Jehu

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Yēhû (“Yahweh is he”), expressing allegiance to Israel’s God
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom
• Main References: 2 Kings 9–10; 2 Kings 15:12; Hosea 1:4
• Key Connections: Anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha; executed judgment on the house of Ahab and Jezebel; father of Jehoahaz (dynasty)

Who was Jehu?

Jehu was an Israelite commander who became king of the Northern Kingdom after being anointed to overthrow Ahab’s dynasty.
He carried out a violent purge that ended Omride rule and eliminated key supporters of Baal worship in Israel.
His reign established a new royal line that lasted four generations, as noted in the historical record.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Anointed king: Received prophetic anointing and commission to strike Ahab’s house (2 Kings 9:1–10).
• Event 2: Dynastic overthrow: Killed Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel’s death followed in Jezreel (2 Kings 9:14–37).
• Event 3: Baal purge: Destroyed the temple of Baal and killed its worshipers through a ruse (2 Kings 10:18–28).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Jehu’s story shows how royal power in Israel could be redirected by prophetic mandate, with lasting national consequences recorded in Israel’s historical and prophetic texts.

Key Verse

"And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD." — 2 Kings 9:7, ESV