NOTES for Ki2 9:1-37

At Elisha's instruction, Jehu is anointed king. He becomes king while the country is still ruled by its lawful king, whose right to the throne is supported by every existing law. Yet beneath the appearance of legality, lawlessness reigns in the country, and so Elisha, through whom the Lord communicates His will, blesses the removal of the ruler. Yes, all authority is given to earthly rulers by God, but this means that a change of authority also comes from Him.

And now the long-foretold reckoning for the many crimes of the wicked kings arrives, and the house of Ahab, mired in impiety, meets its destruction. Retribution also overtakes Queen Jezebel. She reaped the fruit that she herself had planted. Yet even knowing how much evil this woman brought, one cannot fail to acknowledge the courage with which she accepts death at the hands of her enemies. Even in the words of Jehu, who wanted the queen to be buried with honor, one senses respect for her. Behind the tersely drawn character one senses an extraordinary person who gave herself over to evil. The very same traits of character could have been directed toward good. But she made another choice, and one must answer for one's choices.