Melachim Bais 10:23

23 And Yehu went, and Yehonadav Ben Rechav, into the bais Ba’al, and said unto the ovdei HaBa’al, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the avadim of Hashem, but the ovdei HaBa’al only.

Melachim Bais 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.

Melachim Bais 10:23 In-Context

21 And Yehu sent through kol Yisroel; and kol ovdei HaBa’al (all the worshippers of Ba’al) came, so that there was not an ish left that came not. And they came into the bais of Ba’al; and the bais of Ba’al was full from end to end.

22 And he said unto him that was over the meltachah (wardrobe), Bring forth levush (robe) for all the ovdei HaBa’al. And he brought them forth the malbush (vestments, religious robes).

23 And Yehu went, and Yehonadav Ben Rechav, into the bais Ba’al, and said unto the ovdei HaBa’al, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the avadim of Hashem, but the ovdei HaBa’al only.

24 And when they went in to offer zevakhim and olot, Yehu appointed fourscore ish outside, and said, If any of the anashim whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his nefesh shall be for the nefesh of him.

25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the olah (burnt offering), that Yehu said to the guard and to the shalishim (officers), Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they cut them down with the edge of the cherev; and the guard and the shalishim cast them out, and went to the Ir of the bais of Ba’al.