2 KINGS CHAPTER 10 Jehu by his letters causeth seventy of Ahab's sons
to be slain: the fact is excused by Elijah's prophecy, 2 KINGS 10:1.
Also forty-two of king Ahaziah's brethren, 2 KINGS 10:12. By subtlety
he slayeth all the priests and prophets of Ahab; breaketh down his
images and temple, 2 KIN... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus he speaks, either because he had some notice of their intentions
thus to do; or to make trial of them, whether they would do so, or
would be true to him and his designs; or to signify to them his
intentions of fighting against them, if they did so, that by the
terror hereof he might bring them... [ Continue Reading ]
All their power and interest, either in Jezreel, or in the army before
or in Ramoth-gilead, could not hinder him from executing his design
from killing the two kings, and from invading one of their kingdoms.
It is true, he surprised the kings, which a little weakens their
argument; but fear and self... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT WAS OVER THE HOUSE; the chief governor of the king's palace or
castle there. HE THAT WAS OVER THE CITY; the chief magistrate or
military governor. WE WILL DO ALL THAT THOU SHALT BID US; they make no
delays or conditions, but submit all to his mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE WROTE A LETTER: thus Jezebel is requited for her letter
directed in like manner to the elders of Naboth's city, whereby his
life was wickedly taken away, 1 KINGS 21:8. And it is probable that
some of these elders were concerned in that very business, which makes
the judgment of God more rema... [ Continue Reading ]
SLEW SEVENTY PERSONS: Jehu justly required this, because the sovereign
and most righteous Lord of all men's lives commanded it; but the
Samaritans wickedly obeyed it, because they destroyed persons in a
great measure innocent, merely out of slavish fear, and without any
knowledge of or regard to God... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE ENTERING IN OF THE GATE; the place of judicature, to signify
that this was an act of justice, and of God's righteous judgment; and
the place of greatest concourse, where people went out of the city,
and came into it, and whither they resorted for judgment and other
occasions; that all men mig... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ALL THE PEOPLE; either, first, To the promiscuous multitude met
there to gaze upon this sad and strange spectacle. So the sense is, Be
not ye troubled nor affrighted with these unusual and dismal
occurrences: if any thing be amiss in these actions, I do here
publicly and solemnly acquit you as ri... [ Continue Reading ]
But the truth is, neither I nor they are to be blamed; nor you that
assisted and encouraged me herein; for this is not man's work, but God
s, and done by his command. He mentions ELIJAH rather than Elisha;
partly because Elijah was now dead, and therefore his name and memory
was more sacred than Eli... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL HIS GREAT MEN; whom he had advanced and made great in wealth, for
honour, and quality; who had been partners with him in his sins, and
who were likely to be avenged of his death. HIS PRIESTS; his domestic
priests, which had waited upon Ahab and Jezebel in their idolatrous
services, and were fed... [ Continue Reading ]
Where they used to shear sheep, and then to feast, after their manner,
1 SAMUEL 25:36 2 SAMUEL 13:23. Or this may be the name of a place,
_Beth-hekel of the shepherds_; or, _Beth-heked-rohim_.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BRETHREN; not strictly so, for they were killed before this, 2
CHRONICLES 21:17; but his _brethren's sons_, as they are called, 2
CHRONICLES 22:8, or others of his near kinsmen, such being oft called
brethren in Scripture; as GENESIS 13:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TOOK THEM ALIVE, AND SLEW THEM; partly in compliance with God's
command, 2 KINGS 9:8, for these were of the house of Ahab by the
mother's side, 2 KINGS 8:18; and partly that they might neither claim
the kingdom of Israel in right of their grandmother; as they might
well have done, if God had no... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHONADAB THE SON OF RECHAB; a Kenite, 1 CHRONICLES 2:55, and a man of
singular prudence and piety; as appears from this history, and from
JEREMIAH 35:6. COMING TO MEET HIM, to congratulate with him for the
destruction of that wicked family, and to encourage and advise him to
proceed in fulfilling t... [ Continue Reading ]
MY ZEAL FOR THE LORD, i.e. for the vindication of his honour and
quarrel, and for the execution of his commands. Do not believe my
words, but mine actions, which thine eyes shall behold. THEY, i.e.
Jehu's servants, opened the door of his chariot, and lifted up
Jehonadab into it.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THAT REMAINED UNTO AHAB; either all his household; or rather, all
his kindred and relations, though more remote from him.... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHU GATHERED ALL THE PEOPLE TOGETHER; by their representatives, their
elders or rulers, as was usual; to whom he imparts his mind; and they
being generally corrupt, and timeservers, and such as had no sense of
religion in them, durst not oppose his resolution, but seemed to
comply with it. JEHU SHA... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL HIS SERVANTS; either,
1. All his ministers; of whom there may seem to have been several
sorts, whereof two are here distinctly mentioned, his prophets and
priests; and the rest of the inferior sort may be comprehended under
this general title of servants, because they were to attend upon the
ot... [ Continue Reading ]
PROCLAIM, Heb. _sanctify_. Prepare yourselves and all things necessary
for this solemn day, and sacrifice, and feast, which I intend to keep.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS NOT A MAN LEFT THAT CAME NOT; either,
1. Because they thought Jehu was serious and sincere in his
professions; it being natural and usual for men too easily to believe
what they wish to be true. And for the priests which Jehu destroyed
before, 2 KINGS 10:11, they might think that was done... [ Continue Reading ]
VESTMENTS; sacred garments; such as were used by the priests and
others of the Lord's ministry in God's worship; and from thence the
devil borrowed this custom in his worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Baalites possibly did not know Jehonadab, and therefore suspected
nothing; or if any of the more crafty sort suspected any thing, it was
now too late to amend their error. LOOK THAT THERE BE HERE WITH YOU
NONE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD; because their presence will offend
Baal, and deride or po... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY WENT IN; when some in the name of the rest went to the altar
to offer sacrifice. JEHU APPOINTED FOURSCORE MEN; far greater numbers
being doubtless in readiness to assist then, in case of any
opposition.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS SOON AS HE, i.e. the chief priest of Baal: see 2 CHRONICLES 23:17.
MADE AN END OF OFFERING THE BURNT-OFFERINGS; so far he suffered them
to proceed; either because till then they were not all come into the
house; or because having been taken in the very act of gross idolatry,
their destruction was... [ Continue Reading ]
Heb. _it_, i.e. the collection of the images, or each of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE IMAGE OF BAAL; the chief image, which they worshipped more than
the rest. BRAKE DOWN THE HOUSE OF BAAL; and the like they did with the
rest of the houses of Baal in Israel; as may be gathered both from the
nature and reason of the thing, and from 2 KINGS 10:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHU DEPARTED NOT FROM AFTER THEM: herein he discovers his hypocrisy,
that he follows God as far as his interest would permit; namely, in
destroying the house of Ahab, and the worship of Baal, but no further;
for he still resolves to keep up the worship of the calves; partly
lest he should disoblige... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAID UNTO JEHU; by some prophet, as above, 2 KINGS 9:7.
EXECUTING THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN MINE EYES, i.e. in part, and so far
as is here expressed, these actions were good and right, though his
heart was not so. THY CHILDREN OF THE FOURTH GENERATION SHALL SIT ON
THE THRONE OF ISRAEL; and so... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL HIS HEART: His obedience wanted three necessary properties,
care or heedfulness, universality, and sincerity. HE DEPARTED NOT FROM
THE SINS OF JEROBOAM; his resolved continuance in one single course is
justly alleged as an argument of his false-heartedness in all his
other actions.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS; in the time of Jehu's life and reign, as may be
gathered by comparing 2 KINGS 10:31. TO CUT ISRAEL SHORT; either to
diminish the number of the people, by cutting them off; or to straiten
their borders. IN ALL THE COASTS OF ISRAEL, i.e. in their borders, or
the uttermost part of their... [ Continue Reading ]
From Jordan eastward, to wit, from the land of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]