2 Kings 10:18

JEHU'S PLOT TO MURDER ALL THE WORSHIPPERS OF BAAL

"And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshippers, 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 subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was filled from one end to another. And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal; and he said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of Jehovah, but worshippers of Baal only. And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men that I bring into your hands escape, he that letteth him go: his life shall be for the life of him."

Some scholars deny that Jehu actually offered sacrifices to Baal,[13] and some limit the slaughter here to the priests and prophets, but the text does not support either viewpoint. Jehu's hypocrisy was phenomenal, and his intention to deceive the worshippers of Baal was so acute, that he was capable of doing exactly what the text says he did. He went into the temple of Baal to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings.

"The house of Baal was filled from one end to the other" (2 Kings 10:21). The pagan temples of that era were no small buildings. They included extensive courts and collateral areas where very large assemblies could be accommodated. The impression left by these words is that literally thousands of people were brought together at the house of Baal.

With this large gathering assembled within the precincts of the temple of Baal, the bloodthirsty Jehu was ready to spring the trap and destroy them all. It is not specifically stated that Jehonadab left the temple of Baal with Jehu, but presumably he certainly did.