jehonadab Summary and Overview

Jehovah is liberal; or, whom Jehovah impels. (1.) A son of Shimeah, and nephew of David. It was he who gave the fatal wicked advice to Amnon, the heir to the throne (2 Sam. 13:3-6). He was very "subtil," but unprincipled. (2.) A son of Rechab, the founder of a tribe who bound themselves by a vow to abstain from wine (Jer. 35:6-19). There were different settlements of Rechabites (Judg. 1:16; 4:11; 1 Chr. 2:55). (See RECHABITE T0003080.) His interview and alliance with Jehu are mentioned in 2 Kings 10:15-23. He went with Jehu in his chariot to Samaria.

(whom Jehovah impels) and Jon'adab, the son of Rechab, founder of the Rechabites, an Arab chief. When Jehu was advancing, after the slaughter of Betheked, on the city of Samaria, he was suddenly met by Jehonadab, who joined with him in "slaying all that remained unto Ahab." #2Ki 10:15-17|

JEHON'ADAB , or JONA'DAB(whom Jehovah incites), the son of Rechab, the founder of the Rechabites, which see. He joined Jehu in the slaughter of the Baalites. 2 Kgs 10:15-23.

(="Jehovah makes freely willing"): J ONADAB . 2 Kings 10:15,23; Jeremiah 35:8,l4,16,18; 1 Chronicles 2:55; "the (four) families of the scribes which dwelt at see JABEZ ... the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab" (="the rider"). Rechab, father of Jehonadab, belonged to the Kenites connected with Israel through Moses'marriage; these (see HEBER and see JAEL ) with Israel entered Canaan, and shared their inheritance, though remaining nomads in tents, some in the far N. (Judges 4:11), others made their "nest" in the rocks of see ENGEDI (Judges 1:16; Numbers 24:21), others near their native desert in southern Judah (1 Samuel 15:6). Jehonadab, the tribe father of the Rechabites, enjoined the rule of the clan on his children the more strictly because these were brought into close contact with the settled community, which would tempt them to neglect it, namely, to dwell in tents and not build houses, not to sow seed or plant vineyards. This rule they observed with such filial obedience as to secure the promise "that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," fifth commandment. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 35) argues, a fortiori, if earthly sons so honour their father how much more ought Judah, to whom God hath commanded "Return ye now every man from his evil way" by His prophets, "rising early and speaking," hearken to the heavenly Father; yet Judah has not done so. Both therefore shall fare accordingly: Judah shall suffer all the evil pronounced against her; "Jehonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Jehovah for ever." Compare Malachi 1:6. Jehonadab by his strict asceticism was held in high repute in Israel, as well as in his own tribe; Jehu desired his countenance, that so he might without any opposition carry out the slaughter of the Baal worshippers. Jehu "blessed" Jehonadab (margin 2 Kings 10:15) on meeting him, and asked, Is thy heart right (true) as my heart is with thy heart? Jehonadab gave his hand in token of pledged fellowship (Ezra 10:19). Then Jehu took him up to him in his chariot and imparted his secret plan. Jehonadab's followers by his strict rule on the one hand avoided possible collision with the settled Israelitesamong whom they were; and Diodorus Siculus (19:94) gives a like picture of the Nabathaean Arabs, "it is a law with them neither to sow grain, nor to plant fruit-bearing plants, nor to use wine, nor to provide a house." On the other hand, as a half religious sect, indirectly originating from Elijah's and Elisha's reforming efforts, and copying the Nazarite rule in part (compare Amos 2:11), they maintained the true religion as far as they knew it by avoiding needless association with the degenerate people around. Such a sincere zealot as Jehonadab was just the ally whom the fiery self seeking see JEHU wanted. The name see RECHAB , "rider," may also imply their unsettled pilgrim state, from which they deviated only when in fear of Nebuchadnezzar they took refuge within Jerusalem; but even there they would not for any consideration violate the law of their forefather. Jehonadab is last mentioned in accompanying Jehu into Baal's temple, to remove all Jehovah's secret worshippers (2 Kings 10:23), whom probably his previous knowledge of them in the desert would enable him to discern.