Evil Tyrants Dethroned

Relief and satisfaction! That is how those who care about the Kingdom of God feel when those who oppose God are disposed from places of profound influence.

In 2 Kings 9:1-3, God led Elisha the prophet to anoint Jehu king over Israel. Anointed by God, Jehu took out two evil kings in one day: Joram the king of Israel (2 Kings 9:24), and Ahaziah the king of Judah (2 Kings 9:27).

Joram’s death fulfilled a prophecy that Elijah had spoken. Joram’s mother, Queen Jezebel, wrote a letter in the name of her husband King Ahab, to have witnesses falsely accuse Naboth of a crime so that he would be put to death and her husband could confiscate his land. Jehu remembered the prophecy…

“Pick him [Joram] up, and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father, that the Lord laid this burden upon him: ‘Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will repay you in this plot,’ says the Lord. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the Lord.” (2 Kings 9:25-26)

Jehu also ordered the death of Queen Jezebel…

“And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So, two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said, “Throw her down.” So, they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.” (2 Kings 9:32-33)

After Jezebel died, Jehu remembered another prophecy…

“This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, here lies Jezebel.’” (2 Kings 9:36-37)

Three evil tyrants downed in one day!

But after King Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah slew all but one of her sons and took over the reigns of rulership in Judah. She reigned six years, but finally was put to death, and replaced by the son, Johash, that she failed to kill, ruled in her stead. The result???

“All the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword in the king’s house.” (See 2 Kings 11:1-3, 20)

Sadly, although King Jehu was an improvement over King Joram of Israel, and King Johash was an improvement over Queen Athaliah of Judah, they also failed to be good rulers of their people.

When bad rulers rule it is good to keep in mind that the Lord is able to remove them. God removed King Herod from oppressing the people.

“So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:21-23)

David wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” (Psalm 75:6-7)