Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 10:30
And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.
30. Because thou hast done well ] i.e. To a certain extent. When David strives to do God’s will perfectly with a true heart, the promise is that ‘he shall not be without a lamp before God for ever’. The partial obedience of Jehu obtains the gift of a succession for four generations.
thy children [R.V. sons ] of the fourth generation] For the fulfilment see chap. 2Ki 15:12. The son of Jehu was Jehoahaz who was succeeded by his son Joash, and he by Jeroboam II, with whose son Zechariah the fourth generation and the sovereignty of Jehu’s family terminated.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the Lord said unto Jehu – Probably by the mouth of Elisha. To a certain extent Jehus measures were acts of obedience, for which God might see fit to assign him a temporal reward.
Thy children … – This was accomplished in the persons of Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam, and Zachariah, the son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great-grandson of Jehu (compare the marginal references). No other family sat upon the throne of Israel so long. The house of Omri, which furnished four kings, held the crown for three generations only and for less than 50 years – that of Jehu reigned for five generations and for more than 100 years.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 30. Thy children of the fourth generation] These four descendants of Jehu were Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam the second, and Zechariah; see 2 Kings 14 and 15. This was all the compensation Jehu had in either world, as a recompense of his zeal for the Lord.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The Lord said unto Jehu; by some prophet, as above, 2Ki 9:7.
Executing that which is right in mine eyes, i.e. in part, and so far as is here expressed, these actions were good and right, though his heart was not so.
Thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel; and so they did; namely, Jehoahaz, below, 2Ki 10:35; Joash, 2Ki 13:10 Jeroboam, 2Ki 14:24; and Zachariah, 2Ki 5:8.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the Lord said unto Jehu,…. By a prophet, he not being one himself; and this is generally supposed, by the Jews w, to be Jonah the son of Amittai:
because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes: in rooting out the idolatry of Baal, which was right in the sight of God, and was materially a good work, though it might not be done from a good principle, nor every step taken in doing it justifiable:
and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart: that he had decreed within himself should be done, and had foretold by his prophets would be done, the doing of which was acceptable and well pleasing to him:
thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel; as they did, namely, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam, and Zachariah, though the last reigned but six months, just enough to fulfil this promise.
w Seder Olam Rabba, c. 19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jehu is promised the possession of the throne to the fourth generation of his sons for having exterminated the godless royal house of Ahab (vid., 2Ki 15:12). The divine sentence, “because thou hast acted well to do right in mine eyes. (because thou) hast done as it was in my heart to the house of Ahab,” refers to the deed as such, and not to the subjective motives by which Jehu had been actuated. For it is obvious that it had not sprung from pure zeal for the honour of the Lord, from the limitation added in 2Ki 10:31: “but Jehu did not take heed to walk in the law of Jehovah with all his heart, and did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam.”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(30) And the Lord said.Perhaps through Elisha.
And hast done.So the Syriac and Arabic versions. The Hebrew wants the and.
Thy children of the fourth generation.The fulfilment of this oracle is noticed in 2Ki. 15:12. (Comp. the words of the commandment, visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation; Exo. 20:5.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. The Lord said unto Jehu Probably by one of the prophets of the time.
Children of the fourth generation Jehu’s son Jehoahaz reigned seventeen years; Jehoash, sixteen; Jeroboam, forty-one; and Zachariah, six months. Zachariah, of the fourth generation, was slain by Shallum, and thus was this word of the Lord fulfilled; (compare 2Ki 15:12😉 and thus, too, according to the prophecy of Hosea, (Hos 1:4,) did the Lord “avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu.” For when the minister of Divine judgment himself turned to idolatry, the very blood of his guilty victims might well call for vengeance on him for doing the same things for which be had executed the Divine judgment on them. Rom 2:1.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 373
THE CHARACTER OF JEHU
2Ki 10:30-31. And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
WE can scarcely conceive any stronger proof of Gods willingness to reward his people, than that which he has given us in rewarding persons, whose services were merely external, without any real love to him in their hearts. If we were to judge from the honour put upon Jehu, we should be ready to suppose he was, if not a blameless, yet, on the whole, a pious character: but on a review of his history, our admiration must be fixed, not on him, but on that infinitely gracious and condescending Being, who was pleased to remunerate such services as his. Let us consider,
I.
The character of Jehu
Here was a mixture, not uncommon in the world. Let us notice,
1.
What he did for God
[Being appointed of God to the office of avenging upon Ahab the blood of Naboth and of the prophets, he addressed himself to the work without delay. In the space of a few hours he destroyed Jehoram, with his mother Jezebel, and then instantly set himself to complete the work he had so prosperously begun. And it is worthy of observation, that in extirpating the family of Ahab, he succeeded by the very same means which Jezebel had used for the destruction of Naboth. He sent letters to the great men of Samaria, to whose care the seventy sons of Ahab were entrusted, and required of them to cut off their heads in one single night, and send them to him at Jezreel: and these elders, many of whom had doubtless concurred in the shedding of Naboths blood at the command of Jezebel, now, at the command of Jehu, became traitors to their king, and murderers of all his family.
But, besides cutting off the posterity of Ahab, he proceeded also to execute judgment on all the worshippers of Baal. By a stratagem deeply laid, but ill according with truth or godliness, he succeeded against these also in one day; and entirely banished, as it were, the worship of Baal from the land, burning all his images with fire, and making his very temple a draught-house, or sink of all uncleanness.
In this conduct he gained the approbation of Jehonadab, whose pious character and zealous co-operation strengthened and encouraged him in this arduous undertaking. From God himself too did he obtain a decided testimony of approbation, together with a rich reward: for he alone of all the kings of Israel had the kingdom continued to his posterity of the fourth generation, or for so long a period of years.
Thus, it must be confessed, he appears to have been a distinguished servant of the Lord; though, alas! he was but partial in that obedience which he rendered.]
2.
What he omitted to do
[Against Ahab, whom it was his interest to destroy, and Baal, whom he had no wish to preserve, he executed vengeance with zeal; but against the calves of Dan and Bethel, which policy required him to preserve , he raised not up his hand. Nor indeed did he make the law of God the rule of his conduct: he took no heed to walk according to that; much less did he aim at it with all his heart: no; he both indulged in himself, and tolerated in others, much that was contrary to the divine will; and thus he manifested, that, notwithstanding all his outward obedience, his heart was not right in the sight of God.]
Such was his character, externally good, but internally depraved. Let us proceed to notice,
II.
The lessons to be deduced from it
Such characters as these are very instructive: they teach us,
1.
That we may perform many outward duties, and yet have no vital principle of religion within us
[The actions of Jehu, as to the matter of them, were good; and therefore they were rewarded; but in their motive and principle they were bad; and therefore God afterwards visited them with a severe punishment [Note: Hos 1:4.]. This shews, that notwithstanding all he did for the Lord, he had not within him any principle of true piety. And thus it is with multitudes amongst ourselves: they are zealous against open vice and profaneness, yea active too in many works of benevolence, and yet appear evidently to be destitute of vital godliness: they have never been truly humbled before God, never fled to Christ for refuge, never given themselves up to God as his redeemed people How much is it to be regretted that such persons, who by their virtues have gained the admiration and love of the most pious characters, and even received a recompence from the Lord also, should yet, for want of a root of grace in them, never bring forth fruit unto perfection, and never obtain happiness in the eternal world! Like the youth in the Gospel, or Nicodemus, or Paul in his unconverted state, they are zealous towards God to a certain extent, but without a new and spiritual birth must for ever perish. O that all who have a zeal for God in the performance of outward duties, would carefully examine the principles by which they are actuated, and never be satisfied with any action which has not a sense of redeeming love for its moving cause!]
2.
That we may profess much zeal for God, and yet have a radical alienation of heart from him
[Jehu certainly professed to be actuated by a regard for Gods honour: Come, see my zeal for the Lord, said he: and when the different events had taken place, he made reflections upon them as accomplishing the divine predictions. Yet his flagrant neglect of other duties stamped him an hypocrite in the sight of God. And is it not thus with many who make a profession of religion in the present day? They think themselves zealous for God, and wish to be thought so by others: but they are manifestly under the dominion of some reigning lusts, some evil tempers, some hidden abominations. They will sacrifice the refuse to the Lord, and such things as they care but little about; but the choicest of the flocks, and the sins which are more intimately connected with their pleasures or their interests, they will retain. Let professors of religion who are so ardent in talking about their favourite topics, or in attending on the ordinances of religion, inquire, Whether the law of God be really in their hearts; whether they are aspiring after an entire conformity to its commands; and whether they are longing to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God? Sad will it be to be numbered among those of whom St. James speaks, who seem to be religious, and yet, by their unbridled tongues, and unsubdued tempers, shew that they deceive their ownselves, and that their religion is vain [Note: Jam 1:26.].]
3.
That if ever we would be accepted of God hereafter, we must have our hearts right with him now
[This is required of every human being [Note: Deu 10:12-13; Deu 18:13.]. Absolute perfection indeed is not to be expected; but Christian perfection must be attained; nor without it will any conformity to outward rights, or any profession of Christian principles, avail us before God [Note: Act 8:21.] But how shall this state of mind be attained? It must be sought by prayer to God, who has promised to give us his Holy Spirit, and by the mighty working of that Spirit to bring us to an entire conformity to his will [Note: Eze 36:26-27.]. Plead then with God that blessed promise: yea, give him no rest till he accomplish it to your souls. Then shall your heart be made right with God, as Gods is with you; and with infinite condescension will he take you up to sit with him in the chariot of his love, and on the throne of his glory [Note: ver. 15.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Jehu had done right in God’s eyes in destroying the idols, and his reward was suited to it in temporal mercies to him and his children to the fourth generation. Here is nothing said in all this of any gracious act in the mind of Jehu, or of any gracious blessing from the Lord in consequence. Very evident, it is, from Jehu’s following the sins of Jeroboam, that no act of grace had passed upon his heart. Many are blessed in the gifts of common providences, which are not made partakers of a saving change of heart. The Lord may, and the Lord doth bestow the nether springs of his bounty on the men of the earth. His upper springs of grace springs belong to his children.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.
Ver. 30. And the Lord said unto Jehu, ] sc., By some prophet, but by whom, it skilleth not.
Because thou hast done well.
The children of the fourth generation.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fourth generation. See 2Ki 15:12. These were Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, and Zachariah. Jehu’s dynasty was the longest in all Israel.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Because thou hast: 1Ki 21:29, Eze 29:18-20, Hos 1:4
according to all that: 1Sa 15:18-24, 1Ki 20:42, 1Ki 21:22
thy children: 2Ki 10:35, 2Ki 13:1, 2Ki 13:10, 2Ki 14:23, 2Ki 15:8-12
Reciprocal: Num 31:3 – avenge the Lord Deu 17:20 – right hand Deu 21:9 – when thou shalt 1Ki 16:7 – because he killed him 1Ki 21:21 – Behold 2Ki 15:12 – the word Jer 34:15 – ye Eze 29:20 – served Mat 20:14 – thine
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 10:30. The Lord said unto Jehu By some prophet. Because thou hast done well, &c. That is, in part. The extirpating of idolaters and idolatry was a thing so far right in Gods eyes, idolatry being an iniquity which he visits as surely and severely as any other, and which is a source of a variety of other abominations. Thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne Which they did, namely, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam, and Zachariah. This was more than took place in any of the other royal families of that kingdom. Of the house of Ahab, indeed, there were four kings, but the last two, namely, Ahaziah and Joram, were brothers, so that its reign reached only to the third generation, and that whole family continued but about forty-five years in all: whereas Jehus house continued in power for four generations after himself, and in all about a hundred and twenty years: for no services done for God shall go unrewarded.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy {l} children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.
(l) Thus God approves and rewards his zeal, in executing God’s judgment, though his wickedness was later punished.