2 Kings 10:6, 2 Kings 10:7 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 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 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. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 10:6

2 Kings 10:6. He wrote a letter the second time 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: 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 This word, men, seems to imply that some of them, at least, were grown up, who doubtless trod in their parents’ steps: and those that were... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 10:1-14

Jehu’s revolution (9:11-10:14)On hearing of Jehu’s anointing as king, Jehu’s senior officers swore their immediate allegiance (11-13). Without allowing time for news of the rebellion to leak out, Jehu set off for Jezreel (14-16). As he approached the city, Joram and Ahaziah, unaware of the rebellion, went out to meet him. Joram was killed on the spot, appropriately at Naboth’s vineyard (17-26; cf. 1 Kings 21:17-19). Ahaziah was killed after a chase (27-29). Jehu quickly went on to Jezreel to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 10:6

mine = for me. the men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 . persons. Hebrew. 'ish. men. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Kings 10:6

THE SPINELESS ELDERS OF JEZREEL OBEYED JEHU IN THE SLAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE OF AHAB"Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be on my side, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the kings sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city who brought them up. And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew them, even... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Kings 10:6

2 Kings 10:6. Take ye the heads, &c.— Besides the accomplishment of the divine decree, Jehu had a further design in requesting this cruel service of the rulers, and elders, and great men of the nation; namely, hereby to involve them in the same crime and conspiracy with himself. For by prevailing with them to murder Ahab's kinsmen in this manner, he bound them so closely to his interest, that if any of the inferior people had been inclined to oppose his designs, they were by this means... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 10:6

6. take ye the heads of the men, your master's sons—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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 10:1-17

Jehu’s purges of the royal families 10:1-17Jehu challenged the nobles of Samaria and Jezreel who were rearing Ahab’s 70 male descendants to select an heir and to battle Jehu. This would decide whether Ahab’s house or Jehu’s would rule Israel. Rather than fight a battle they were sure they would lose, they submitted to Jehu and slew Ahab’s sons. In the ancient Near East conquering kings sometimes piled the heads of their defeated foes at the city gate to show their power and to discourage future... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 10:1-36

Jehu’s Extermination of Baal Worship1. Ahab.. sons] These were probably his grandchildren rather than his children. Unto the rulers of Jezreel] LXX has ’unto the rulers of Samaria,’ which the sense requires.2. A fenced city] i.e. Samaria. Ahab’s dynasty had obtained the throne by force of arms (1 Kings 16:21-22), and Jehu implied that its supporters must defend it by the same means.4. Two kings] Jehoram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah. 5. Over the house.. over the city] These officials are also... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 10:6

(6) The second time.—Some MSS., the LXX., and the Arabic read “a second letter.”Take ye the heads.—Jehu knew his men. The cool cynicism of his savage order is worthy of a Sulla or a Marius.The heads of the men your master’s sons.—Literally, the heads of the men of the sons of your master Some MSS., the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulg., as well as the MSS. mentioned by Origen, omit the word men. Thenius thinks that this word is used to indicate that only male descendants of Ahab were to be put to death... read more