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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 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 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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 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",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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 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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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, 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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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 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: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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 ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 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 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 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 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 -... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 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 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 10:4

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

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