2 Kings 10:24

24 So they were all inside the temple to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside the building and had warned them, “If you let anyone escape, you will pay for it with your own life.”

2 Kings 10:24 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:24

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings,
&c.] To Baal, all things being ready for them:

Jehu appointed eighty men without;
without the temple of Baal, at the several doors and avenues of it:

and said, if any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape,
he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him;
should be put to death for it in his room; the life of a watchman set to guard should go for the life of one that escaped.

2 Kings 10:24 In-Context

22 And Jehu instructed the keeper of the wardrobe, “Be sure that every worshiper of Baal wears one of these robes.” So robes were given to them.

23 Then Jehu went into the temple of Baal with Jehonadab son of Recab. Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, “Make sure no one who worships the LORD is here—only those who worship Baal.”

24 So they were all inside the temple to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside the building and had warned them, “If you let anyone escape, you will pay for it with your own life.”

25 As soon as Jehu had finished sacrificing the burnt offering, he commanded his guards and officers, “Go in and kill all of them. Don’t let a single one escape!” So they killed them all with their swords, and the guards and officers dragged their bodies outside. Then Jehu’s men went into the innermost fortress of the temple of Baal.

26 They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it.