2 Kings 10

Jehu slayeth seventy of Achabs sons, vers.1.&c. and the kindred of King Ahazia, 12. cometh with Jonadab the Rechabite to Samaria, 15. where he slayeth all the Prophets of Achab, breaketh down his images and Temple, 18. but cleaveth to the sin of Jerobeam, 29. is oppressed by Hazael King of Syria, 32. dieth, Joahaz his son reigneth, 35.

1. Now Achab had seventy sons [Which doubtless were born to him of sundry wives; there being also under them comprehended the children of his son Joram, and of his other sons, of which Achab was the Grandfather. See below vers.3.] at Samaria: And Jehu wrote letters, which he sent to Samaria, to the Rulers of Jizreel, [understand some chief Courtiers, who although they had their ordinary abode and dwelling at Jizreel, yet were sent by Joram to Samaria, to look to the Kings children, while he was busy in war against the Syrians] (to) the eldest, [so called, either because of their office, because they were counsellors, or because of their age, for that they being not sit for war, yet were able to go before the commonalty with advice and counsel, and before the youth with authority and gravity] and to them that brought up Achabs (children), [who as overseers and guardians took care for the education and instruction of these young Lords] saying;

2. Now when this letter shall come to you, [Thus beginneth also the letter of the King of Syria to the King of Israel, above chap.5.6.] seeing your Lords sons are likewise a fenced city, [namely, at Samaria] and arms.

3. Look then out the best and justest [Heb. that is good and just: that is, that is fit and meet to govern] of your Lords [viz. Achabs or Jorams] sons, set him on his Fathers Throne: [he meant not this in good earnest, but was minded to try the Rulers of the Samaritans, to know how they stood affected, and with whom they sided. To set any one upon his Fathers throne, is to make him King in his Fathers room. See 1 King.2.on v,24. and compare v.5.] and fight for your Lords house.

4. But they were very sore [Heb. sore, sore] afraid, and said; behold, two Kings [namely, Joram King of Israel, and Ahazia King of Juda, above chap.9.24,27.] subsisted not before his face; how then should we subsist.

5. He then that was over the house, and he that was over the city, and the eldest, and the bringers up (of the children) sent to Jebu, saying; We are thy servants, and whatsoever thou shalt say to us, we will do; we will make no man King, do what is good in thine eyes.

6. Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying; if ye be mine, and ye hearken to my voice, take the heads of the men, your Lords sons, [It is judged by the Hebrew word, that some of these sons or posterity of Achab were come to a reasonable age, who as they were probably followers of Achabs wickedness, so they were partakers of his punishment, according to the righteous threatening of God, Exod.20.5. Deut.5.9.] and come to me tomorrow about this time to Jizreel: (now the Kings sons, seventy men were with the great (men) [i.e. the chiefest in state and dignity. Compare below chap.25.9. and see the annotate.] of the city, which brought them up.) [Heb. made them great.]

7. It came to pass then, when that letter came to them that they took the Kings sons, and smote [Heb. slew, eat the throats. So v.14.] seventy men: and they put their heads in baskets, which they sent to him to Jizreel.

8. And there came a messenger, and told him, saying; they have brought the heads of the Kings sons: and he said; Lay then in two heaps, at the door of the gate [which was the place of Judicature: see Gen.22.on v.17.] until the morning.

9. And it came to pass in the morning, when he went forth, that he stood still, and said to all the people: Ye are righteous; Behold, I made a conspiracy against my LORD, and slew him; [that is, I pronounce you innocent and guiltless touching the death of these sons of Achab; think not that I am come to accuse you for it: but if you will lay the blame upon any man, look upon me, that have made a Covenant against my Lord King me, that have made Covenant against my Lord King Joram, yea have also slain him: but not out of mine own presumption, but according to the Lords determination, and express command. Therefore as ye are guiltless, because ye have followed my command, so am I also, because I have followed Gods command] and who hath smitten all these? [these were smitten by the Eldest of Samaria, at Jehu’s command: both by the Lords direction, as followeth.]

10. Know now that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the Word of the LORD, [See 1 Kings 8.on ver.56.] which the LORD spake against the house of Achab: [He testifieth here publicly, that though his practice might be ill construed, yet notwithstanding he had done nothing otherwise then according to the Word of the Lord: see above chap.9. ver.7,8.] for the LORD hath done that which he spake by the ministery [Hebr.hand. See Levit.8.on verse 36.] of his servant Elia. [see 1 Kings 21.v.19,21,29.]

11. Besides Jehu smote all that remained in the house of Achab at Jizreel, and all his Great (men), [Doubtless those that by Achabs means were become great and mighty in state, riches, and name] and his acquaintance, [or, kinsfolks: as Ruth 2:1.] and his Priests: until he left him none remaining.

12. And he gat him up, and departed, and went to Samaria; and being at Beth-Heked of the shepherds, [i.e. the house of the binding of the shepherds. Some conceive that this was a Village by Samaria lying or by the way, having its name from binding, because the shepherds bound their sheep there, when they were to be shorn] on the way.

13. Jehu found the brethren of Ahazia, king of Juda, [Understand the sons of his brethren, 2 Chron.22.8. See Gen.13.on ver.8. where the word brethren is so taken] and he said; Who are ye? and they said; We are the brethren of Ahazia, and are come down, to salute the sons of the King, and the sons of the Queen. [namely Jorams, and his wifes children. It seemeth that they knew not that Ahazia was slain by Jehu. Hebr. to the peace of the sons of the King, and of the sons of the Queen. i.e. to with them peace and prosperity, which we call saluting, greeting.]

14. Then he said; Take them by the Well of Beth-Heked, two and fourty men, neither left he one of them.

15. And being departed thence, he found Jonadab, the son of Rechab, [A noted man of the Family of the Rechabites, and descending from Jethro, Moses Father in Law, 1 Chron.2.55. Jer.35.6.] (coming) to meet him, who saluted [Heb. blessed. See Gen.31.on v.55.] him; [namely Jehu] and he said unto him; Is thy heart right, according as my heart is with thy heart? [i.e. art thou heartily affected toward me, as I am with all my heart affected toward me, as I am with all my heart affected toward thee] and Jonadab said; It is, yea it is, give (me) thine hand: [this may be taken as the words of Jonadab; or, (as others conceive) as the words of Jehu] and he gave (him) his hand, and he made him come up to him into charet.

16. And he said: Go with me, and see my zeal [What zeal properly is, see 1 Kings 19.on v.19.] for the LORD: so they [To wit, his Servants, Footmen, or Lackeys] made him ride on his charet.

17. And when he came to Samaria, until he had destroyed him: [i.e. His Household and Family] according to the Word of the LORD, which he had spoken to Elias. [see 1 Kings 21:21.]

18. And Jehu assembled all the people, and said unto them; Achab served Baal [See 1 Kings 16.on v.31.] a little: Jehu shall serve him much. [see the annotate.on the following verse.]

19. Now therefore call unto me all the Prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his Priests, let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice (to do) to Baal; [He speaketh lyingly and equivocally, (which means are not to be commended) intending to slay, or kill unto Baal, all his Priests, Prophets, and Ministers, and so to perform his great sacrifice] whosoever is wanting, he shall not live: but Jehu did that in subtilty, that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.

20. Moreover, Jehu said; Hallow a Prohibition-(day) [i.e. A great feast day or festival, on which all servile works were forbidden: see Lev.23.on v.36.] for Baal, and they proclaimed it.

21. Jehu also sent into 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, [i.e. the Temple of Baal] (so) that the house of Baal was filled, from the one end, to the other end. [Heb. mouth to mouth: so below chap.21.]

22. Then he said to him, that was over the Vestry; [Or, Wardrobe. Understand a chamber, wherein the garments were lock up and kept, which Baals Priests used in the worship of their Idol. Oth. the garment chest, or, the garments] Bring forth the garments for the worshippers of Baal: [because God had prescribed in the Old Testament a certain kind of garment to be worn by his Priests, (which in the New Testament ceased with the Priesthood) therefore the Devil would imitate the same in his Priests] and he brought forth the apparel for them.

23. And Jehu came with Jonadab the son of Rechab into the house of Baal: and he said unto the worshippers of Baal; Search, and look, that peradventure there be here none of the servants of the LORD, [These he would not have to be present at this work, under this pretence, that they might not prophane it by their presence, being of another Religion: but in deed and in deed and in truth, that they might not ignorantly be destroyed among the worshippers of Baal onely.

24. Now when they came in to perform slay-offerings, and burnt-offerings, Jebu appointed him fourscore men without, and said; If any of the men, that I have brought into your hands, escape, his soul [That is, the soul of him, that letteth one escape, and doth not escape, and doth not kill him. The word soul is here taken for life. See Gen.19.on ver.17.] shall be for the soul of him. [i.e. of him that escapeth. The meaning is, that if any one of the men appointed by Jehu should let any one escape, he himself should die for it.]

25. And it came to pass when he [To wit, the chief Priest of the Baalites: or, when they,

26. And they brought forth the reared images out the house of Baal, and burnt them.

27. They brake down also the reared image of Baal: moreover, they brake down the house of Baal, and made that private rooms, [i.e. Privies, Draught-houses, Jakes, houses of office, where men do ease nature: which they did in scorn and contempt of the Idol, and Idolatry, that was performed therein. Compare Isa.36.6. In the same sense Idols are called in Scripture Dung-gods: see Levit.26.30. and the annotate. thereon] unto this day.

28. Thus Jehu destroy Baal out of Israel.

29. But Jehu departed not from following the sins of Jerobeam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: to wit, from the golden Calves, which were at Bethel, and at Dan. [To wit, in each place one: see 1 Kings 12:28.]

30. Then the LORD said unto Jehu; [To wit, by some one of the Prophets; as he also had received the charge by one them, to execute this divine vengeance, above chap.9.7.] because thou hast done well, doing that which is right in mine eyes, (and) hast done to the house of Achab, according to all that was in mine heart, thy sons shall sit unto the fourth generation upon the throne of Israel. [Heb. sons of the fourth shall sit, &c. The fulfilling hereof, see first in Joahaz, below ver.35. Secondly, in Joas chap.13.10. Thirdly, in Jerobeam, chap.14.23.Fourthly, in Zacharia, chap.15.8.]

31. But Jehu took not heed to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart: he departed not from the sins of Jerobeam [These sins are expressed above from the sins of Jerobeam [These sins are expressed above v.29.]

32. In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: [Or, to cut Israel off: that is, to straiten, and to diminish his border: see the following verse. And this happened, according to the Prophecy of Elisa, above chap.8.12.] for Hazael (King of Syria) smote them in all borders of Israel.

33. From the Jordan, toward the Sun-rising, [Understand, in regard of the situation of the land of Canaan] all the land of Gilead, [see Gen.31.on ver.21.] of the Gadites, and of the Rubenites, and of the Manassites: from Aroer, [a city lying beyond the Jordan in the tribe of God: of which see Numb.32.34. Jos.12.2.] which is by the book of Arnon, [see Numb.21.14. Deut.3.12,13,14,&c. and the annotate. thereon.]

34. Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might; are not they written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? [see 1 Kings 14.on v.19.]

35. And Jehu fell a sleep with his Fathers, and they buried him at Samaria, and Joahaz his son became King in his stead.

36. And the days that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria, are eight and twenty days.