Ver. 19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests, let none be wanting , etc.] All that were employed in the several parts of religious worship given him, and in performing any rite and ceremony belonging to it; in invocation of him, and singing praises to him, as the prophets; in offering sacrifices to him, as the priests; or in assisting them in their service, who may be meant by his servants or ministers: for I have a great sacrifice [to do] to Baal ; by which, though he might mean a sacrifice of his prophets, priests, servants, and worshippers, he would have it otherwise understood, and his design was to deceive, which cannot be justified: whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live : but be put to death; this he said, pretending his great zeal for Baal, when his view was by this threatening to get all his worshippers together to destroy them, that none might escape as follows: but Jehu did it in subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal : the Targum renders it, “with wisdom”; but Jarchi and Ben Gersom much better, “in deceit”; the word signifies supplantation, such as Esau charged Jacob with.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Original Hebrew