Daily Tanach Wednesday 28th Shevat, Sefer Melachim 2 Chapter 10 Part 2: Yeihu assassinates all of the prophets of Baal

1. Yeihu kills all of the brothers of Achaziyahu:

• Yeihu meets the brothers of Achaziyahu in Shomron: Yeihu met the brothers of Achaziyahu [in Shomron], king of Yehuda, and asked them as to who they are? They replied that they are the brothers of Achaziyahu, and that they have come down [to Shomron] to meet up with the sons of Achav and the sons of Izevel [as they heard that Yoram was killed, but did not yet hear of the news of the murder of all the sons of Achav, and the murder of Izevel.^[1]]
• Yeihu instructs for them to be killed: Yeihu instructed his servants to seize the brothers alive, and they were all seized alive, forty-two in number. All forty-two men were slaughtered in the pit of the meeting-place of the shepherds. Yeihu did not leave over even one of the brothers, and they were all killed. [They were killed being that they too were descendants of Achav.[2]]
• Yeihu meets Yehonadav the son of Rechav: Yeihu went from there and met [his friend] Yehonadav the son of Rechav who was coming towards him. Yeihu greeted him and asked him as to whether he agrees with his actions and as to whether he is on his side and loves him as Yeihu loves him. Yehonadav responded in the affirmative that he is on his side and asked Yeihu to take his hand and bring him up to his chariot, and so Yeihu lifted him up to his chariot. Yeihu said to his friend Yehonadav, “Come with me on my travels and see how I am zealous for the sake of G-d [to take vengeance against the house of Achav and against all of the prophets of Baal].” And so off they went to ride in the chariot.
• Yeihu annihilates all the descendants of Achav: Yeihu came to Shomron and killed all the remaining descendants of Achav in the city of Shomron, until they were completely annihilated as G-d had spoken in the prophecy to Eliyahu.

2. Yeihu assassinates all of the prophets of Baal:

• Yeihu tricks the people and asks them to assemble all of the prophets of Baal: Yeihu assembled all the people, and asked them to bring to him all of the prophets of Baal, saying “Achav only slightly worshipped the Baal [and therefore his descendants were killed^[3]], however, I, Yeihu, will worship him a lot [and therefore I will be protected]. Now summon to me all the prophets of the Baal, all his worshippers and all his priests; let no one be missing, as I have a great sacrifice which I would like to bring to the Baal.” The king was so serious about his request that he stated that anyone who will be absent and not show up, will be killed. All this was done by Yeihu as a sly and cunning act to help exterminate the Baal worshippers.
• The worshipers of Baal are all gathered together in the Temple of Baal: Yeihu proclaimed an assembly for the sake of Baal, and all the worshipers were called upon to assemble. Yeihu sent messengers throughout all Israel, and all the Baal worshippers gathered, with no one left who did not come. They entered the temple of the Baal, and the temple of the Baal was filled from entrance to entrance.
• The costumes of the Baal worshipers: Yeihu said to the person appointed over the wardrobe of the Baal worshipers to bring out their costumes for all the Baal worshippers to wear. And so he brought out the costumes for all to wear. [Yeihu did so in order so all of the Baal worshipers will all be easily recognized, and will be able to be identified and not be able to escape being killed.^[4]]
• All non-Baal worshipers are asked to leave: Yeihu and Yehonadav the son of Rechav came to the temple of the Baal, and he told the Baal worshippers to search and see whether there are any of the servants of Hashem present with them, as he desires only for the Baal worshippers alone to be present. [This was done in order so none of the servants of G-d be accidentally killed with the masses of Baal worshipers.^[5]]
• The ceremony at the Temple of the Baal: The worshipers of Baal came to perform sacrifices and offer burnt-offerings. Now, Yeihu had appointed for himself eighty men outside the temple and told them that their job is to prevent any of the worshipers from escaping and that if any of them escape it will cost them their life.
• The worshipers of Baal are all decimated: When the worshipers finished offering their sacrifices to the Baal, Yeihu instructed his officers and ministers to kill all the worshipers and not allow any of the men to escape. And so, they struck all the worshipers with the blade of the sword, and they threw their bodies.
• The city of Baal and all its accessories are destroyed: They then were hurriedly sent to the city of the temple of the Baal, and they took out the monuments of the temple of the Baal and burnt each and every one of them. They tore down the monument of the Baal, and they tore down the temple of the Baal and turned it into a bathroom until this very day.

[1] Radak 10:13

[2] Metzudos Dovid 10:14

[3] Metzudos Dovid 10:18

[4] Metzudos Dovid 10:22

[5] Metzudos Dovid 10:23