148 Thrive Deeper: 2 Kings 9 - 2 Kings 17

Jehu – Israel (Northern Kingdom) - Anointed as King by Elisha in secret and given the task to destroy the house of Ahab. Jehu is the only king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to have been anointed Carried out God’s requirement and prophesy to eliminate Ahab’s complete family line including Jezebel. Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel, but he continued to allow the worshipping of the Golden Calves.

Athaliah Usurps the Throne (Judah – Southern Kingdom). She annihilated all the royal heirs. King Jehorams daughter rescued Joash (son of Ahaziah) when he was just an infant. Athaliah overthrown after 6 years.

Jehoida (High Priest) made reforms. Tore down the temple of Baal. Joash anointed king of Judah (only 7 years old) (Only survivor of the Davidic line after all his siblings are murdered by Athaliah) Reigned for 40 years. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but the High Places were not taken down and the people continued to sacrifice on the high places. (Only one ‘high place’ where God had authorised sacrifices which was the Temple in Jerusalem). Joash recovered and restored the worship of the Lord and repaired of the Temple. Joash stayed on track with God under the supervision of the High Priest Jehoiada, but when Jehoiada died, Joash fell back into evil ways. He turned back to idolatry. Joash was assassinated when he had reigned for 40 years.

King Jehoahaz (Israel) did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Continued with the sins (Idol worship) of Jeroboam. Israel accelerating it’s downhill slide to a day of reckoning.

Azariah King of Judah. Did what was right in the Lords sight. (Reigned for 52 years). Still however the High Places were NOT taken down.

The cost of Syncretism!