Jakautunut kuningaskuntaLeaderPatriarchc. 900–800 BC
Rekab is best known as the father of Jonadab (also called Jehonadab), who established the rules for living followed by the Rechabites. The Rechabites were known for their strict lifestyle: they did not drink wine, build houses, sow grain, or plant vineyards, but lived in tents. Their faithfulness to these commands was used by the prophet Jeremiah as an example of obedience to God.
15When he left there, he met Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, "Is your heart as true to me as mine is to you?" "It is indeed," Jehonadab answered. "Then give me your hand," said Jehu. So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot
23Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, "Search and make sure that no servant of the LORD is here among you—only servants of Baal."
15When he left there, he met Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, "Is your heart as true to me as mine is to you?" "It is indeed," Jehonadab answered. "Then give me your hand," said Jehu. So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot
23Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, "Search and make sure that no servant of the LORD is here among you—only servants of Baal."
The prophet Jeremiah describes the strict rules for living that Jonadab, Rekab's son, imposed on his descendants: to abstain from wine, not build houses, and live in tents.
7You are not to build houses, or sow seed, or plant vineyards, or own them. Instead, you are to live in tents all your days, so that you may live long in the land where you are sojourning.'
8We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab son of Rechab, our father, in everything he commanded us: to drink no wine all our days—neither we, nor our wives, nor our sons and daughters.
God asked Jeremiah to invite the Rechabites to the temple and offer them wine. They refused to drink, demonstrating their loyalty to Jonadab's command.
4and I brought them to the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, the man of God. It was next to the chamber of the officials, above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the keeper of the threshold.
God used the Rechabites' obedience to their ancestor's command as a contrast to Judah's disobedience to the Lord's word. Their faithfulness was held up as an example.
13"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not accept correction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.
14The command of Jonadab son of Rechab, who ordered his sons not to drink wine, has been carried out. To this day they have drunk none, because they obeyed their father's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not listened to me.
15Again and again I sent you all my servants the prophets, saying, 'Turn now, each of you, from your evil way; mend your deeds and do not follow other gods to serve them, and dwell in the land I gave to you and your fathers.' But you would not incline your ear or listen to me.
18Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and have kept all his precepts, doing everything he commanded you,