(27) The image of Baal.--Again the word is pillar, which in this case is the conical pillar of stone representing the Baal himself. The wooden pillars of 2Kings 10:26 probably symbolised companion deities (???????? ????????) of the principal idol. Made it a draught house.--By way of utter desecration. (Comp. Ezekiel 6:11; Daniel 2:5.) Unto this day.--On the bearing of this phrase, see the Introduction to the Books of Kings. Verse 27. - And they brake down the image of Baal; rather, they brake in pieces the pillar of Baal. The representation of Baal, the main stele of the temple, being of stone or metal, could not be destroyed by fire, and was therefore broken to pieces (comp. 2 Kings 23:14). And brake down the house of Baal - i.e. partially ruined it, but still left portions of it standing, as a memorial of the sin and of its punishment - a solemn warning, one would have thought, to the people of the capital - and made it a draught-house unto this day; made it, i.e., "a depository for all the filth of the town" (Stanley); comp. Ezra 6:11; Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29; and for the word "draught" in this sense, see Matthew 15:17. Such a use was the greatest possible desecration. 10:15-28 Is thine heart right? This is a question we should often put to ourselves. I make a fair profession, have gained a reputation among men, but, is my heart right? Am I sincere with God? Jehonadab owned Jehu in the work, both of revenge and of reformation. An upright heart approves itself to God, and seeks no more than his acceptance; but if we aim at the applause of men, we are upon a false foundation. Whether Jehu looked any further we cannot judge. The law of God was express, that idolaters were to be put to death. Thus idolatry was abolished for the present out of Israel. May we desire that it be rooted out of our hearts.And they broke down the temple of Baal,.... Which some take to be Belus, others Saturn, others the sun, which seems most probable:and broke down the house of Baal; his temple, demolished it: and made it a draught house until this day; a common sewer, a jakes; a fit place for dunghill gods to be thrown into, and an idol temple to be turned into. |