Translations
Original
Notes
inner room of the temple … the sacred pillar: Canaanite temples had a recessed area in the wall for a sacred stone image. The temple of Baal in Samaria had a sacred altar to Baal and an Asherah pole, which Jehu's men destroyed. Later, Josiah's purge of Baal worship in Judah involved burning and demolishing the Asherah pole in the temple in Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:6).
By killing the priests of Baal, Jehu tried to remove the worship connected with Ahab’s family. He also wanted to end the people’s loyalty and attachment to the former royal family.
The writer highlights two key events during the time Jehu was king:
Jehu killed everyone who might claim Joram’s throne (2 Kings 10:1–17), and
Jehu executed the priests of Baal (2 Kings 10:18–27).
Events
People
Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant"
Glossary
Black Obelisk Elijah Hosea, Book of Jehu Jeroboam Kings, Books of First and Second Rechab Samaria
Topics
Confidence: Betrayed: The Worshipers of Baal, by Jehu Enthusiasm: Jehu Falsehood: Jehu Lied to the Worshipers of Baal in Order to Gain the Advantage Over Them and Destroy Them Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jehu Inconsistency: Jehu Jehu: Son of Nimshi, King of Israel: Religious Zeal of, in Killing Idolaters Massacre: Worshipers of Baal Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Jehu Religious Intolerance: Exemplified by Jehu Religious Zeal in Punishing Evil People: Jehu Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Temple of, Destroyed Treachery of Jehu