2 Kings 10 Jehu by his letters causeth seventy of Ahab’s sons to be slain: the fact is excused by Elijah’s prophecy, 2 Kings 10:1–11. Also forty-two of king Ahaziah’s brethren, 2 Kings 10:12–14.

Ahab had seventy sons; either, first, properly sons by several wives; or rather, secondly, grandsons are comprehended, who are oft called sons, and grandfathers fathers, in Scripture.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

Where they used to shear sheep, and then to feast, after their manner, 1 Sam. 25:36, 2 Sam. 13:23. Or this may be the name of a place, Beth-hekel of the shepherds; or, Beth-heked-rohim.

The brethren; not strictly so, for they were killed before this, 2 Chron. 21:17; but his brethren’s sons, as they are called, 2 Chron. 22:8, or others of his near kinsmen, such being oft called brethren in Scripture; as Gen. 13:8.

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…

Jehonadab the son of Rechab; a Kenite, 1 Chron. 2:55, and a man of singular prudence and piety; as appears from this history, and from Jer. 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 the will…

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.

All that remained unto Ahab; either all his household; or rather, all his kindred and relations, though more remote from him.

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.

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…

Proclaim, Heb. 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; 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.

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.

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.

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.

As soon as he, i.e. the chief priest of Baal: see 2 Chron. 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…

Heb. it, i.e. the collection of the images, or each of them.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

From Jordan eastward, to wit, from the land of Canaan.