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CHAPTER 17 : JEHU, (ELEVENTH) KING OF ISRAEL.
ATHALIAH, (SEVENTH) QUEEN OF JUDAH. - Murder of the
"sons" of Ahab and of Joram - Destruction of the adherents of
Ahab in Jezreel - March on Samaria - Slaughter of the
"brethren" of Ahaziah - Jehonadab the son of Rechab -
Meaning of the Rechabite movement - The Feast of Baal at
Samaria - Destruction of the Worshippers - Character of the
Reign of Jehu - Decline of the Northern Kingdom -
Commencing Decline of the Southern Kingdom. (2 Kings 10:2;
2 Chronicles 21:10; 24:17-26.)
WE have learned enough of this history to understand the seeming inconsistencies in
the conduct of Jehu. Absolutely speaking, he was the instrument selected for
executing the Divine punishment on the house of Ahab; and also in whose reign the
national judgment upon Israel was to begin. Jehu himself clearly understood his
mission as regarded the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal. But he accepted it as
a national and, if the term may be used, a Jehovistic movement, without implying the
necessity of true fear of the LORD, or of return to Him; and he carried it out as a
Jehu. Alike as regarded his feelings and his methods, he was the instrument, not the
servant of the LORD.
To such an one as Jehu even common prudence would have dictated to do what work
he had, quickly, sharply, and completely. A dynasty that had extended over four
reigns must have numbered many adherents, while on the other hand the
demoralizing influence of the worship of Baal must have widely spread in the land.
There was more than merely a mocking taunt in the reminder of Jezebel about the
fate of Zimri. The mission as well as the rule of Jehu depended upon a rapid
succession of measures which would alike anticipate the possibility of a counter-
revolution, and render a return to the former state of things impossible. This explains
the measures taken by the new king. Samaria was not only the capital, but a fortified
city, where the main body of the standing army^282 lay. Here, as we know, had been
placed the "seventy sons of Ahab" - understanding the term^283 in its wider sense,
common in Hebrew, which included, besides the sons of Ahab, his grandsons, the
children of Joram (comp. 2 Kings 10:3).
These royal princes of the house of Ahab were entrusted, some (in the Eastern
fashion) for supervision, the younger for education to the "princes,"^284 - that is, the
governor of the palace and the governor of the city (10:1, comp. 10:5) - to the
"elders," and to certain prominent persons who had charge of them.
(^)