Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah during the 5th year of Joram's reign in Israel. (I must admit that I began to get so confused after King Solomon died and the tribes split and the names of the kings for Judah and Israel were similar or identical and I was sure the room was spinning... I started to make a chart for myself, I feel much better.) He reigned for 8 years and died. He was succeeded by his son, Ahaziah (yes, this name was mentioned over in Israel too - different guy) Ahaziah reigned for 1 year. He joined Joram and they went to war against the Arameans. Joram was wounded and went to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah, the king of Judah went to visit him during his convalscence.
Meanwhile, Elisha had a prophet take oil and run to where a man named Jehu was and anoint him with oil and make him the next king of Israel. He also instructed him to destroy the house of Ahab, who worshiped idols and other gods. So he did. He killed Joram with an arrow through his heart. He killed Ahaziah too. Then he went after Jezebel and avenged all the prophets she had killed. He ordered eunuchs to throw her out the window of a tower and they did. They went in and ate, and Jehu ordered some men to bury her because she was royalty. When they went to get her body there was only her skull, hands and feet. The prophecy that there would't be enough of her left to bury came true.
Next it was time to eliminate the house of Ahab as Jehu had been charged to do. He sent letters to the officials of Jezreel who were afraid of him after what he had done to Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. They wrote back to him that they would do what he asked. He wrote back that he wanted them to bring the heads of all 70 of the royal princes to him in Jezreel. So they did. Then he went throughout the countryside killing anyone who did not love God, making Elijah's prophecy regarding the house of Ahab come true.
Then Jehu played a trick on the ministers of Baal. He told them to gather all the believers, because he was going to be a bigger follower of Baal than Ahab. They all went for it - the ministers, and people alike. They entered the temple of Baal and Jehu asked them if there was anyone who followed the Lord if so, they weren't welcome there. He had also put 80 men outside to guard the entrance and if anyone inside escaped, they would pay with their own lives. So, inside the temple of Baal, they made sacrifices...
Tomorrow read2Kings 10:25-14:10
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