And Jehu commanded, "Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal." So they announced it. And Jehu commandedJehu, the tenth king of the northern kingdom of Israel, was anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha to execute judgment on the house of Ahab. His command here reflects his authority and determination to eradicate Baal worship from Israel, fulfilling the prophecy given to Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:16-17). Jehu's actions are part of a broader divine judgment against idolatry and apostasy in Israel. Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.
A solemn assembly was typically a sacred gathering, often associated with religious festivals or significant events (Leviticus 23:36). However, Jehu's proclamation was a strategic deception to gather all the worshipers of Baal in one place. Baal was a Canaanite deity whose worship had been introduced into Israel by Jezebel, Ahab's wife. This false god's worship involved rituals that were abominable to the God of Israel, including idolatry and immorality. Jehu's proclamation was a cunning plan to eliminate Baal worshipers, aligning with God's command to destroy idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:12-18). So they announced it.
The announcement indicates the compliance of the people or officials with Jehu's command, showing his influence and authority. This also reflects the widespread acceptance of Baal worship at the time, as the people were willing to gather for what they believed was a legitimate religious assembly. The announcement set the stage for Jehu's subsequent actions, which would lead to the destruction of Baal worshipers and the temple of Baal, as recorded later in the chapter (2 Kings 10:25-28). This event underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's word against idolatry. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehuThe king of Israel who was anointed to destroy the house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship from Israel. His actions were both politically and religiously motivated. 2. BaalA Canaanite deity whose worship was prevalent in Israel, often associated with idolatry and apostasy from the worship of Yahweh. 3. Solemn AssemblyA gathering that Jehu commanded under the pretense of worshiping Baal, which was actually a strategic move to eliminate Baal worshipers. 4. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom where Jehu reigned and where Baal worship had become widespread due to the influence of previous kings like Ahab. 5. Prophets of BaalThe religious leaders and followers of Baal who were targeted by Jehu in his campaign to purify Israel from idolatry. Teaching Points Zeal for the Lord's HonorJehu's actions, though extreme, reflect a zeal for purifying Israel from idolatry. Believers today are called to have a similar zeal for God's honor, though expressed through love and truth. Discernment in LeadershipJehu's strategy involved deception, which raises questions about the ethics of his methods. Christian leaders are called to lead with integrity and wisdom, seeking God's guidance in all decisions. The Dangers of IdolatryThe prevalence of Baal worship in Israel serves as a warning against allowing anything to take precedence over God in our lives. Modern idolatry can take many forms, such as materialism or self-worship. God's Sovereignty and JudgmentJehu's actions were part of God's judgment against the house of Ahab and Baal worship. This reminds us of God's sovereignty and the reality of His judgment against sin. The Importance of True WorshipThe false worship of Baal contrasts with the true worship of Yahweh. Believers are encouraged to worship God in spirit and truth, as emphasized in John 4:24. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehu's zeal for eradicating Baal worship challenge or inspire your own commitment to God? 2. In what ways can modern believers guard against idolatry in their own lives, and what forms might it take today? 3. How can Christian leaders today balance zeal for God's honor with ethical leadership and integrity? 4. What lessons can we learn from Jehu's actions about the consequences of idolatry and the importance of true worship? 5. How does the account of Jehu and the eradication of Baal worship connect with the broader biblical account of God's judgment and redemption? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 18The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, which highlights the ongoing struggle against Baal worship in Israel. Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments, which include the prohibition against idolatry, providing a backdrop for understanding the severity of Baal worship in Israel. 2 Kings 9The anointing of Jehu and his initial actions against the house of Ahab, setting the stage for his campaign against Baal worship. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Dan, Elijah, Elisha, Gad, Gadites, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoahaz, Jehonadab, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jezreel, Manasseh, Manassites, Nebat, Rechab, Reuben, ReubenitesPlaces Aroer, Bashan, Beth-eked, Bethel, Dan, Gilead, Jezreel, Jordan River, Samaria, Valley of the ArnonTopics Assembly, Baal, Ba'al, Hallow, Holy, Honor, Jehu, Meeting, Ordered, Proclaim, Proclaimed, Public, Restraint, Sanctify, Solemn, Special, Statement, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 10:20 5335 herald
5463 proclamations 2 Kings 10:15-28 8370 zeal 2 Kings 10:18-28 8747 false gods 2 Kings 10:18-29 7312 Baal Library Impure Zeal
'And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal 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 subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureCatholic Spirit
"And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him, and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered: It is. If it be, give me thine hand." 2 Kings 10:15. 1. It is allowed even by those who do not pay this great debt, that love is due to all mankind, the royal law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," carrying its own evidence to all that hear it: and that, not according to the miserable …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions False Civilization
JEREMIAH xxxv. 19. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever. Let us think a while this morning what this text has to do with us; and why this strange story of the Rechabites is written for our instruction, in the pages of Holy Scripture. Let us take the story as it stands, and search the Scriptures simply for it. For the Bible will surely tell its own story best, and teach its own lesson best. These Rechabites, who …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh Away Holy Martyrdoms Altogether. ...
3. Which sentence dishonoreth the holy Martyrs, nay rather taketh away holy martyrdoms altogether. For they would do more justly and wisely, according to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying what they were, should both themselves keep safe the convenience of the flesh and purpose of the heart, and not allow those to accomplish the wickedness which they had conceived in their mind. …
St. Augustine—Against Lying The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS CHRIST. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of those ten excellent manuscripts which were found among Bunyan's papers after his decease in 1688. It had been prepared by him for publication, but still wanted a few touches of his masterly hand, and a preface in his characteristic style. He had, while a prisoner for nonconformity, in 1672, published a treatise upon this subject, in reply to Mr. Fowler, who was soon after created Bishop of Gloucester; but that was …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Elucidations.
I. (Deadly Sins, cap. ix., p. 356.) To maintain a modern and wholly uncatholic system of Penitence, the schoolmen invented a technical scheme of sins mortal and sins venial, which must not be read into the Fathers, who had no such technicalities in mind. By "deadly sins" they meant all such as St. John recognizes (1 John v. 16-17) and none other; that is to say sins of surprise and infirmity, sins having in them no malice or wilful disobedience, such as an impatient word, or a momentary neglect of …
Tertullian—The Five Books Against Marcion The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 10:20 NIV2 Kings 10:20 NLT2 Kings 10:20 ESV2 Kings 10:20 NASB2 Kings 10:20 KJV
2 Kings 10:20 Commentaries
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