(20) Proclaim a solemn assembly.—Rather, Sanctify a solemn meeting (Isaiah 1:13). Every person who wished to attend would have to “sanctify,” or purify, himself in due form.They proclaimed—i.e., gave notice of the festival by criers “through all Israel” (2 Kings 10:21). read more
(21) Sent through all Israel.—The Vatican LXX. adds, “saying: And now all his servants, and all his priests, and all his prophets, let none be wanting; because I make a great sacrifice. Whoever shall be wanting he shall not live.” This is another instance (comp. 2 Kings 9:16) of the insertion in the text of a marginal note belonging to another place. The note preserves the reading of the first half of 2 Kings 10:19 according to another MS. (See Thenius ad loc.)Was full from one end to... read more
(22) The vestry.—The word (meltâhâh) occurs here only. The Targum has chests (qumtrayyâ—i.e., κάμπτραι, “caskets”; comp. Latin, capsa). The LXX. does not translate the word.The Syriac has, “And he said to the treasurer” (gizbârâ). The Vulg., “And he said to those who were over the vestments.” Thenius thinks the word merely means “cell” or “storechamber,” like lishkâh, the root of which may be cognate (1 Chronicles 28:12). It is said that there is an Ethiopie word, meaning “linen robe,” which is... read more
(23) And Jehu went . . . into the house—i.e., into the outer court before the temple, where all the worshippers were waiting.That there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord.—This precaution of Jehu’s suggests suspicion to a modern reader, but it would suggest the very contrary to the Baal-worshippers—viz., an extraordinary reverence for Baal; a dread lest some profane person should be present in his sanctuary.Servants of the Lord.—Worshippers of Jehovah. read more
(24) When.—Omit.They went in.—The priests and prophets went into the inner court of the Baal temple, which probably resembled in general construction that of Jehovah at Jerusalem.Sacrifices and burnt offerings—i.e., peace offerings and burnt offerings, which could only be offered in an open court.Jehu appointed fourscore men without.—Rather, now Jehu had set him on the outside (of the building) fourscore men.If any of the men . . . life of him.—Literally, The man that escapeth of the men whom I... read more
(25) As soon as he had made an end.—The Syriac has, when they (i.e., the Baal priests) had made an end. This is probably right. (Comp. the beginning of 2 Kings 10:24). We can hardly suppose with Ewald that Jehu personally offered sacrifices in the character of an ardent Baal-worshipper. For the massacre Jehu chose the moment when all the assembly was absorbed in worship.To the guard and to the captains.—Literally, to the runners (or couriers) and to the adjutants (or squires; 2 Kings 9:25).... read more
(26) The images.—Rather, the pillars; which were of wood, and had a sacred significance. (Comp. Hosea 3:4.) “In primitive times a pillar was the distinguishing mark of a holy place. Idolatrous pillars were commanded to be destroyed (Exodus 23:24), but most critics think that pillars to Jehovah were quite allowable till the time of Hezekiah or Josiah, to which they assign the Book of Deuteronomy. (Comp. Deuteronomy 16:21-22.) At any rate, the prophet (Isaiah) gives an implicit sanction to the... read more
(27) The image of Baal.—Again the word is pillar, which in this case is the conical pillar of stone representing the Baal himself. The wooden pillars of 2 Kings 10:26 probably symbolised companion deities (παρέδρυι συμβώμοι) of the principal idol.Made it a draught house.—By way of utter desecration. (Comp. Ezekiel 6:11; Daniel 2:5.)Unto this day.—On the bearing of this phrase, see the Introduction to the Books of Kings. read more
A Full House 2 Kings 10:21 Here is a record of a full house. So full it was that, in the original, it is described as a vessel filled to the brim. But what was its moral significance? I. A Full Congregation but no True Worship. If you read the tragical story, you will find that you do it no injustice when you say that two principal motives had filled the house that fateful day: first, the desire to curry favour with the ruling powers, and secondly, the constraint of fashion. II. Quantity but... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 10:19
(19) Call unto me all the prophets of Baal.—Comp. the similar convocation of the prophets of the Baal and Asherah by the prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 18:19 seq.His servants.—The same word as “worshippers,” infra.To do.—Omit.To Baal.—For the Baal.But Jehu did it.—Or, Now Jehu had done it; a parenthesis.In subtilty.—Or, in guile, treacherously. The word (‘oqbâh) occurs only here. It is connected with the proper name Jacob. (See Genesis 25:26; Hosea 12:4.) The LXX. renders literally, ἐν πτερνισμφ, “in... read more