The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 182

they were his, nnd would hearken to his voice, the proof of allegiance he would require or them would be that they bring to him by the same hour to-morrow the heads of their master's sons. 'l'he requisition was peremptory, the time given brief, and they had already committed themselves by promising obedience to whatever Jebu wished. Their case was a hard one; nevertheless, the act they were called upon to perform was, from their side, a revolting and treacherous one. 2. .Ahab's sons slain. Hateful as the requirement was, the nobles and elders of 8'.lmaria, now that they had come to terms with Jebu, do not seem to have shown any hesitation in carrying it out. The sons of Ahab had been entrusted to their care; they bad no quarrel with them; they did not profess to be moved by any regard for a command of God ; yet now that policy and their own safety dictated that their charges should be given up to death, they acquiesced without a murmur. This shows the weakness of moral feeling in the ruling classes of Samaria. It shows how utterly rotten were all the bonds that bound man to man. The willingness with which the men of Jezreel swore away Naboth's life at Jezebel's command (1 Kings xix.) was one instance, and here is another. "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man" (Ps. cxlvi. 3). Political morality is of the weakest fibre. For some paltry interest men will turn their backs to-morrow on the most sacred professions of to-day. They will forswear the closest friendships, stoop even to the lowest treachery. 3. Jehu's public appeal. That very evening apparently, the heads of Ahab's sons were brought to Jehu in baskets. He bade them be piled in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning. Then, standing in the gateway, he called the people to witness that the leaders in Samaria were as deeply incriminaterl as he. They, the people whom he addressed, were "righteous," i.e. clear from blood-guiltiness, and might be disposed to judge him severely for his acts of the previous day. He acknowledged that he had conspired against his master, and had slain him; but-pointing to the pyramids of heads-who had slain all these? In truth, he went on to aver, not any of them were guilty, for this was but the fulfilment of the word of the Lord which he had spoken by Elijah. (1) Jehu was right in his averment, " Know now that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the Lord." Many demonstrations of that fact have been given. We do well to impress the truth upon our minds. (2) It is a co=on thing for men to shield themselves from the consequences of their acts by pleading that others are as guilty as they arc. This, however, will not justify them. III. AHAZIAH's BRETHREN. A further act in the tragedy of the destruction of Ahab's house took place at a certain shearing-house on the road to Sa·naria. Thither forty-two brethren (kinsmen) of Ahaziah bad come down on their way to pay a pleasure visit to their relations, the princes at the capital. 'l'hey were apparently as yet unaware of the revolution that had taken place. It was, however, to prove a costly visit to them. Jehu, fresh from his work of blood, encountered them at the shearing- house, and, on ascertaining who they were, had them all put to death on the spot. Their bodies were cast into the pit of the place. In pursuit of their pleasures, how many, like Ahaziah's brethren, have found themselves overtaken by death! The way of.pleasure is, for many, the way of death-the way to the pit of destruction.--J. 0. Vers. 16-28.-Destruction of the worshippers of Baal. The plans of J ehu were already assuming_ larger shape. He had now a scheme in. view for rooting Baal entirely out of the land. I. 'fHE MEETING WITH JEHONADAB. 1. A helpful ally. While relying mainly on his own promptitude and energy, Jehn had a shrewd eye to whatever would help to strengthen his position before the people. Hasting to Samaria in his chariot, he met a man of much reputation for sanctity-Jehonndab the son of Rechab. As a protest against tho corruption and luxury of his time, Jehonadab had withdrawn from life in cities, and had laid upon his sons a vow that they would drink no wine, neither build houses, nor plant vineyards, but would dwell in tents all their days (Jer. xxxv. 6, 7). To get this man of ascetio virtue on his side would, Jehu felt, greatly fortify his claims. It would give colour and repute to his proceedings. Jehu at once sounded Jehonadab as to his feelings in regard to him, and finding that Jehonadab's heart was as his heart, he extended his band to the anchorite, and took him up with him into his chariot. It is noticeable how anxious men who make no pretensions to godliness often  224 THI<] SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. [err. x. 1-36.