So Ahaziah died, as Elijah prophesied, and Jehoram (or Joram) reigned in his stead,—­a brother of the late king, who did not personally worship Baal, but who allowed the queen-mother to continue to protect idolatry.  The war which had been begun by Ahab against the Syrians still continued, to recover Ramoth-Gilead, and the stronghold was finally taken by the united efforts of Judah and Israel; but Joram was wounded, and returned to Jezreel to be cured.

With the advent of Elijah a reaction against idolatry had set in.  The people were awed by his terrible power, and also by the influence of Elisha, on whom his mantle fell.  It does not appear that the people had utterly abandoned the religion of their fathers, for they had not hesitated to slay the eight hundred and fifty priests of Baal at the command of Elijah.  The introduction of idolatry had been the work of princes, chiefly through the influence of Jezebel; and as the establishment of a false religion still continued to be the policy of the court, the prophets now favored the revolution which should overturn the house of Ahab, and exterminate it root and branch.  The instrument of the Almighty who was selected for this work was Jehu, one of the prominent generals of the army; and his task was made comparatively easy from the popular disaffection.  That a woman, a foreigner, a pagan, and a female demon should control the government during two reigns was intolerable.  Only a spark was needed to kindle a general revolt, and restore the religion of Jehovah.

This was the appearance of a young prophet at Ramoth-Gilead, whom Elisha had sent with an important message.  Forcing his way to the house where Jehu and his brother officers were sitting in council, he called Jehu apart, led him to an innermost chamber of the house, took out a small horn of sacred oil, and poured it on Jehu’s head, telling him that God had anointed him king to cut off the whole house of Ahab, and destroy idolatry.  On his return to the room where the generals were sitting, Jehu communicated to them the message he had received.  As the discontent of the nation had spread to the army, it was regarded as a favorable time to revolt from Joram, who lay sick at Jezreel.  The army, following the chief officers, at once hailed Jehu as king.  It was supremely necessary that no time should be lost, and that the news of the rebellion should not reach the king until Jehu himself should appear with a portion of the army.  Jehu was just the man for such an occasion,—­rapid in his movements, unscrupulous, yet zealous to uphold the law of Moses.  So mounting his chariot, and taking with him a detachment of his most reliable troops, he furiously drove toward Jezreel, turning everybody back on the road.  It was a drive of about fifty miles.  When within six miles of Jezreel the sentinels on the towers of the walls noticed an unusual cloud of dust, and a rider was at once despatched to know the meaning of the approach of chariots and