Dangerous Driving Spells Doom!

Day 3 of my Bible verse challenge.

Today a very unspiritual passage: 2 Kings 9.20.

King Joram, who allows idolatry (and is, therefore, a baddy), has been wounded and is recovering from his wounds in Jezreel when a lookout notices somebody approaching with troops. That somebody is Jehu, a captain in the Israelite army, who has just been anointed king by a disciple of the prophet Elisha (and is, therefore, a goody).

Joram sends out a messenger to find out if the man comes in peace. Jehu orders the messenger to fall in behind him. When the lookout reports the non-return of the messenger, Joram sends a second messenger, who is also ordered to fall in behind. Then comes the verse: “The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.””

Imagine Joram’s mounting fear as the chariot races ever closer. He is about to be overthrown and killed. His mother, Jezebel, will be thrown out of the window by her eunuchs and eaten by dogs so that only her skull, her feet and the palms of her hands can be found. It’s a thrilling tale, excitingly told.

As I said, not spiritual, but I like it.