2 Kings 10:15

JEHU FORMED SOME KIND OF ALLIANCE WITH JEHONADAB

"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 thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thy hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for Jehovah. So they made him ride in the chariot. And when he came to Samaria, he smote all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke to Elijah."

(For a discussion of the unique sect of the Rechabites, see my commentary on Jeremiah 35.) These people lived in tents and clung tenaciously to the ancient and original worship of Israel, namely, the worship of Jehovah. They were not Israelites, but Kenites, and had accompanied Israel when they came up out of Egypt. They had a very good reputation among all Israelites for their piety and integrity; and Jehu's purpose here was that of associating with this reputable man Jehonadab, thus giving the general impression that the Rechabites were backing Jehu.

"Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart" (2 Kings 10:14). The RSV is more readable, as follows: "Is your heart true to my heart, as my heart is to yours"?

"Come with me, and see my zeal for Jehovah" (2 Kings 10:16). This zeal for Jehovah which Jehu pretended to have was merely the cloak of his ambition. This is not the only time that God used a wicked man or an evil nation to punish wickedness.

"This was more than a casual meeting. The pledge and the handshake signified a formal coalition between Jehu and the Rechabites."[12]