INTRODUCTION: In 2 Kings 9, Jehu kills Jehoram king of Israel, Ahaziah king of Judah, and Jezebel. But he is not through. In this chapter, we see the destruction of the children of Ahab, the brethren of Ahaziah, and the worshippers of Baal. In the end, Jehu is not a godly king. However, he portrays one aspect of the divine character – that of complete and total justice. As Jehu brought the guilty to justice, so will God do in the end. This story stands as a solemn warning to those who scoff at the judgment of God.

1. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SONS OF AHAB (2 Kings 10:1-11 [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, [2] Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; [3] Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house. [4] But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? [5] And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes. [6] Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. [7] And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel. [8] And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. [9] And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? [10] Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. [11] So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
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1. Jehu’s Letters to the Elders of Samaria (2 Kings 10:1-3 [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, [2] Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; [3] Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
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1. The situation in Samaria (2 Kings 10:1And 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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1. Seventy sons of Ahab
2. The elders of the city over them
2. The letters of Jehu (2 Kings 10:2-3 [2] Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; [3] Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
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1. You have a position of strength (2 Kings 10:2Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
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2. Set one of Ahab’s sons on the throne (2 Kings 10:3Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
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3. Fight for your master’s house (2 Kings 10:3Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
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2. The Elders’ Offer of Submission to Jehu (2 Kings 10:4-5 [4] But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? [5] And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
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1. The fear of the elders (2 Kings 10:4But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
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2. The submission of the elders (2 Kings 10:5And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
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1. We are your servants and will do all you ask.
2. We will not set anyone up as king.
3. Do what is good in your eyes.
3. The Elders’ Killing of the Sons of Ahab (2 Kings 10:6-7 [6] Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. [7] And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
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1. The instructions of Jehu (2 Kings 10:6Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
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1. Take the heads of your master’s sons.
2. Come to Jezreel by this time tomorrow.
2. The obedience of the elders (2 Kings 10:7And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
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1. They slew seventy of the king’s sons.
2. They put their heads in baskets.
3. They sent them to Jezreel.
4. Jehu’s Disclosure of the Guilt of the Elders (2 Kings 10:8-9 [8] And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. [9] And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
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1. They laid them in two heaps (2 Kings 10:8And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.
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1. At the entering in of the gate
2. Until the morning
2. The statements of Jehu (2 Kings 10:9And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
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5. Jehu’s Complete Destruction of the House of Ahab (2 Kings 10:10-11 [10] Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. [11] So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
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1. The Lord will fulfill all His will against the house of Ahab (2 Kings 10:10Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.
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2. Jehu left none remaining of the house of Ahab (2 Kings 10:11So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
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2. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BRETHREN OF AHAZIAH (2 Kings 10:12-14 [12] And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way, [13] Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen. [14] And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
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1. Jehu Discovered the Brethren of Ahaziah (2 Kings 10:12-13 [12] And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way, [13] Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
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1. Jehu came to a shearing house in the way (2 Kings 10:12And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
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2. Jehu met the brethren of Ahaziah (2 Kings 10:13Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
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2. Jehu Destroyed the Brethren of Ahaziah (2 Kings 10:14And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
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1. They took them alive and slew them at the shearing house pit.
2. They killed 42 men.
3. THE CHARIOT RIDE OF JEHONADAB (2 Kings 10:15-17 [15] And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. [16] And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot. [17] And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.
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1. Jehu Took Jehonadab Up into His Chariot (2 Kings 10:15And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
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1. Jehu saluted Jehonadab the son of Rechab.
2. Jehonadab gave him his hand.
3. Jehu took him up into the chariot.
2. Jehu Showed Jehonadab His Zeal for the Lord (2 Kings 10:16-17 [16] And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot. [17] And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.
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1. Jehu took Jehonadab in the chariot with him (2 Kings 10:16And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
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2. Jehu came to Samaria and slew all that remained to Ahab (2 Kings 10:17And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.
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4. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORSHIPPERS OF BAAL (2 Kings 10:18-28 [18] And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. [19] Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. [20] And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. [21] And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. [22] And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. [23] And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only. [24] And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. [25] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. [26] And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. [27] And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. [28] Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
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1. Jehu Called for a Solemn Assembly for Baal (2 Kings 10:18-20 [18] And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. [19] Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. [20] And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.
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1. He claimed he would serve Baal more than Ahab (2 Kings 10:18And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.
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2. He called all the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:19Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
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3. He announced a great sacrifice for Baal (2 Kings 10:19Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
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1. He promised death to those who did not show up.
2. He did it subtly to destroy the worshippers of Baal.
4. He proclaimed a solemn assembly for Baal (2 Kings 10:20And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.
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2. Jehu Gathered Baal Worshippers into the House of Baal (2 Kings 10:21-23 [21] And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. [22] And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. [23] And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
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1. All the worshippers of Baal came (2 Kings 10:21And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
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2. They filled the house of Baal (2 Kings 10:21And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
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3. He brought forth the vestments for the worshippers (2 Kings 10:22And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
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1. Vestments: the sacred robes that they wore when they worshipped Baal
2. Vestry: the wardrobe where they kept the vestments
4. He made sure that only worshippers of Baal were there (2 Kings 10:23And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
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3. Jehu Destroyed All the Worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:24-25 [24] And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. [25] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.
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1. Jehu put 80 men to guard the doors (2 Kings 10:24And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.
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2. The men slew all the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:25And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.
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4. Jehu Destroyed the Images and House of Baal (2 Kings 10:26-28 [26] And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. [27] And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. [28] Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
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1. They destroyed the images of Baal (2 Kings 10:26-27 [26] And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. [27] And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
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2. They destroyed the house of Baal (2 Kings 10:27And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
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3. They destroyed the worship of Baal (2 Kings 10:28Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
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5. THE SUMMARY OF THE REIGN OF JEHU (2 Kings 10:29-36 [29] Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. [30] And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. [31] But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. [32] In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; [33] From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan. [34] Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? [35] And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead. [36] And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
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1. The Character of the Reign of Jehu (2 Kings 10:29-31 [29] Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. [30] And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. [31] But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
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1. He continued to follow the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:29Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
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2. He received a promise from the Lord (2 Kings 10:30And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
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1. Because he executed what was right in the eyes of the Lord
2. His children would reign over Israel unto the fourth generation.
3. Jehu refused to walk in the law of God with all his heart (2 Kings 10:31But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
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2. The Beginning of the Destruction of Israel (2 Kings 10:32-33 [32] In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; [33] From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
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1. The Lord began to cut Israel short (2 Kings 10:32In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
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2. The king of Syria smote the outlying areas of Israel (2 Kings 10:32In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
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3. The End of the Reign of Jehu (2 Kings 10:34-36 [34] Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? [35] And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead. [36] And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
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1. Written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel (2 Kings 10:34Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
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2. He died and was buried in Samaria (2 Kings 10:35And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
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3. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead (2 Kings 10:35And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
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4. Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years (2 Kings 10:36And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
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CONCLUSION: Jehu did much right in the eyes of the Lord, but in the end he still failed to depart from all the sins of Jeroboam.