2 Kings

2 Kings 10: The LORD keeps every word

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jehu and the worshipers of Baal, let us come before the Lord together. Ask Him to give us whole hearts for Him, and to show us Jesus, who always pleased the Father.

Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

Psalm 119:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep every word You speak. Give us whole hearts to seek You, and help us to trust Jesus, who always pleased You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jehu writes to the leaders of Samaria and tells them to set up one of Ahab's sons and fight for his house. They are afraid, submit to Jehu, and do as he asks, so he orders them to kill Ahab's seventy sons. Jehu tells the people that the LORD has done what He spoke through Elijah, and he strikes the rest of Ahab's house. On the road he meets forty-two relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah, and he has them killed. He welcomes Jehonadab, asks whether his heart is right, and takes him along to see his zeal for the LORD. Jehu gathers the worshipers of Baal with a promise of a great sacrifice, then destroys them deceptively. The LORD promises Jehu's descendants a throne, but Jehu does not walk in the law of the LORD with all his heart.

As you read 2 Kings 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps every word He speaks, but Jehu did not walk in His law with all his heart.

Jehu wrote to the leaders who cared for Ahab's seventy sons, and they were afraid and submitted (verses 1 to 5). Jehu told the people that nothing would fall to the earth of the LORD's word about Ahab's house (verse 10). He struck down Ahab's house, and he tricked the worshipers of Baal into their temple (verses 11 and 18 to 25). Jehu ended the worship of Baal in Israel, yet he did not turn from the golden calves (verses 28 and 29). Because Jehu had acted against Ahab's house, the LORD promised him four generations on the throne (verse 30). But Jehu took no heed to walk in the LORD's law with all his heart (verse 31). Later the LORD said through Hosea that He would avenge the blood of Jezreel on Jehu's house (Hosea 1 verse 4). In those days the LORD began to cut away parts of Israel, and Hazael struck its borders (verses 32 and 33). The LORD did what He spoke, and Jehu's zeal did not make his heart whole.

How does 2 Kings 10 show us that the LORD keeps every word He speaks, but Jehu did not walk in His law with all his heart?

The LORD keeps every word He speaks.

Jehu said that nothing would fall from the LORD's word (verse 10). The LORD had spoken about Ahab's house through Elijah, and He did what He said (verses 10 and 11). The LORD promised Jehu a throne for his descendants to the fourth generation (verse 30).

Jehu's heart was not fully the LORD's.

Jehu told Jehonadab to see his zeal for the LORD, yet his heart was not whole (verses 16 and 31). He destroyed the worshipers of Baal, but he did it by a trick (verses 18 and 19). He did not turn from the golden calves of Jeroboam (verses 29 and 31). Only Jesus always does what pleases the Father (John 8 verse 29).

The LORD begins to cut away parts of Israel.

Jehu did not turn from the golden calves at Bethel and Dan (verse 29). In those days the LORD began to cut away parts of Israel (verse 32). Hazael struck Israel's borders east of the Jordan, in Gilead and Bashan (verses 32 and 33).

Memorise

Know now that nothing will fall to the earth of Yahweh’s word, which Yahweh spoke concerning Ahab’s house. For Yahweh has done that which he spoke by his servant Elijah.

2 Kings 10:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I follow the LORD with all my heart, and come to Jesus?

Jehu said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for Yahweh.” He did not walk in the LORD's law with all his heart. Jesus is the One whose heart was always right with His Father, and He gives a whole heart to His people.

A divided heart needs a Savior, and no zeal can make a heart whole. Jesus died on the cross and carried the sin of His people. On the cross He finished that work, and no one can add to it. Then He rose again.

So turn from your sin and trust Jesus, and ask God for a new heart. Jesus forgives everyone who comes to Him in repentance and trust.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD did what He spoke about Ahab's house, and that Jehu's heart was not whole. Parents, please explain verses 1 to 27 in your own words, without details, and read Hosea 1 verse 4. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps every word He speaks, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11:19

Father, thank You that You did what You spoke about Ahab's house. Thank You for Jesus, who always pleased You and died for sinners. Give each child grace to turn from sin and trust Him, and give them a whole heart. Help us to follow You this week with all our hearts. Amen.