2 Kings 10:18

Jehu Purges the Baal Worshipers

18 Then Jehu assembled all of the people and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will worship him greatly.

2 Kings 10:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:18

And Jehu gathered all the people together
The people of Samaria, at least the principal of them:

and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little, [but] Jehu shall serve
him much;
which some understand as spoken ironically; but the words seem to be spoken with a design to deceive the idolatrous inhabitants of Samaria, making them to believe that he was hearty in the worship of Baal, and should show a greater respect to it, and more constantly attend it, than Ahab had done; and this he said with a view to draw them to the temple of Baal, and there destroy them, as the sequel shows; and in which he is not to be justified, however good his intention was; for evil is not to be done that good may come.

2 Kings 10:18 In-Context

16 Then he said, "Come with me! Look at my zeal for Yahweh!" So he let him ride in his chariot.
17 Then he came to Samaria and killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria until he wiped them out according to the word of Yahweh which he had spoken to Elijah.
18 Then Jehu assembled all of the people and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will worship him greatly.
19 So then, summon to me all of the prophets of Baal and all of his servants and his priests; no man should fail to come, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Anyone who fails to come shall not live!" Now Jehu was acting with cunning in order to destroy the servants of Baal.
20 Then Jehu said, "Sanctify a [solemn] assembly for Baal!" So they proclaimed [it].
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.