2 Kings 10:12-13

SLAUGHTER OF AHAZIAH’S BRETHREN AND AHAB’S ADHERENTS IN SAMARIA, 2 Kings 10:12-17.

12. Came to Samaria That is, on his way towards Samaria; for a part of the events here recorded occurred on Jehu’s way thither. Having finished the work of judgment at Jezreel, he proceeds to the metropolis of the kingdom, there to complete more fully his dreadful mission.

The shearing house More literally, house of binding of the shepherds. This, like the house of the garden in 2 Kings 9:27, is a translation of a Hebrew proper name. The original word is Beth-eked, the name of a place between Jezreel and Samaria, probably identical with Beit-kad, some five or six miles southeast of Jezreel. It was probably called Beth-eked of the shepherds, from its being a common resort of the shepherds of the neighbouring country.

13. Brethren of Ahaziah 2 Chronicles 22:8 terms them “the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah.” Whence it appears that the word brethren is here to be taken in the wide sense of near relatives and intimate associates and friends. This is a sense the word often bears; and it is likely that not a few of those “that ministered to Ahaziah” were chosen from among his own kindred. His own brothers, all older than himself, had been slain by the Arabians. 2 Chronicles 22:1.

We go down to salute the children of the king Of King Joram, to whom they were also related. They seem not to have heard of the king’s death.

Of the queen Probably the queen-mother, Jezebel, is meant.