2 Kings 10 Commentary

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Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
1 Kings Chart from Charles Swindoll

THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL

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Ryrie Study Bible - Borrow
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(NOTE: Many consider Amaziah and Hezekiah as "good" kings)
SEE ALSO:
ESV chart - kings of Israel - more information
ESV chart - kings of Judah - more information
Another Chart with Variable Dates for Reigns of Kings

Source: ConformingtoJesus.com

2 Kings 10:1 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, the elders, and to the guardians of the children of Ahab, saying,

• seventy sons: Jdg 8:30 10:4 12:14 
• in Samaria: 2Ki 5:3 1Ki 13:32 16:28 2Ch 22:9 
• the rulers: De 16:18 1Ki 21:8-14 
• them: Heb. nourishers

Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins, and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead.

Ryrie - Vs. 10:1-11  To secure his dynasty Jehu challenged the nobles and foster fathers of Ahab's 70 sons to put one on the throne. They wisely refused and accepted Jehu's terms of surrender, which involved sending him the heads of Ahab's sons. Jehu assured the people that they and he were innocent (v. 9); the slaying of Ahab's sons was a fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy (1 Kings 19:17). 

2 Kings 10:2 “Now, when this letter comes to you, since your master’s sons are with you, as well as the chariots and horses and a fortified city and the weapons,

• as soon: 2Ki 5:6 

When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room

2 Kings 10:3 select the best and fittest of your master’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.”

• Look even: De 17:14,15 1Sa 10:24 11:15 2Sa 2:8,9 1Ki 1:24,25 12:20 
• fight for: 2Sa 2:12-17 1Ki 12:21  Joh 18:36 

select the best and fittest of your master’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house

2 Kings 10:4 But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?”

• Behold: 2Ki 9:24,27 
• how then shall: Isa 27:4 Jer 49:19 Na 1:6 Lu 14:31 

But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand

2 Kings 10:5 And the one who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders, and the guardians of the children, sent word to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, all that you say to us we will do, we will not make any man king; do what is good in your sight.”

• We are thy servants: 2Ki 18:14 Jos 9:11,24,25 1Ki 20:4,32 Jer 27:7,8,17 Joh 12:26 

And the one who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders, and the guardians of the children, sent word to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, all that you say to us we will do, we will not make any man king; do what is good in your sight.”

2 Kings 10:6 Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them.

• 1Ki 21:8-11 
• If ye be mine: Heb. If ye be for me, 2Ki 9:32 Mt 12:30 Lu 9:50 
• take ye: Nu 25:4 
• your master's sons: De 5:9 Jos 7:24,25 Job 21:19 Isa 14:21,22 Rev 2:20-23 
• which brought them up: "The rich," says Mr. Morier, "hire a {dedeh,} or wet nurse for their children.  If a boy, the father appoints a steady man from the age of two years to be his {laleh,} who, I conjecture, must stand in the same capacity as the bringers up of children mentioned in the catastrophe of Ahab's sons.  But if it be a daughter, she has a {gees sefeed,} or white head, attached to her for the same purpose as the {laleh.}"

Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them.

2 Kings 10:7 When the letter came to them, they took the king’s sons and slaughtered them, seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him at Jezreel.

• seventy: 2Ki 10:9 11:1 Jdg 9:5-57 1Ki 21:21 2Ch 21:4 Mt 14:8-11 

When the letter came to them, they took the king’s sons and slaughtered them, seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him at Jezreel.

2 Kings 10:8 When the messenger came and told him, saying, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons,” he said, “Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”

• there came: 2Sa 11:18-21 1Ki 21:14 Mk 6:28 
• Lay ye them: Such barbarities are by no means uncommon in the East.  "It has been know to occur," says Mr. Morier, "after the combat was over, that prisoners have been put to death in cold blood, in order that the heads, which are immediately despatched to the king, and deposited in heaps at the place gates, might make a more considerable show."
• until the morning: De 21:23 

When the messenger came and told him, saying, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons,” he said, “Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning

2 Kings 10:9 Now in the morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent; behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

• Ye be righteous: 1Sa 12:3 Isa 5:3 
• I conspired: 2Ki 9:14-24 Ho 1:4 

Now in the morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent; behold, I conspired against my master (King Joram) and killed him, but who killed all these?

2 Kings 10:10 “Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the LORD has done what He spoke through His servant Elijah.”

• the earth: 1Sa 3:19 15:29 Jer 44:28,29 Zec 1:6 Mk 13:31 
• the Lord hath done: 2Ki 9:7-10 1Ki 21:19,21-24,29 
• by: Heb. by the hand of, 2Ki 9:36

Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the LORD has done what He spoke through His servant Elijah

2 Kings 10:11 So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor.  

• and: Ps 125:5 Pr 13:20 
• kinsfolks: or, acquaintance
• his priests: 2Ki 23:20 1Ki 18:19,40 22:6 Rev 19:20 20:10 
• he left: Jos 10:30 11:8 1Ki 14:10 15:29 16:11 21:22 Job 18:19 Ps 109:13 Isa 14:21,22 

So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor.  

Henry Morris - none remaining.  Jehu had been commissioned to destroy the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7-9), and he carried it out with zeal. After slaying all those in Jezreel, he did the same in Samaria the capital (2 Kings 10:17) and even Ahab's more distant relatives from Judah (2 Kings 10:13,14). Jehu finally destroyed all the leaders of Baal worship in Israel as well (2 Kings 10:20-28). Thus was the prophetic word of both Elijah and Elisha fulfilled (1 Kings 21:21-24; 2 Kings 9:8,9).

2 Kings 10:12 Then he arose and departed and went to Samaria. On the way while he was at Beth-eked of the shepherds,

• shearing house: Heb. house of shepherds binding sheep, 2Ki 10:12 

Then he arose and departed and went to Samaria. On the way while he was at Beth-eked of the shepherds,

Beth-eked. About 16 mi (26 km) NE of Samaria. 

2 Kings 10:13 Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, “Who are you?” And they answered, “We are the relatives of Ahaziah; and we have come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the queen mother.”

• met with: Heb. found
• the brethren: 2Ki 8:24,29 9:21-27 2Ch 21:17 22:1-10 
• salute: Heb. the peace of, 

Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, “Who are you?” And they answered, “We are the relatives of Ahaziah; and we have come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the queen mother.

2 Kings 10:14 He said, “Take them alive.” So they took them alive and killed them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two men; and he left none of them.  

• Take them alive: 2Ki 10:6,10,11 1Ki 20:18 
• neither left: 2Ki 8:18 11:1 2Ch 22:8,10 

He said, “Take them alive.” So they took them alive and killed them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two men; and he left none of them.  

2 Kings 10:15 Now when he had departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him; and he greeted him and said to him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?” And Jehonadab answered, “It is.” Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” And he gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into the chariot.

• lighted on: Heb. found, 2Ki 10:13 9:21 *margins
• Jehonadab: Jer 35:6,8,14-19, Jonadab
• Rechab: 1Ch 2:55 
• saluted: Heb. blessed, Ge 31:55 47:7,10 
• Is thine heart right: 1Ch 12:17,18 Joh 21:15-17 Ga 4:12 
• give me: Ezr 10:19 Eze 17:18 Ga 2:9 
• he took him: Jehu asked for the hand of Jehonadab not merely for the purpose of assisting him into the chariot, but that he might give him an assurance that he would assist him in the prosecution of his desires; for giving the hand is considered as a pledge of friendship and fidelity, or a form of entering into a contract, among all nations.  Mr. Bruce relates, that when he entreated the protection of a {sheikh,} the great people who were assembled came, "and after joining hands, repeated a kind of prayer, of about two minutes long; by which they declared themselves and their children accursed, if ever they lifted their hands against me in the {tell,} (or field) in the desert, or on the river; or, in case that I, or mine, should fly to them for refuge, if they did not protect us at the risk of their lives, their families, and their fortunes, or, as they emphatically expressed it, to the death of the last male child among them."  Another striking instance occurs in Ockley's History of the Saracens.  Telha, just before he died, asked one of Ali's men if he belonged to the emperor of the faithful; and being informed that he did, "Give me then," said he, "your hand, that I may put mine in it, and by this action renew the oath of fidelity which I have already made to Ali." Ac 8:31 

Now when he had departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him; and he greeted him and said to him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?” And Jehonadab answered, “It is.” Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” And he gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into the chariot.

BSB - Jehonadab is called the son of Rechab, who is mentioned only in an obscure genealogical verse (1 Chr. 2:55). From this verse most interpreters agree that Rechab belonged to those Kenites who were connected with Israel through the marriage of Moses, and who, at the Exodus, cast their lot with Israel (Num. 12:1, note). Jehonadab was loyal to Yahweh and strict in his manner of life. He became the tribal father of the Rechabites, an ascetic group whose faithfulness to regulations prompted admiration by Jeremiah many years later (Jer. 35:1-19).

Ryrie - Jehonadab (the longer form of Jonadab). The founder of a strict sect of nomadic Israelites who protested the corrupting influences of the Canaanites (cf. Jer. 35:1-11). He accompanied Jehu to Samaria and participated in the destruction of the worshipers of Baal. 
 

2 Kings 10:16 He said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD.” So he made him ride in his chariot.

• Come with me: 2Ki 10:31 9:7-9 Nu 23:4 24:13-16 1Ki 19:10,14,17 Pr 27:2 Eze 33:31 Mt 6:2,5 Ro 10:2 

He said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD.” So he made him ride in his chariot.

2 Kings 10:17 When he came to Samaria, he killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, until he had destroyed him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke to Elijah.

• he slew: 2Ki 10:11 9:8 2Ch 22:8 Ps 109:8,9 Mal 4:1 
• according: 2Ki 10:10 9:25,26 1Ki 21:21 

When he came to Samaria, he killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, until he had destroyed him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke to Elijah

2 Kings 10:18 Then Jehu gathered all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much.

• Ahab served Baal: 2Ki 3:2 1Ki 16:31,32 18:19,22,40 
• Jehu: Job 13:7 Ro 3:8 Php 4:8 

Then Jehu gathered all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much.

2 Kings 10:19 “Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests; let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal; whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it in cunning, so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.

• all the prophets: 2Ki 3:13 1Ki 22:6 
• all his servants: 2Ki 10:21 
• all his priests: 2Ki 10:11 
• But Jehu: 2Ki 10:18 Job 13:7 Pr 29:5 2Co 4:2 11:3,13-15 12:16-18 1Th 2:3 

Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests; let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal; whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it in cunning, so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal

2 Kings 10:20 And Jehu said, “Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.” And they proclaimed it.

Sanctify, 1Ki 18:19,20 21:12 Joe 1:14 

And Jehu said, “Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.” And they proclaimed it.

2 Kings 10:21 Then Jehu sent throughout Israel and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And when they went into the house of Baal, the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other.

• And they came: Joe 3:2,11-14 Rev 16:16 
• the house of Baal: 1Ki 16:32 
• full from one end to another: or, so full that they stood mouth to mouth, Jdg 16:27 

Then Jehu sent throughout Israel and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And when they went into the house of Baal, the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other.

2 Kings 10:22 He said to the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them.

• vestments: Ex 28:2 Mt 22:11,12 

He said to the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them

2 Kings 10:23 Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab; and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and see that there is here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but only the worshipers of Baal.”

• Jehonadab: 2Ki 10:15 
• the worshippers: Mt 13:30,41 25:32,33 

Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab; and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and see that there is here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but only the worshipers of Baal

2 Kings 10:24 Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who permits any of the men whom I bring into your hands to escape shall give up his life in exchange.”  

• If any of the men: 1Ki 20:30-42 

Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who permits any of the men whom I bring into your hands to escape shall give up his life in exchange

2 Kings 10:25 Then it came about, as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the royal officers, “Go in, kill them; let none come out.” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the royal officers threw them out, and went to the inner room of the house of Baal.

• Go in: Ex 32:27 De 13:6-11 Eze 9:5-7 
• let: Eze 22:21,22 Rev 16:6,7 

Then it came about, as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the royal officers, “Go in, kill them; let none come out.” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the royal officers threw them out, and went to the inner room of the house of Baal.

2 Kings 10:26 They brought out the sacred pillars of the house of Baal and burned them.

• images: Heb. statues, 1Ki 14:23 *marg:
• and burned them: 2Ki 19:18 2Sa 5:21 

They brought out the sacred pillars of the house of Baal and burned them.

Ryrie - Vs. 10:26-27  pillars. May refer to a wooden pole that was burned and a stone that was demolished or to one stone that was first burned to dishonor it, then demolished. 

2 Kings 10:27 They also broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.  

• brake down the image: 2Ki 18:4 23:7-14 Lev 26:30 De 7:5,25 1Ki 16:32 2Ch 34:3-7 
• made it a draught house: This was an ancient mode of degradation, which still continues in the East; and we are informed, that Abbas the Great, king of Persia, having conquered Bagdad, treated the tomb of Hanifah, one of the fathers of the church among the Turks, in a similar manner. Ezr 6:11 Da 2:5 3:29 

They also broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.  

2 Kings 10:28 Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel.

Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel.

2 Kings 10:29 However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan.

• the sins: 2Ki 13:2,11 14:24 15:9,18,24,28 17:22 1Ki 12:28-30 13:33,34 14:16 
• made Israel: Ge 20:9 Ex 32:21 1Sa 2:24 Mk 6:24-26 1Co 8:9-13 Ga 2:12,13 
• the golden calves: Ex 32:4 Ho 8:5,6 10:5 13:2 
• in Bethel: 1Ki 12:29 

However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan.

2 Kings 10:30 The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.”

• Because thou hast: 1Ki 21:29 Eze 29:18-20 Ho 1:4 
• according to all that: 1Sa 15:18-24 1Ki 20:42 21:22 
• thy children: 2Ki 10:35 13:1,10 14:23 15:8-12 

The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.”

BSB  - This commendation, limited as it is, was further mitigated by the prophet Hosea (Hos. 1:4).

Ryrie - fourth generation. I.e., Jehoahaz, Jehoash (Joash), Jeroboam II, and Zechariah. 
 

2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin.  

• took no heed: Heb. observed not, De 4:15,23 1Ki 2:4 Ps 39:1 119:9 Pr 4:23 Heb 2:1 12:15 
• walk: De 5:33 10:12,13 2Ch 6:16 Ne 10:29 Ps 78:10 Eze 36:27 Da 9:10 
• he departed: 2Ki 10:29 3:3 1Ki 14:16 

But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin.

Henry Morris -  Jehu took no heed.  Despite Jehu's apparent zeal to carry out God's commands against Ahab and Baal worship, it was more in self-interest than out of love for God. It is noteworthy that Shalmaneser III, a prominent king of Assyria, mentioned Jehu in his "Black Obelisk." This four-sided black limestone object contains a number of bas-relief panels, one of which depicts Jehu, the son of Omri, paying tribute to the Assyrian emperor. The obelisk is now in the British Museum.

2 Kings 10:32 In those days the LORD began to cut off portions from Israel; and Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel:

• cut: Heb. cut off the ends of
• Hazael: 2Ki 8:12 13:22 1Ki 19:17 

In those days the LORD began to cut off portions from Israel; and Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel

BSB - The humiliation of Israel at the hands of foreign powers was especially prevalent during Jehu's reign. This came primarily from Syria in further fulfillment of God's word given by Elijah (1 Kin. 19:15-17). Further humiliation came in 841 B.C., the first year of Jehu's reign, when Shalmaneser III (cf. 1 Kin. 20:34; 22:3, notes) again invaded Syria and besieged Damascus. He would have invaded Israel had Jehu not paid him tribute. This event is recorded on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, discovered in 1846, which pictures an Israelite bringing to Shalmaneser the tribute of "Jehu son of Omri."

2 Kings 10:33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.

• eastward: Heb. toward the rising of the sun
• the land of Gilead: Nu 32:33-42 De 3:12-17 Jos 13:9-12 
• even: or, even to, Am 1:3,4 

from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.

Ryrie - The weakness of Israel made it possible for Hazael to take Israel's territory E of the Jordan. 

2 Kings 10:34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

• 2Ki 12:19 13:8 
• 1Ki 11:41 14:19,29 

Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son became king in his place. 36Now the time which Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

• Jehu slept: 2Sa 7:12 1Ki 1:21 2:10 14:20,31 
• Jehoahaz: 2Ki 13:1,7,8 

And Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son became king in his place. 36Now the time which Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years

2 Kings 10:36 Now the time which Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

• the time: Heb. the days were, 2Ki 10:36 

Now the time which Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.