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Answer
Jehu was anointed by the prophet Elisha as king over Israel in place of the evil Ahab. This event occurred as part of the judgment on Ahab for his worship of Baal. Therefore, Jehu’s task was to eradicate Baal worship in Israel.
In fulfilling this duty, Jehu was successful. Initially, he executed all individuals who worshipped Baal (2 Kings 10:18-26). Subsequently, under Jehu’s orders, “they demolished the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the house of Baal, turning it into a latrine to this day. Thus, Jehu eliminated Baal from Israel” (verses 27–28). The objective of removing Baal worship from the land was achieved.
Nevertheless, the following verse “However, Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who led Israel to sin, namely, the golden calves in Bethel and Dan.” (2 Kings 10:29) clarifies, “But Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—specifically, the golden calves in Bethel and Dan.” Therefore, despite the removal of Baal, other forms of idolatry persisted in Israel.
According to 1 Kings 12:28–29, Jeroboam himself had established the golden calves in Bethel and Dan. Some scholars suggest that Jehu may have focused solely on eliminating foreign gods since Baal was originally a deity of foreigners. He may have chosen not to address the “domestic” gods—those that were created and worshipped by Israel.
A more plausible explanation is that the sites of calf worship were left untouched due to the ongoing division of the kingdom of Israel. The alternative would have been to reunite with Judah and worship in accordance with the Law at the temple in Jerusalem. However, this scenario was unlikely as Jehu was in conflict with Judah (2 Chronicles 22:7-9).
Jehu was one of a long line of wicked kings in the northern kingdom of Israel—yet he was one of the “better” of the “bad kings.” Others were much worse. God granted Jehu a long reign of 28 years and gave him a promise: “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” «And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. », (2 Kings 10:30). Jehu reigned approximately 841—814 BC.
Jehu’s influence in the northern kingdom would extend for a century; however, Syria began to take over larger portions of Israel: “from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, that is, Gilead and Bashan” «from Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan. », (2 Kings 10:33). Jehu’s reforms were ultimately only a partial and short-lived effort. Israel continued on the path to destruction, eventually being defeated by their enemies as prophesied «And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. », (Hosea 1:4).
