2 Kings 10:23

23 Yehu went, and Yehonadav the son of Rechav, into the house of Ba`al; and he said to the worshippers of Ba`al, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Ba`al only.

2 Kings 10:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:23

And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house
of Baal
Who no doubt was led into the secret, and knew the design of Jehu, or he would not have gone into such an idolatrous place:

and said unto the worshippers of Baal, search and look, that there be
here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of
Baal only;
pretending a great regard to the purity of their worship and sacrifices, that they might not be profaned ^F20 by the company of such who were not worshippers of Baal, but of Jehovah; whereas his view was to prevent any of the worshippers of God perishing with them, who might out of curiosity go in among them, to behold the manner of their service.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 "----procul, o procul este profani". Virgil. Aeneid. 6. ver. 258.

2 Kings 10:23 In-Context

21 Yehu sent through all Yisra'el: and all the worshippers of Ba`al came, so that there was not a man left that didn't come. They came into the house of Ba`al; and the house of Ba`al was filled from one end to another.

22 He said to him who was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Ba`al. He brought them forth vestments.

23 Yehu went, and Yehonadav the son of Rechav, into the house of Ba`al; and he said to the worshippers of Ba`al, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Ba`al only.

24 They went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Yehu had appointed him eighty men outside, and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, [he who lets him go], his life shall be for the life of him.

25 It happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Yehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and kill them; let none come forth. They struck them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Ba`al.