2 Kings 10 1

2 Kings 10:1 kjv

And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying,

2 Kings 10:1 nkjv

Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to those who reared Ahab's sons, saying:

2 Kings 10:1 niv

Now there were in Samaria seventy sons of the house of Ahab. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria: to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders and to the guardians of Ahab's children. He said,

2 Kings 10:1 esv

Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of the city, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying,

2 Kings 10:1 nlt

Ahab had seventy sons living in the city of Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the elders and officials of the city, and to the guardians of King Ahab's sons. He said,

2 Kings 10 verses

2 Kings 10 1 Meaning

2 Kings 10:1 describes Jehu's strategic move to consolidate his newly acquired throne by eliminating all potential heirs to the previous dynasty. Having already killed King Joram and Queen Jezebel, Jehu, from Samaria, writes a challenge to the key authorities responsible for the welfare and administration of Ahab's numerous surviving sons, residing in the capital city. This letter demands that these leaders, including powerful officials tied to Ahab's former stronghold of Jezreel, choose and arm one of the sons to contend for the throne, thereby setting the stage for the complete eradication of Ahab's lineage, as prophesied by the Lord.

2 Kings 10 1 Context

Chapter 10 follows directly from Jehu's violent accession to the throne, beginning with his anointing by a prophet of Elisha to carry out God's judgment against the house of Ahab (2 Ki 9:6-10). Jehu has just personally executed King Joram, fulfilled the prophecy against Jezebel by having her thrown down, and avenged Naboth’s murder in Jezreel. With the immediate threat in Jezreel addressed, Jehu's next target is Samaria, the capital city where Ahab's numerous remaining sons reside, posing a direct threat to his claim to the throne. The widespread influence of Ahab's family and officials meant a more calculated, yet decisive, move was needed to ensure the complete annihilation of the Omride dynasty as commanded by God.

2 Kings 10 1 Word analysis

• Now Ahab: (וְאַחְאָב, wĕ'aḥ'āb) Introduces a key figure central to the divine judgment being carried out. Ahab, Israel's notoriously wicked king (1 Ki 16:30-33), and his family were targets of God's prophetic judgment due to their promotion of Baal worship and various injustices.
• had seventy sons: (שִׁבְעִים בָּנִים, shiv'îm bānim) "Sons" likely refers to male descendants or heirs, including literal sons, grandsons, and other direct male relatives. The number "seventy" often signifies completeness or a large number in the Bible (e.g., Ex 1:5; Num 11:16), emphasizing the extent of Ahab's lineage and, therefore, the magnitude of the coming eradication. It signifies that no fewer than seventy potential claimants to the throne were still alive.
• in Samaria: (בְשֹׁמְרוֹן, bĕshom'rôn) Samaria was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, a stronghold built by Omri, Ahab's father (1 Ki 16:24). The sons resided here, signifying its importance as the center of power and the place where royal heirs were typically kept for security and education.
• And Jehu: (וַיִּכְתֹּב יֵהוּא, wayyikhtōv yēhû’) Jehu is the new, divinely appointed king (2 Ki 9:1-3) chosen to execute God's judgment. His actions are not arbitrary but fulfill specific prophecies.
• wrote letters: (סְפָרִים, sĕfārîm) The act of writing letters signifies formality, authority, and strategic communication. This was not a casual message but a formal royal decree or challenge, used to impose his will and test the loyalty of Samaria's leaders. (Compare Esth 1:22).
• and sent them to Samaria: Jehu, presumably still in Jezreel or newly arrived in Samaria's vicinity, directly addresses the heart of the capital city's leadership. This move shows his bold, decisive approach.
• to the rulers of Jezreel: (אֶל שָׂרֵי יִזְרְעֶאל, 'el śārey Yizre'e'l) This is a significant phrase. Jezreel was the Omride dynasty's secondary capital or royal residence, central to Ahab's infamous deeds (1 Ki 21). These "rulers" (שָׂרִים, śārîm – officials, princes, leaders) were likely powerful figures, potentially former military commanders or governors, who had been allied with Ahab and perhaps relocated or held sway in Samaria. Their connection to Jezreel underscores the depth of Ahab's power network that Jehu aimed to dismantle.
• and to the elders: (וְזִקְנֵי הָעִיר, wĕziqnê hā'îr – 'elders of the city', implicitly Samaria). These were civil, moral, and judicial leaders within the city. They represented the traditional local authority structure and had significant influence over the populace. (Compare Deut 1:15; Ezra 10:14).
• and to those who reared Ahab's children: (הָאֹמְנִים אֶת בְּנֵי אַחְאָב, hā'omnîm 'et bĕnê 'Aḥ'āv – 'nursing fathers' or 'guardians/foster parents'). These were likely high-ranking officials responsible for the education, upbringing, and perhaps military training of the royal children. Their close proximity and direct care made them crucial figures, holding great power and trust regarding the children's well-being and, therefore, potential succession.
• saying: (לֵאמֹר, lē'mōr) This introduces the content of Jehu's pivotal challenge, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

Words-group analysis

• Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria: This establishes the current state of affairs and the core threat to Jehu's newly seized throne. It highlights the abundance of royal heirs, all concentrated in the capital, making them a centralized challenge. The concentration of sons suggests they were viewed as protected royal assets.
• Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, and to the elders, and to those who reared Ahab's children: This demonstrates Jehu's shrewd strategic thinking. He doesn't directly attack but sends a formal challenge. By addressing specific authority figures in Samaria (civil, judicial, military, and those entrusted with royal children), he targets those most capable of mobilizing a counter-resistance or, conversely, of fulfilling his decree. The inclusion of "rulers of Jezreel" indicates the thoroughness of Jehu's awareness of Ahab's influential network, recognizing key figures from the previous court.

2 Kings 10 1 Bonus section

The mention of "seventy sons" may imply that while these were direct descendants, it also covers the full "house" or "family" of Ahab, representing all potential contenders to the throne from his lineage, ensuring that the eradication of his dynasty would be absolute. Jehu’s demand, unfolded in the following verses, forces the hand of Samaria’s leaders, compelling them to become instruments in the downfall of the very house they were supposed to protect, thereby showcasing God's sovereign control over even the seemingly autonomous actions of men. This verse lays the groundwork for Jehu's 'testing' of the Samarian officials' loyalty to his rule, leading to their compliance born out of fear rather than direct battle.

2 Kings 10 1 Commentary

2 Kings 10:1 encapsulates the methodical execution of divine judgment. Jehu's approach is calculated and strategic, rather than a reckless rampage. He targets the key figures in Samaria, the Omride capital, who hold power and influence over Ahab's numerous surviving male descendants. The presence of "seventy sons" emphasizes the apparent strength of Ahab's dynasty, making Jehu's challenge audacious. His decision to send letters instead of directly attacking allows him to expose the loyalty of Samaria's leaders. It's a psychological gambit, forcing those in power to reveal their allegiance. The diverse list of recipients—from military/political "rulers of Jezreel" (likely now in Samaria or holding significant influence) to traditional "elders" and "guardians" of the royal children—shows Jehu's comprehensive understanding of the existing power structure. This verse sets the stage for a forced choice of loyalty, underscoring the irreversible shift in power and the inevitable fulfillment of God's decree against Ahab's house (1 Ki 21:21-24; 2 Ki 9:7-10). The destruction of these royal heirs was not arbitrary but an act of cleansing Israel from the pervasive Baal worship that characterized the Omride reign.