2 Kings 10:19

All the prophets of Baal. Again this gives evidence that the worship of Baal was far from being exterminated out of the land of Israel. Baal still had many devoted followers, prophets and priests, as well as worshipers among the people.

I have a great sacrifice. If deception and trickery might achieve his purpose, he employed such devices without scruple. His antipathy to Baal may not have sprung, to any large degree, from devotion to God. Devotees of false religions are often bitterly arrayed against each other. During the lifetime of Ahab and Jezebel and during the time that Jehu served Joram, there is no record of any deep convictions that Jehu had in the matter of religion, either in favor of Jehovah or against Baal. Not until the house of Ahab had been crushed and there was no longer any danger in a defiance of Baal, did Jehu take his stand against the religion of Jezebel.

In subtilty. This was a crafty trick to attain his end. By means of this ruse, all cleverly planned out aforetime, Jehu thought by one bold, dramatic act to wipe out the religion of Baal from Israel. Unfortunately, it was more deeply rooted than he thought.