Jehu Man of Action

Synopsis     2Kings 9:13-20     8/26/2019 

Jehu was one of the generals leading King Joram’s army. But Elisha had sent a guild prophet to anoint Jehu the new king over Israel. So, after the prophet departed, Jehu informed the other generals of Elisha’s anointing. And they all acknowledged him as king.  

Jehu immediately formed a plan and enlisted the help of the generals who had pledged their loyalty to him. Most of them remained at Ramoth-gilead to assure no news reached King Joram before Jehu could confront him.  

Jehu took his attendants and raced for Jezreel, where the wounded king was recovering.  

Jezreel was high above the valley and enjoyed an expansive view of the valley below. King Joram’s watchman saw Jehu as he approached from across the valley. So, Joram sent a messenger out to investigate who was approaching and why they were coming with such great speed.  

However, when the charioteer met him, Jehu refused to stop. Instead, he ordered the messenger to fall in line with his attendants. Realizing that Jehu was not stopping to speak with the messenger, he sent another charioteer out as his messenger. And the same thing happened. Jehu refused to stop. Once again, he ordered the messenger to join his attendants. And then, he raced even faster to meet Joram in his palace.  

Jehu Man of Action 

Jehu was a man of action. With the clarity of purpose given to him by Elisha, he zealously forged ahead. He would not let anything deter him from achieving his purpose.  

Person of Action 

Acting with urgency is critical to success. But I’m only right to act with urgency when I’m pretty sure I know what I’m trying to accomplish. For Jehu, God gave clarity through the prophet. And in light of this truth, Jehu acted with determination. 

But thanks be to God for His willingness to share His word with men on earth.  

And so, we come to the scriptures in the way of Lectio Divina. We lectio (read). We meditatio (meditate). And we oratio (respond). Then, we contemplatio (contemplate). And finally, we actio (act). 

Action is the fulfillment of knowing through prayer.  

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” James 1:22