2 Kings 10:11

So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

So Jehu {H3058} slew {H5221} all that remained {H7604} of the house {H1004} of Ahab {H256} in Jezreel {H3157}, and all his great men {H1419}, and his kinsfolks {H3045}, and his priests {H3548}, until he left {H7604} him none remaining {H8300}.

So Yehu killed everyone who remained from the house of Ach'av in Yizre'el, all his leading men, his close friends and his cohanim, until not one of them was left alive.

So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.

So Jehu smote all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his familiar friends, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

Commentary

2 Kings 10:11 (KJV) details Jehu's comprehensive purge of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, fulfilling divine prophecy. This verse marks a brutal but decisive moment in Israel's history, demonstrating the severity of God's judgment against persistent wickedness and idolatry.

Context

This verse is part of the broader narrative of Jehu's anointing by a prophet of Elisha to utterly destroy the dynasty of Ahab. The Lord had previously condemned Ahab and his wife Jezebel for their extreme wickedness, particularly their promotion of Baal worship and the murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:21-22). Jehu had already executed King Joram of Israel (Ahab's son) and King Ahaziah of Judah (Ahab's grandson), and had ordered the death of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:36). Verse 11 describes the final, systematic eradication of all remaining members, associates, and supporters of Ahab's house in Jezreel, including his "great men" (nobles), "kinsfolks" (relatives), and "priests" (likely priests of Baal or those serving the royal cult).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse powerfully illustrates God's unwavering justice against severe and prolonged sin. The complete annihilation of Ahab's house signifies the full measure of divine wrath against their idolatry and unrighteousness.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This act of Jehu's was a direct and precise fulfillment of the word spoken by Elijah against Ahab's house (1 Kings 21:21-22) and reaffirmed through Elisha's prophet to Jehu (2 Kings 9:7-10). It underscores the certainty and reliability of God's word.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The tragic end of Ahab's lineage serves as a stark warning about the devastating consequences of forsaking the Lord and embracing false gods like Baal.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "slew" (*nakah*) is a strong verb indicating a decisive and forceful striking or killing. It emphasizes the violent and complete nature of the purge.
  • "House of Ahab" (`bayit Ahab`) encompasses not just his immediate family but his entire extended household, including his political and religious allies. This was a dynastic cleansing, not just a personal vendetta.
  • "Jezreel" was a significant royal city for Ahab, where he had committed heinous acts, including the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard (1 Kings 21:19). God's judgment often falls in the very places where sin was most rampant.

Practical Application

While the methods described in 2 Kings 10:11 are specific to a particular historical context of divine judgment on a wicked dynasty, several timeless principles emerge:

  • God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain. Persistent rebellion against His ways will ultimately face consequences.
  • God is sovereign and uses various instruments—even flawed human agents like Jehu—to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His word.
  • The importance of spiritual purity: The severe judgment on Ahab's house highlights the gravity of idolatry and spiritual compromise in God's eyes. Believers are called to keep themselves from idols, whether literal or figurative.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 18:19

    He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

  • Joshua 10:30

    And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that [were] therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.

  • 1 Kings 18:19

    Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

  • Revelation 20:10

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • Joshua 11:8

    And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

  • 1 Kings 16:11

    And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, [that] he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.

  • 1 Kings 21:22

    And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked [me] to anger, and made Israel to sin.
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