II Kings 10
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ahab had seventy sons - As he had several wives, he might have many children. The Israelites, from the earliest part of their history, were remarkably fruitful. How amazingly did they multiply in Egypt, even under the hand of the severest oppression! And as to the individuals of whose families we have an account, they are quite remarkable: Rehoboam had thirty-eight sons; Abdon had forty; Tola had thirty; Ahab, seventy; and Gideon, seventy-one. Unto the rulers of Jezreel - It certainly should be, unto the rulers of Samaria; for to them and to that city the whole context shows us the letters were sent. See Kg2 10:6. To them that brought up Ahab's children - It appears that the royal children of Israel and Judah were intrusted to the care of the nobles, and were brought up by them, (see Kg2 10:6); and to these, therefore, Jehu's letters are directed. It is supposed Isaiah (Isa 49:23) alludes to this custom: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers.
Open source ↗JEHU CAUSES SEVENTY OF AHAB'S CHILDREN TO BE BEHEADED. (2Ki. 10:1-17) Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria--As it appears (Kg2 10:13), that grandsons are included it is probable that this number comprehended the whole posterity of Ahab. Their being all assembled in that capital might arise from their being left there on the king's departure for Ramoth-gilead, or from their taking refuge in some of the strongholds of that city on the news of Jehu's conspiracy. It may be inferred from the tenor of Jehu's letters that their first intention was to select the fittest of the royal family and set him up as king. Perhaps this challenge of Jehu was designed as a stroke of policy on his part to elicit their views, and to find out whether they were inclined to be pacific or hostile. The bold character of the man, and the rapid success of his conspiracy, terrified the civic authorities of Samaria and Jezreel into submission.
Open source ↗And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria,.... These might not be all his immediate sons, but some of them his grandsons, as such are sometimes called in Scripture: and Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel; who fled thither, perhaps on Jehu's coming to Jezreel, having slain Joram, being the metropolis of the kingdom, to consult about a successor, or how to oppose Jehu, and to frustrate his designs: but the Septuagint version is, "to the rulers of Samaria", which seems most likely to be the true reading: to the elders; the civil magistrates of the city of Samaria: and to them that brought up Ahab's children: who had the care of their education; who either always dwelt at Samaria, being the royal city, or were sent with their charge thither, when Joram went to Ramothgilead, for safety, supposing he should be worsted by the Syrians; or they fled thither with them upon the death of Joram: saying; as follows.
Open source ↗Extermination of the Seventy Sons of Ahab in Samaria. - Kg2 10:1-3. As Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria (בּנים in the wider sense, viz., sons, including grandsons see at Kg2 10:13, as is evident from the fact that אמנים, foster-fathers, are mentioned, whereas Ahab had been dead fourteen years, and therefore his youngest sons could not have had foster-fathers any longer), Jehu sent a letter to the elders of the city and to the foster-fathers of the princes, to the effect that they were to place one of the sons of their lord upon the throne. There is something very strange in the words הזּקנים יזרעאל אל־שׂרי, "to the princes of Jezreel, the old men," partly on account of the name Jezreel, and partly on account of the combination of הזּקנים with שׂרי. If we compare Kg2 10:5, it is evident that הזּקנים cannot be the adjective to יז שׂרי, but denotes the elders of the city, so that the preposition אל has dropped out before הזקנים. יזרעאל שׂרי, the princes or principal men of Jezreel, might certainly be the chief court-officials of the royal house of Ahab, since Ahab frequently resided in Jezreel. But against this supposition there is not only the circumstance that we cannot discover any reason why the court-officials living in Samaria should be called princes of Jezreel, but also Kg2 10:5, where, instead of the princes of Jezreel, the governor of the city and the governor of the castle are mentioned. Consequently there is an error of the text in יזרעאל, which ought to read אל העיר, though it is older than the ancient versions, since the Chaldee has the reading יזרעאל, and no doubt the Alexandrian translator read the same, as the Septuagint has sometimes τῆς πόλεως, like the Vulgate, and sometimes Σαμαρείας, both unquestionably from mere conjecture. The "princes of the cit…
Open source ↗We left Jehu in quiet possession of Jezreel, triumphing over Joram and Jezebel; and we must now attend his further motions. He knew the whole house of Ahab must be cut off, and therefore proceeded in this bloody work, and did not do it deceitfully, or by halves, Jer 48:10. I. He got the heads of all the sons of Ahab cut off by their own guardians at Samaria. Seventy sons (or grandsons) Ahab had, Gideon's number, Jdg 8:30. In such a number that bore his name his family was likely to be perpetuated, and yet it is extirpated all at once. Such a quiver full of arrows could not protect his house from divine vengeance. Numerous families, if vicious, must not expect to be long prosperous. These sons of Ahab were now at Samaria, a strong city, perhaps brought thither upon occasion of the war with Syria, as a place of safety, or upon notice of Jehu's insurrection; with them were the rulers of Jezreel, that is, the great officers of the court, who went to Samaria to secure themselves or to consult what was to be done. Those of them that were yet under tuition had their tutors with them, who were entrusted with their education in learning, agreeable to their birth and quality, but, it is to be feared, brought them up in the idolatries of their father's house and made them all worshippers of Baal. Jehu did not think fit to bring his forces to Samaria to destroy them, but, that the hand of God might appear the more remarkably in it, made their guardians their murderers. 1. He sent a challenge to their friends to stand by them, Kg2 10:2, Kg2 10:3. "You that are hearty well-wishers to the house of Ahab, and entirely in its interests, now is your time to appear for it. Samaria is a strong city; you are in possession of it; you have forces at command; you may choose out the likeliest pe…
Open source ↗10:1-27 The writer focuses on two important events of Jehu’s reign: his murder of all who might claim Joram’s throne (10:1-17), and his execution of the priests of Baal (10:18-27). 10:1 Ahab’s sons (the term can include grandsons) may have been with Joram at Jezreel temporarily while he was recovering from his wounds (8:29) but had fled to Samaria to escape Jehu’s purge.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, H5402) — military equipment, i.e. (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an…
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,…
Open source ↗סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… דּוּד (dûwd, H1731) — a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold צִבֻּר (tsibbur, H6652) — a pile פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Open source ↗בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֵפוֹ (ʼêphôw, H645) — strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
Open source ↗יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… שָׂרִיד (sârîyd, H8300) — a survivor
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בֵּית עֵקֶד (Bêyth ʻÊqed, H1044) — Beth-Eked, a place in Palestine דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אֲחַזְיָה (ʼĂchazyâh, H274) — Achazjah, the name of a Jewish and an Israelite king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גְּבִירָה (gᵉbîyrâh, H1377) — a mistress
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) בּוֹר (bôwr, H953) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) בֵּית עֵקֶד (Bêyth ʻÊqed, H1044) — Beth-Eked, a place in Palestine שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant
Open source ↗Cross-references
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for the message that he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria will surely come to pass.”
Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.
He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair.
He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years.
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.
You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.
Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu’s soldiers captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. So Ahaziah was brought to Jehu and put to death. They buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.” So no one was left from the house of Ahaziah with the strength to rule the kingdom.
And Omri rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Ahab reigned in his place.
She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”