2 Kings 10:18

Jehu Kills Those Who Serve Baal

18 Then Jehu brought all of the people together. He said to them, "Ahab served the god Baal a little. I will serve him a lot.

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 Jehu said, "Come along with me. See how committed I am to serve the Lord." He had him ride along in his chariot.
17 Jehu came to Samaria. He killed everyone who was left there from Ahab's family. And so he wiped out Ahab's royal house. That's what the LORD had said would happen. He had spoken that message to Elijah.
18 Then Jehu brought all of the people together. He said to them, "Ahab served the god Baal a little. I will serve him a lot.
19 Send for all of Baal's prophets. Also send for all of his priests and the others who serve him. Make sure that not a single one is missing. I'm going to hold a great sacrifice to honor Baal. Anyone who doesn't come will be killed." But Jehu was lying to them. He was planning to destroy those who served Baal.
20 Jehu said, "Call everyone together to honor Baal." So they did.
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