2 Kings 10 · a question people ask
Does the chapter approve of Jehu's deception?
It names it, and says no more. After Jehu says, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much" (10:18), and calls for "a great sacrifice to Baal" (10:19), the book says, "But Jehu did deceptively, intending to destroy the worshipers of Baal" (10:19) (tap deceptively). The chapter neither praises nor blames the deception. The LORD's word to Jehu in 10:30 names what he did "to Ahab’s house" and doesn't mention 10:19. Jehu speaks of "my zeal for the LORD" (10:16); the book never calls it that in its own voice. Chapter 9's honest question, which sets out the main ways Christians read what Jehu did, cites 10:16 and 10:19 too; these notes don't choose between them.
The verses
“He said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD.” So they made him ride in his chariot.”
“Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. 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.”
“The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and have done to Ahab’s house according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.””