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.
Jehonadab the son of Rechab - (see the notes at 1 Chronicles 2:55.) A person who, from his piety and simple primitive manner of life (Jeremiah 35:1-19), was highly esteemed, and possessed great influence in the country. Jehu saw in a moment the advantage that his cause would gain from the friendship and countenance of this venerable man in the eyes of the people, and accordingly paid him the distinguished attention of inviting him to a seat in his chariot.
Give me thine hand - not simply to aid him in getting up, but for a far more significant and important purpose, the giving, or rather joining hands, being the recognized mode of striking a league or covenant (cf. Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15), as well as of testifying fealty to a new sovereign; accordingly, it is said he (Jehonadab) gave him (Jehu) his hand.