2 Kings 10:29

THE SACRED WRITER'S APPRAISAL OF JEHU'S WORK

"Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. And Jehovah said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Jehovah, the God of Israel, with all his heart: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel to sin."

This is a tragic appraisal. Honeycutt expressed surprise that, "The Deuteronomic editor limited his summary of Jehu's reign to seven words (2 Kings 10:28);"[19] In fact, the passage contradicts the possibility that any "Deuteronomic editor" ever had anything to do with it. The mythical `Deuteronomic editor' of the critical schools would certainly have been far more appreciative of Jehu's work than what is indicated here. As Josephus tells us, the prophets of God are the authors of the historical books.

"Thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel" (2 Kings 10:30). It is related here that God said this to Jehu, yet we can hardly suppose that God appeared directly to such an evil man. "This prophecy was fulfilled in Jehoahaz, Joash, and Jeroboam II."[20] God's speaking to Jehu in such a prophecy, "Probably came via the mouth of Elisha."[21]