New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
2 Kings 10
1
Ahab's royal family in the city of Samaria had a total of 70 sons. Jehu wrote some letters to the officials of the city. He also sent them to the elders there. And he sent them to those who took care of Ahab's children. He said,
Reference
2
"Your master's sons are with you. You also have chariots and horses and weapons. And you are living in a city that has high walls around it. As soon as you read this letter, here's what I want you to do.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Kings 5:6
3
Choose the best and most respected son of your master. Place him on his father Joram's throne. Then fight for your master's royal house."
4
The leaders of Samaria were terrified. They said, "King Joram and King Ahaziah couldn't stand up against Jehu. So how can we?"
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5
The city governor and the person who was in charge of the palace sent a message to Jehu. The message was also from the elders and those who took care of Ahab's children. It said, "We will serve you. We'll do anything you say. We won't appoint anyone to be king. Do what you think is best."
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6
Then Jehu wrote them a second letter. It said, "You say you are on my side. You say you will obey me. If you really mean it, bring me the heads of your master's sons. Meet me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow." There were 70 royal princes. They were with the most important men of the city. Those men were in charge of raising them.
7
When Jehu's letter arrived, the men went and got the princes. They killed all 70 of them. They put their heads in baskets. Then they sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.
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8
When the messenger arrived, he spoke to Jehu. He told him, "The heads of the princes have been brought here." Then Jehu ordered his men, "Put them in two piles. Stack them up at the entrance of the city gate until morning."
9
The next morning Jehu went out. He stood in front of all of the people. He said, "You aren't guilty of doing anything wrong. I'm the one who made plans against my master Joram. I killed him. But who killed all of these?
10
I want you to know that the Lord has spoken against Ahab's royal house. Not a word of what he has said will fail. The Lord has done exactly what he promised through his servant Elijah."
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 21:29
1 Samuel 15:29
References Lord
1 Kings 21:19
Word
Zechariah 1:6
2 Kings 9:36
1 Samuel 3:19
11
So Jehu killed everyone from Ahab's family who was in Jezreel. He also killed all of Ahab's chief men. And he killed Ahab's close friends and his priests. He didn't leave anyone in Ahab's family alive.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 18:19
12
Then Jehu started out for Samaria. At Beth Eked of the Shepherds,
📍 Beth-eked
13
he saw some people. They were relatives of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. Jehu asked them, "Who are you?" They said, "We are Ahaziah's relatives. We've come down to visit the families of the king and of his mother."
Reference
14
"Take them alive!" Jehu ordered. So his men took them alive. Then they killed them by the well of Beth Eked. They killed a total of 42 men. Jehu didn't leave anyone alive.
📍 Beth-eked
15
After Jehu left there, he came upon Jehonadab. He was the son of Recab. Jehonadab was on his way to see Jehu. Jehu greeted him. He asked, "Are you my friend? You know I'm your friend." "I am," Jehonadab answered. "If that's true," said Jehu, "hold out your hand." So he did. Then Jehu helped him up into the chariot.
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People
16
Jehu said, "Come along with me. See how committed I am to serve the Lord." He had him ride along in his chariot.
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17
Jehu came to Samaria. He killed everyone who was left there from Ahab's family. And so he wiped out Ahab's royal house. That's what the Lord had said would happen. He had spoken that message to Elijah.
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18
Then Jehu brought all of the people together. He said to them, "Ahab served the god Baal a little. I will serve him a lot.
19
Send for all of Baal's prophets. Also send for all of his priests and the others who serve him. Make sure that not a single one is missing. I'm going to hold a great sacrifice to honor Baal. Anyone who doesn't come will be killed." But Jehu was lying to them. He was planning to destroy those who served Baal.
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21
Then he sent a message all through Israel. All of those who served Baal came. Not a single one of them stayed away. They crowded into Baal's temple. It was full from one end to the other.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 16:32
22
Jehu spoke to the one who took care of the sacred robes. He told him, "Bring robes for everyone who serves Baal." So he brought the robes out for them.
23
Then Jehu went into Baal's temple. Jehonadab, the son of Recab, went with him. Jehu spoke to those who served Baal. He said, "Look around. Make sure that no one who serves the Lord is here with you. Make sure only those who serve Baal are here."
24
So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Jehu had stationed 80 men outside. He warned them, "I'm placing some men in your hands. Don't let a single one of them escape. If you do, you will pay for his life with yours."
25
Jehu finished sacrificing the burnt offering. As soon as he did, he gave an order to the guards and officers. He commanded them, "Go inside and kill everyone. Don't let a single one of them escape." So they cut them down with their swords. The guards and officers threw the bodies outside. Then they entered the most sacred area inside Baal's temple.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 18:40
26
They brought the sacred stone of Baal outside. They burned it up.
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Parallel theme
1 Kings 14:23
27
So they destroyed Baal's sacred stone. They also tore down Baal's temple. People have used it as a public toilet to this very day.
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28
So Jehu destroyed the worship of the god Baal in Israel.
29
But he didn't turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit those same sins. Jehu worshiped the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
Reference
Creation
1 Kings 14:16
30
The Lord said to Jehu, "You have done well. You have accomplished what is right in my eyes. You have done to Ahab's royal house everything I wanted you to do. So your sons after you will sit on the throne of Israel. They will rule until the time of your children's grandchildren."
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31
But Jehu wasn't careful to obey the law of the Lord. He didn't obey the God of Israel with all his heart. He didn't turn away from the sins of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit those same sins.
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32
In those days the Lord began to make the kingdom of Israel smaller. Hazael gained control over many parts of Israel. He gained control over all of their territory
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 19:17
References Israel
2 Kings 13:22
2 Kings 13:25
References Lord
2 Kings 8:12
33
east of the Jordan River. It included the whole land of Gilead from Aroer by the Arnon River valley all the way to Bashan. That was the territory of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 2:36
34
The other events of Jehu's rule are written down. Everything he did and accomplished is written down. All of those things are written in the official records of the kings of Israel.
35
Jehu joined the members of his family who had already died. His body was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz became the next king after him.
People
36
Jehu had ruled over Israel in Samaria for 28 years.
Summary of 2 Kings 10
This chapter records the completion of Jehu's revolution against the house of Ahab and the destruction of Baal worship from Israel. The chapter demonstrates God's judgment against idolatry and injustice, while also showing that partial obedience is not the same as wholehearted faithfulness.
The chapter begins with Jehu eliminating the remaining descendants of Ahab. After becoming king, Jehu challenges the leaders of Samaria and Jezreel to defend Ahab's family if they are able. However, they recognize Jehu's authority and surrender their loyalty. As a result, Ahab's seventy sons are killed, fulfilling God's judgment against the dynasty.
Jehu continues his campaign by removing other supporters of Ahab, including officials, relatives, and associates. He then encounters Jehonadab son of Rechab, a man known for devotion to God. Jehu invites him to witness his efforts against Baal worship.
Jehu cleverly gathers all the prophets and worshipers of Baal by pretending to support their religion even more strongly than Ahab had. Once the temple is filled, he orders his soldiers to destroy the worshipers, tear down the temple, and remove every symbol connected with Baal. This action ends the official promotion of Baal worship by Israel's kings.
However, the chapter reveals that Jehu's obedience was incomplete. Although he destroyed Baal worship, he continued the worship of Jeroboam's golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Jehu removed one form of idolatry but allowed another to remain. Because of his actions against Ahab's family, God promised that his descendants would rule Israel for four generations, but Jehu himself was not fully devoted to God's law.
The chapter concludes with the beginning of Israel's decline under attacks from Hazael of Aram. Jehu dies after twenty-eight years of ruling Israel, and his son Jehoahaz becomes king.
Overall, the chapter teaches that God can use imperfect people to accomplish His purposes, but true devotion requires complete obedience, not selective faithfulness.
The chapter begins with Jehu eliminating the remaining descendants of Ahab. After becoming king, Jehu challenges the leaders of Samaria and Jezreel to defend Ahab's family if they are able. However, they recognize Jehu's authority and surrender their loyalty. As a result, Ahab's seventy sons are killed, fulfilling God's judgment against the dynasty.
Jehu continues his campaign by removing other supporters of Ahab, including officials, relatives, and associates. He then encounters Jehonadab son of Rechab, a man known for devotion to God. Jehu invites him to witness his efforts against Baal worship.
Jehu cleverly gathers all the prophets and worshipers of Baal by pretending to support their religion even more strongly than Ahab had. Once the temple is filled, he orders his soldiers to destroy the worshipers, tear down the temple, and remove every symbol connected with Baal. This action ends the official promotion of Baal worship by Israel's kings.
However, the chapter reveals that Jehu's obedience was incomplete. Although he destroyed Baal worship, he continued the worship of Jeroboam's golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Jehu removed one form of idolatry but allowed another to remain. Because of his actions against Ahab's family, God promised that his descendants would rule Israel for four generations, but Jehu himself was not fully devoted to God's law.
The chapter concludes with the beginning of Israel's decline under attacks from Hazael of Aram. Jehu dies after twenty-eight years of ruling Israel, and his son Jehoahaz becomes king.
Overall, the chapter teaches that God can use imperfect people to accomplish His purposes, but true devotion requires complete obedience, not selective faithfulness.