King Jehu (Israel)

−841 – −814

Hebrew years: 3056–3083 (ג׳נ״ו–ג׳פ״ג)

Jehu, or his envoy, bows before Shalmaneser III of Assyria on the Black Obelisk, about −825 (British Museum, London). The only picture of a king of Israel from his own lifetime. · Photo by Steven G. Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Jehu was anointed king through a prophetic mission connected to Elisha, with the purpose of destroying the house of Ahab. He carried this out decisively, killing Ahab’s descendants, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal, effectively ending Baal worship as a state religion. However, despite his zeal, he continued the sin of Jeroboam (the golden calves), showing partial obedience. Because of his actions, God promised him a dynasty lasting four generations. Politically, he submitted to Assyria, which marked a shift in Israel’s independence.

Hebrew years: 3056–3083 (ג׳נ״ו–ג׳פ״ג)
Place: Samaria
Category: Kings of Israel
Part of: Israel & Judah