2 Kings 10:15

King James Version (KJV)

And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Jehonadab the son of Rechab - For particulars concerning this man, his ancestry, and posterity, see the notes on Jeremiah 35 (note).

Is thine heart right - With me, in the prosecution of a reform in Israel; as my heart is with thy heart in the true religion of Jehovah, and the destruction of Baal?

It is - I wish a reform in the religion of the country; I am his friend who shall endeavor to promote it.

Give me thine hand - This has been generally considered as exacting a promise from Jehonadab; but does it mean any more than his taking him by the hand, to help him to step into his chariot, in which Jehu was then sitting? Jehonadab was doubtless a very honorable man in Israel; and by carrying him about with him in his chariot, Jehu endeavored to acquire the public esteem. "Jehu must be acting right, for Jehonadab is with him, and approves his conduct."

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Jehonadab (compare the margin) belonged to the tribe of the Kenites, one of the most ancient in Palestine Genesis 15:19. Their origin is unknown, but their habits were certainly those of Arahs. Owing to their connection with Moses (Numbers 24:21 note), they formed a friendship with the Israelites, accompanied them in their wanderings, and finally receivcd a location in the wilderness of Judah Judges 1:16. The character of this chief, Jonadab, is best seen in the rule which he established for his descendants Jeremiah 35:6-7 - a rule said to be still observed at the present day. It would seem that he sympathised strongly with Jehu‘s proceedings, and desired to give the countenance of his authority, such as it was, to the new reign. According to the Hebrew text, Jehu “saluted” (or blessed) Jehonadab. According to the Septuagint and Josephus, Jehonadab “saluted” (or blessed) the king. Further, the Hebrew text runs - “And Jehonadab answered, It is, it is. Give (me) thy hand. And he gave (him) his hand, and took him up to him into the chariot.” Our translators appear to have preferred the Septuagint; but the Hebrew is more graphic. Jehu was no doubt glad to have the countenance of Jehonadab on his public entrance into Samaria. The ascetic had a reputation for sanctity, which could not fail to make his companionship an advantage to the but half-established monarch.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

15. Jehonadab. As Jehu made his departure from Beth-eked he met with Jehonadab, who, it seems, was then on his way to see him. Jehonadab is the son of Rechab mentioned in Jer. 35:6-10, who commanded his descendants to live an abstemious life by not drinking wine, building houses, planting vineyards or fields. They were to live in tents. Rechab belonged to the tribe of Kenites (1 Chron. 2:55), one of the ancient peoples of Palestine (Gen. 15:19), Moses’ father-in-law in Midian was a Kenite (Judges 1:16), and so, at the time of the judges, was Heber, who lived in Galilee (Judges 4:11, 17). When Israel entered Palestine the Kenites settled in the Wilderness of Judah (Judges 1:16). At the time of Saul there were Kenites dwelling among the Amalekites, but they were spared by Saul because of the kindness shown by them to Israel at the time of the Exodus (1 Sam. 15:6). The Rechabites remained constant nomads, having habits much like those of the Arabs. Their leader Jehonadab seems to have sympathized strongly with Jehu and desired to give the countenance of his authority to the new regime.

Is thine heart right? What Jehu meant was, “Is your heart true to mine, as mine is to yours?” Jehu evidently was kindly disposed to Jehonadab and desired his friendship and support. This stern leader had probably become highly displeased with the wicked ways of the Israelite court and gladly gave his support to the new regime.

Give me thine hand. As to the significance of the giving of the hand as an act of fidelity see Eze. 17:18. In 1 Chron. 29:24 the Hebrew phrase which may be literally translated, “they gave the hand,” is rendered, “submitted themselves.”

Into the chariot. As a mark of particular favor and esteem. Jehu would be happy to have the support of this influential ascetic who must have been a man of some note in the kingdom at that time.

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2 (EGW), 1038

16, 18. Jezebel's Scheme Unsuccessful—With her seductive arts, Jezebel made Jehoshaphat her friend. She arranged a marriage between her daughter Athaliah and Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat. She knew that her daughter, brought up under her guidance and as unscrupulous as herself, would carry out her designs. But did she? No; the sons of the prophets, who had been educated in the schools which Samuel established, were steadfast for truth and righteousness (Manuscript 116, 1899). 2BC 1038.1

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