2 Kings 10:24

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, 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.

And when they went in {H935} to offer {H6213} sacrifices {H2077} and burnt offerings {H5930}, Jehu {H3058} appointed {H7760} fourscore {H8084} men {H376} without {H2351}, and said {H559}, If any {H376} of the men {H582} whom I have brought {H935} into your hands {H3027} escape {H4422}, he that letteth him go, his life {H5315} shall be for the life {H5315} of him.

Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. But Yehu had chosen eighty men to remain outside. He said, "If any of the men I am about to put in your hands escapes, it will be your life for his."

And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.”

And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

Commentary

2 Kings 10:24 describes a critical moment in King Jehu's purge of Baal worship from Israel. Having gathered all the Baal worshipers under the pretense of a great sacrifice to Baal, Jehu strategically positions eighty trusted men outside the temple. His command is unequivocal: if any worshiper escapes, the life of the guard responsible will be forfeited for the life of the escapee. This verse highlights Jehu's ruthless efficiency and determination to complete his divinely appointed task.

Context

This verse is part of Jehu's comprehensive campaign to eradicate the influence of Ahab's house and the widespread Baal worship that had corrupted Israel for decades. After being anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha, Jehu was commissioned by God to destroy the house of Ahab and avenge the blood of the prophets shed by Jezebel. His mission extended to the complete obliteration of Baal worship (2 Kings 10:19). Jehu's cunning plan involved calling for a solemn assembly for Baal, ensuring all his adherents would gather in one place, allowing him to execute a swift and decisive judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment Against Idolatry: The primary theme is God's fierce judgment against idolatry. Baal worship was a direct affront to the covenant God had made with Israel, leading to spiritual decay and moral depravity. Jehu's actions, though violent, were a fulfillment of God's command to utterly destroy those who led Israel astray into idolatry.
  • Jehu's Ruthless Zeal: Jehu demonstrates an extreme zeal for executing God's judgment. His command to the guards, "his life shall be for the life of him," underscores his unwavering commitment and the high stakes involved. This reflects his single-minded focus on the mission given to him, even if it involved deception and brutality.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The severe penalty for allowing an escapee highlights the gravity of the task and the severe consequences for failing to carry out God's will fully. This principle echoes throughout biblical narratives, emphasizing the importance of complete obedience.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Fourscore men": This phrase simply means eighty men. The KJV often uses "fourscore" (four scores) to denote eighty, a common numerical term in older English.
  • "His life shall be for the life of him": This strong idiom signifies a life-for-life penalty, akin to the ancient "lex talionis" or law of retribution (e.g., Exodus 21:23). It underscores the extreme seriousness of Jehu's command and the dire consequences for any failure in guarding the Baal worshipers.

Practical Application

While Jehu's methods were specific to his historical context and divine commission, the underlying principles remain relevant. This passage reminds us of God's unwavering opposition to idolatry. For believers today, this can mean identifying and removing "idols" in our own lives – anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be wealth, power, pleasure, or even self. The passage also speaks to the importance of spiritual vigilance and the serious consequences of allowing spiritual enemies (like sin or false doctrines) to escape our diligent efforts to purge them from our lives and communities. Just as Jehu was zealous for the Lord, believers are called to be fervent in their devotion and zealous in serving God.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 20:30

    But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and [there] a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men [that were] left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

  • 1 Kings 20:42

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of [thy] hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
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