2 Kings 9 & 10: He Understood The Assignment
- Kami Pentecost
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Jehu is the one I can’t stop thinking about from our reading. One moment he’s being anointed king, the next he’s handed an assignment to wipe out an entire family line.
“and pour the oil over his head. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you to be the king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run for your life!” The entire family of Ahab must be wiped out. I will destroy every one of his male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel. I will destroy the family of Ahab as I destroyed the families of Jeroboam son of Nebat and of Baasha son of Ahijah. Dogs will eat Ahab’s wife Jezebel at the plot of land in Jezreel, and no one will bury her.” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.” 2 Kings 9:3, 8-10 NLT
Imagine being anointed king one moment, and the next being given the task of completely wiping out an entire family line. That’s not a role I’d be eager to step into. No Thankyou!
It makes me think about how God gave different leaders very different tasks. David was a military leader. Solomon was a builder. Jehu was called to bring judgment/justice. Each assignment very
different yet very Important. This one, his calling… this feels especially brutal.
I think about people today in roles that most of us wouldn’t want or can’t understand what it requires. Military commanders who come home carrying things their families and loved ones may may never truly understand although criticize their harsh tone. Police officers and firefighters exposed to trauma on repeat. Even my sister, working in anti-human trafficking—she’s had to step into darkness most of us couldn’t handle. How do you turn that off when you walk through the front door? You don’t. It stays with you.
When my business was exploding and I was leading hundreds and hundreds of people, I remember coming home and struggling to turn it off and not being "the boss" if you will.
Anyways, it appears as though Jehu, who understood the assignment, was built for it. I’m not surprised he struggled at the end of his life though. He had to do some rough things that would have to mess with you. Golly.
“He sent messengers throughout all Israel summoning those who worshiped Baal. They all came—not a single one remained behind—and they filled the temple of Baal from one end to the other. And Jehu instructed the keeper of the wardrobe, “Be sure that every worshiper of Baal wears one of these robes.” So robes were given to them.” 2 Kings 10:21-22 NLT
Woah! He took this assignment very seriously. What a strategy. I have to admit I loved his idea of how he killed off all the Baal profits. It was a GENIUS strategy. It reminds me of something a Mentor wants told me when the Lord gives you a vision or an assignment he gives you the wisdom and the strategy to execute it 🔥🔥🔥
Obedience doesn’t always look like something we would choose. Sometimes it means stepping into a role that others couldn’t carry, and leaning on God to provide the strength to finish it.
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