (2 Kings 9-10). He also purged the worship of Baal from Israel, gathering and executing Baal's priests and destroying its temples (2 Kings 10:18-28). However, Jehu failed to fully obey God's law, as he continued the sin of Jeroboam by maintaining worship at the golden calves (2 Kings 10:29-31). Despite this partial faithlessness, God honored his obedience in destroying Ahab's house by promising that his descendants would sit on Israel's throne for four generations (2 Kings 10:30), making Jehu a complex figure who executed God's judgment while remaining spiritually incomplete.
Biography
Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, was a commander in the army of Israel during the reign of Joram. He was anointed king by a servant of Elisha the prophet, who instructed him to destroy the house of Ahab. Jehu carried out this mission zealously, killing Joram, Ahaziah (king of Judah), Jezebel, and all the descendants of Ahab. He also eradicated the worship of Baal in Israel. However, Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, continuing the worship of the golden calves. His dynasty lasted for four generations, as promised by God, but Israel suffered losses to the Arameans during his reign. Jehu's story is recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Hosea.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 19:16
"You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet."
- 1 Kings 19:17
"Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu."
2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 9:2
"When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room."
- 2 Kings 9:5
"and when he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied."
- 2 Kings 9:11
"When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied."
- 2 Kings 9:13
"Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”"
- 2 Kings 9:14
"Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram,"
2 Chronicles 4 verses
- 2 Chronicles 22:7
"Ahaziah’s downfall came from God when he went to visit Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab."
- 2 Chronicles 22:8
"So while Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them."
- 2 Chronicles 22:9
"Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu’s soldiers captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. So Ahaziah was brought to Jehu and put to death. They buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.” So no one was left from..."
- 2 Chronicles 25:17
"Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said."
Hosea 1 verse
- Hosea 1:4
"Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel."
Study Hosea →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יֵהוּא |