Elisha sends one of his prophets to secretly anoint Jehu as king of Israel. Jehu sets out for Jezreel. At the time, Ahaziah, king of Judah, is paying a visit to Joram, the ailing king of Israel. Joram’s messengers rush to inquire as to Jehu’s intentions, but ultimately find themselves joining his cause. When none of their emissaries return, the two kings themselves go to greet Jehu. Joram’s body is thrown into the burial plot that had once been Naboth’s vineyard, to avenge the abhorrent crime committed by his parents, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
Jezebel is waiting for her son and his ally to return to Jezreel. When she hears Jehu is coming, she adorns herself with makeup, fixes her hair, and sits beside the window. As punishment for Naboth’s murder, Jehu kills her by throwing her from the window. Jehu’s anointment and the death of Joram, Ahaziah, and Jezebel are part of a larger mission. Similarly, we must act moderately and learn to cope with the hardships we encounter. Everything is part of God’s greater plan, in which we play only a limited role.
“And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?” (2 Kings 9:22)
“Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD” (2 Kings 9:27)
Moderation is using humility to make behavioral choices.
