2 Kings 10:3-32

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 10:15-28

Jehu, pushing on his work, is here, I. Courting the friendship of a good man, Jehonadab the son of Rechab, 2 Kgs. 10:15, 16. This Jehonadab, though mortified to the world and meddling little with the business of it (as appears by his charge to his posterity, which they religiously observed 300 years after, not to drink wine nor dwell in cities, Jer. 35:6), yet, upon this occasion, went to meet Jehu, that he might encourage him in the work to which God had called him. The countenance of good... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 10:29-36

Here is all the account of the reign of Jehu, though it continued twenty-eight years. The progress of it answered not to the glory of its beginning. We have here, I. God's approbation of what Jehu had done. Many, it is probable, censured him as treacherous and barbarous?called him a rebel, a usurper, a murderer, and prognosticated ill concerning him, that a family thus raised would soon be ruined; but God said, Well done (2 Kgs. 10:30), and then it signified little who said otherwise. 1. God... 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

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 10:8

And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, they have brought the heads of the king's sons ,.... Perhaps this messenger to Jehu came from the great men of Samaria themselves, to let him know that they had obeyed his orders: and he said, lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning ; very probably it was towards or at the evening they were brought; and he ordered them to be taken out of the baskets, and laid in two heaps at the entering of the gate of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 10:9

And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people ,.... Who were gathered together to this shocking sight, or on the above accounts: ye be righteous ; having had no concern in taking off the heads of those men: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him ; I own it, and some may blame me for it, and charge me with treason and murder: but who slew all these ? not he, but the chief men of Samaria, and therefore must be more guilty... read more

Group of Brands