Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 10

JEHU MASSACRES THE FAMILY OF AHAB, THE KINSMEN OF AHAZIAH, AND BAAL-WORSHIPPERS.

Ahab had seventy sons.—His posterity in general is meant. Ahab had been dead for about fourteen years (2 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 22:51) and had two successors on the throne. The name Ahab seems to be used here as equivalent to the house of Ahab. Many of the number might have been strictly sons of Ahab, as he no doubt had a considerable harem.

Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria.—Jehu was crafty as well as fierce. He could not venture to the capital without first ascertaining the inclinations of the city's nobles.

To the rulers of Jezreel.—“Jezreel” is an ancient error. The Septuagint has to the rulers of Samaria, and Josephus concurs. Thenius accordingly suggests that the original reading was and sent from Jezreel to the princes of Samaria. The Vulgate gives ad optimates civitatis, which seems preferable.

Before “the elders” we must restore “and to” with some manuscripts, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate. The original text would then read: and sent to the princes of the city and to the elders, etc. Reuss, on the other hand, suggests “Israel” for “Jezreel.”

Those who brought up Ahab’s children.—Literally, those who brought up Ahab (that is, the house of Ahab). The word occurs in Numbers 11:12; Isaiah 49:23 (nursing father). The nobles entrusted with this charge would be responsible for the good behavior of their wards. Ahab may have dreaded the evils of an education in the harem and potential disputes about the succession.

Now as soon as this letter cometh. — Rather, And now when this letter comes. Only the conclusion of the letter, containing the gist of it, is reported here (Compare 2 Kings 5:6).

Seeing your master’s sons ... look even out (2 Kings 10:3)—Rather, there are with you both your master’s sons, and the chariots and the horses, and a fenced city, and the armory: so look out the best, etc.

A fenced city. —All the versions but the Arabic have “fenced cities;” and so Josephus. There is a tone of mocking irony in Jehu’s challenge to the nobles of Samaria, who were probably as luxurious and cowardly now as in the days of Amos, a few years later (Amos 3:12; Amos 6:3–6). . By his careful enumeration of their resources, he as good as says that his defiance is not the fruit of ignorance.

The best and meetest — that is, the one you think best qualified in every sense (not merely in the moral sense).

Your master’s sons. — “Your master” need not mean Jehoram. The story relates to Ahab (2 Kings 10:1).

His father’s throne — that is, Ahab’s throne. (Compare 2 Chronicles 17:3; 2 Chronicles 21:12; 2 Chronicles 29:2, where David is called the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Hezekiah in turn.)

Fight for your master’s house. — Jehu thus declares his own warlike intentions, leaving the nobles, whom his prompt and decisive action had taken by surprise, no choice between improvised resistance and instant submission. Knowing Jehu’s character as a soldier, they chose the latter.

But they were exceedingly afraid. —Literally, And they feared mightily, mightily. (Compare to Genesis 7:19.)

Two kings. —Rather, the two kings. The word kings is emphatic.

He who was over the house. —The prefect of the palace, or major-domo. A similar official is mentioned on the Egyptian monuments. His position and influence would resemble that of the great chamberlain of the Byzantine court.

He who was over the city. —The prefect or governor of the city, called in 1 Kings 22:26 “the prince (sar) of the city.” These two are the “rulers” (sârîm) of 2 Kings 10:1.