Jehu sends an ironical letter A. M. 3120. B. C. 884. B. C. 884. 35 And they went to bury her: but || Tishbite, saying, In the portion of A. M. 3120. they found no more of her than the Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of scull, and the feet, and the palms of her Jezebel: hands. 36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. || And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake 16 by his servant Elijah the 16 Heb. by the hand of. more than common hunger, otherwise they could not have devoured the body in so short a time. Verses 36, 37. He said, This is the word of the Lord-He now calls to mind the words of the Prophet Elijah, which before he had forgot, or did not regard. And the carcass of Jezebel, &c.-These words are not extant in the place where this prophecy is first mentioned, 1 Kings xxi. 23; but are here added by Jehu, by way of explication and amplification. So that they shall not say, This is Jezebel No memory of her, nothing whereby it might be known there had been such a woman as Jezebel, should remain of her, as a picture or effigies, to 37 And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. b 1 Kings xxi. 23. Psa. lxxxiii. 10. which men might point and say, This is Jezebel. No monument was made of her, and she had no sepulchre but in the belly of dogs. Upon the whole, what is recorded in this chapter shows that the divine threatenings are never in vain: that the curse of God pursues princes and families where impiety reigns. Let it be observed, likewise, that Ahaziah king of Judah, because he imitated the kings of Israel in their idolatries and other sins, and was united with Jehoram king of Israel, perished with him. Those who become the companions and imitators of the wicked, are involved, sooneror later, in the same judgments with them. CHAPTER X. Jehu destroys all the family of Ahab, 1-12. And the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, 13, 14. Takes Jehonadab with him, 15-17. Causes the priests and worshippers of Baal to be slain, 18-25. Destroys the images and house of Baal, 26-28. Yet retains the worship of the calves, 29–31. Which God punishes by Hazael, 32, 33. Jehu's death, 34–37. A. M. 3120. B. C. 884. AND Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to 1them that brought up Ahab's children, saying, 2 Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, B. C. 884. seeing your master's sons are with A. M. 3120. you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; 3 Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house. 1 Hebrew, nourishers. NOTES ON CHAPTER X. Verse 1. Ahab had seventy sons-Grandsons are probably comprehended here under the name of sons, as is usual in the Scriptures: though, by several wives, he might have as many sons as Gideon had. These sons or grandsons were now in Samaria, either because they had been bred up there, that being the chief city of the kingdom; or because they had fled thither, upon receiving tidings of the slaughter of Joram; or had been conveyed thither, from different parts, by their friends, as to the strongest place. Here, as appears probable from Jehu's message, they intended to defend themselves and Ahab's children, and to set up one as king in Joram's stead. Jehu wrote letters unto the rulers of Jezreel-Hebrew, the princes of Jezreel, that is, the great persons and officers of the court, which then was, and for some time had been, at Jezreel. These, it seems, had either fled to Samaria upon the news of Jehu's actions and successes, or had been sent thither by Joram with his sons, to take care of them there. To the elders--Termed such from their age, or rather from their office, being the magistrates or senators of Samaria. And to them that brought up Ahab's children-That had a more particular care of the several children under the inspection of the princes and elders here mentioned. Verse 3. Fight ye for your master's house-This he said, because, perhaps, he had received notice of their intentions to do so, and that they were consulting about a successor to Joram: or to try them, whether they would do so, or would be true to him and his designs: or, which is still more likely, he insults over them, and denounces war against them with scorn and derision, being secure of the event, and knowing that they were not able to oppose him. Jehu destroys all B. C. 884. CHAPTER X. A. M. 3120. 4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? 5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes. 6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow this time. (Now the king's sons being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.) Heb. for me. 1 Kings xxi. 21. Verse 4. Behold, two kings stood not before him—|| All the power and interest of two kings, either in Jezreel or in the army, could not prevent his executing his design, his killing them both, and invading the kingdom of one of them. It is true, he surprised these kings, which considerably weakens their argument; but fear and self-love made them easily yield to it. Verse 5. He that was over the house-The chief governor of the king's palace. He that was over the city-The chief magistrate, or military governor. We will do all that thou shalt bid us-They propose no conditions or delays, but submit all to his mercy. the family of Ahab. B. C. 884. 7 And it came to pass, when the A. M. 3120. letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel. 8 And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. 9 And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? 10 Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which Chap. ix. 14, 24.- 1 Sam. iii. 19. seventy persons-Having been wickedly obsequious to Jezebel's order for the murder of Naboth, now, by the same base spirit, they are as pliable to Jehu, and as ready to obey his orders for the murder of Ahab's sons. From this example, princes may learn two important lessons: 1st, Not to place any dependance on the attachment or fidelity of those who are not influenced by the fear of God, and the dictates of conscience: for who can reasonably expect him to be true to his prince who is false to his God? 2d, Not to aim at arbitrary power, lest they be found rolling a stone, which, some time or other, will return upon themselves. Princes that make their people slaves, take the readiest way to make them rebels; and by forcing men's consciences, as Jezebel did, they lose their hold of them. Verse 6. He wrote a letter the second timeThus Jezebel is requited for her letter, directed in like manner to the elders of Naboth's city, whereby Verse 8. Lay them at the entering in of the gate his life was wickedly taken away: and it is probable -The place of judicature, to signify that this was that some of these elders were concerned in that an act of God's righteous judgment: and this being very business, which makes the judgment of God the place of public concourse for justice and other more remarkable. Take ye the heads of the men-business, and where people were continually passThis word, men, seems to imply that some of them, ing and repassing, the laying them there was to at least, were grown up, who doubtless trod in their expose them to public view, that all might know parents' steps: and those that were younger were there was no one left of Ahab's posterity to reign justly cut off for their parents' sins; of which see over them. on Exod. xx. 5. "Besides the accomplishment of Verses 9, 10. He said to all the people, Ye be the divine decree," says Dr. Dodd, " Jehu had a fur-righteous-This is spoken ironically: as much as to ther design in requesting this cruel service of the say, You may look upon me as a very wicked man, rulers, and elders, and great men of the nation, for rebelling against my master and killing him: but namely, hereby to involve them in the same crime look here; see, your chief men, the confidants and and conspiracy with himself; for, by prevailing with favourites of Joram, have slain seventy of his sons them to murder Ahab's kinsmen in this manner, he committed to their custody! Know now, &c.-As if bound them so closely to his interest, that if any of he had said, The truth is, neither I nor they are to the inferior people had been inclined to oppose his be blamed, nor you, that assisted and encouraged me designs, they were, by this means, deprived of any herein; for this is not man's work, but God's, and man of distinction to head them; and not only so, done at his command. The Lord hath done that but, by this expedient, Jehu thought that he might which he spake by his servant Elijah-Whom he in a great measure lessen, if not entirely remove the mentions rather than Elisha; partly because Elijah odium of his own cruel and perfidious conduct." was now dead, and therefore his name and memory Verse 7. They took the king's sons, and slew were more sacred than Elisha's, who was yet alive; 2 163 Jehu destroys all II. KINGS. the kindred of Ahab. A. M. 3120. the LORD spake concerning the house || took them alive, and slew them at the A. M. 3120. of Ahab for the LORD hath done pit of the shearing-house, even two that which he spake by 3 his servant Elijah. B. C. 884. d 12 ¶ And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the 5 shearinghouse in the way, 13 Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And 8 9 B. C. 884. and forty men; neither left he any of them. h 16 And he said, Come with me, and see my they answered, We are the brethren of Aha-zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride ziah; and we go down to salute the children in his chariot. 17 And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he f Jer. xxxv. 6, -b Ezra x. 19. "Heb. to the peace of, &c. being afraid lest, if they were suffered to live, they might find means to be avenged of him for the death of Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel, and their children, whom they were going to visit, he ordered them to be slain; perhaps under pretence of fulfilling Elijah's prophecy, 1 Kings xxi. 21. It seems, however, evident, that prediction did not extend so far, but would have been amply fulfilled by cutting off all of his family and blood within the kingdom of the ten tribes. Verse 11. So Jehu slew all his great men-Whom Ahab had advanced and made great in wealth, or honour and quality; who had been partners with Verses 15, 16. He lighted on Jehonadab-A Kehim in his sins, and were likely to avenge Joram's nite, (1 Chron. ii. 55,) and a man of singular prudence death. And his priests-Who had served him in and piety, as appears from this history, and from his idolatrous worship, and confirmed him in it. Jer. xxxv. 6; from him descended the race of the ReOr, his chief officers of state, as the word rendered chabites. And he saluted him—That is, Jehu salutpriests sometimes signifies, and is translated: see ed Jehonadab. It is likely Jehonadab was in great 2 Sam. viii. 18; 1 Chron. xviii. 17. Until he left|| favour with the people, on account of the strictness him none remaining-To wit, in that place: but there were still some remaining in Samaria, (verse 17,) whom he afterward destroyed, and some of the royal seed of Judah, descended from Ahab's daughter. Verses 12-14. And he arose, and came to Samaria-Having finished his work in Jezreel, he went to prosecute it in the chief city of his kingdom, which most needed reformation. Jehu met the brethren of Ahaziah-Not strictly such; for his brethren, properly speaking, had been carried captive, and, it seems, killed also, before this time, as we read 2 Chron. xxi. 17. Therefore, by brethren here, we must understand his brother's sons, as is explained 2 Chron. xxii. 8, or others of his near kinsmen, such being often called brethren in Scripture. We go down to salute the children of the king, &c.-They undoubtedly had set out from Jerusalem for this purpose, before they knew any thing of Joram's being killed, and Jehu's having seized the kingdom: and it appears by their answer, that they did not yet know any thing of it. And he said, Take them alive, &c.-They were allied to the family of Ahab by the mother's side, (chap. viii. 18,) and therefore || of his life and virtue, and that this, in part, induced Jehu to speak so kindly to him, and court his friendship. And said, Is thy heart right, &c.-Dost thou love me as sincerely and fervently as I love thee, and approve of my present proceedings, as I approve of thy institutions? If it be, give me thy hand-As a sign of friendship and fidelity. These seem to be the words of Jehu. And he said, Come, and see my zeal for the Lord-For the vindica tion of his honour, and the execution of his commands. Do not believe my words, but mine actions, which thine eyes shall behold. So they made him ride in his chariot-The servants opened the door of his chariot, and Jehu took him up into it. And while he thus put some honour upon Jehonadab, he received more honour from him. For all pious and sober people would think the better of Jehu when they saw Jehonadab in the chariot with him. "This is not the only time," says Henry, "that the piety of some has been made to serve the policy of others; and that designing men have strengthened themselves by drawing good men into their interests." Verse 17. He slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria--Either all his household, or, rather, all He destroys the CHAPTER X. worshippers of Bual. B. C. 884. A. M. 3120. had destroyed him, according to the || subtlety, to the intent that he might A. M. 3120. saying of the LORD, 1 which he spake destroy the worshippers of Baal. B. C. 854. to Elijah. 20 And Jehu said, 10 Proclaim a solemn as 18¶ And Jehu gathered all the people toge-sembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. ther, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal m a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 19 Now therefore call unto me all the "prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal: whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in 11 Kings xxi. 21. 1 Kings xvi. 31, 32.——— 1 Kings xxii. 6. 10 Heb. sanctify. 21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was 11 full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the wor 1 Kings xvi. 32. Or, so full, that they stood mouth to mouth. his kindred and relations, though more remote from nigh the king's palace, and intended for the use of him. This he did, no doubt, under pretence of zeal for the king, queen, and whole court, and for great and God, and to fulfil the prophecy of Elijah; but there high solemnities, and therefore was the chief buildis too much reason to apprehend, from several of ing of the sort in the kingdom. Moreover, as by his actions, and, indeed, his general conduct, that in the house or temple of God, at Jerusalem, we are this, as well as in several of the other slaughters frequently to understand, not only the principal which he made, his chief motive was to secure the building, but all the other buildings or courts belongkingdom to himself and his posterity. ing to it, in which the worshippers stood when they Verse 18. Jehu gathered all the people together-worshipped, so it might be here; and in that case By their representatives, their elders, or rulers, as there would be space sufficient for all the worshipwas usual, to whom he imparts his mind, and who, pers of Baal that can reasonably be thought to have being generally corrupt, and mere time-servers, and been at that time in Israel. such as had no sense of religion, made no opposition to his resolution, but seemed to comply with it. Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu shall serve him much-As if he had said, My quarrel is only with Ahab's family, and not with Baal, which my actions shall show which words, being manifestly false, and spoken with a design to deceive, cannot be ex-| cused from sin; this being an immoveable principle, that we must not do the least evil, that the greatest good may come. Though it was lawful, and even commendable, to slay the worshippers of Baal, God's law having enjoined that idolaters should be put to death, yet it was by no means lawful to use treachery, and to deceive them to their destruction, on the faith of false pretences. These were actions no way suitable or agreeable to the God of truth, and such as ought never to have been practised by any that desired to please him. Verse 19. Call unto me all the prophets of Baal, and all his servants-Either, 1st, All his ministers, of whom it seems there were several sorts, of which two are here distinctly mentioned, his prophets and priests; and the rest, of the inferior sort, may be comprehended under the general title of servants, because they were to attend upon the others in their ministrations. Or, 2d, All his worshippers, as the word here rendered servants is translated in the close of this verse. If it be inquired how all these could be contained in one house of Baal, it may be answered, that the number of the worshippers of Baal had been greatly diminished by the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, and the rest of the prophets; and by Joram's neglect and disuse of that worship. Besides, this house or temple of Baal was probably Very large and capacious, being in the royal city, Verses 20, 21. Jehu said, Proclaim, &c.-Hebrew, sanctify. Prepare yourselves and all things necessary for this solemn day, and sacrifice, and feast, which I intend to keep. There was not a man left that came not-It may seem strange, after what Jehu had done in destroying the family of Ahab, that the worshippers of Baal could be induced to assemble together. But it should be observed, that as Jehu was a person of known indifference in matters of religion, who in this respect had always conformed to the humours of the court, and in the reign of King Ahab had been a strenuous worshipper of Baal; the people could not tell, when they read his proclamation for a great feast to Baal, but that he had returned, in good earnest, to the religion which he once embraced, and only deserted for a while, in complacency to others. But whether they deluded themselves into this persuasion or not, they knew by experience that Jehu was a man of a fierce and bloody temper, who would not fail to put his threats in execution; and, therefore, reading in the same proclamation, Whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live, (verse 19,) they found themselves reduced to this sad dilemma, either to go or die. Hence they thought it the wisest method to run the hazard, and throw themselves upon his mercy; having this, at least, to plead for themselves, that they were not disobedient to his commands. See Poole Verse 22. He said, Bring forth vestments-Sacred garments, such as were used by the priests, and others of God's ministers in his service; whence idolaters borrowed the custom of using such garments in the worship of their false gods. For all the worshippers of Baal-It can hardly be sup Jehu burns the B. C. 884. them forth vestments. II. KINGS. B. C. 884. images of Baal. A. M. 3120. shippers of Baal. And he brought || in, and slay them; let none come A. M. 3120. forth. And they smote them with 12 the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only. q 26 And they brought forth the 13 images out 24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices letteth him him. 25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go P1 Kings xx. 39.- 12 Hebrew, the mouth. 13 Hebrew, statues. posed, that absolutely all the people that worshipped Baal, and were now assembled, are included here, and had vestments brought them; because the people in general wore no distinct garments in their worship, whether of Jehovah or Baal, but the priests and other ministers only. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. 29 Howbeit, from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan. had many such buildings, in some of which the priests of Baal, or of the groves, (whereof there were numbers belonging to the king's court, 1 Kings xviii. 19,) peradventure might dwell; and others of them might be for divers uses, belonging to the house and service of Baal: and to these buildings the guard might hastily go to surprise and put to death these inferior ministers of Baal, who were there employed in services belonging to that house, or that solemnity. Verse 23. And Jehonadab-Whom the Baalites, possibly, did not know, and therefore suspected nothing inimical to their worship: or, if any of the more sagacious began to suspect any thing, it was now too late to amend their error. Look that there Verses 26, 27. The images of the house of Baal be here with you none of the servants of the Lord--A collection of different images. The image of Intimating that their presence would offend Baal,|| Baal-The chief image, which they worshipped and pollute his worship. Jehu's real intention, how-more than the rest. And brake down the house of ever, was, that none but the worshippers of Baal|| Baal-As, no doubt, they did the rest of the houses should be slain, and therefore he caused this search || of Baal in Israel. And made it a draught-houseto be made, lest any other Israelite, out of curiosity, or from any other motive, should have entered the temple. Verses 24, 25. When they went in to offer sacrifices-When some went to the altar to offer in the name of the rest. Jehu appointed fourscore men without-Far more being, doubtless, in readiness to assist them in case of any opposition. As he had made an end of offering-That is, as the chief priest of Baal had made an end. So far Jehu suffered them to proceed, either because till then they were not all come into the house; or because, being taken in the very act of gross idolatry, their punishment would appear to be more just and reasonable. Jehu said to the guard and the captains-To the fourscore men and their officers. The guard, &c., cast them out-Cast their carcasses out of the house. And went to the city of the house of Baal-To some buildings belonging to that house; which may be here called the city, because they were very numerous and capacious. For as there were divers chambers and rooms built without the temple, belonging to it, for the use of the priests and Levites; so it may probably be conceived that this famous temple of Baal A sink or common shore; that the remembrance of it might be blotted out or made infamous. Thus was the worship of Baal quite destroyed, at least for the present, out of Israel, though it had once prevailed so far, that there were but seven thousand, of all the thousands of Israel, that had not bowed the knee to Baal. Thus will Jehovah, sooner or later, triumph over all the gods of the heathen. Verse 29. Jehu departed not from them-He was partial in his reformation, and did not put away all the evil, because his heart was not right with God. He departed from the sins of Ahab, but not from the sins of Jeroboam: discarded Baal, but adhered to the calves. The worship of Baal was indeed the greater evil, and more heinous in the sight of God, but the worship of the calves was a great evil; and true religion not only implies conversion from gross sin, but from all sin, and not only from false gods, but from false modes of worshipping the true God. The worship of Baal, being upheld by the house of Ahab, also contributed to uphold that house, the numerous ministers of that idolatry being, of course, engaged to support the family which supported them, and with which they must stand or fall; hence Jehu |