Overview of the Jehu Dynasty
The House of Jehu, also known as the Jehu dynasty, was a ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Israel that is depicted in both Books of Kings. The dynasty’s rise to power began with Jehu’s revolt against the Omride dynasty, which had been in power for several generations. Jehu was a commander in the army of Israel and is infamous for his ferocious way of taking power. He succeeded in overthrowing the Omrides and establishing himself as the new king, marking the beginning of the Jehu dynasty’s reign.
The Jehu dynasty was characterized by several key rulers and their achievements. King Jehu, the founder of the dynasty, was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz of Israel, who reigned for 17 years. Then Jehoahez’s son Jehoash of Israel continued for 16 years. then Jehoash’s son Jeroboam II continued for 41 years. Lastly, Jeroboam II was succeeded by Zachariah, who reigned for 2 years bringing the dynasty to an end. Jehu’s reign was followed by four generations, in line with God’s promise that his dynasty would last for four generations (2Ki 10:30).
During their reign, the Jehu dynasty was able to establish a firm grip on the northern kingdom of Israel, which had been weakened by the Omrides. The dynasty’s most significant achievements include the destruction of the worship and the worshipers of Baal and the extermination of the house of Ahab which shed many innocent blood and founded the worship of Baal. The dynasty expanded the northern kingdom’s economy through an alliance with the Phoenicians.
Additionally, Jehoash of Israel enriched the kingdom of Israel when he defeated King Amaziah of the Davidic dynasty and took all the gold, silver, and other valuables from the temple of God and Amaziah’s palace in Jerusalem (2Ki 14:13-14; 2Ki 13:12). Also, King Jeroboam II expanded the Kingdom of Israel by capturing the Syrian city of Damascus and the Jewish city of Hamath (2Ki 14:28) and he recovered the territories of Israel from Hamath to the Dead Sea (2Ki 14:28).
The arch-enemy of the Jehu dynasty was Hazael the Syrian king. He bitterly harassed Israel, especially, during the reign of King Jehu and Jehoahaz. King Hazael defeated King Jehu in many battles and dwelt upon his victory to take all the lands of Israel on the east of the Jordan River namely, the territories of the tribe of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tibe of Manasseh. These lands were recovered by Jehu’s grandson King Jehoash of Israel who defeated Hazael’s son Benhadad III three times in battle. Later, King Jeroboam II came to break the Syrians and captured their capital city Damascus.
Despite their achievements and successes and the fact that the later years were characterized by stability and prosperity, the Jehu dynasty eventually fell. The dynasty fell because it ran out of time. All along the dynasty thrived on the promise of God that the descendants of Jehu would reign to the fourth generation. The fourth generation descendant of Jehu who was made a king was Zachariah. Just two years into his reign, Zachariah was assassinated by Shallum. King Shallum usurped the throne to bring an end to the Jehu dynasty. Despite their eventual fall, the Jehu dynasty left a lasting legacy in the history of the Kingdom of Israel.