And he answered, Because I know the evil "that | thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. 13 And Hazael said, But what! is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 14 So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest "surely recover. 15 And it came to pass on the 'morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead. 16 And in the fifth year of Joram, the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah *began to reign. 17 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jeru salem. 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for the "daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 19 Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for n c. 10. 32. 12. 17. 13. 3, 7. o Am. 1.3-5. Ps. 137. 8, 9. p c. 15. 16. 16. Am. 1. 13. 1 Sam. 17. 43. r1 Kings 19. 15. 8 ver. 10. u 2 Chr. 21. 5, &c. ⚫ reigned. 1 Kings 22. 52, 53. to ver. 26. 25, 26. Hos. 11. 9. Hos. 13. Mic. 2. 1. z Jer. 33. unfairly and unfaithfully concealed that, either because he was loath to put the king out of humour with bad news, or because hereby he might the more effectually carry that bloody design, which he conceived when he was told he should be his successor. The devil ruins men, by telling them they shall certainly recover and do well; so rocking them asleep in security, than which nothing is more fatal: this was an injury to the king, who lost the benefit of this warning to prepare for death, and an injury to Elisha, who would be counted a false prophet. 2. He barbarously murdered his master, and so made good the prophet's word, v. 15. He dipped a thick cloth in cold water, and spread that upon his face, under pretence of cooling and refreshing him, but so that it stopped his breath, and stifled him presently, he being weak, (and not able to help himself,) or perhaps asleep; such a bubble is the life of the greatest of men, and so much exposed are princes to violence. Hazael, who was Ben-hadad's confidant, is his murderer, and, some think, was not suspected, nor did it ever come out but by the pen of this inspired historian. We found this haughty monarch, (1 Kings 20,) the terror of the mighty in the land of the living, but he goes down slain to the pit with his iniquity upon his bones, Ez. 32. 27. V. 16-24. We have here a brief account of the life and reign of Jehoram, (or Joram,) one of the worst of the kings of Judah, but the son and successor of Jehoshaphat, one of the best. Note, 1. Parents cannot give grace to their children: many that have themselves been godly, have had the grief and shame of seeing those that came forth out of their bowels, wicked and vile; let not the families that are thus afflicted, think it strange. 2. If the children of good parents prove wicked, commonly they are worse than others; the unclean spirit brings in seven others more wicked than himself, Luke 11. 26. 3. A nation is sometimes justly punished with the miseries of a bad reign, for not improving the blessings and advantages of a good one. Concerning this Jehoram, observe, David his servant's sake, as he promised him to 22 Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah 'revolted at the same time. 23 And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 24 And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead. 25 In the twelfth year of Joram, the son of Ahab king of Israel, did Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, begin to reign. 26 Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Athaliah, the $daughter of Omri king of Israel. 27 And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. 2 Sam. 7. 13. 1 Kings 11. 36. 15. 4. Pa. 132. 17. t candle, or, lamp. z Gen. 27.40. a 1 Kings 22. 47. b ver. 20. c Josh. 21. 13. I called Azariah, 2 Chr. 22. 6, and Jehoahar, 2 Chr. 21. 17. 25, 23. d 2 Chr. 22. 1, &c. Sor, granddaughter, ver. 18. pride, (than which nothing is more pernicious to young people,) IV. The gracious care of Providence for the keeping up of the kingdom of Judah, and the house of David, notwithstanding the apostacies and calamities of Jehoram's reign; (v. 19,) Yet the Lord would not destroy Judah; he could easily have done it, he might justly have done it, it would have been no loss to not for the sake of any merit of his which could challenge this favour to his family as a debt, but for the sake of a promise made to him, that he should always have a lamp, that is, a succession of kings from one generation to another; by which his name should be kept bright and illustrious, as a lamp is kept burning by a constant fresh supply of oil: thus his family was not to be extinct, till it terminated in the Messiah, that Son of David, on whom was to be hung all the glory of his Father's house, and in whose everlasting kingdom that promise to David is fulfilled, (Ps. 132. 17,) I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. I. The general idea here given of his badness; (v. 18,) He did as the house of Ahab, and worse he could not do; his cha-him to have done it; yet he would not do it, for David's sake, racter is taken from the bad example he followed, for men are according to the company they converse with, and the copies they write after. No mistake is more fatal to young people, than a mistake in the choice of those whom they would recommend themselves to, and take their measures from, and whose good opinion they value themselves by; Jehoram chose the house of Ahab for his pattern rather than his father's house, and it was his ruin. We have a particular account of his wickedness, 2 Chr. 21. murder, idolatry, persecution, every thing that was bad. II. The occasions of his badness; his father was a very good man, and, no doubt, took care to have him taught the good knowledge of the Lord; but, 1. It is certain he did ill, to marry him to the daughter of Ahab; no good could come of an alliance with an idolatrous family, but all mischief with such a daughter of such a mother, as Athaliah the daughter of Jezebel: the degeneracy of the old world took rise from the unequal yoking of professors with profane; those that are ill matched, are already half ruined. 2. I doubt he did not do well, to make him king in his own lifetime: it is said here, (v. 16,) he began to reign, Jehoshaphat being then king; hereby he gratified his V. The conclusion of this impious and inglorious reign, v. 23, 24. Nothing peculiar is here said of him; but we are told, 2 Chr. 21. 19, 20, that he died of sore diseases, and died without being desired. V. 25-29. As among common persons, there are some that we call little men, who make no figure, are little regarded, and less valued; so among kings, there are some whom, in comparison with others, we may call little kings. This Ahaziah was one of these; he looks mean in the history, and, because wicked, in God's account, vile. It is too plain an evidence of the affinity 28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. 29 And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick. CHAPTER IX. 2 And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber: 3 Then take the box of oil and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. 4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. 5 And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting: and he said, I have an errand to all us? And he said, To thee, O captain. Hazael and Jehu were the men that were designed to be the instruments of God's thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of Justice in punishing and destroying the house of Ahab. Elijah was bidden to appoint them to this service; but, upon Ahab's humiliation, a reprieve was granted, and so it was left to Elisha to appoint them. Hazael's elevation to the throue of Syria we read of in the foregoing chapter; and we must now attend Jehu to the throne of Israel; for him that escapeth the sword of Hazael, as Jo ram and Ahaziah did, Jehu must slay, of which this chapter gives us an account. 1. A commission is sent to Jehu by the hand of one of the prophts, to take upon him the government, and destroy the house of Ahab, v. 1-10. 11. Here is his speedy execution of this commission. 1. He communicates it to his captains, ▼ 11-15. 2. He marches directly to Jezreel, (v. 16-20,) and there despatches, (1) Joram king of Israel, v. 20-26. (2.) Abaziah king of Judah, v. 27-29. (3.) Jezebel, v. 30-37. AND Elisha the prophet called one of the chr ND Elisha the "prophet called one of the chilup thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. c. 9. 15. ⚫ wherewith the Syrians had wounded. f called Ramoth, ver. 28. c. 9. 16. I wounted. a 1 Kings 20. 35. b c. 4. 29. Jer. 1. 17. c c. 8. 28. ver. 5, 11. chamber in a chamber. between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, that they had the same names in their families, at the same time, in which, we may suppose, they designed to compliment one another. Ahab had two sons, Ahaziah and Jehoram, who reigned successively; Jehoshaphat had a son and grandson named Jehoram and Ahaziah, who, in like manner, reigned successively. Names indeed do not make natures, but it was a bad omen to Jehoshaphat's family, to borrow names from Ahab's; or if he lent the names to that wretched family, he could not communicate with them the devotion of their significations, Ahaziah, Taking hold of the Lord; and Jehoram, The Lord exalted. Ahaziah king of Israel had reigned but two years, Ahaziah king of Judah reigned but one. We are here told that his relation to Ahab's family was the occasion, 1. Of his wickedness; (v. 27,) He walked in the way of the house of Ahab, that idolatrous bloody house; for his mother was Ahab's daughter, v. 26. So that he sucked in wickedness with his milk. Partus sequitur ventrem-The child may be expected to resemble the mother. When men choose wives for themselves, they must remember they are choosing mothers for their children, and are concerned to choose accordingly. 2. Of his fall; Joram, his mother's brother, courted him to join with him for the recovery of Ramoth-gilead, an attempt fatal to Ahab; so it was to Joram his son, for in that expedition he was wounded, (v. 28,) and returned to Jezreel to be cured, leaving his army there in possession of the place. Ahaziah was likewise returned, but went to Jezreel, to see how Jehoram did, v. 29. Providence so ordered it, that he who had been debauched by the house of Ahab, might be cut off with them, when the measure of their iniquity was full, as we shall find in the next chapter. They who partake with sinners in their sin, must expect to partake with them in their plagues. NOTES TO CHAPTER IX. V. 1-10. We have here the anointing of Jehu to be king, who was, at this time, a commander (probably, commander-inchief) of the forces employed at Ramoth-gilead, v. 14. There he was fighting for the king his master, but received orders from a higher King to fight against him. It does not appear that Jehu aimed at the government, or that he ever thought of it, but the commission given him was a perfect surprise to him. Some think that he had been anointed before by Elijah, whom God ordered to do it, but privately, and with an intimation that he must not act till further orders; as Samuel anointed David long before he was to come to the throne; but that is not at all probable, for then we must suppose Elijah had anointed Hazael too. No, when God bade him do these things, he bade him anoint Elisha to be prophet in his room, to do them when he was gone, as God should direct him. Here is, I. The commission sent. Elisha did not go himself to anoint Jehu, because he was old, and unfit for such a journey, and so well known that he could not do it privately, could not go and come without observation; therefore he sends one of the sons of the prophets to do it, v. 1. They not only reverenced him as their father, (ch. 2. 15,) but observed and obeyed him as their father. This service of anointing Jehu, 1. Had danger in it, (1 Sam. 16. 2,) and therefore it was not fit that Elisha should expose himself, but one of the sons of the prophets, whose life was of less value, and who could do it with less danger. 2. It required labour, and therefore fitter for a young man in his full strength. Let youth work, and age direct. 3. Yet it was an honourable piece of service, to anoint a king, and he that did it, might hope to be preferred for it afterward, and therefore, for the encouragement of the young prophets, Elisha employed 6 And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. 7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants *the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. 8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and 'I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel. e 1 Kings 19. 16. 17-32. 5. 20, 21. 1 Kings 14. 10. one of them he would not engross all the honours to himself, nor grudge the young prophets a share in them. When he sent him, (1.) He put the oil into his hand, with which he must anoint Jehu. Take this box of oil. Solomon was anointed with oil out of the tabernacle, 1 Kings 1. 39. That could not now be had, but oil from a prophet's hand was equivalent to oil out of God's house. It was not the constant practice to anoint kings, but upon the disturbance of the succession, as in the case of Solomon; or the interruption of it, as in the case of Joash, (ch. 11. 12;) or the translation of the government to a new family, as here, and in the case of David; yet it might be used, generally, though the scripture does not mention it. (2.) He put the words into his mouth which he must say, (v. 3,) I have anointed thee king, and, no doubt, told him all the rest that he said, v. 7-10. Those whom God sends on his errand, shall not go without full instructions. He also ordered him, [1.] To do it privately; to single out Jehu from the rest of the captains, and anoint him in an inner chamber, (v. 2,) that Jehu's confidence in his commission might be tried, when he had no witness to attest it; his being, of a sudden, animated for the service, would be proof sufficient of his being anointed to it, there needed no other proof. The thing signified was the best evidence of the sign. [2.] To do it expeditiously; when he went about it, he must gird up his loins; when he had done it, he must flee and not tarry for a fee, or a treat, or to see what Jehu would do. It becomes the sons of the prophets to be quick and lively at their work, to go about it, and go through it, as men that hate sauntering and trifling. They should be as angels that fly swiftly. II. The commission delivered. The young prophet did his business with despatch; was at Ramoth-gilead presently, v. 4. There he found the general officers sitting together, either at dinner, or in a council of war, v. 5. With the assurance that became a messenger from God, notwithstanding the meanness of his appearance, he called Jehu out from the rest, not waiting his leisure, or begging his pardon for disturbing him, but as one having authority, I have an errand to thee, O captain. Perhaps Jehu had some intimation of his business; and therefore, that he might not seem too forward to catch at the honour, he asked, To which of all us? That it might not be said afterward, he got it by speaking first, but they might all be satisfied he was indeed the person designed. When the prophet had him alone, he anointed him, v. 6. The anointing of the Spirit is a hidden thing, that new name, which none knows but they that have it. Herewith, 1. He invests him with the royal dignity; Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, whose messenger I am, in his name I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord. He gives him an uncontestable title, but reminds him that he was made king, (1.) By the God of Israel; from him he must see his power derived, for by him kings reign, for him he must use it, and to him he must be accountable. Magistrates are the ministers of God, and must therefore act in dependence upon him, and with an entire devotedness to him and to his glory. (2.) Over the Israel of God; though the people of Israel were wretchedly corrupted, and had forfeited all the honour of relation to God, yet they are here called the people of the Lord, for he had a right to them, and had not yet given them a bill of divorce. Jehu must look upon the people he was made king of, as the people of the Lord, not as his vassals, but God's freemen, his sons, his first-born, not to be abused or tyrannized over; God's people, and therefore to be ruled for him, and according to his laws. 2. He instructs him in his present service, which was to destroy all the house of Ahab, (v. 7;) not that he might clear 9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the f 14 So Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of house of Jeroboam "the son of Nebat, and like the Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram house of Baasha the son of Ahijah: had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria. 10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled. 11 Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication. 12 And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. 13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew 'with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king. 1 Kings 15. 29. o 1 Kings 16.5, 11. p 1 26. Hos. 9. 7. John 10. 20. Acts 26. 24. fc Kings 21. 23. ver. 35, 36. 9 Jer. 29. Cor. 4. 10. r ver. 6. Matt. 21. 7. his own way to the throne, and secure to himself the possession of it, but that he might execute the judgments of God upon that guilty and obnoxious family. He calls Ahab his master, that the relation might be no objection. "He was thy master; and to lift up thy hand against his son and successor, would be not only base ingratitude, but treason, rebellion, and all that is bad, if thou hadst not an immediate command from God to do it: but thou art under higher obligations to thy Master in heaven, than to thy master Ahab; He has determined that the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and by thy hand; fear not, has not he commanded thee? Fear not sin; his command will justify thee and bear thee out: fear not danger; his command will secure and prosper thee." That he might, intelligently, and in a right manner, do this great execution on the house of Ahab, he tells him, (1.) What was their crime, what the ground of the controversy, and wherefore God had this quarrel with them, that he might have an eye to that which God had an eye to, and that was the blood of God's servants the prophets, and his other faithful worshippers, which they had shed, and which must now be required at the hand of Jezebel. That they were idolaters, was bad enough, and merited all that was brought upon them; yet that is not mentioned here, but the controversy God has with them, is, for their being persecutors; not so much their throwing down God's altars, as their slaying his prophets with the sword. Nothing fills the measure of the iniquity of any prince or people so as this does, or brings a surer and sorer ruin. This was the sin that brought on Jerusalem its first destruction, (2 Chr. 36. 16,) and its final one, Matt. 23. 37, 38. Jezebel's whoredoms and witchcrafts were not so provoking as her persecuting the prophets, killing some, and driving the rest into corners and caves, 1 Kings 18. 4. (2.) What was their doom; they were sentenced to utter destruction; not to be corrected, but to be cut off, and rooted out. This Jehu must know, that his eye might not spare for pity, favour, or affection. All that belonged to Ahab, must be slain, v. 8. A pattern is given him of the destruction intended, in the destruction of the families of Jeroboam and Baasha, (v. 9;) and he is particularly directed to throw Jezebel to the dogs, v. 10. The whole stock of royal blood was little enough, and too little, to atone for the blood of the prophets, the saints and martyrs, which, in God's account, is of great price. The prophet, having done this errand, made the best of his way home again, and left Jehu alone to consider what he had to do, and to beg direction from God. V. 11-15. Jehu, after some pause, returned to his place at the board, taking no notice of what had passed, but, as it should seem, designing, for the present, to keep it to himself, if they had not urged him to discover it. Let us therefore see what passed between him and the captains. 1. With what contempt the captains speak of the young prophet; (v. 11,) "Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? What business has he with thee? and why wouldest thou humour him so far as to retire for conversation with him? Are prophets company for captains?" They call him a mad fellow, because he was one of those that would not run with them to an excess of riot, (1 Pet. 4. 4,) but that lived a life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world, and spent their time in devotion; for these things they thought the prophets were fools, and the spiritual men were mad, Hos. 9. 7. Note, Those that have no religion, commonly speak with disdain of those that are religious, and look upon them as mad. They said of our Saviour, He is beside himself; of John Baptist, He has a devil, is a poor melancholy man; of St. Paul, Much learning has made him mad. The highest wisdom is thus represented as folly, and those that best understand themselves, are looked upon as beside themselves. Perhaps Jehu intended it for a rebuke to his friends, when he said, "Ye know the man to be a prophet, why then do ye call him a mad fellow? Ye know the way of his communication to be not from madness, but inspiration." Or, "Being a prophet, you may guess what his business is, to tell me of my faults, and to teach me my duty; I need not inform you concerning it." Thus he thought to 15 But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel. 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram. 17 And there stood a watchman "on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it "peace? 18 So there went one on horesback to meet him, 2 Sam, 15. 10. reigneth. u 2 Sam. 18. 24. Is. 21.6, &c. ↑ Jehoram. 1 smote. 5 let no escaper go. 1 Sam. 16. 4. 17. 22. 1 Kings 2. 13. have put them off, but they urged him to tell them. "It is false," say they, "we cannot conjecture what was his errand, and therefore tell us." Being thus pressed to it, he told them that the prophet had anointed him king, and, it is probable, showed them the oil upon his head, v. 12. He knew not but some of them, either out of loyalty to Joram, or envy of him, might oppose him, and go near to crush his interest in its infancy; but he relied on the divine appointment, and was not afraid to own it, knowing whom he had trusted: he that raised him, would stand by him. 2. With what respect they compliment the new king, upon the first notice of his advancement, v. 13. How meanly soever they thought of the prophet that anointed him, and of his office, they expressed a great veneration for the royal dignity of him that was anointed, and were very forward to proclaim him with sound of trumpet. In token of their subjection and allegiance to him, their affection to his person and government, and their desire to see him high and easy in it, they put their garments under him, that he might stand or sit upon them on the top of the stairs, in sight of the soldiers, who, upon the first intimation, came together to grace the solemnity. God put it into their hearts thus readily to own him, for he turns the hearts of people as well as kings, like the rivers of water, into what channel he pleases. Perhaps they were disquieted at Joram's government, or had a particular affection for Jehu; however, it seems, things were ripe for the revolution, and they all came into Jehu's interest, and conspired against Joram, v. 14. 3. With what caution Jehu proceeded. He had advantages against Joram, and he knew how to improve them. He had the army with him; Joram had left it, and was gone home badly wounded. Jehu's good conduct appears in two things; (1.) That he complimented the captains, and would do nothing without their advice and consent; ("If it be your minds, we will do so and so, else not;") thereby intimating the deference he paid to their judgment, and the confidence he had in their fidelity, both which tended to please and fix them. It is the wisdom of those that would rise fast, and stand firm, to take their friends along with them. (2.) That he contrived to surprise Joram; and, in order thereto, to come upon him with speed, and to prevent his having notice of what was now done: "Let none go forth to tell it in Jezreel, that, as a snare, the ruin may come on him and his house." The suddenness of an attack sometimes turns to as good an account as the force of it. V. 16-29. From Ramoth-gilead to Jezreel was more than one day's march; about the midway between them, the river Jordan must be crossed. We may suppose Jehu to have marched with all possible expedition, and to have taken the utmost precaution to prevent the tidings from getting to Jezreel before him; and, at length, we have him within sight first, and then within reach, of the devoted king. I. Joram's watchman discovers him first at a distance, him and his retinue, and gives notice to the king of the approach of a company, whether of friends or foes he cannot tell. But the king (impatient to know what is the matter, and perhaps jealous that the Syrians, who had wounded him, had traced him by the blood to his own palace, and were coming to seize him) sent first one messenger, and then another, to bring him intelligence, v. 17-19. He had scarcely recovered the fright he was put into in the battle, and his guilty conscience put him into a continual terror. Each messenger asked the same question," Is it peace? Are you for us, or for our adversaries? Do you bring good tidings or bad?" Each had the same answer, What hast thou to do with peace? Turn thee behind me, (v. 18, 19;) as if he had said, "It is not to thee, but to him that sent thee, that I will give answer; for thy part, if thou consult thy own safety, turn thee behind me, and enlist thyself among my followers. The watchman gives notice that the messengers were taken prisoners; and, at length, observes that the leader of this troop drove like Jehu, who, it seems, was noted for driving furiously, thereby discovering himself to be a man of a hot eager spirit, intent upon his business, and pushing forward with all his might. A man of such a violent temper, was and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again. 19 Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. 20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the "driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth 'furiously." 21 And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel, and Ahaziah king of Judah, went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts, are so many? 23 And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah! 24 And Jehu "drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms; and the or, marching. † in madness. w Hab. 1. 6. Bind. found. x Is. 48. 22. y Rev. 2. 20-23. filled his hand with a bow." ¶ bowed. 1 Kings 21. 29. fittest for the service to which Jehu was designated. The wisdom of God is seen in the choice of proper instruments to be employed in his work. But it is not much for any man's reputation, to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. The Chaldee paraphrase gives this a contrary sense: The leading is like that of Jehu, for he leads quietly. And, it should seem, he did not come up very fast, for then there had not been time for all this that passed. And some think he chose to march slowly, that he might give Joram time to come out to him, and so despatch him before he entered the city. II. Joram himself goes out to meet him, and takes Ahaziah king of Judah along with him; neither of them equipped for war, as not expecting an enemy, but in haste to have their curiosity satisfied. How strangely has Providence sometimes ordered it, that men have been in haste to meet their ruin, when their day has come to fall. 1. The place where Joram met Jehu, was ominous, in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite, v. 21. The very sight of that ground was enough to make Joram tremble, and Jehu triumph; for Joram had the guilt of Naboth's blood fighting against him, and Jehu had the force of Elijah's curse fighting for him. The circumstances of events are sometimes so ordered by Divine Providence, as to make the punishment answer to the sin, as face answers to face in a glass. 2. Joram's demand was still the same, "Is it peace, Jehu? Is all well? Dost thou come home thus, flying from the Syrians, or more than a conqueror over them?" It seems, he looked for peace, and could not entertain any other thought. Note, It is very common for great sinners, even when they are upon the brink of ruin, to flatter themselves with an opinion that all is well with them, and to cry peace to themselves. 3. Jehu's reply was very startling; he answered him with a question, What peace canst thou expect, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, (who, though queen dowager, was, in effect, queen regent,) and her witchcrafts, are so many? See how plainly Jehu deals with him. Formerly, he durst not do so, but now he had another spirit. Note, Sinners will not always be flattered; one time or other, they will have their own given them, Ps. 36. 2. Observe, (1.) He charges upon him his mother's wickedness, because he had at first learned it, and then with his kingly power protected it. She stands impeached for whoredom, corporal and spiritual, serving idols, and serving them with the very acts of lewdness; for witchcraft likewise, enchantments and divinations, used in honour of her idols; and these multiplied, the whoredoms and the witchcrafts many; for those that abandon themselves to wicked courses, know not where they will stop. One sin begets another. (2.) Upon that account, he throws him off from all pretensions to peace; "What peace can come to that house in which there is so much wickedness unrepented of?" Note, The way of sin can never be the way of peace, Is. 57. 21. What peace can sinners have with God, what peace with their own consciences, what good, what comfort, can they expect in life, in death, or after death, who go on still in their trespasses? No peace so long as sin is persisted in; but as soon as it is repented of and forsaken, there is peace. 4. The execution was done immediately. When Joram heard of his mother's crimes, his heart failed him, he presently conclu led the long threatened day of reckoning was now come, and cried out, "There is treachery, O Ahaziah; Jehu is our enemy, and it is time for us to shift for our safety." Both fled, and, (1.) Joram king of Israel was slain presently, v. 24. Jehu despatched him with his own hands. The bow was not drawn VOL. I.-113 arrow went out at his heart, and he his chariot. 25 Then said Jehu to Bidkar his ca up, and cast him in the portion of the fie both the Jezreelite: for remember, how tha I and thou rode together after Ahab his fathe LORD laid this burden upon him. 26 Surely I have seen yesterday **the blood Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD. 27 But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden-house: and Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there. 28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David. 29 And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah. 30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. 22.9. bloods. a 1 Kings 21. 19. tt or, portion. b Josh. 17. 11. Judg. 1. 27. 2 Chr. e c. 8. 25. 2 Chr. 22. 1, 2. I put her eyes in painting, Ez. 23. 40. at a venture, as that which sent the fatal arrow through the joints of his father's harness, but Jehu directed the arrow between his shoulders as he fled, (it was one of God's arrows which he has ordained against the persecutor, Ps. 7. 13,) and it reached to his heart, so that he died upon the spot. He was now the top-branch of Ahab's house, and therefore was first cut off. He died a criminal, under the sentence of the law, which Jebu, the executioner, pursues in the disposal of the dead body. Naboth's vineyard was hard by, which put him in mind of that circumstance of the doom Elijah passed upon Ahab, I will requite thee in this plat, said the Lord, (v. 25, 26,) for the blood of Naboth himself, and for the blood of his sons, who were either put do death with him as partners in his crime, or secretly murdered after, lest they should bring an appeal, or find some way to avenge their father's death; or had broken their hearts for the loss of him; or (his whole estate being confiscated, as well as his vineyard) had lost their livelihoods, which was, in effect, to lose their lives; for this, the house of Ahab must be reckoned with; and that very piece of ground which he, with so much pride and pleasure, had made himself master of, at the expense of the guilt of innocent blood, now became the theatre on which his son's dead body lay exposed a spectacle to the world. Thus the Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth. Higgaion. Selah. (2.) Ahaziah king of Judah was pursued, and slain in a little time, and not far off, v. 27, 28. [1] Though he was now in Joram's company, he had not been slain, but that he was joined with the house of Ahab both in affinity and in iniquity; he was one of them; so he had made himself by his sins, and therefore he must fare as they fare. Yet, [2.] Perhaps he had not at this time fallen with them, if he had not been found in company with them. It is a dangerous thing to associate with evil-doers; we may be entangled both in guilt and misery by it. V. 30-37. The greatest delinquent in the house of Ahab was Jezebel: it was she that introduced Baal; slew the Lord's prophets; contrived the murder of Naboth; stirred up her husband first, and then her sons, to do wickedly; a cursed woman she is here called, (n. 34,) a curse to the country, and whom all that wished well to their country, had a curse for: three reigns her reign had lasted, but now, at length, her day is come to fall. We read of a false prophetess in the church of Thyatira, that is compared to Jebezel, and called by her name, (Rev. 2. 20;) her wickedness the same, seducing God's servants to idolatry; a long space given her to repent, (v. 21,) as to Jezebel; and a fearful ruin brought upon her, at last, (v. 22, 23,) as here upon Jezebel. So that Jezebel's destruction may be looked upon as typical of the destruction of idolaters and persecutors, especially that great whore, that mother of harlots, that hath made herself drunk with the blood of saints, and the nations drunk with the wine of her fornications, when God shall put it into the heart of the kings of the earth to hate her, Rev. 17. 5, 6, 16. Now here we have, I. Jezebel daring the judgment. She heard that Jehu had slain her son, and slain him for her whoredoms and witchcrafts, and thrown his dead body into the portion of Naboth, according to the word of the Lord, and that he was now coming to Jezreel, where she could not but expect herself to fall next a sacrifice to his revenging sword: now see how she meets her fate; she posted herself in a window at the entering of the gate, to affront Jehu, and set him at defiance. 1. Instead of hiding herself, as one afraid of divine vengeance, she exposed herself to it, and scorned to flee; mocked at fear, and was not affrighted. See how a heart hardened against God will brave it out to the last, run upon him, even upon his (897) 31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? 32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three "eunuchs. 33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down; and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. 34 And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. 37 And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung hupon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel CHAPTER X. We have, in this chapter, I. A further account of Jehu's execution of his commis- 35 And they went to bury her; but they found AND Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. 36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel; neck, Job 15. 26. But never did any thus harden their hearts against him, and prosper. 2. Instead of humbling herself, and putting herself into close mourning for her son, she painted her face, and tired her head, that she might appear like herself, that is, (as she thought,) great and majestic, hoping thereby to daunt Jehu, to put him out of countenance, and to stop his career. The Lord God called to baldness and girding with sackcloth, but behold, painting and dressing, walking contrary to God, Is. 22. 12, 13. There is not a surer presage of ruin than an unhumbled heart under humbling providences. Let painted faces look in Jezebel's glass, and see how they like themselves. 3. Instead of trembling before Jehu, the instrument of God's vengeance, she thinks to make him tremble with that threatening question, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? Observe, (1.) She took no notice of the hand of God gone out against her family, but flew in the face of him that was only the sword in his hand. We are very apt, when we are in trouble, to break out into a passion against the instruments of our trouble, when we ought to be submissive to God, and angry at ourselves only. (2.) She pleased herself with the thought, that what Jehu was now doing, would certainly end in his own ruin, and that he would not have peace in it. He had cut her off from all pretensions to peace, (v. 22,) and now she thinks to cut him off likewise. Note, It is no new thing for those that are doing God's work, to be looked upon as out of the way of peace. Active reformers, faithful reprovers, are threatened with trouble; but let them be in nothing terrified, Phil. 1. 28. (3.) She quoted a precedent, to deter him from the prosecution of this enterprise; Had Zimri peace? No, he had not; he came to the throne by blood and treachery, and within seven days was constrained to burn the palace over his head, and himself in it; and canst thou expect to fare any better?" Had the case been parallel, it had been proper enough to give him this memorandum: for the judgments of God upon those that have gone before us in any sinful way, should be warnings to us to take heed of treading in their steps. But the instance of Zimri was misapplied to Jehu: Zimri had no warrant for what he did, but was incited to it merely by his own ambition and cruelty; whereas Jehu was anointed by one of the sons of the prophets, and did this by order from heaven, which would bear him out. In comparing persons and things, we must carefully distinguish between the precious and the vile, and take heed, lest from the fate of sinful men we read the doom of useful men. II. Jehu demanded aid against her. He looked up to the window, not daunted at the menaces of her impudent but impotent rage, and cried, Who is on my side? who? v. 32. He was called out to do God's work, in reforming the land, and punishing those that had debauched it; and here he calls out for assistance in the doing of it; looked if there were any to help, any to uphold, Is. 63. 5. He lifts up a standard, and makes proclamation, as Moses, (Ex. 32. 26.) Who is on the Lord's side? And the psalmist, (Ps. 94. 16,) Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Note, When reformation work is set on foot, it is time to ask, "Who sides with it?" III. Her own attendants delivering her up to his just revenge. Two or three chamberlains looked out to Jehu with such a countenance as encouraged him to believe they were on his side, and to them he called, not to seize or secure her till further orders, but immediately to throw her down, which was one way of stoning malefactors, casting them headlong from some steep place. Thus was vengeance taken on her for the stoning of Naboth: they threw her down, v. 33. If God's command would justify Jehu, his command would justify them. Perhaps they had a secret dislike of Jezebel's wickedness, and hated her, though they served her; or, it may be, she was barbarous and injurious to those about her, and they were pleased with this opportunity of being avenged on her; or, observing Jehu's success, they hoped thus to ingratiate themselves with him, and keep their places in his court. However it was, thus she was most shamefully put to death, dashed against the wall and the Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying, 2 Now, as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; t by the hand of. g 1 Kings 21. 23. A Ps. 83. 10. Jer. 8. 2. 16. 4. • nourish ers. pavement, and then trodden on by the horses, which were all besmeared with her blood and brains. See the end of pride and cruelty, and say, The Lord is righteous. IV. The very dogs completing her shame and ruin, according to the prophecy. When Jehu had taken some refreshment in the palace, he bethought himself of showing so much respect to Jezebel's sex and quality, as to bury her. As bad as she was, she was a daughter, a king's daughter, a king's wife, a king's mother; Go, and bury her, v. 34. But though he had forgotten what the prophet said, (v. 10, Dogs shall eat Jezebel,) God had not forgotten it. While he was eating and drinking, the dogs had devoured her dead body, the dogs that went about the city, (Ps. 59. 6,) and fed upon the carrion, so that there was nothing left but her bare skull, (the painted face was gone,) and her feet and hands. The hungry dogs had no respect to the dignity of her extraction: a king's daughter was no more to them than a common person. When we pamper our bodies, and use them deliciously, let us think how vile they are, and that, shortly, they will be either a feast for worms under ground, or beasts above ground. When notice was brought of this to Jehu, he remembered the threatening, (1 Kings 21. 23,) The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Nothing should remain of her but the monuments of her infamy. She had been used to appear on public days in great state, and the cry was, "This is Jezebel. What a majestic port and figure! How great she looks!" But now it shall be said no more. We have often seen the wicked buried, (Ec. 8. 10,) yet sometimes, as here, they have no burial, Ec. 6. 3. Jezebel's name no where remained, but as stigmatized in sacred writ: they could not so much as say, "This is Jezebel's dust; This is Jezebel's grave;" or, "This is Jezebel's seed." Thus the name of the wicked shall rot, rot above ground. NOTES TO CHAPTER X. V. 1-14. We left Jehu in quiet possession of Jezreel, triumphing over Joram and Jezebel; and must now attend his further motions. He knew the whole house of Ahab must be cut off, and therefore proceeds in this bloody work, and does not do it deceitfully, or by halves, Jer. 48. 10. I. He got the heads of all the sons of Ahab, cut off by their own guardians at Samaria. Seventy sons (or grandsons) Ahab had; Gideon's number, Judg. 8. 30. In such a number that bare his name, his family was likely to be perpetuated, and yet it is extirpated all at once. Such a quiver full of arrows could not protect his house from divine vengeance. Numerous families, if vicious, must not expect to be long prosperous. These sons of Ahab were now at Samaria, a strong city, perhaps brought thither upon occasion of the war with Syria, as a place of safety, or upon notice of Jehu's insurrection; with them were the rulers of Jezreel, that is, the great officers of the court, who went to Samaria to secure themselves, or to consuit what was to be done. Those of them that were yet under tuition, had their tutors with them, who were intrusted with their education in learning, agreeable to their birth and quality, but, it is to be feared, brought them up in the idolatries of their father's house, and made them all worshippers of Baal. Jehu did not think fit to bring his forces to Samaria to destroy them, but, that the hand of God might appear the more remarkably in it, made their guardians their murderers. 1. He sent a challenge to their friends to stand by them; (v. 2, 3,) "You that are hearty well-wishers to the house of Ahab, and entire in its interests, now is your time to appear for it: Samaria is a strong city, you are in possession of it, you have forces at command, you may choose out the likeliest person of all the royal family to head you, you know you are not tied to the eldest, unless he be the best and meetest of your master's sons; if you have any spirit in you, show it, and set one of them on his father's throne, and stand by him with your lives and fortunes." Not that he desired they should do this, or expected they would, but thus he upbraided them with their cowardice, and utter inability to contest with the divine coun |