Jezebel’s fate vividly illustrates how God’s word stands firm against every proud and unrepentant heart.
In the aftermath of Jezebel’s dramatic demise at the hands of Jehu, the scripture describes how those who came to bury her were met with a gruesome discovery: “And they went to bury her, but they found nothing more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.” (v.35) This event took place in Jezreel, a city located in the northern kingdom of Israel near the Valley of Jezreel. In ancient times, Jezreel served as a strategic site for military encampments and royal residences, making it the backdrop of critical stories where the people of Israel saw both political intrigue and divine judgment unfold.
This verse reveals the complete fulfillment of God’s warning against Jezebel. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, who reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel approximately from 874 BC to 853 BC. She wielded tremendous influence and led Israel into idolatry, even bringing about the persecution of the prophets of the LORD. Her position and actions placed her on a collision course with the prophet Elijah’s prophecy that she would be devoured by dogs (1 Kings 21:23). Now Jehu, who would go on to rule Israel from about 841 BC to 814 BC, carried out his divinely appointed task to purge the house of Ahab. In doing so, he oversaw the final chapter of Jezebel’s life, which ended exactly as foretold—leaving nearly nothing to bury. Such a stark outcome emphasizes the severity of rejecting God’s covenant and ignoring repeated warnings of judgment. It also points ahead to the biblical lesson that God graciously offers people the opportunity to repent, culminating in the work of Jesus, who extends forgiveness to all (John 3:16).
By recounting that only Jezebel’s skull, feet, and palms were left, the verse underscores the truth that no earthly power or royal status can stand against the will of God. Throughout scripture, believers are reminded to trust in God’s righteousness. Jezebel’s remains, or lack thereof, serve as a cautionary testament, reminding readers that God ultimately brings about justice. It is a sober reminder that the habits of sin have devastating consequences, while a life oriented around the LORD experiences the fruit of obedience and the blessing of covenant faithfulness.
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2 Kings 9:35 meaning
In the aftermath of Jezebel’s dramatic demise at the hands of Jehu, the scripture describes how those who came to bury her were met with a gruesome discovery: “And they went to bury her, but they found nothing more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.” (v.35) This event took place in Jezreel, a city located in the northern kingdom of Israel near the Valley of Jezreel. In ancient times, Jezreel served as a strategic site for military encampments and royal residences, making it the backdrop of critical stories where the people of Israel saw both political intrigue and divine judgment unfold.
This verse reveals the complete fulfillment of God’s warning against Jezebel. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, who reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel approximately from 874 BC to 853 BC. She wielded tremendous influence and led Israel into idolatry, even bringing about the persecution of the prophets of the LORD. Her position and actions placed her on a collision course with the prophet Elijah’s prophecy that she would be devoured by dogs (1 Kings 21:23). Now Jehu, who would go on to rule Israel from about 841 BC to 814 BC, carried out his divinely appointed task to purge the house of Ahab. In doing so, he oversaw the final chapter of Jezebel’s life, which ended exactly as foretold—leaving nearly nothing to bury. Such a stark outcome emphasizes the severity of rejecting God’s covenant and ignoring repeated warnings of judgment. It also points ahead to the biblical lesson that God graciously offers people the opportunity to repent, culminating in the work of Jesus, who extends forgiveness to all (John 3:16).
By recounting that only Jezebel’s skull, feet, and palms were left, the verse underscores the truth that no earthly power or royal status can stand against the will of God. Throughout scripture, believers are reminded to trust in God’s righteousness. Jezebel’s remains, or lack thereof, serve as a cautionary testament, reminding readers that God ultimately brings about justice. It is a sober reminder that the habits of sin have devastating consequences, while a life oriented around the LORD experiences the fruit of obedience and the blessing of covenant faithfulness.