Jehu – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:44:31 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png Jehu – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 The Kurkh Monoliths – The Stele of Shalmaneser III (Part 2) https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-kurkh-monoliths-the-stele-of-shalmaneser-iii-part-2/ Tue, 28 May 2019 21:19:13 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=4730

by David Wheeler

Black Kurkh Monolith

Previously, I reported on one of a set of steles known collectively as the Kurkh Monoliths. The one which was our subject was the stele of Shalmaneser III. Shalmaneser III was the ruler of the Assyrian Empire from 859-824 BC. The Kurkh Monolith recorded his advancement to the Syrian coast and attempted to take the upper Levant. He was met by a coalition of smaller kingdoms, including Israel, Damascus, Hamath, and Ammon, at the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC. The coalition fended off the Assyrian ruler and kept their sovereignty for a time. However, in 841 BC, Shalmaneser was successful in putting many of these kingdoms under tribute, most notably Jehu, king of Israel.

The Bible records Jehu being instructed by Elisha through “one of the sons of the prophets” (II Kings 10:1) to make an end to the House of Ahab and that he was being anointed as king of Israel. Jehu followed through on the order, taking the throne of Israel by force from Jehoram (Joram), killing both he and his mother, Jezebel, in the process. He also kills Ahaziah, king of Judah, at the same time. Jehu went on to attempt to purge the land of Baal worship. Soon after this, it appears that Jehu decided to side with Assyria, who was advancing to take Damascus from King Hazael. The Biblical history involving Jehu can be read in II Kings 9-10.

Jehu kneeling before the King of Assyria

Jehu’s payment of tribute is recorded by Shalmaneser III’s administration in the Black Obelisk. This is a black limestone sculpture that is four-sided. It contains five scenes (registers) of five different rulers paying tribute to Shalmaneser. The registers go from top to bottom, and each register wraps around the sculpture with four sides (A through D) completing the scene. Jehu’s tribute payment is recorded in the second from the top register. The rulers from top to bottom are as follows:

  1. Sua of Gilzanu (in northwestern Iran)
  2. Jehu of the House of Omri
  3. A ruler of Musri who is unnamed (some have identified as Egypt)
  4. Marduk-apil-usur of Suhi (a Babylonian ruler)
  5. Qalparunda of Patin (present-day region of Turkey)

Some scholars, most notably George Smith, P. Kyle McCarter, and Edwin R. Thiele believe the second register to record a tribute given by Jehoram (Joram) of Israel to Shalmaneser. However, most believe it to be a depiction of Jehu. Regardless, this is, at the present time, the earliest depiction of a Biblical figure. The inscription for register 2 reads, "The tribute of Jehu, son of Omri: I received from him silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden vase with pointed bottom, golden tumblers, golden buckets, tin, a staff for a king [and] spears."

The obelisk was erected as a public monument in 825 BC at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) in northern Iraq. It was likely erected at a time of civil war (Taylor). It is housed at the British Museum in London.

Top of Kurkh Black Monolith

Two Assyrian attendants - Shalmaneser III - Jehu (or Jehoram) bowing - Two Israelite officials
Register 2 frame A

Two Assyrian Officials - Three Israelite Tribute Bearers
Register 2 Frame B

Israelite Tribute Bearers with Offerings
Register 2 Frame C

Israelite Tribute Bearers with Offerings
Register 2 Frame D

]]> 4730 Jehu’s Reformations https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/jehus-reformations/ Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:52:00 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=53036

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: I Kings 12:25-33

I.         After the northern tribes separated from Judah, the kingdom they established was never ruled by a good king.

            A.        The very first king, Jeroboam, sought to stabilize his country by establishing his own religion - I Kings 12:25-33

                        1.         He feared defection if the people crossed into Judah so he created centers of worship in his own country.

                        2.         To gain acceptance, he made the religion some what like that given to God.

                        3.         To keep people around, he declared feast days to coincide with the feasts in Jerusalem.

                        4.         And thus he lead the people into idolatry.

                        5.         For this he and his descendants were removed - I Kings 15:25-30

            B.        But Baasha didn’t learn the lesson.

                        1.         Perhaps he thought it didn’t apply to him - I Kings 15:33-34

                        2.         Yet, he suffered the same fate - I Kings 16:1-4, 8-13

            C.        Zimri did not last long, only a week, yet his short reign continued the sin of Jeroboam - I Kings 16:18-19

            D.        Omri and his son, Ahab, made matters worse by bringing in Baal worship on top of the idolatry Jeroboam created - I Kings 16:31-33

            E.        It was during Ahab’s reign that Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and Asheroth, proving who really reigned.

                        1.         It was at this time, too, that Elijah was given a task for the future - I Kings 19:15-17

                        2.         Ahab dies and Ahaziah, his son, takes his place - I Kings 22:51-53

                        3.         He doesn’t last long - II Kings 1:16-17

                        4.         Another son of Ahab takes the throne - II Kings 3:1-3

                                    a.         Jehoram does a little better. He stops worshiping Baal and Asheroth, but he still follows Jeroboam’s creation.

II.        The Zeal of Jehu

            A.        Elisha fulfills the command originally given to Elijah - II Kings 9:1-10

            B.        Jehu’s commission is to destroy the house of Ahab, just as Jeroboam and Baasha’s houses were destroyed.

                        1.         Johoram, or Joram, is wounded in battle with Hazael, so Jehu uses the opportunity - II Kings 9:14-26

                        2.         He then killed Ahaziah, king of Judah, who was supporting Joram in his war - II Kings 9:27-28

                        3.         He then goes after Jezebel. She taunts him by calling him Zimri, the short-lived killer of Baasha’s house. All it got her was a quick death - II Kings 9:30-37

                        4.         Jehu has all descendants of Ahab killed as proof of loyalty - II Kings 10:1-10

                        5.         He has everyone loyal to Ahab’s house killed - II Kings 10:11-17

            C.        Jehu, in a clever scheme, removed all the Baal worshipers as well - II Kings 10:18-28

III.       The Downfall of Jehu

            A.        With so much zeal for the Lord, it is surprising what we learn next - II Kings 10:29

                        1.         Recall that Jeroboam’s religion was an imitation of the true worship of God. Perhaps Jehu felt that it was close enough.

                        2.         Jeroboam’s religion had be in place for many generations. Perhaps Jehu felt that if God tolerated it this long, a bit longer won’t matter.

                        3.         Besides it retained its political advantage of keeping people in Israel.

            B.        God’s judgment - II Kings 10:30-33

                        1.         For his zeal, four kings of his lineage followed him. The fourth, Zechariah is killed in a political upheaval has God predicted - II Kings 15:8-10

                        2.         However, even as Jehu reigned, Israel began losing territory bit by bit.

IV.      Application - I Corinthians 10:6, 11-12

            A.        Becoming a Christian involves a change in life - Ephesians 4:17-24

                        1.         It cannot be a partial change - James 2:10-12

                        2.         Cannot stay in sin - Romans 6:1-4

                        3.         Cannot be conformed to this world - I Peter 1:14

                        4.         Must cease from sin - I Peter 4:1-2

            B.        Jehu proved himself zealous to reform, but only to the extent that he wanted.

                        1.         Far too many Christians reform their lives, but only to the extent that they want

                        2.         They keep some of their past lives, finding comfort in familiar ways.

                        3.         Christianity becomes a religion of convenience. As long as I can see the benefit to me, I’ll change, but I retain the right to veto.

            C.        Such semi-reformation will not get us to heaven. It will not bring glory to God because it places our own choices over God’s.

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