among them, and was promised an equal share
of blessings with the seed of Jacob--"If thou wilt go with us, it
shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will
we do unto thee." At first Hobab declined, but he eventually complied;
as his descendants were among the Hebrews after their settlement in
Canaan, and they continued among them, and remained a distinct family,
down to the captivity.

One branch of these Kenites was denominated from Rechab, an
illustrious chief of the house of Hobab; who had a son, or descendant,
named Jonadab, or Jehonadab, as his name is sometimes written. Jonadab
was renowned for wisdom and piety. He flourished in the days of Jehu,
almost three centuries before the Babylonish captivity; and was so
famed for sanctity and attachment to true religion, that only being
seen in his company was a recommendation to the regard of its friends.
Therefore was he treated with respect by Jehu, while he pretended a
regard for the true God--therefore was he taken up by that prince into
his chariot, and made his partner in the destruction of idolatry. Such
was the man who left this charge to his descendants, which was so
sacredly regarded by them, for so long a term.

This was a remarkable family. Another who have paid equal attention to
the orders of a departed progenitor, and in which none of the members
appear to have degenerated from his virtue, is not perhaps to be
found in the annals of mankind! But our surprise will increase if we
attend to the nature of the charge.

The prophet was directed to gather the whole family of the Rechabites
--bring them into the house of the Lord--set wine before them and
invite them to drink. He obeyed; offering them a treat, as a family
known and respected in Israel.

This was not done to tempt them, but to reprove the Jews, who resorted
in great numbers to the temple; though they had cast off the fear of
the God there worshipped. God knew, and had probably informed the
prophet, that the wine would be refused. It was refused, and the
reason, assigned--"We will drink no wine; for Jonadab,--the son of
Rechab, our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, ye,
nor your sons forever, Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor
have any: But all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live
many days, in the land where ye be strangers."

Some of these may seem to be strange restrictions; but they speak the
piety of him who laid them