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2 Kings Chapter
Nine
2 Kings 9
Chapter Contents
Elisha sends to anoint Jehu. (1-10) Jehu and the
captains. (11-15) Joram and Ahaziah slain by Jehu. (16-29) Jezebel eaten by
dogs. (30-37)
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:1-10
(Read 2 Kings 9:1-10)
In these and the like events
we must acknowledge the
secret working of God
disposing men to fulfil his purposes respecting them.
Jehu was anointed king over Israel
by the Lord's special choice. The Lord
still had a remnant of his people
and would yet preserve his worship among
them. Of this Jehu was reminded. He was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab
and
as far as he acted in obedience to God
and upon right principles
he
needed not to regard reproach or opposition. The murder of God's prophets is
strongly noticed. Jezebel persisted in idolatry and enmity to Jehovah and his
servants
and her iniquity was now full.
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:11-15
(Read 2 Kings 9:11-15)
Those who faithfully deliver the Lord's message to
sinners
have in all ages been treated as madmen. Their judgment
speech
and
conduct are contrary to those of other men; they endure much in pursuit of
objects
and are influenced by motives
into which the others cannot enter. But
above all
the charge is brought by the worldly and ungodly of all sorts
who
are mad indeed; while the principles and practice of the devoted servants of
God
prove to be wise and reasonable. Some faith in the word of God
seems to
have animated Jehu to this undertaking.
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:16-29
(Read 2 Kings 9:16-29)
Jehu was a man of eager spirit. The wisdom of God is seen
in the choice of those employed in his work. But it is not for any man's
reputation to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit
is
better than the mighty. Joram met Jehu in the portion of Naboth. The
circumstances of events are sometimes ordered by Divine Providence to make the
punishment answer to the sin
as face answers to face in a glass. The way of
sin can never be the way of peace
Isaiah 57:21. What peace can sinners have with
God? No peace so long as sin is persisted in; but when it is repented of and forsaken
there is peace. Joram died as a criminal
under the sentence of the law.
Ahaziah was joined with the house of Ahab. He was one of them; he had made
himself so by sin. It is dangerous to join evil-doers; we shall be entangled in
guilt and misery by it.
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:30-37
(Read 2 Kings 9:30-37)
Instead of hiding herself
as one afraid of Divine
vengeance
Jezebel mocked at fear. See how a heart
hardened against God
will
brave it out to the last. There is not a surer presage of ruin
than an
unhumbled heart under humbling providences. Let those look at Jezebel's conduct
and fate
who use arts to seduce others to commit wickedness
and to draw them
aside from the ways of truth and righteousness. Jehu called for aid against
Jezebel. When reformation-work is on foot
it is time to ask
Who sides with
it? Her attendants delivered her up. Thus she was put to death. See the end of
pride and cruelty
and say
The Lord is righteous. When we pamper our bodies
let us think how vile they are; shortly they will be a feast for worms under
ground
or beasts above ground. May we all flee from that wrath which is
revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Kings》
2 Kings 9
Verse 1
[1] And
Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets
and said unto
him
Gird up thy loins
and take this box of oil in thine hand
and go to
Ramothgilead:
Ramoth —
The kings of Israel and Judah were both absent
and Jehu
as it seems
was left
in chief command.
Verse 7
[7] And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master
that I may avenge the
blood of my servants the prophets
and the blood of all the servants of the LORD
at the hand of Jezebel.
I may avenge
… —
That they were idolaters was bad enough: yet that is not mentioned here: the
controversy God has with them
is for being persecutors. Nothing fills the
measure of the iniquity of any prince so as this doth
nor brings a surer or
sorer ruin.
Verse 11
[11] Then
Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him
Is all
well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them
Ye know
the man
and his communication.
Mad fellow —
They perceived him to be a prophet by his habit
and gestures
and manner of
speech. And these prophane soldiers esteemed the prophets mad-men. Those that
have no religion
commonly speak of those that are religious with disdain
and
look upon them as crack-brained. They said of our Lord
He is beside himself;
of St. Paul
that much learning had made him mad. The highest wisdom is thus
represented as folly
and they that best understand themselves
as men beside
themselves.
Verse 13
[13] Then
they hasted
and took every man his garment
and put it under him on the top of
the stairs
and blew with trumpets
saying
Jehu is king.
They hasted —
God putting it into their hearts thus readily to own him.
Under him —
Under Jehu. A ceremony used in the eastern parts towards superiors
in token of
reverence to his person
that they would not have his feet to touch the ground
and that they put themselves and their concerns under his feet
and into his
disposal.
The stairs — In
some high and eminent place
whence he might be seen and owned by all the
soldiers
who were called together upon this great occasion.
Verse 21
[21] And Joram said
Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king
of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out
each in his chariot
and they
went out against Jehu
and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
Portion of Naboth —
The very sight of that ground was enough to make Jehu triumph and Joram
tremble. The circumstances of events are sometimes so ordered by Divine
providence
as to make the punishment answer the sin
as face answers face in a
glass.
Verse 22
[22] And
it came to pass
when Joram saw Jehu
that he said
Is it peace
Jehu? And he
answered
What peace
so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her
witchcrafts are so many?
Whoredoms
… —
This may be understood
either literally; spiritual whoredom
which is
idolatry
being often punished with corporal: and witchcraft was often
practised by idolaters: or spiritually
of her idolatry
which is often called
whoredom
because it is a departing from God
to whom we are tied by many
obligations; and witchcraft
because it doth so powerfully bewitch men's minds;
and because it is a manifest entering into covenant with the devil. He mentions
not Joram's
but his mother's sins; because they were more notorious and
infamous: and because they were the principal cause why God inflicted
and he
was come to execute these judgments. The way of sin can never be the way of
peace.
Verse 24
[24] And
Jehu drew a bow with his full strength
and smote Jehoram between his arms
and
the arrow went out at his heart
and he sunk down in his chariot.
The arrow — It
was one of God's arrows
which he ordained against the persecutor.
Verse 27
[27] But
when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this
he fled by the way of the garden
house. And Jehu followed after him
and said
Smite him also in the chariot.
And they did so at the going up to Gur
which is by Ibleam. And he fled to
Megiddo
and died there.
He died —
The history is briefly and imperfectly described here
and the defects supplied
in (the book of Chronicles
is great part written for that end
to supply
things omitted in the book of Kings) out of both it may be thus compleated: he
fled first to Megiddo
and thence to Samaria
where he was caught
and thence
brought to Jehu
and by his sentence was put to death at Megiddo.
Verse 31
[31] And
as Jehu entered in at the gate
she said
Had Zimri peace
who slew his master?
Had Zimri —
Remember thy brother traitor Zimri had but a very short enjoyment of the
benefit of his treason.
Verse 34
[34] And
when he was come in
he did eat and drink
and said
Go
see now this cursed
woman
and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.
And said — It
seems he had forgot the charge given him above
verse 10.
A king's daughter — He
doth not say
because she was a king's wife
lest he should seem to shew any
respect to that wicked house of Ahab
which God had devoted to utter
destruction.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Kings》
09 Chapter 9
Verses 1-37
Look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat.
The history of Jehu
Jehu was the son of Nimshi and the grandson of Jehoshaphat. He was
one of the monsters of history. The leading facts of his revolting life will be
found in this and the preceding chapter.
I. A revolting exhibition of
human depravity. He was ruthlessly and craftily cruel. He shot Jehoram dead in
his chariot. He commanded Jezebel
who was looking out of a window as he passed
by
to be thrown down
and in her fall she was smashed to destruction (2 Kings 9:30.) He then proceeded to
exterminate the family of Ahab.
II. A distressing mystery in
the government of God. That the merciful Father should permit men to be
murderers one of another confounds us with amazement.
III. A mighty argument for
future retribution. Were we to believe that this state of things is to continue
for ever
religion
which is supreme love to God
would be out of the question.
“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
IV. A proof of the supreme
need of a moral regenerator. What can alter the character of such men as this
Jehu
and put an end to all the cruelties
tyrannies
frauds
and violence
that turn the world into a pandemonium? Philosophy
literature
civilisation
legislative enactments
ceremonial religions? No
nothing short of a Power
which can change the moral heart. The Gospel is this regenerating power. Thank
God One has come into this world who will “create a new heaven and a new earth
wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (David Thomas
D. D.)
Jehu
The time had now fully come that the wrath of God was to be poured
out upon the house of Ahab. The chapters we have selected for consideration
bring this subject before us. The anointed of the Lord for the execution of
this work was Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat. The first to fall under judgment was
Jehoram the king. After him came Ahaziah and Jezebel; then the sons and
grandsons of Ahab and the brethren of Ahaziah. After the royal family came the
prophets
the priests
and the worshippers of Baal. These were all swept away
at one stroke. Next followed the images of Baal and his house. These were
devoted to utter destruction. So completely were the judgments of God executed
upon apostate Israel and Judah that it is recorded “thus Jehu destroyed Baal
out of Israel.” The narrative
however
has a spiritual aspect. Jehu’s
anointing was to a destruction with carnal weapons. The child of God now is
anointed for a destruction of spiritual foes with spiritual weapons.
1. In these words we are presented with a picture of the way in which
the Lord acts when He is about to call His servants to do His work. In the
first place
there is the “anointing”--the Holy Spirit. Elisha commands the
“box of oil” to be taken. Nothing can be done without this. In all true
consecration to God’s service the work must be
from beginning to end
the work
of the Holy Spirit. Jehu can have no commission without the “oil.” He can put
no energy to work till the “oil” is “poured” upon him. It is this “anointing”
that gives him his authority
his power
his perseverance
and his success. So
it must be with the one who is devoted to the Lord’s service.
2. In the next place
Jehu is made to “rise up from among his
brethren.” Here is separation. The work of God the Holy Ghost at once separates
a man from everything around him. It is a personal call
an individual work. It
is the direct action of that Holy Spirit on a man’s own soul. He is drawn from
every association and influence
and brought into “an inner chamber”--alone
with God. There he is taught of God and trained for His work. There he obtains
strength to fulfil it. Thus it is with all God’s chosen ones. The more of this
personal dealing of the Holy Spirit there is with the soul
the more of this
work of the “inner chamber” going on
the more effectual will be the work we
undertake for God. One marvels to see what one man could do! All the royal
family
the prophets and priests
the worshippers and the idols--all fell down
before this man at
one stroke! What was the cause
what the secret source of this mighty energy and strength and success?
It was the “off
” the “separation
” and the “inner chamber.”
3. How little the world can understand or appreciate this Divine work
is seen here. The messenger of the Lord is looked upon as a “mad fellow.” This
anointing is a secret into which none can enter but those who are subjects of
it. Nor can he who is the subject ever sacrifice truth for the sake of peace.
Three times the question is put to Jehu
“Is it peace?” But what peace can
there be while God is dishonoured
sin loved and cherished
and the truth of
God trampled in the dust! First purity
then peace--this is God’s order. Peace
at any price--this is man’s. The world cries out for peace
and there is ready
for it “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” But this peace
springs from “the sword” which
first piercing man’s heart for sin
breaks him
from sin. Then follows the peace of God. There could be no peace to Joram
King
of Israel
so long as God’s truth was despised and set at nought. Put the sin
away
every jot of it
then you can have God’s peace in your soul! But who will
maintain this standard? Who will carry it out at all seasons and under all
circumstances? Only the consecrated Christian. Such high ground must entail the
cross at every step
and none but a consecrated Christian can bear the cross
“in season and out of
season.” None will take this ground unless there has been much of the “oil
”
the “separation
” and the “inner chamber.”
4. And mark the clear and unhesitating way in which every spiritual
foe must be met
everything that stands between the soul and God dealt with.
Jehu says
with regard to Ahaziah and Jezebel
“Smite him also
” “throw her
down”; with regard to Ahab’s seventy sons
“Take ye the heads of the men
and
bring them to me to Jezreel by to-morrow; with regard to the brethren of
Ahaziah
“Take them alive”; with regard to the prophets
and priests
and
worshippers
he says
“If any of the men escape
he that letteth him go his
life shall be for the life of him.” What uncompromising faithfulness! What an
unreserved cutting-off of every evil one! Kings
nor queens
nor worshippers
are spared! All are swept away without a moment’s hesitation! Ah
this is
“faithfulness unto death!” This is consecration to God. This is what St. Paul
meant when he said--“I am determined to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and
Him crucified”; “to me to live is Christ.” It is clear from all I have said
that the difference between a just-saved Christian and one who is thus
consecrated
is almost as great as between the former and an unbeliever. And
this is the reason there is among Christians so little of the joy of the Lord.
5. Mark the hindrances
and the taunts and sneers such devotion to
God has to endure: “Wherefore came this mad fellow
” said one; “Had Zimri
peace
who slew his master?” was the bitter taunt of Ahab’s queen; “we are
exceedingly afraid
” was the cowardly reply of the rulers of Jezreel. To all
these taunts and sneers Jehu has but one reply
“Who is on my side? Is thine
heart right with my heart?” His was an eye looking right on
an arm ever
uplifted
a course that saw nothing before him but the carrying out of God’s
word. Here the faithful one is crowned. Glory rests upon him and
through him
on his descendants. “I will give thee a crown of life”; “Him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with Me on My throne
even as I also overcame and am set
down with My Father in His throne.” See the glory that awaits the consecrated
life! Is this life thine? Art thou aiming at it
wrestling in prayer for it
keeping it ever before thee? Christian
nothing but this will bring joy and
gladness to thy heart now
and “a crown of glory “ hereafter. This is life--the
life of God. This is testimony--testimony to Christ. This is heaven enjoyed on
earth--but only enjoyed through the Cross. Christian
again I ask
Is this life
thine?
6. But here the curtain falls. A dark shadow crosses our path. Jehu
falls. Thank God for the spiritual picture we have been enabled to draw from
his life of what a Christian should be. Thank God for the warning his life
presents in its fall. “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
who made Israel to sin.” Draw the picture of every earthly servant of God as
bright as we may
there is a shadow somewhere. It is well. The eye should fix
itself only on Him. “Looking off unto Jesus.” Jehu falls.
Let us mark how he fell
and the solemn warning that fall
presents.
1. I have been describing the whole-heartedness which characterises
every consecrated Christian. But to be whole-hearted
and to maintain it
from
day to day
amid influences on every side destructive of it
“needs that we
take heed.” Jehu “took no heed.” Here is our first warning
2. Secondly
“to walk.” This is where the “heed” is to be directed. Talk
there is
plenty
and “the talk of the lips tendeth to penury.” Profession
there is--it is the garment of the many. Just-saved ones there are--the Church
has multitudes of them what we need is “to walk”--“walk in the light
” “walk
before Me
” “walk as becometh saints.” This is where we have to “take heed.”
“Jehu took no heed to walk.”
3. Thirdly
“to Walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel.” It is to
walk in the truth
to “have His commandments and keep them
” to ask at every
step
“what would the Lord have
me to do?” It is to “set the Lord always before me.” This is “to walk in the
law of the Lord God of Israel.” This Jehu “took no heed” to do.
4. And lastly
“to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all
his heart.” Here is whole-heartedness
consecration to God. Some Christians
give half a heart. Others give their heart just when it is convenient--just
when the Lord’s claims involve no sacrifice. Jehu fell just here. Christians
all around fall just here. The Church of Christ is full of fallen Johns! Fallen
Jehus
on whose brows will rest a deep brand of shame when the Lord comes!
Fallen Jehus
the heavy drags on the wheels of every chariot that would run a
faster race to heaven! (F. Whitefield
M. A.)
Jehu’s ready obedience
We cannot but be struck by the obedience of Jehu to the heavenly
call. There was no hesitation. We show ourselves to be yet under bondage when
we hesitate regarding the calls which God addresses to us. We linger
we wish
to return and bid those farewell who are in our father’s house; we have sundry
things to adjust and determine before we can go
we secretly hope that in the
meantime occurrences may transpire which will Change the line of our destiny;
by all this we mar the simplicity and purity of obedience
and discover a
spirit that is not fit to be trusted with great functions and responsibilities
in the Divine economy. (J. Parker
D. D.)
Value of Jehu’s work
“Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel” (verse 28). But the way
was wrong. Perhaps for the period within which the destruction took place it
was the only ministry that was possible. The incident
however
must stand in
historical isolation
being utterly useless as a lesson or guide for our
imitation. We are called upon to destroy Baal out of Israel
but not with
sword
or staff
or implement of war. “The weapons of our warfare are not
carnal
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds of Satan.”
Jehu did his rough-and-ready work
a work
as we have said
adapted to the
barbaric conditions under which he reigned
but there must be no Jehu in the
Christian Church
except in point of energy
decision
obedience
and
single-mindedness of purpose. A Christian persecution is a contradiction in
terms. When Christians see evil
they are not to assail it with weapons of war;
they are to preach against it
argue against it
pray about it
bring all
possible moral force to bear upon it
but in no case is physical persecution to
accompany the propagation of Christianity. Not only so: any destruction that is
accomplished by physical means is a merely temporary destruction. There is in
reality nothing in it. When progress of a Christian kind is reported it must
not be tainted by the presence of physical severity. We cannot silence evil
speakers by merely closing their mouths; so long as we can hold those mouths
there may indeed be silence
but not until the spirit has been changed
not
until the very heart has been converted and born again
can the evil-doer be silenced
and his mouth be dispossessed of wicked speeches and filled with words of
honesty and pureness. (J. Parker
D. D.)
Incomplete obedience
Visibility and universality are Popish marks of a true Church
and
Protestant marks of a true Christian. An hypocritical Jehu will do “some
things”; a murderous Herod will do “many things”; but an upright Paul is “in
all things willing to live honestly.” A ship that is not of the right make
cannot sail trim
and a clock whose spring is faulty will not always go true;
so a person of unsound principles cannot be constant and even in his practices.
The religion of those that are inwardly rotten
is like a fire in some cold
climates
which almost fries a man before
when at the same time he is freezing
behind; they are zealous in some things
as holy duties
which are cheap
and
cold in other things
especially when they cross their profit or credit; as
Mount Hecla is covered with snow on one side
when it burns and casts out
cinders on the other; but the holiness of them that are sound at heart is like
the natural heat
--though it resorts most to the vitals of sacred performances
yet
as need is
it warms and has an influence upon all the outward parts of
civil transactions. It may be said of true sanctity
as of the sun
“there is
nothing hid from the heat
thereof.” (G. Swinnock.)
Verse
11
Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee?
The reproach of true religion
The man who was spoken of in this contemptuous manner was a
prophet of God
sent by another prophet to a fellow-subject
with the present
of a kingdom in his hand. Before night (so it appears) that kingdom had been
secured; two confederate kings had been swept out of the way; and a
queen-mother
stronger than either
had been literally cast to the dogs. Such
was the brief history of this message from heaven. No one called the prophet a
madman at the close of that day. Many another true message from heaven has had
a similar fate; and all such messages may expect it. They may expect a similar
reproach in the first instance; and a similar vindication in the end.
I. Concerning the reproach.
God hath spoken at “sundry times and in divers manners” to the world; but the
messengers by whom He has spoken have seldom been recognised as such at the
first. From the days of Noah to those of St. Paul
experience testifies this.
Wherever God sends a special message to men
it clearly must be because a
special message is required; in other words
because the knowledge and wisdom
of man are not sufficient in his then existing circumstances to guide him. God
sends him counsel because his own counsel is worthless
or worse. But this is
just the thing which man’s pride is unwilling to allow. Again
God’s counsel
like Himself
is certain to be holy; and man’s natural purposes
on the other
hand
are sure to be ungodly and sinful. Further yet
God’s wisdom is sure to
be far-sighted and profound
while the faculties which attempt to scan it are
always short-sighted and shallow. On all these grounds
therefore
the message
when it comes
will be something unwelcome and perplexing at the first. Its
pretensions will be humiliating to man’s pride; its tendency will be offensive
to his nature; its contents will be confounding to his mind. “I know you that
ye have not the love of God in you.” It is an aggravated illustration of the
same principle which causes frivolity to despise enthusiasm; selfishness
generosity; the savage
mercy and truth; and the clown
the highest efforts of
literature
science
and art. Men hate to believe in anything superior to
themselves.
II. Concerning the
vindication. “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” Where a message is
really from God
it compels belief at the last. This may be easily seen in all
the cases already referred to. The flood of waters justified Noah; the fire
from heaven justified Lot; the Exodus justified Moses; and the victory over the
Philistines justified David. Exactly in proportion to the original contempt was
the final honour in each case. It was the same with the apparently habitual
scorn of all true prophecy in old days; true prophecy has long been fully
revenged. Similar justice
also
has long been measured out to the once
despised evangelists and apostles
and to that equally despised Master whom
they obeyed. In proof of this you have only to consider that no greater praise
can now be given to any man
than to say his conduct is truly apostolical
or
his character really Christian. It is nothing that
in short
but the old
proverb
“Magna est veritas
et praevalebit.” A true message from heaven has
heavenly resources behind it. It is like a bank with very large liabilities
but with assets much larger still. Consequently
whatever it dares
it can do;
whatever the doubts
and surmises
and panic
it can meet them all with a
smile. We may apply this as an excellent test of the various religions of the
world. There are some that make no pretensions
that do not oppose men’s
desires
nor perplex their minds
nor offend their prejudices. That is
condemnation enough by itself. God would hardly have sent us a message which we
could have devised for ourselves. There are other religions which are all
pretensions; which go on shouting for centuries that the Diana they worship is
very great; and which are perpetually
singing in chorus
We are right
and you are wrong
we are saved
and you are
lost; but without any real proof of it all. Such religions offer no reason
and
so require no reply. They are simply gigantic systems of self-praise; and it is
no recommendation to them. These are not the marks of the true message--“If I
honour myself
my honour is nothing.” (Homilist.)
Verse
20
The driving is like the driving of Jehu.
Religious fanaticism
Jehu was a religious fanatic; his whole nature was on fire with
indignation against the idolatry in his country under the reign of King Joram.
We may take this man’s history to illustrate some of the worst features of
fanaticism.
I. It “driveth furiously
”
with a heartless disregard to the lives of all who differ from it. What eared
Jehu for the lives of those who differed from him in religious opinion?
Nothing. What do your religious fanatics
who often assemble in thousands to
hoot Out their impious crudities
care for the bodily interests
health
or
life of those who differ from them? Religious fanaticism is essentially cruel.
II. It “driveth furiously
” with an ostentatious
spirit. “Come with me
and see my zeal for the Lord” (2 Kings 10:16). Jehu really did not
care “for the Lord “ or for true theology. He cared only for
himself--self-display
self-glory. Fanaticism is essentially ostentations. It
creates a morbid hunger for the applause of men. It will itinerate the country
have preachments every day of the week
prayer-meetings all the day
and drive
“furiously” on; but it will take good care to have the whole set forth in
puffing advertisements and paraded in all the prints of the so-called
“Christian world.” “Come with me
and see my zeal for the Lord.” How unlike the
true ministry of heaven
which does not cause its voice to be heard in the
street
which does its world silently as the sunbeam.
III. It “driveth furiously”
under the cover of pretence. This Jehu resolved to destroy all the worshippers
of Baal; but how did he set to work in order to accomplish this end? Not in a
straightforward way. Inspiration tells us
“Jehu did it in subtilty.” There is
a somewhat popular impression
that fanaticism is always sincere. This is a
mistake; as a rule
it is a lying thing. As it works by falsehood
so it works
under its cover. “Fanaticism
” says Professor Lange
“dissolves all the bonds
of life and love
but imputes the blame of it to faith. It leads a man to acts
of betrayal
of rebellion
and of murder
while he imagines that he is offering
sacrifices acceptable to God. It institutes a community of hatred
in opposition
to the community of love
and treats the fire of hell as if it were sacred. It
appears in the guise of religion
but for the purpose of banishing Christ and
His Gospel from the earth.” Conclusion:--Infer not that because a minister
a
community
or a Church are driving furiously in religious work
that they are
religious. Genuine religion is a life
not a passion; it is a river
silent and
constant as the stars
not a flood rushing and roaring for the hour. (Homilist.)
Going ahead
Jehu has been dead many a long century now
but he has always had
his successors; and probably they are more numerous to-day than ever. Among the
young men of our day this “go-ahead” character is very common. Nor do I feel
disposed to check it. Our tirades demand it. We are living in an age of
lightning. It teems with revolutions every hour. Art
science
and commercial
enterprises advance with inconceivable velocity. What was
not long since
the
dreary journey of a week
is now a delightful excursion of a few hours; and
young men feel that if they are to keep pace with the times
they must possess
the go-ahead spirit of Jehu. This I do not condemn. Idleness leads to the
greatest prodigality. But what I wish to do to-night is this--exhort you to
mind that your zeal is guided by wisdom and prudence. You are zealous; but is
your zeal directed to right ends? A misdirected zeal is like a sword in a
madman’s hand. There are numbers
who
with their go-ahead spirit
have found
themselves in our gaols
or lying in our hospitals
with the wasting hand of
disease inflicting upon them its awful torments. And
alas
they themselves are
not the only sufferers. Look on those who wait on their footsteps
with muffled
faces and sable garments. That is a father
and that is a mother
whose grey hairs
are coming with sorrow to the grave. To all furious drivers I would say--
I. First
pull up. I have
read somewhere
of a horse rushing down a country village
with nostrils
distended
and with fire flashing from his heels
yet without driver or hand to
guide him. He was dragging behind him a cart
in which was a child
who clung
to its side in pale terror. A woman
as it passed
shot from her doorway
like
an arrow from its bowstring
and followed in full pursuit
crying
“Save that
child! save that child!” Why did she run and cry thus? Oh
you say
“It was her
child.” No
it was not. She had left her own little ones all safe around her
hearth; but she had a heart above that selfishness which would care only for
its own. That child had a mother
but she was not there
the good woman would
take her place--one of her children might want help some day. Imbued
I trust
with the unselfish spirit of this woman
we seek to-night to check the speed of
those fiery passions which are dragging some of you to death. You are probably
unknown to us; but have you not a mother who loves you
a mother who prays for
you? You have been going ahead bravely of late
you think. You rightly judge
life to be short
and you feel that if you are to enjoy life
you had better be
quick about it; if you are to get a fortune you had better keep a sharp
lookout. Yes
this is all very well
but where will this pleasure-seeking lead
you? It may be
in your haste to get money
you do not scruple to be a little
dishonest. “Anyhow
by hook or by crook
” you say
“I mean to go ahead.” Yes
but where will this furious driving lead you? Perhaps you have never thought of
this. You don’t know where you are going. I believe more young men are ruined
for the want of thought
than aught else.
II. Now I want you to turn
round. You feel to-night you have been going ahead on the wrong road. You have
determined
as God shall help you
to pull up. But remember
pulling up is only
part of the business. You have been on the wrong road; you now want the right. The
first thing you need is a new heart. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to
convert you. I shall have no faith in your fine resolutions to give up evil
habits
evil companions
and pleasure-seeking
unless you have implanted within
you new principles. Wind and tide will be against you. In your own strength you
may pull until your veins stand like whipcord upon your brow
and you will go
down the stream still: And even suppose you should be able to give up the
grosset forms of sin
yet
without religion
you must feel when you come to die
that
after all
your life has been a failure. Let me urge you
therefore
to
seek salvation through Christ.
III. Now
go ahead. I must now
assume that you have decided for Christ
united yourself with Christian companions
and a Christian Church. At any rate
many young men here have done that; so
that the advice I am about to give cannot be deemed impracticable. In common
sense
Christian young men
this go-ahead spirit is very desirable; desirable
even from a business point of view. We are commanded to “be diligent in
business.” If you are in business for yourself
seek
in every true and honest
way
to augment your income. In doing so
you will have God’s blessing upon
you. Do not be miserly
do not be covetous; but do seek
by dint of plodding
perseverance
and constant attention to business
to rise in the world. (W.
Williams.)
Scorchers
The “scorcher
” as he is commonly understood in bicycle parlance
is a rider who is determined to have his own way and his own good time on the
road
though he endanger the happiness and even life and limb of hundreds of
other riders. He is certainly a nuisance and a despicable character. Alas!
there are scorchers in other departments of life than bicycle riding. The
scorcher in business or social or religious circles is just as mean and
dangerous a character as when going at breakneck speed down the road on his
wheel. The scorcher is such because of his selfishness. It is the work of
Christianity to eleminate the scorcher
and bring in the “brother” in his
place. The proverb of the scorcher is
“Every man for himself
and the devil
take the hindermost.” The law of the brother is
“Bear ye one another’s burdens
and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (L. A. Banks
D. D.)
Verse
22
Is it peace?
No peace out of Christ
The sovereignty of God is apparent in all His dealings with the
children of men. He putteth down one and setteth up another. He killeth and
maketh alive. He doeth what He pleases in the armies of heaven
and among the
inhabitants of the earth. He giveth no account of any of His ways
nor may any
one inquire
What doest thou? Still
“justice and judgment are the habitation
of His throne
” and we are sure that in all His dispensations
however
mysterious to us
“the Judge of all the earth will do right.” It is “by Him
kings reign and princes decree justice.” All this is evidenced in the case of
Jehu
whose exaltation to the throne of Israel is described in the former part
of this interesting chapter (2 Kings 9:1-10).
I. That there is no peace to
be found in the ways of sin. In prosecution of the inquiry in our text
ask--
1. The open sinner. Sinner
hast thou peace? Ask Adam and Eve
when
they had eaten of the forbidden fruit. Look at Achan who saw among the spoils
of the enemy a goodly Babylonish garment
and two hundred shekels of silver
and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight
and coveted them
and took them
and hid them in the earth in the midst of his tent and the silver under it. “Is
it peace
Achan?” When Zimri slew Elah the son of Baasha
King of Israel
and
usurped his throne
had Zimri “peace” who slew this master? (1 Kings 15:10). Look at Belshazzar at
his impious feast (Daniel 5:9); here was the very
height of human enjoyment; but a guilty conscience spoiled all. Look at aul
King of Israel; hear his bitter cry
“I am sore distresed; for the Philistines
make war against me
and God is departed from me
and answereth me no more” (1 Samuel 28:15). Had he peace? Peace had
fled from him.
2. Ask the formalist--resting in a round of duties
having the form
of godliness
but destitute of its power. There may be a pharisaical spirit--a
self-satisfaction “God
I thank thee
that I am not as other men” (Luke 18:11)
but “is it peace?”
3. Ask the unconverted
under his most favourable circumstances; and
though we do not deny that there may be a momentary gratification
--what are
termed by the apostle
The pleasures of sin for a season
Is there peace? Some
indeed
have a false peace
are “at ease in their sins”--but this is
carelessness and indifference rather than “peace.”
4. But this question may be asked of many
who have even sought peace
for their souls
but sought it in the wrong way
by unhallowed means. Many are
the ingenious devices of Satan
for blinding the minds of his captives
and
keeping his goods “in peace.” Hence his ministers are said to “daub with
untempered mortar
” and to “cry
Peace
peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 13:10). Is peace then banished
from the earth? far from it; the Holy Scriptures make known unto us “the way of
peace
” which unconverted men have never known (Romans 8:17). “Christ is our peace” (Micah 5:5; Ephesians 2:1-22; Isaiah 9:6). And though peace is
only to be found in Him
here is solid
abiding
soul-satisfying peace. And
this leads me to
II. Show that true
permanent
peace is to be obtained only through an experimental knowledge of God in Christ
Jesus
through the Spirit
“Preaching peace by Jesus Christ
who is described
in the Word of inspiration as the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). And here we may remark
that the believer has--
1. Peace with God.
2. The believer has peace of conscience--peace of mind
--rest for his
soul.
3. He enjoys peace with others
for when a man’s ways please the
Lord
He maketh even His enemies to be at peace with Him. And what are the
properties of this peace? Let the Scriptures declare (Romans 14:17-18). “A peace of God
which
passeth all understanding
” which “the world can neither give
nor take away”;
which is perfectly independent of all the vicissitudes of this changing world.
And this peace is enjoyed through faith in the Redeemer. It is peace and joy
“in believing.” Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on
Thee
because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3). Peace under all
circumstances;--“Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him” (Isaiah 3:16)
in sickness and health;
in prosperity and adversity; in poverty and riches; in life
in death
and
through all eternity. (R. Simpson
M. A.)
Verse
24
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength.
Aimlessness
The frivolous
purposeless lives of this world are like ships at
the mercy of the wind and tide. Hail one of them
and ask
“Whither are you
bound?” and the answer will be
“I don’t know.” “What cargo do you carry?”
“Nothing.” “Well
what are you doing out here on the ocean of life?” “Only
drifting.” “Ah! but you don’t know what a sorry spectacle you make only
drifting when there is
so much to be done.” It is said that Carlyle
on one of his daily walks
met a
young man
and
falling into conversation with him
inquired about his purpose
in life. “I haven’t any particular purpose
” came the reply. “Then get one
”
exclaimed the stern old man
striking his cane on the pavement--“get one
quick.” (Homiletic Review.)
Verse 31
Had Zimri peace
who slew
his master?
Divine purposes and human
agencies
These are not the words of
the Spirit of God
but of that wicked witch Jezebel
wife of the idolatrous Ahab.
Nevertheless
there is a truth implied in them which it shall be our present
business to expound and illustrate. “Had Zimri peace
who slew his master?”
What did she mean by this? The answer is in the story of Zimri told in the
sixteenth chapter of the first Book of Kings. Elah
son of Baasha
has reigned
over Israel but two years
when in a drunken revel
in the house of his
steward
he is slain by Zimri
captain of half his chariots
and his throne
usurped by the traitor who had thus shed his blood. But for Zimri there is
indeed no peace; the seven days of his reign are days of terror and of blood.
Tirzah is speedily besieged by the army under Omri which hastens from
Gibbethon; and when Zimri sees that his usurped power is gone
he betakes
himself to the palace
where
kindling a fire around him
he perishes in the
midst of the flames. That Divine purposes are sometimes accomplished by wicked
agents; but that this in nowise excuses the agents themselves
or shields them
from merited punishment.
I. By many facts
in human history.
1. Look at facts in the history of nations.
2. Look at facts in the history of individuals.
There is Jacob concerning
whose relation to Esau the prophecy stands that “the elder shall serve the
younger”; yet how utterly detestable the means;--the lies
the trickery
the
fraud
by which the end is attained
for the purposes of God I have respect
and I know that they shall stand
but for the means used by Jacob and his
mother
I have the utmost abhorrence and contempt.
II. In the great
central fact of Christianity. I mean the Crucifixion of the Lord. Here
the
divinest purpose works itself out by the most satanic agency. The noblest deed
of love ever wrought by the great God of love Himself
combines with the
meanest
foulest
deed of hatred
ever wrought by man
in the great agony of
the Cross. “Him
” says Peter
“being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God
ye by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” And yet one
step further--“I wot that through ignorance ye did it.” So that here the chosen
channels through which Divine wisdom and Divine love pour themselves upon us
are human ignorance and wickedness! “O the depth of the riches
” etc. And here
I merely remark
that to the sentence
which states the principle we are
discussing
I might add another member:--namely
That if those wicked agents
who
consciously or unconsciously carry out Divine purposes
repent of their
sin
they are not excluded from participation in the good they have been
instrumentally
and sinfully
accomplishing.
III. In the
dissemination of the gospel. Means in themselves inconsistent with the spirit
of the Gospel
are in the order of Divine providence
indirectly employed. (J.
W. Lance.)
Verse 37
And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the
field.
The fruits of perfect sin
1. Jezebel’s is the character of one complete in evil. She enters the
stage of human events in the fulness of her wickedness. She does not come
before our notice till she has passed through all the stages of early
conviction
strife with conscience
and sometimes of the warnings of a better
nature. She is one whom savages would pronounce wicked
and from whom they would
start as a dangerous member of even their social body. There are some who are
brought before us in this way in life
as if the curtain were suddenly drawn
up
and they were presented to the eye for the first time in their full
development. We have been allowed to see none of the inward workings
none of
the early struggle and strife. All this has gone on between themselves and God
alone. His eye only has noticed
and His hand recorded the gages
challenges
and contests between the tempter and the sinner. We see but the end of the
conflict. We perceive only the conqueror standing forward flushed with his
success
and the ranks of the vanquished receding into the far distance on
either side
like the forms of beautiful dreams scared by the breaking in of
morning light. In the great portrait gallery of Holy Scripture no one is found
exactly like her. She stands individually distinctive and terrible.
2. Here is her history. Ahab is mentioned as coming to the throne of
Samaria nine hundred and eighteen years before Christ. The marriage with
Jezebel is mentioned as a decided step in evil in Ahab
and is clearly
connected with his idolatry. The next mention of her is her desire and effort
to kill all the prophets of the Lord
and Obadiah’s success in saving them.
Then came the denunciation of God upon Jezebel
and the prophecy of her being
eaten of dogs in the portion of Jezreel There is a pause in her history
and we
hear no more of the queen-mother during the reign of Ahab’s successor. The
wicked king had sunk to his doomed grave. But she
the author and abettor of
his sinfulness
lived on. Her end is the next and last circumstance of her
life; very terrible. She comes out again with her old characteristic. The long
pause in which she has been withdrawn from observation has made no change in
her character save to stereotype all old failings
and gnarl into her form the
sins of her earlier days. Shameless and barefaced in her iniquity
she looked
out for admiration from the very man who was returning as a conqueror over her
husband’s race.
3. There are certain features which belong to the thoroughly wicked
person
and the approach to those characteristics may always excite alarm and
anxiety. The principal points about Jezebel are these. A woman holding an evil
influence over her husband
and turning her pertinacity and vigour of practical
energy and power into the pursuit of the line in which the man hesitated. The
wicked woman has an energy of evil which makes her far worse than the man. Her
persecution of God and good men. Her casting in her lot with the wicked and the
profligate. Her unflinching and unhesitating profligacy in the destruction of
Naboth. Her raillery of the king. Her vanity overcoming in the end of life all
other feelings
natural or not.
──《The Biblical Illustrator》