Question 1

Why did Jehu order the death of Ahab’s seventy sons?

Accepted Answer

Jehu ordered the death of Ahab’s seventy sons to carry out God’s earlier word of judgment against Ahab’s house. God had said that Ahab’s family would be cut off because of their deep wickedness and idolatry. Jehu had been anointed to be king and to bring this judgment. By sending letters to the rulers and guardians in Samaria, he forced them to choose: either fight for Ahab’s line or submit and carry out the sentence. Their fear and obedience showed that no one could stand against what God had said.

Question 2

What is the point of Jehu piling the heads at the city gate?

Accepted Answer

The heaps of heads at the city gate were a public message. Jehu wanted everyone to see that Ahab’s line was truly ended and that what God had spoken about Ahab’s house had come to pass. At the same time, he reminded the people that he had killed his master, but others had killed these sons, spreading the blame. The sight was shocking and grim, but it underlined that God’s word about judgment does not fail, even when carried out through harsh and ugly human actions.

Question 3

Why did Jehu kill Ahaziah’s relatives at the shearing house?

Accepted Answer

Jehu met Ahaziah’s relatives on the road while they were going to greet the royal family connected to Ahab. Because Ahaziah of Judah was tied to Ahab’s house through marriage, his relatives were part of that wider circle of influence. Jehu’s mission was to remove all support for Ahab’s line, so he saw these men as part of the same corrupt network. He had them seized and killed. The passage shows how far the judgment reached and how dangerous it was to be closely joined with a wicked house.

Question 4

Who is Jehonadab son of Rechab, and why does Jehu seek him out?

Accepted Answer

Jehonadab son of Rechab appears as a godly man known for his strict and devoted way of life. When Jehu meets him, Jehu asks if their hearts are joined, then takes him into his chariot. Jehu wants Jehonadab to see his “zeal for the Lord,” and having such a respected man beside him gives weight to his actions in the eyes of the people. Their partnership shows that leaders often look for the support of those who fear God, though the story also invites us to ask whether Jehu’s zeal is pure or mixed with pride and show.

Question 5

Why did Jehu pretend to worship Baal and call a great sacrifice?

Accepted Answer

Jehu’s claim that he would serve Baal “much” was a trap. He ordered all Baal’s prophets, priests, and worshippers to gather for a large sacrifice, warning that anyone absent would die. Once they were all packed into the temple of Baal and clearly marked out, he had his men surround the place and kill everyone inside. Then they destroyed the images and the building itself. Jehu used deceit to wipe out Baal worship in Israel. The passage shows that God used even this crafty plan to end a deep pattern of idolatry.

Question 6

If Jehu destroyed Baal worship, why is he still criticized in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The text praises Jehu for carrying out God’s judgment on Ahab and for putting an end to Baal worship in Israel. God even promises that his sons to the fourth generation will sit on Israel’s throne. Yet the passage also says Jehu did not walk in God’s law with all his heart, because he kept the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn from the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. So Jehu shows strong outward zeal in some areas but refuses full obedience. This warns that partial obedience is not the same as a whole heart toward God.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about God’s judgment and human evil?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s word of judgment really happens, even when it comes through flawed and violent people. Jehu’s actions are often ruthless and mixed with pride, yet the text keeps pointing back to what God had spoken about Ahab’s house and how it was fulfilled. God is not excusing Jehu’s sin, but He is ruling over events so that evil leadership and false worship are brought down. It reminds us that God remains in control, even in dark times, and that persistent sin and idolatry have real consequences.

Question 8

Why does God begin to ‘cut Israel short’ during Jehu’s reign?

Accepted Answer

Later in the passage, God begins to “cut Israel short” by allowing Hazael of Syria to strike their land and take territory east of the Jordan. This comes after we read that Jehu did not take care to walk in God’s law with all his heart and that he kept the sin of the golden calves. So while Jehu had done well in judging Ahab’s house and ending Baal worship, he still led Israel in false worship. God’s patience has limits. The losses under Hazael show that ongoing disobedience brings weakening and loss, even after some good reforms.

Question 9

How can a believer today respond to Jehu’s example of partial obedience?

Accepted Answer

Jehu’s story pushes us to look at our own hearts. He did some hard things that lined up with what God had said, yet he held on to his own favorite sins. It is easy to be bold about some parts of obedience, especially when they fit our plans or make us look strong, and still refuse to let go of other idols. A believer today can pray for a heart that loves all of God’s ways, not just the ones that feel comfortable, and can ask God to show and tear down any “golden calves” that remain.

2 Kings 10:1

And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s children, saying,

Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

Jehu Kills the Priests of Baal

Jehu Repeats Jeroboam’s Sins

Jehoahaz Succeeds Jehu in Israel

Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

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2 Kings 10:1

And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s children, saying,

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Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

Jehu Kills the Priests of Baal

Jehu Repeats Jeroboam’s Sins

Jehoahaz Succeeds Jehu in Israel

Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

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