Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 10
It is good and right, of course, to oppose something that is evil. However, we should think carefully about the methods that we use to oppose it. God’s people should only use right and proper methods – in other words, the methods that God himself approves of. Jehu did not do that (10:31). Jehu used lies, untrue statements, and behaviour that was not honest.
The religion of Baal was an evil religion. It used wrong sex acts (Numbers 25:1-3) and magic (9:22). It was the reason why Jezebel killed the prophets (holy people) of God (1 Kings 18:4 and 19:14). It encouraged powerful people to follow their selfish attitudes and to deal cruelly with poor people.
In the religion of Baal, the false god Baal was the enemy of the true God (1 Kings 18:18-40). Jehu knew that the true God had chosen him to be king (9:6). Therefore, Jehu considered that the priests of Baal were his enemies.
So Jehu made careful plans for a military attack which would destroy the religion of Baal. He gathered all the priests of Baal together in their temple (sacred building). He provided them with clothes that would distinguish them from anyone else. He arranged strong soldiers whom he trusted, outside the temple. He warned them severely that they must not allow even a single person to escape.
Then Jehu went into the temple with his adviser, Jehonadab. He joined the priests of Baal for a splendid ceremony to offer a sacrifice (gift of animals) to Baal. Then, as he left the temple, he gave his order to his soldiers. They must now enter the temple – and they must kill everyone in it.
Next part: The temple of Baal becomes a public sewer (2 Kings 10:26-27)
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