2 Kings 10:1

CHAPTER X

Jehu sends an ironical letter to the elders of Samaria, telling

them to choose one of the best of their master's sons, and put

him on the throne; to which they return a submissive answer,

1-6.

He writes a second letter, and orders them to send him the

heads of Ahab's seventy sons; they do so, and they are laid in

two heaps at the gate of Jezreel, 7, 8.

Jehu shows them to the people, and excuses himself, and states

that all is done according to the word of the Lord, 9, 10.

He destroys all the kindred of Ahab that remained in Jezreel,

11.

He also destroys forty-two men, the brethren of Ahaziah, king

of Judah, 12-14.

He meets with Jehonadab, and takes him with him in his chariot,

15, 16.

He comes to Samaria, and destroys all that were of the kindred

of Ahab there, 17.

He pretends a great zeal for the worship of Baal, and gathers

all his priests together, under the pretense of a grand

sacrifice, and slays them all, 18-25.

He burns Baal's images, and makes his temple a draught house,

26-28.

But he does not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, and does not

prosper, 29-31.

Hazael vexes Israel, 32, 33.

Jehu dies, having reigned over Israel, in Samaria, twenty-eight

years, 34-36.

NOTES ON CHAP. X

Verse 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] It certainly should be, unto the rulers of Samaria; for to them and to that city the whole context shows us the letters were sent. See 2 Kings 10:6.

To them that brought up Ahab's children] It appears that the royal children of Israel and Judah were intrusted to the care of the nobles, and were brought up by them, (see 2 Kings 10:6;) and to these, therefore, Jehu's letters are directed. It is supposed Isaiah (Isaiah 49:23) alludes to this custom: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers.