The death of notoriously evil leaders like Hitler, bin Laden, Pol Pot, etc. evoked a sense of relief in the hearts of those who loved righteousness. It seemed that finally God had stepped in and repaid them for their atrocities.

Second Kings chapter 9 brings us to one such moment in Israel’s history. Through the prophet Elisha, God sets in motion a series of events that resulted in the eradication of the descendants of Ahab and Jezebel. These two rulers led Israel astray and persecuted those who were faithful to Yahweh (1 Kings 19:1–3). Ultimately, Ahab’s descendants who ruled in Israel were equally wicked! In Judah, the king, a son-in-law of Ahab, followed in the ways of Ahab (2 Kings 8:18). Finally, Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, was still alive and influential. How difficult it must have been for the faithful to endure all this evil while clinging to the belief that God had a plan! In moments of incomprehensible evil, the faithful must not misinterpret reality. God can push the reset button at any moment. In 2 Kings 9, He did just that.

Elisha sent one of his associates to anoint a new king over Israel, Jehu, a commander in the army of Israel (v. 3). Jehu killed the king of Israel, Joram (v. 24). He also ordered the death of the king of Judah, Ahaziah, and Jezebel (vv. 27, 33). Finally, in the next chapter Jehu would kill all of Ahab’s descendants and the prophets of Baal who served Ahab. In one fell swoop, God used Jehu to reset Israel.

Who could have believed that God would do this right up until the moment He did it! From the outside, Ahab died, and his son replaced him, but this story revealed that there is one King, Yahweh. He has a plan that He will execute at a time of His choosing.

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