Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
Devotional: July 22nd

2 Kings 10:28-36; 2 Kings 11:1-3

In our consideration of Jehu as the executor of the vengeance of the LORD, we think of the King, of the strong Man (Christ) to whom Psalms 45 is addressed: "Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows . . ." (Psalms 45:7 – cf. 2 Kings 9:6)." "And in thy majesty ride prosperously . . . " (Psalms 45:4 – cf. 2 Kings 9:16). "Thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies" (Psalms 45:4-5 – cf. 2 Kings 9:24). And in consequence, the throne is conferred on Him, not for a limited time (four generations are granted to Jehu – v. 30), but "for ever and ever" (Psalms 45:6).

Alas, v. 31 underlines the complete contrast, and teaches us a solemn lesson: it is possible to exhibit great zeal for God, to do spectacular deeds which have all the appearance of faith, and with all that to be only seeking our own interests.

Ch. 11 takes us to the kingdom of Judah where we see the abominable Athaliah, true daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, looking after her own interests by murdering all her own male descendants, so as to seize the crown for herself.