2 Kings 10:21 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

So that there was not a man left that came not— It may be asked, how all the worshippers of Baal could be induced, after Jehu's conduct, to assemble together? To which it may be replied, that as Jehu was a person of known indifference in matters of religion, (see the note on 2 Kings 10:31.) who in this respect had always conformed to the humours of the court, and in the reign of king Ahab had been a strenuous worshipper of Baal; the people could not tell, when they read his proclamation of a great feast to Baal, but that he had returned in good earnest to the religion which he once embraced, and only deserted for a while in complacency to others. But whether they deluded themselves into this persuasion or not, they knew by experience that Jehu was a man of a fierce and bloody temper, who would not fail to put his threats in execution; and therefore reading in the same proclamation, Whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live, Exodus 10:19 they found themselves reduced to this sad dilemma, either to go or die; and therefore they thought it the wisest method to run the hazard, and throw themselves upon his mercy; having this at least to plead for themselves, that they were not disobedient to his commands. See Calmet and Poole.