What an iconoclast was this Jehu! Before his strong hand the whole structure of Baalworship received its death-blow. And as we meet Elijah’s name in this chapter, connecting him with these events, we turn back to the story of Horeb, with its solemn words: ‘‘And it shall come to pass that him that escapeth from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that eseapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.’’ God has many nets, and if the fish escape one set of meshes, they will be caught by another ;—none shall finally escape. ‘‘Every one shall give an account of himself to God.’’ See v. 10.

It is a searching thought! Because men escape one judgment, they count themselves immune; but it is not so. He that escapes Hazael shall meet Jehu. ‘‘Asifa man did flee from a lion and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him,’? Amos 5:19. ‘‘There shall fall unto the earth nothing . . . which the Lord spake,’’ v. 10. ‘‘How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation,’’? and trifle with such a God, whose love is as searching as his chastening wrath? Jer. 16:16, 17.