The very first thing we may observe in these words, is that here is no enquiry concerning Jehonadab's opinions. And yet 'tis certain, he held some which were very uncommon, indeed quite peculiar to himself: and some which had a close influence upon his practice; on which likewise he laid so great a stress, as to intail them upon his children's children, to their latest posterity. This is evident from the account given by Jeremiah, many years after his death. I took Jaazaniah and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites—and set before them pots full of wine and cups, and said unto them, drink ye wine. But they said, we will drink no wine; for Jonadab (or Jehonadab) the son of Rechab our father (It would be less ambiguous if the words were placed thus, Jehonadab our father the son of Rechab: out of love and reverence to whom he probably desired his descendents might be called by his name) commanded us, saying, ye shall drink no wine, neither ye nor your sons for ever. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents—and we have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us, Jer. xxxv. 3-10.
2. And yet Jehu (although it seems to have been his manner, both in things secular and religious to drive furiously) does not concern himself at all with any of these things, but lets Jehonadab abound in his own sense. And neither of them appears to have given the other the least
