2 Kings

2 Kings 9: The LORD judges Ahab's house

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jehu and the house of Ahab, let us turn to the Lord together. Ask Him to show us the weight of sin, and to show us Jesus, the Judge who bore judgment for His people.

Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.

Isaiah 45:17

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You judge sin and keep Your word. Help us to fear You, and to trust Jesus, who saves His people from judgment. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Elisha sends a young prophet to Ramoth Gilead to anoint Jehu as king over Israel, as the LORD had said. Jehu's fellow captains ask what the mad fellow wanted, and then they spread their cloaks, blow the trumpet, and crown him. Jehu rides to Jezreel, where Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah go out to meet him. Jehu shoots Joram, and he throws Joram's body into the field of Naboth, as the LORD had said. Ahaziah flees and dies at Megiddo. Jezebel looks out from a window, and Jehu orders her thrown down, so that the word of the LORD through Elijah comes true. The LORD had said that He would repay the blood of Naboth and his sons, and Jehu now rules in Israel.

As you read 2 Kings 9, look for the answers:

• Why does the LORD say He is judging Ahab's house? (verse 7)
• Whose field is the plot where Joram's body is thrown? (verse 25)
• Whose word about Jezebel does Jehu say comes true? (verse 36)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD anointed Jehu to judge Ahab's house, as He had said through Elijah.

The LORD had seen the blood of Naboth and his sons, and of His servants the prophets (verses 7 and 26). So Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint Jehu, an army captain, as king over Israel (verses 1 to 6). The prophet told Jehu to strike the house of Ahab, for the whole house would perish (verses 7 and 8). Jehu's fellow captains crowned him at once, and he rode to Jezreel to meet King Joram (verses 13 to 16). Jehu shot Joram and had his body cast into Naboth's field, where the LORD had said He would repay (verse 26). Ahaziah of Judah died, and Jezebel was thrown down, as the LORD had said by Elijah (verses 27 to 36). This chapter shows that the LORD sees innocent blood, and His word of judgment does not fail. Jehu carried out the LORD's word here, but his own deeds are not an example to copy.

How does 2 Kings 9 show us that the LORD anointed Jehu to judge Ahab's house, as He had said through Elijah?

The LORD chooses Jehu to judge Ahab's house.

The LORD said that Jehu would strike Ahab's house, to avenge the blood of His servants the prophets (verses 6 and 7). A young prophet anointed Jehu with oil, as the LORD had commanded (verses 1 to 3). Jehu's captains crowned him king (verse 13).

The LORD's word comes true against Ahab's house.

Joram's body was thrown into Naboth's field, as the LORD had said (verses 25 and 26). Parents, you may want to explain verses 30 to 37 in your own words, without details. Jezebel's end came as Elijah had spoken, because the LORD keeps His word (verses 36 and 37).

The LORD sees the blood of the innocent.

The LORD said He had seen the blood of Naboth and his sons (verse 26). He had also seen the blood of His servants the prophets (verse 7). Jesus, the righteous One, suffered for sins once, for the unrighteous, to bring them to God (1 Peter 3 verse 18).

Memorise

I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, even over Israel.

2 Kings 9:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I take the LORD's word seriously, and do I come to Jesus?

The young prophet said to Jehu, “I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, even over Israel.” The LORD had spoken, and His word came true. Jesus is the King whom God anointed, and He will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10 verse 42).

Every person has sinned against the holy LORD and stands guilty before Him. Jesus came and died on the cross in His people's place, and the work He did there needs nothing added to it. God raised Him from the dead.

Come to Him now, put away your sin, and trust Jesus. He forgives everyone who comes to Him in repentance, and He gives His people a new heart.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD anointed Jehu to judge Ahab's house, and that His word came true. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, please explain verses 24 to 37 in your own words, without details. 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 judges sin and keeps His word, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Break out into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem.

Isaiah 52:9

Father, thank You that You judge sin, keep Your word, and comfort Your people. Thank You for Jesus, the Judge who died for sinners and rose again. Bring every child to turn from sin and trust Him. Help us to fear You and rest in Your mercy this week. Amen.