‏ 2 Kings 10

* Ahab's sons and Ahaziah's brethren put to death. (1-14) Jehu

destroys the worshippers of Baal. (15-28) Jehu follows

Jeroboam's sins. (29-36)

1-14 In the most awful events, though attended by the basest

crimes of man, the truth and justice of God are to be noticed;

and he never did nor can command any thing unjust or

unreasonable. Jehu destroyed all that remained of the house of

Ahab; all who had been partners in his wickedness. When we think

upon the sufferings and miseries of mankind, when we look

forward to the resurrection and last judgment, and think upon

the vast number of the wicked waiting their awful sentence of

everlasting fire; when the whole sum of death and misery has

been considered, the solemn question occurs, Who slew all these?

The answer is, SIN. Shall we then harbour sin in our bosoms, and

seek for happiness from that which is the cause of all misery? 15-28 Is thine heart right? This is a question we should often

put to ourselves. I make a fair profession, have gained a

reputation among men, but, is my heart right? Am I sincere with

God? Jehonadab owned Jehu in the work, both of revenge and of

reformation. An upright heart approves itself to God, and seeks

no more than his acceptance; but if we aim at the applause of

men, we are upon a false foundation. Whether Jehu looked any

further we cannot judge. The law of God was express, that

idolaters were to be put to death. Thus idolatry was abolished

for the present out of Israel. May we desire that it be rooted

out of our hearts. 29-36 It is justly questionable whether Jehu acted from a good

principle, and whether he did not take some false steps in doing

it; yet no services done for God shall go unrewarded. But true

conversion is not only from gross sin, but from all sin; not

only from false gods, but from false worships. True conversion

is not only from wasteful sins, but from gainful sins; not only

from sins which hurt our worldly interests, but from those that

support and befriend them; in forsaking which is the great trial

whether we can deny ourselves and trust God. Jehu showed great

care and zeal for rooting out a false religion, but in the true

religion he cared not, took no heed to please God and do his

duty. Those that are heedless, it is to be feared, are

graceless. The people were also careless, therefore it is not

strange that in those days the Lord began to cut Israel short.

They were short in their duty to God, therefore God cut them

short in their extent, wealth, and power.