
Text -- 2 Kings 10:1-7 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
The chief governor of the kings palace.

The chief magistrate or military governor.

Wesley: 2Ki 10:7 - -- Jehu justly required this, because the sovereign lord of all mens lives commanded it, but the Samaritans wickedly obeyed it, without any knowledge of,...
Jehu justly required this, because the sovereign lord of all mens lives commanded it, but the Samaritans wickedly obeyed it, without any knowledge of, or regard to God's command.
JFB: 2Ki 10:1-4 - -- As it appears (2Ki 10:13), that grandsons are included it is probable that this number comprehended the whole posterity of Ahab. Their being all assem...
As it appears (2Ki 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.

The governor or chamberlain of the palace.

JFB: 2Ki 10:5 - -- Anciently, and still also in many Eastern countries, the principal grandees were charged with the support and education of the royal princes. This inv...
Anciently, and still also in many Eastern countries, the principal grandees were charged with the support and education of the royal princes. This involved a heavy expense which they were forced to bear, but for which they endeavored to find some compensation in the advantages of their connection with the court.

JFB: 2Ki 10:6 - -- The barbarous practice of a successful usurper slaughtering all who may have claims to the throne, has been frequently exemplified in the ancient and ...
The barbarous practice of a successful usurper slaughtering all who may have claims to the throne, has been frequently exemplified in the ancient and modern histories of the East.
Clarke: 2Ki 10:1 - -- Ahab had seventy sons - As he had several wives, he might have many children. The Israelites, from the earliest part of their history, were remarkab...
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

Clarke: 2Ki 10:1 - -- 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...
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 2Ki 10:6

Clarke: 2Ki 10:1 - -- 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...
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 2Ki 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.

Clarke: 2Ki 10:2 - -- A fenced city also - All here seems to refer to Samaria alone; in it were the magazines and implements of war, etc. No reader need be told that thes...
A fenced city also - All here seems to refer to Samaria alone; in it were the magazines and implements of war, etc. No reader need be told that these letters were all ironical. It was the same as if he had said, "Ye have no means of defense; Israel is with me: if you yield not up yourselves and the city, I will put you all to the sword.

Two kings stood not before him - That is Joram and Ahaziah.

Clarke: 2Ki 10:5 - -- He that was over the house, etc. - Thus all the constituted authorities agreed to submit
He that was over the house, etc. - Thus all the constituted authorities agreed to submit

Clarke: 2Ki 10:5 - -- Will do all that thou shalt bid us - They made no conditions, and stood pledged to commit the horrid murders which this most execrable man afterward...
Will do all that thou shalt bid us - They made no conditions, and stood pledged to commit the horrid murders which this most execrable man afterwards commanded.

Clarke: 2Ki 10:6 - -- Come to me to Jezreel - Therefore the letters were not written to Jezreel, but from Jezreel to Samaria.
Come to me to Jezreel - Therefore the letters were not written to Jezreel, but from Jezreel to Samaria.

Clarke: 2Ki 10:7 - -- Put their heads in baskets - What cold-blooded wretches were the whole of these people!
Put their heads in baskets - What cold-blooded wretches were the whole of these people!
TSK: 2Ki 10:1 - -- seventy sons : Jdg 8:30, Jdg 10:4, Jdg 12:14
in Samaria : 2Ki 5:3; 1Ki 13:32, 1Ki 16:28; 2Ch 22:9
the rulers : Deu 16:18; 1Ki 21:8-14
them : Heb. nour...

TSK: 2Ki 10:3 - -- Look even : Deu 17:14, Deu 17:15; 1Sa 10:24, 1Sa 11:15; 2Sa 2:8, 2Sa 2:9; 1Ki 1:24, 1Ki 1:25, 1Ki 12:20
fight for : 2Sa 2:12-17; 1Ki 12:21; Joh 18:36

TSK: 2Ki 10:4 - -- Behold : 2Ki 9:24, 2Ki 9:27
how then shall : Isa 27:4; Jer 49:19; Nah 1:6; Luk 14:31

TSK: 2Ki 10:5 - -- We are thy servants : 2Ki 18:14; Jos 9:11, Jos 9:24, Jos 9:25; 1Ki 20:4, 1Ki 20:32; Jer 27:7, Jer 27:8, Jer 27:17; Joh 12:26

TSK: 2Ki 10:6 - -- 1Ki 21:8-11
If ye be mine : Heb. If ye be for me, 2Ki 9:32; Mat 12:30; Luk 9:50
take ye : Num 25:4
your master’ s sons : Deu 5:9; Jos 7:24, Jos 7...
If ye be mine : Heb. If ye be for me, 2Ki 9:32; Mat 12:30; Luk 9:50
take ye : Num 25:4
your master’ s sons : Deu 5:9; Jos 7:24, Jos 7:25; Job 21:19; Isa 14:21, Isa 14:22; Rev 2:20-23
which brought them up : ""The rich,""says Mr. Morier, ""hire a

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Ki 10:1 - -- Seventy sons - i. e., descendants; there were included among them children of Jehoram (2Ki 10:2-3, etc.).
Seventy sons - i. e., descendants; there were included among them children of Jehoram (2Ki 10:2-3, etc.).

Barnes: 2Ki 10:2 - -- A fenced city - Or, "fenced cities."If Samaria had refused to acknowledge Jehu, many other Israelite towns would have been sure to follow the e...
A fenced city - Or, "fenced cities."If Samaria had refused to acknowledge Jehu, many other Israelite towns would have been sure to follow the example.

Barnes: 2Ki 10:3 - -- Jehu, placing his adversaries’ advantages before them in the most favorable light, called upon them to decide what they would do. The unscrupu...
Jehu, placing his adversaries’ advantages before them in the most favorable light, called upon them to decide what they would do. The unscrupulous soldier shows shrewdness as well as courage, a sharp wit as well as a bold heart.

Barnes: 2Ki 10:4 - -- Two kings - literally, "the two kings,"i. e., Jehoram and Ahaziah 2Ki 9:21-28.
Two kings - literally, "the two kings,"i. e., Jehoram and Ahaziah 2Ki 9:21-28.

Barnes: 2Ki 10:5 - -- The officer who had the charge of the place (1Ki 4:6 note) and the governor of the town (1Ki 22:26 note) seem to correspond to the "rulers"of 2Ki 10...

Barnes: 2Ki 10:6 - -- The heads of rivals, pretenders, and other obnoxious persons are commonly struck off in the East, and conveyed to the chief ruler, in order that he ...
The heads of rivals, pretenders, and other obnoxious persons are commonly struck off in the East, and conveyed to the chief ruler, in order that he may be positively certified that his enemies have ceased to live. In the Assyrian sculptures we constantly see soldiers conveying heads from place to place, not, however, in baskets, but in their hands, holding the head by the hair.
Poole: 2Ki 10:1 - -- Ahab had seventy sons either, first, properly sons by several wives; or rather, secondly, grandsons are comprehended, who are oft called sons , and...
Ahab had seventy sons either, first, properly sons by several wives; or rather, secondly, grandsons are comprehended, who are oft called sons , and grandfathers fathers , in Scripture. In Samaria either because they were bred up there, that being the chief city of the kingdom; or because upon the tidings of Joram’ s slaughter they fled thither, or were by their friends conveyed from several parts thither, as to the strongest place; in which it may seem by Jehu’ s message they intended to defend themselves and Ahab’ s children, and to set up one as king in Joram’ s stead; or rather, because they were left there by Joram when he went to Ramoth-gilead, that if the Syrians had prevailed against him, they might have safety in that very strong and great city, and he by their means succour from it.
Unto the rulers of Jezreel Heb. the princes of Jezreel , i.e. the great persons and officers of the court, which then was and had been for some time at Jezreel, who either had fled thither with Ahab’ s sons, upon the news of Jehu’ s actions and successes; or rather, had been sent by Joram with his sons to Samaria, to take care of them there.
To the elders either by age, or rather by office; the rulers or senators of Samaria.
To them that brought up Ahab’ s children that had a more particular care of the several children under the inspection of the princes or rulers here mentioned.

Poole: 2Ki 10:3 - -- Thus he speaks, either because he had some notice of their intentions thus to do; or to make trial of them, whether they would do so, or would be tr...
Thus he speaks, either because he had some notice of their intentions thus to do; or to make trial of them, whether they would do so, or would be true to him and his designs; or to signify to them his intentions of fighting against them, if they did so, that by the terror hereof he might bring them to a compliance with him.

Poole: 2Ki 10:4 - -- All their power and interest, either in Jezreel, or in the army before or in Ramoth-gilead, could not hinder him from executing his design from kill...
All their power and interest, either in Jezreel, or in the army before or in Ramoth-gilead, could not hinder him from executing his design from killing the two kings, and from invading one of their kingdoms. It is true, he surprised the kings, which a little weakens their argument; but fear and self love made them easily yield to it.

Poole: 2Ki 10:5 - -- He that was over the house the chief governor of the king’ s palace or castle there.
He that was over the city the chief magistrate or militar...
He that was over the house the chief governor of the king’ s palace or castle there.
He that was over the city the chief magistrate or military governor.
We will do all that thou shalt bid us they make no delays or conditions, but submit all to his mercy.

Poole: 2Ki 10:6 - -- Then he wrote a letter: thus Jezebel is requited for her letter directed in like manner to the elders of Naboth’ s city, whereby his life was wi...
Then he wrote a letter: thus Jezebel is requited for her letter directed in like manner to the elders of Naboth’ s city, whereby his life was wickedly taken away, 1Ki 21:8 . And it is probable that some of these elders were concerned in that very business, which makes the judgment of God more remarkable.
Take ye the heads of the men which word seems to imply that some of them were grown up, who doubtless trod in their parents’ steps; and those that were younger were justly cut off for their parents’ sin; of which See Poole "Exo 20:5" ; See Poole "Deu 5:9" .

Poole: 2Ki 10:7 - -- Slew seventy persons: Jehu justly required this, because the sovereign and most righteous Lord of all men’ s lives commanded it; but the Samarit...
Slew seventy persons: Jehu justly required this, because the sovereign and most righteous Lord of all men’ s lives commanded it; but the Samaritans wickedly obeyed it, because they destroyed persons in a great measure innocent, merely out of slavish fear, and without any knowledge of or regard to God’ s command.
Haydock: 2Ki 10:1 - -- Seventy sons, as he had many wives. Gedeon had 70. (Calmet) ---
Grand-children might also be included. (Du Hamel) ---
But this is not necessary....
Seventy sons, as he had many wives. Gedeon had 70. (Calmet) ---
Grand-children might also be included. (Du Hamel) ---
But this is not necessary. (Calmet) ---
City, Hebrew, "of Jezrahel," a word which has probably been substituted instead of "Israel," which is more conformable to the Septuagint and Vulgate. Those who adhere to the Hebrew pretend that the princes had all fled from Jezrahel. ---
Children. This is the sense generally given to Nutritios Achab, which literally signifies, "nursing-fathers (preceptors, counsellors, &c.) of Achab," ver. 5. The king's children were perhaps educated in the most noble families, (ver. 6.) and in the best cities, 2 Paralipomenon xi. 23. Isaias (xlix. 23.) foretelling the happiness of the Israelites after the captivity, says, that kings and queens will nurse them.

Haydock: 2Ki 10:3 - -- Master. Jehu would lead them into a snare, and insultingly challenges them to battle, shewing how little he feared their power. (Calmet) ---
He sp...
Master. Jehu would lead them into a snare, and insultingly challenges them to battle, shewing how little he feared their power. (Calmet) ---
He speaks ironically. (Du Hamel)
Gill: 2Ki 10:1 - -- 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 S...
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.

Gill: 2Ki 10:2 - -- Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you,.... Sons of Ahab, and some of Joram, and all either the sons or gran...
Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you,.... Sons of Ahab, and some of Joram, and all either the sons or grandsons of Ahab:
and there are with you chariots and horses; military ones:
a fenced city also: as Samaria was, well walled and fortified, and able to hold out a long siege:
and armour; of all sorts, to arm themselves and people with in their defence.

Gill: 2Ki 10:3 - -- Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons,.... Most fit for government, whether on account of age or proper qualifications, and wisdom,...
Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons,.... Most fit for government, whether on account of age or proper qualifications, and wisdom, courage, &c.
and set him on his father's throne; proclaim him king:
and fight for your master's house; that the crown may continue in his family; all which he did not desire might be, but in this sarcastic and sneering manner dares them to do it.

Gill: 2Ki 10:4 - -- But they were exceedingly afraid,.... They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of t...
But they were exceedingly afraid,.... They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of this kind, he would come upon them with his forces:
and said, behold, two kings stood not before him; the kings of Israel and Judah, Joram and Ahaziah; but they were unarmed, and therefore how should they stand before an armed body of men Jehu had with him? this shows the pusillanimity of these men to make use of such an argument as this:
how then shall we stand? that is, before Jehu; but they were in much better circumstances than the two kings, as they are truly represented in 2Ki 10:2.

Gill: 2Ki 10:5 - -- And he that was over the house,.... The king's palace in Samaria, who had the custody, care, and government of it:
and he that was over the city; t...
And he that was over the house,.... The king's palace in Samaria, who had the custody, care, and government of it:
and he that was over the city; the commander and governor of it, that had the highest post in it under the king;
the elders also all other subordinate officers and magistrates:
and the bringers up of the children; who had the education of the king's sons committed to them:
sent to Jehu, saying, we are thy servants, and will do all that thou shall bid us. They were ready to do homage, and swear allegiance to him as their king, and obey all his commands as faithful subjects:
we will not make any king; or set up any on the throne, no, not any of the sons or grandsons of Ahab:
do thou that which is good in thine eyes, we will never oppose thee.

Gill: 2Ki 10:6 - -- Then he wrote a letter the second time to them,.... Having gained his point by the former:
saying, if ye be mine, acknowledge yourselves my subject...
Then he wrote a letter the second time to them,.... Having gained his point by the former:
saying, if ye be mine, acknowledge yourselves my subjects and servants:
and if ye will hearken to my voice; obey my commands:
take ye the heads of the men your master's sons; that is, take off their heads:
and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time meaning with the heads along with them:
(now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up;) they were in their houses, and under their tuition, and so had an authority over them, and could dispose of them at pleasure; they were not ordinary persons to whose care they were committed, but the principal men of the city.

Gill: 2Ki 10:7 - -- And it came to pass, when the letter came to them,.... They did not in the least hesitate, but immediately complied with the contents of it:
that t...
And it came to pass, when the letter came to them,.... They did not in the least hesitate, but immediately complied with the contents of it:
that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons; which was the whole number of them:
and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jezreel; as a present to Jehu, just as they carried the firstfruits, as Abarbinel observes.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: 2Ki 10:1 Heb “to the officers of Jezreel, the elders, and to the guardians of Ahab, saying.” It is not certain why the officials of Jezreel would b...

NET Notes: 2Ki 10:2 Heb “And now when this letter comes to you – with you are the sons of your master and with you are chariots and horses and a fortified cit...





NET Notes: 2Ki 10:7 Heb “and when the letter came to them, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered seventy men.”
Geneva Bible: 2Ki 10:1 And Ahab had seventy ( a ) sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that b...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 10:3 Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and ( b ) set [him] on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
( b ) He wro...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 10:6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye [be] mine, and [if] ye will hearken unto my voice, ( c ) take ye the heads of the men yo...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Ki 10:1-36
TSK Synopsis: 2Ki 10:1-36 - --1 Jehu, by his letters, causes seventy of Ahab's children to be beheaded.8 He excuses the fact by the prophecy of Elijah.12 At the shearing house he s...
MHCC -> 2Ki 10:1-14
MHCC: 2Ki 10:1-14 - --In the most awful events, though attended by the basest crimes of man, the truth and justice of God are to be noticed; and he never did nor can comman...
Matthew Henry -> 2Ki 10:1-14
Matthew Henry: 2Ki 10:1-14 - -- 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 ...
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 10:1-3 - --
Extermination of the Seventy Sons of Ahab in Samaria. - 2Ki 10:1-3. As Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria ( בּנים in the wider sense, viz., sons,...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 10:4-5 - --
This ruse had the desired result. The recipients of the letter were in great fear, and said, Two kings could not stand before him, how shall we? an...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 10:6-7 - --
Jehu then wrote them a second letter, to say that if they would hearken to his voice, they were to send to him on the morrow at this time, to Jezree...
Constable: 2Ki 9:30--18:1 - --C. The Second Period of Antagonism 9:30-17:41
The kingdoms of Israel and Judah continued without an alli...

Constable: 2Ki 9:30--11:1 - --1. Jehu's evil reign in Israel 9:30-10:36
Since the writer did not record Jehu's coronation, we ...
