2 Kings 10:16
saying, "Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!" So he had him ride in his chariot.
Come with me
This phrase is an invitation from Jehu, the newly anointed king of Israel, to Jehonadab, the son of Rechab. In the Hebrew context, the word "come" (Hebrew: בּוֹא, bo) is often used to signify not just physical movement but also a call to join in a mission or purpose. Jehu's invitation is not merely a request for companionship but an enlistment into a divine mission to eradicate Baal worship from Israel. This reflects the biblical theme of God calling individuals to join His work, reminiscent of Jesus' call to His disciples in the New Testament.

and see my zeal
The word "zeal" (Hebrew: קִנְאָה, qin'ah) is a powerful term that denotes fervor, passion, and jealousy for God's honor. Jehu's zeal is for the Lord, indicating his commitment to fulfilling God's command to destroy the house of Ahab and eliminate idolatry. This zeal is a reflection of God's own jealousy for His people, as seen throughout the Old Testament. It serves as a reminder of the importance of having a passionate commitment to God's purposes, echoing the call for believers to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

for the LORD
The use of "LORD" (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh) is significant as it denotes the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His special relationship with Israel. Jehu's actions are portrayed as being in alignment with Yahweh's will, highlighting the importance of acting in accordance with God's commands. This underscores the biblical principle that true zeal must be rooted in obedience to God's Word and not in personal ambition or vendetta.

So he had him ride in his chariot
The act of riding together in a chariot signifies a partnership and shared purpose. In ancient times, sharing a chariot was a sign of honor and alliance. By inviting Jehonadab to ride with him, Jehu is publicly aligning himself with Jehonadab's righteous reputation and the Rechabite commitment to purity and faithfulness to God. This partnership illustrates the biblical theme of unity in pursuing God's mission, reminding believers of the importance of fellowship and collaboration in the work of the Kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehu
The central figure in this passage, Jehu was anointed as king of Israel and tasked with eradicating the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal. His zeal for the LORD is a key theme in this chapter.

2. Jehonadab
A Kenite and a supporter of Jehu's reforms, Jehonadab is invited by Jehu to witness his zeal for the LORD. His presence signifies a partnership in the religious reforms taking place.

3. Chariot Ride
The act of Jehu inviting Jehonadab into his chariot symbolizes a shared mission and unity in purpose, emphasizing the public nature of Jehu's zeal.

4. Zeal for the LORD
This event highlights Jehu's fervent commitment to fulfilling God's command to destroy the house of Ahab and eliminate Baal worship from Israel.

5. Israel
The northern kingdom where these events unfold, Israel is in a period of religious and political upheaval, with Jehu's actions marking a significant turning point.
Teaching Points
Zeal for the LORD's Commands
Jehu's actions remind us of the importance of being zealous for God's commands. Our commitment to God's will should be evident in our actions and decisions.

Partnership in Faith
The invitation to Jehonadab to join Jehu highlights the value of partnering with others who share our faith and mission. We are encouraged to seek out and support fellow believers in our spiritual journey.

Public Witness
Jehu's public demonstration of zeal serves as a reminder that our faith should be visible to others. We are called to live out our beliefs in a way that others can see and be inspired by.

Discernment in Zeal
While zeal is commendable, it must be guided by wisdom and discernment. Jehu's account warns us of the potential for zeal to lead to excessive or misguided actions if not aligned with God's broader purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehu's zeal for the LORD challenge us in our own commitment to God's commands today?

2. In what ways can we partner with others in our faith community to further God's mission, as Jehu did with Jehonadab?

3. How can we ensure that our zeal for the LORD is both fervent and aligned with His will, avoiding the pitfalls of misguided enthusiasm?

4. What are some practical ways we can make our faith more visible to those around us, following Jehu's example of public witness?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Romans 12:11, inform our understanding of what it means to be zealous for the LORD in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 19:16-17
This passage provides the background for Jehu's anointing as king, as Elijah is instructed by God to anoint him. It sets the stage for Jehu's mission and zeal.

Romans 12:11
This New Testament verse encourages believers to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, which parallels Jehu's zeal for the LORD in his actions.

Psalm 69:9
This verse speaks of zeal for God's house consuming the psalmist, similar to Jehu's consuming zeal for the LORD's commands.
Ignorant Zeal2 Kings 10:16
Jehu's False ZealMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 10:16
Religious ZealA. Gatty, M. A.2 Kings 10:16
Religious ZealH. Blunt.2 Kings 10:16
The Good and Evil in JehuE. Judson, D. D.2 Kings 10:16
The Nature of Christian ZealJ. Jones.2 Kings 10:16
Zeal2 Kings 10:16
Zeal for the LordR. Chester, B. A.2 Kings 10:16
Zeal Illustrated by the Character of JehuT. Gisborne, M. A.2 Kings 10:16
Zeal Without ConsistencyThe Dean of Llandaff.2 Kings 10:16
JehuM. G. Pearse.2 Kings 10:1-17
The Scavenger of GodLord Rosebery.2 Kings 10:1-17
Destruction of the Worshippers of BaalJ. Orr 2 Kings 10:15-28
The Zeal of Jehu, and its LessonsC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 10:15-31
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Dan, Elijah, Elisha, Gad, Gadites, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoahaz, Jehonadab, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jezreel, Manasseh, Manassites, Nebat, Rechab, Reuben, Reubenites
Places
Aroer, Bashan, Beth-eked, Bethel, Dan, Gilead, Jezreel, Jordan River, Samaria, Valley of the Arnon
Topics
Along, Carriage, Cause, Chariot, Fire, Lord's, Ride, Zeal
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 10:16

     5252   chariots
     5840   eagerness
     5925   rashness
     8804   pride, examples

2 Kings 10:15-16

     7925   fellowship, among believers

2 Kings 10:15-28

     8370   zeal

Library
Impure Zeal
'And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 19. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Catholic Spirit
"And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him, and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered: It is. If it be, give me thine hand." 2 Kings 10:15. 1. It is allowed even by those who do not pay this great debt, that love is due to all mankind, the royal law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," carrying its own evidence to all that hear it: and that, not according to the miserable
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

False Civilization
JEREMIAH xxxv. 19. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever. Let us think a while this morning what this text has to do with us; and why this strange story of the Rechabites is written for our instruction, in the pages of Holy Scripture. Let us take the story as it stands, and search the Scriptures simply for it. For the Bible will surely tell its own story best, and teach its own lesson best. These Rechabites, who
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh Away Holy Martyrdoms Altogether. ...
3. Which sentence dishonoreth the holy Martyrs, nay rather taketh away holy martyrdoms altogether. For they would do more justly and wisely, according to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying what they were, should both themselves keep safe the convenience of the flesh and purpose of the heart, and not allow those to accomplish the wickedness which they had conceived in their mind.
St. Augustine—Against Lying

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS CHRIST. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of those ten excellent manuscripts which were found among Bunyan's papers after his decease in 1688. It had been prepared by him for publication, but still wanted a few touches of his masterly hand, and a preface in his characteristic style. He had, while a prisoner for nonconformity, in 1672, published a treatise upon this subject, in reply to Mr. Fowler, who was soon after created Bishop of Gloucester; but that was
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Elucidations.
I. (Deadly Sins, cap. ix., p. 356.) To maintain a modern and wholly uncatholic system of Penitence, the schoolmen invented a technical scheme of sins mortal and sins venial, which must not be read into the Fathers, who had no such technicalities in mind. By "deadly sins" they meant all such as St. John recognizes (1 John v. 16-17) and none other; that is to say sins of surprise and infirmity, sins having in them no malice or wilful disobedience, such as an impatient word, or a momentary neglect of
Tertullian—The Five Books Against Marcion

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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