Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 9
After the brief notes about the death and funeral of Ahaziah, the Bible’s account returns to the day of Joram’s death. So, after Ahaziah escaped from Jehu on that day (9:27), Jehu went back to Jezreel. He returned there because he needed to deal with Jezebel. Jezebel was Ahab’s wife and Joram’s mother, and she was an extremely powerful person. She was responsible for many of the most evil acts of Ahab’s family; including its murders (9:7), its magic, and its wicked religions (9:22).
Jezebel’s religion – the religion of the false god Baal – emphasised power and control. So, Jezebel refused to show any sad feelings after the death of her son. Instead, she proudly wanted to show that she was in total control of this situation. She was not ashamed of anything that she had done. She knew how to control people by sex, by magic or by fear. Already, three kings of Israel and two kings of Judah had accepted her power over them. She clearly expected that she would be able to control Jehu too.
So, she prepared for Jehu’s return. She wanted to look beautiful and impressive, like a woman who wants to tempt a man. She gave particular attention to her face and her hair. Especially, she wanted her eyes to seem larger and she used special substances to achieve this effect.
When she had done all this, she sat at a window in the women’s part of the palace at Jezreel. There, she waited to gain Jehu’s attention as soon as he returned.
Next part: Jezebel insults Jehu (2 Kings 9:31)
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