2 Kings 10:19

Baal Jehu

¹⁷ When Jehu came to Samaria, he struck down everyone belonging to Ahab who remained there, until he had destroyed them, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to Elijah.

¹⁸ Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.

Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.

²⁰ And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it.

²¹ Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all of his worshipers, and all of his priests. Let no one be absent, for I have a great sacrifice to Baal. Whoever is absent, he shall not live.” But Jehu did deceptively, intending to destroy the worshipers of Baal.
ASV: Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshippers, 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 subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
DARBY: And now call 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; whoever shall be wanting shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, in order that he might bring destruction upon the servants of Baal.
BLB: And now all the prophets of the Baal, all his servants, and all his priests, call to me. Let not a man be missing, for a great sacrifice I have for the Baal. Anyone who is missing shall not live.” And Jehu acted deceptively, with the intent of destroying the worshipers of Baal.

ÅB: Så kall nå alle Ba'als profeter, alle hans tjenere og alle hans prester hit til meg, ikke en må mangle! For jeg vil holde en stor slaktofferfest for Ba'al; hver den som ikke møter, skal late livet. Men dette gjorde Jehu med svik for å utrydde Ba'als tjenere.
OTB: Nå, kall til meg alle profetene til Ba’al, alle hans tilbedere og alle hans prester; la ingen mangle, for jeg har et stort offer for Ba’al; den som mangler skal ikke leve.” Men Jehu handlet svikefullt, for å eliminere Ba’als tilbedere.
B1930: Så kall nu alle Ba'als profeter, alle hans tjenere og alle hans prester hit til mig, ikke en må mangle! For jeg vil holde en stor slaktofferfest for Ba'al; hver den som ikke møter, skal late livet. Men dette gjorde Jehu med svik for å utrydde Ba'als tjenere.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Kings 22:6
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Read in context
1 Kings 18:19
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 2:3
For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
Read in context
Job 13:7
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
Read in context
2 Corinthians 12:16–18
Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
Read in context
2 Kings 10:18
Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
Read in context