June 22 (2 Kings 9–10; Psalm 141; 2 John—Jude)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: June 22, 2025
Scriptural Readings:

• Old Testament: 2 Kings 9–10
• Psalm: Psalm 141
• New Testament: 2 John, 3 John, Jude

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Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 9–10

Narrator begins the episode with a vivid recounting of 2 Kings chapters 9 and 10, which detail the dramatic rise of Jehu to the throne of Israel and his subsequent purge of Ahab’s lineage and Baal worship.

Key Highlights:

• Anointing of Jehu: The prophet Elisha orchestrates Jehu’s anointing as king by sending a young prophet to Ramoth Gilead. As the young man pours oil on Jehu’s head, he declares, “Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel” ([00:03]).

• Jehu’s Coup: Upon returning, Jehu confronts King Joram (Jehoram) of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah with a proclamation of judgment against their house, specifically citing the atrocities committed by Ahab and Jezebel. He declares, “As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, I will repay you” ([02:30]).

• Execution of Kings: Jehu swiftly executes King Joram by shooting him between the shoulders with his bow, fulfilling the prophecy against Ahab’s house. He also orders the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, ensuring no remnants of the previous dynasty survive ([04:15]).

• Downfall of Jezebel: Upon Jehu’s arrival in Jezreel, Jezebel confronts him but meets a gruesome end. Jehu commands her to be thrown from the window, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy that “the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel” ([06:05]).

• Destruction of Baal Worship: Jehu orchestrates a mass slaughter of Baal worshipers during a sacrificial assembly, showcasing his zealousness in abolishing idolatry from Israel. He declares, “I have done what is evil in the sight of the Lord” ([07:00]).

• Continued Sin and Judgment: Despite his efforts to eradicate Ahab’s influence, Jehu fails to abolish the golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading to continued sin among the people. The Lord responds by allowing Hazael to invade Israel, signaling ongoing judgment ([07:56]).

Notable Quote:

“As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.” – Jehu, reflecting the impending judgment ([12:18]).

Psalm 141: A Prayer for Protection and Integrity

Narrator transitions to Psalm 141, attributed to David, offering a heartfelt plea for divine protection and moral integrity.

Key Highlights:

• Supplication for Hearing Prayer: The psalmist earnestly calls upon the Lord to “Hasten to me. Give ear to my voice when I call to you” ([11:42]).

• Guarding the Tongue: A central theme is the request for God to “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips” ([11:42]). This underscores the desire to speak truthfully and avoid evil deeds.

• Avoiding Wicked Influence: The psalmist prays, “Let my heart not incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity” ([11:56]). This reflects a commitment to righteousness and distancing from corrupt influences.

• Desire for Divine Rebuke: Expressing humility, the psalmist states, “Let him rebuke me. It is oil for my head. Let my head not refuse it” ([12:08]). This signifies an openness to correction and guidance.

• Seeking Refuge in God: The concluding verses reaffirm trust in God’s protection, “God, my Lord, in you I seek refuge. Leave me not defenseless” ([12:27]).

Notable Quote:

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” ([11:42]).

New Testament Readings: 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Narrator proceeds with readings from the New Testament letters of 2 John, 3 John, and Jude, each conveying distinct pastoral messages and doctrinal teachings.

2 John: A Letter of Truth and Love

Authored by John the Elder, this brief epistle is addressed to “the elect lady and her children,” emphasizing the importance of truth and love within the Christian community.

Key Highlights:

• Walking in Truth and Love: John urges believers to “walk according to his commandments” and to uphold the truth that remains “forever” ([12:45]).

• Warning Against Deceivers: The letter cautions against “those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh” and labels them as deceivers and Antichrists ([13:17]).

• Exhortation to Hospitality: John advises against welcoming those who do not bring the correct teaching, warning that doing so is participating in their wrongdoing ([13:17]).

Notable Quotes:

“This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it” ([13:15]).
“Watch yourselves so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward” ([13:17]).

3 John: Encouragement and Condemnation

John the Elder addresses Gaius, commending his hospitality and contrasting it with the behavior of Diotrephes, who refuses to acknowledge John’s authority and ejects others from the church.

Key Highlights:

• Commendation of Gaius: Gaius is praised for his faithful support of traveling Christian workers, acting “in truth and love” ([14:15]).

• Condemnation of Diotrephes: John condemns Diotrephes for his arrogance and refusal to welcome brethren, highlighting the importance of humility and obedience within the church ([14:11]).

• Encouragement to Imitate Good: Believers are encouraged to “imitate good” and avoid following evil examples, reinforcing the ethical standards of the faith community ([14:24]).

Notable Quote:

“Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good” ([14:11]).

Jude: Contending for the Faith

Authored by Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, this epistle addresses the presence of false teachers and urges believers to defend the faith against their corrupting influence.

Key Highlights:

• Contending for the Faith: Jude emphasizes the necessity to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” ([15:48]).

• Warnings Against False Teachers: The letter describes these deceivers as “ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality” and compares them to notorious biblical figures like Cain and Balaam ([15:50]).

• Encouragement to Build Faith: Believers are urged to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith” and to persevere in righteousness amidst challenges ([15:50]).

• Divine Judgment Promised: Jude assures that God will execute judgment on the ungodly, reinforcing the ultimate victory of truth and righteousness ([15:48]).

Notable Quote:

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” ([15:48]).

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Conclusion

In this episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year, host Crossway provides a comprehensive exploration of pivotal biblical passages. From the tumultuous events in 2 Kings illustrating the consequences of sin and the fervent zeal to restore righteousness, to the introspective prayers of Psalm 141 seeking divine guidance and protection, listeners are guided through profound spiritual narratives. The New Testament readings from 2 John, 3 John, and Jude further underscore themes of truth, love, and the imperative to safeguard the faith against deceptive influences. Through detailed readings and insightful commentary, Jackie Hill Perry enriches the listener’s understanding of scripture, fostering a deeper connection with the biblical text.

Notable Overall Quote:

“Woe to them. For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.” – Excerpt from Jude ([15:50]).

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Timestamp Summary:

• 0:00 – 07:56: Reading from 2 Kings 9–10
• 11:36 – 12:27: Psalm 141
• 12:41 – 15:43: Readings from 2 John, 3 John, and Jude

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the interplay between divine justice, personal integrity, and communal faith as presented in these scriptures. The episode serves not only as a guide through the Bible but also as a source of spiritual nourishment and encouragement in living out one’s faith.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Two Kings.

[Jehu]

Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, tie up your garments and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead. And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshai, and go in and have him rise from among his fellows and lead him to an inner chamber. Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel. Then open the door and flee. Do not linger. So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, I have a word for you, O commander. And Jehu said, to which of us all? And he said to you, O commander. So he arose and went into the house, and the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the Lord over Israel. And you shall strike down the house of Ahab, your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants, the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, for the whole house of Ahab shall perish. And I will cut off from Ahab every male bond or free in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Bahijah. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her. Then he opened the door and fled. When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you? And he said to them, you know the fellow and his talk. And they said, that is not true. Tell us now. And he said, thus. And so he spoke to me, saying, thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel. Then in haste, every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps. And they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, jehu is king. Thus Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshai, conspired against Joram. Now Joram, with all Israel, had been on guard at Ramoth, Gilead against Hazael, king of Syria. But King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds of that the Syrians had given him when he fought with Hazael, king of Syria. So Jehu said, if this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel. Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah, king of Judah, had come down to visit Joram. Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, I see a company. And Joram said, take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, is it peace? So a man on horseback went to meet him and said, thus says the king, is it peace? And Jehu said, what do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me. And the watchman reported saying, the messenger reached them, but he is not coming back. Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them and said, thus the king has said, is it peace? And Jehu answered, what do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me. Again the watchman reported, he reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshai, for he drives furiously. Joram said, make ready. And they made ready his chariot. Then Joram, king of Israel, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, set out either each in his chariot and went to meet Jehu and met him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, is it peace, Jehu? He answered, what peace can there be so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many? Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, treachery, O Aaziah. And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart and he sank in his chariot. Jehu said to Bichar his aid, take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him. As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, I will repay you on this plot of ground. Now therefore, take him up and throw him on the plot of ground in accordance with the word of the Lord. When Ahaziah the king of Judah, Saw this. He fled in the direction of Beth Hagon. And Jehu pursued him and said, shoot him also. And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Ger, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David. In the 11th year, Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah began to reign over Judah. When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, is it peace, you, Zimri, murderer of your master? And he lifted up his face to the window and said, who is on my side? Who? Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. He said, throw her down. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. Then he went in and ate and drank, and he said, see now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter. But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. When they came back and told him, he said, this is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite in the territory of Jezreel, the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel, and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, this is Jezebel. Now, Ahab had 70 sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the rulers of the city, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying, now then, as soon as this letter comes to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, fortified cities, also in weapons, select the best and fittest of your master's sons and set him on his father's throne and fight for your master's house. But they were exceedingly afraid and said, behold, the two kings could not stand before him. How then can we stand? So he who was over the palace and he who was over the city, together with the elders and the guardians, sent to Jehu, saying, we are your servants, and we will do all that you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your eyes. Then he wrote to them a second letter, saying, if you are on my side and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time. Now the king's sons, 70 persons, were with the great men of the city who were bringing them up. And as soon as the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and slaughtered them, 70 persons and put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel. When the messenger came and told him, they have brought the heads of the king's sons, he said, lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning. Then in the morning when he went out, he stood and said to all the people, you are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all these? Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the Lord which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab. For the Lord has done what he said by his servant Elijah. So Jehu struck down all who remained of the house of Ahab and Jezreel, all his great men and his close friends and his priests, until he left him none remaining. Then he set out and went to Samaria. On the way, when he was at Beth Ekit of the shepherds, Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah, king of Judah.

[David]

And he said, who are you?

[Jehu]

And they answered, we are the relatives of Ahaziah. And we came down to visit the royal princes and the sons of the queen mother. He said, take them alive. And they took them alive and slaughtered them at the pit of Beth eked 42 persons. And he spared none of them. And when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Recab, coming to meet him. And he greeted him and said to him, is your heart true to my heart as mine is to yours? And Jehonadab answered, it is. Jehu said, if it is, give me your hand. So he gave him his hand, and Jehu took him up with him into the chariot. And he said, come with me and see my zeal for the Lord. So he had him ride in his chariot, and when he came to Samaria, he struck down all who remained to Ahab in Samaria till he had wiped them out according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to Elijah. Then Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, ahab served BAAL a little, but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore, call to me all the prophets of baal, all his worshipers and all his priests, let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to baal. Whoever is missing shall not live. But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of baal. And Jehu ordered, sanctify a solemn assembly for baal. So they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of BAAL came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they entered the house of baal, and the house of BAAL was filled from one end to the other. He said to him who was in charge of the wardrobe, bring out the vestments for all the worshipers of baal. So he brought out the vestments for them. Then Jehu went into the house of BAAL with Jehonadab, the son of Rekeb, and he said to the worshipers of baal, search and see that there is no servant of the Lord here among you, but only the worshippers of baal. Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed 80 men outside and said, the man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life. So as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, go in and strike them down. Let not a man escape. So when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of baal, and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of BAAL and burned it. And they demolished the pillar of BAAL and demolished the house of BAAL and made it a latrine to this day. Thus Jehu wiped out BAAL from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam, but the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to send, that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. And the Lord said to Jehu, because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam which he made Israel to send. In those days, the Lord began to cut off parts of Israel. Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manasseites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, that is Gilead and Bashan. Now, the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did and all his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? So Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria, and Jehoahaz, his son, reigned in his place. The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was 28 years.

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Psalms. A Psalm of David.

[David]

O Lord, I call upon you. Hasten to me. Give ear to my voice when I call to you. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.

[Jehu]

Do not let my heart incline to.

[David]

Any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity. And let me not eat of their delicacies. Let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness.

[Jehu]

Let him rebuke me.

[David]

It is oil for my head. Let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

[Jehu]

When their judges are thrown over the.

[David]

Cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

[Jehu]

But my eyes are toward you, O.

[David]

God, my Lord, in you I seek refuge. Leave me not defenseless. Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets while I pass by safely.

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of two, John the Elder.

[David]

To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ the Father, Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we.

[Jehu]

Love one another, and this is love.

[David]

That we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the Antichrist. Watch yourselves so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister greet you.

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of Third John the Elder.

[David]

To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health as it goes.

[Jehu]

Well with your soul.

[David]

For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testify to your love before the Church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, for they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these that we may be fellow workers for the truth. I have written something to the Church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us, and not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the Church. Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God. Whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone. And from the truth itself we also add our testimony. And you know that our testimony is true. I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

[Jehu]

Peace be to you.

[David]

The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of Jude.

[David]

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James to those who are called beloved in God. The Father and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you, beloved. Although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation. Ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe and the angels, who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner, these people, also relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, the Lord rebuke you. But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them. For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves, waterless clouds swept along by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead uprooted wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame, wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these that Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied, saying, behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way. And of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him, these are grumblers, malcontents following their own sinful desires. They are loud mouth boasters showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you in the last time, there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And and have mercy on those who doubt. Save others by snatching them out of the fire. To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the garments stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.