2 Kings 10 15

2 Kings 10:15 kjv

And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

2 Kings 10:15 nkjv

Now when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab, coming to meet him; and he greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart right, as my heart is toward your heart?" And Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into the chariot.

2 Kings 10:15 niv

After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Rekab, who was on his way to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, "Are you in accord with me, as I am with you?" "I am," Jehonadab answered. "If so," said Jehu, "give me your hand." So he did, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot.

2 Kings 10:15 esv

And when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart true to my heart as mine is to yours?" And Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave him his hand. And Jehu took him up with him into the chariot.

2 Kings 10:15 nlt

When Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab, who was coming to meet him. After they had greeted each other, Jehu said to him, "Are you as loyal to me as I am to you?" "Yes, I am," Jehonadab replied. "If you are," Jehu said, "then give me your hand." So Jehonadab put out his hand, and Jehu helped him into the chariot.

2 Kings 10 verses

2 Kings 10 15 Meaning

The verse describes Jehu's encounter with Jehonadab, son of Rechab. Jehu tests Jehonadab's spiritual alignment by inquiring if his heart is sincerely committed to the divine mission of purifying Israel from Baal worship, just as Jehu's heart is. Upon Jehonadab's affirmative reply, Jehu asks for his hand, which Jehonadab gives as a sign of covenant and loyalty. Jehu then invites Jehonadab into his chariot, publicly affirming their alliance and Jehonadab's endorsement of Jehu's purge. This action solidifies a powerful, religiously sanctioned partnership against idolatry.

2 Kings 10 15 Context

Chapter 10 of 2 Kings details the aggressive fulfillment of God's judgment against the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal in Israel through Jehu. Having already executed Joram, Ahaziah, and Jezebel, and overseen the slaughter of the seventy sons of Ahab in Jezreel, Jehu is now proceeding towards Samaria to complete the eradication. On his way, this strategic encounter with Jehonadab is pivotal. Jehonadab represents the faithful, traditional Yahwists who had resisted the apostasy introduced by Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu seeks to align himself with such figures, lending religious legitimacy and broader support to his divinely ordained, albeit brutal, purge.

2 Kings 10 15 Word analysis

• departed thence: Jehu left Jezreel, where he had completed a major part of his assigned task against Ahab's dynasty, indicating progress toward Samaria, the capital.
• lighted on: Hebrew qara', meaning 'to meet', 'to encounter', or 'to happen upon'. It can suggest a providential encounter, rather than a mere coincidence, aligning with God's overarching plan for Jehu's mission.
• Jehonadab: Hebrew Yehonadav, meaning "Yahweh is willing" or "Yahweh is noble". A significant figure mentioned in Jer 35, known as the ancestor of the Rechabites, famous for their unwavering obedience to their father's command to abstain from wine, live in tents, and not sow seed, embodying a life separated from corrupt societal norms.
• son of Rechab: Denotes his lineage and connection to the Rechabites, a group committed to strict, nomadic, and austere worship of Yahweh, symbolizing faithfulness distinct from mainstream Israelite apostasy. His presence provides a crucial stamp of religious approval for Jehu's violent reform.
• coming to meet him: Implies Jehonadab deliberately sought Jehu out, not merely a chance encounter. This suggests Jehonadab was aware of Jehu's actions and mission and likely supported the purging of Baal worship.
• saluted him: Hebrew shalom, conveying more than a simple greeting. It is a greeting of peace, wholeness, prosperity, and respect, setting the tone for a significant interaction and potential alliance.
• Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?:
  • heart: Hebrew levav, encompassing the inner self, mind, will, emotion, and moral character. It signifies one's core convictions, loyalty, and commitment.
  • right: Hebrew yashar, meaning 'straight', 'upright', 'just', 'sincere'. Jehu's question is about fundamental agreement and shared, righteous purpose in executing divine judgment, demanding wholehearted, unwavering allegiance to Yahweh's cause. It's a test of Jehonadab's true moral and spiritual alignment with the divine purpose Jehu serves.
  • as my heart is with thy heart: Implies Jehu believes his own heart is 'right' or 'straight' in this matter, full of zeal for Yahweh. He seeks a mirroring sincerity and commitment from Jehonadab.
• It is: Jehonadab's terse, unequivocal answer confirms his internal alignment, acknowledging Jehu's mission as righteous and divinely sanctioned.
• give me thine hand: Hebrew tenah yadhekha, a profound cultural gesture. It symbolizes a binding agreement, a pledge of loyalty, a covenant, or a shared purpose. It's a formal, public act sealing the verbal agreement into a tangible commitment.
• And he gave him his hand: Jehonadab's immediate compliance signifies his full consent, trust, and willingness to participate in the purge.
• took him up to him into the chariot: This public act cemented Jehonadab's public endorsement and symbolic inclusion in Jehu's royal procession and mission. It elevates Jehonadab's status and signifies a unified front, presenting Jehonadab's conservative Yahwist faction as allies in the reform movement.

2 Kings 10 15 Bonus section

• Jehonadab's alliance with Jehu demonstrates a readiness of faithful individuals to collaborate with chosen instruments of God, even when their methods are harsh, provided the end goal aligns with God's will to purify worship.
• The encounter underscores the contrast between external conformity and internal conviction. Jehu tests the sincerity of Jehonadab's allegiance, a theme consistently present throughout Scripture regarding true worship and obedience.
• The question, "Is thine heart right?" serves as a powerful reminder for believers to regularly examine their own hearts for sincerity, truthfulness, and alignment with God's will, as actions flow from internal disposition.

2 Kings 10 15 Commentary

2 Kings 10:15 reveals a pivotal strategic and spiritual alliance forged during Jehu's bloody, divinely mandated purge. Jehu, though divinely appointed, seeks legitimacy and visible support from a respected figure of uncompromising Yahwism: Jehonadab, a Rechabite. The exchange is deeply symbolic: Jehu’s direct question probes Jehonadab's internal spiritual alignment and commitment ("Is thine heart right?"). This emphasizes that God looks upon the heart's true devotion and sincerity, especially in matters of zealous obedience and faithfulness. Jehonadab's affirmative response, followed by giving his hand and being brought into the chariot, signifies not just an agreement, but a formal covenant and public endorsement. This alliance blends Jehu's political and military power with Jehonadab's moral authority, providing crucial religious validation for Jehu's zealous actions against Baal worship. The partnership, however brief, underscores the importance of a pure heart and unwavering commitment in fulfilling God’s purposes, contrasting with the hypocrisy and partial obedience that would later mark Jehu's own reign (2 Kgs 10:29-31).