2 Kings 10:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 10:11 records the systematic and complete eradication of all remaining members, associates, and supporters of Ahab's house in Jezreel by Jehu. This decisive act, encompassing his great men, kinsfolk, and priests, served as a brutal yet precise fulfillment of divine prophecy, signifying God's unwavering judgment against the persistent wickedness, idolatry, and spiritual corruption that characterized the Omride dynasty in Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the broader narrative of Jehu's divine commission to purge the house of Ahab. Following his anointing by a prophet from Elisha, Jehu swiftly executed King Joram of Israel (Ahab's son) and King Ahaziah of Judah (Ahab's grandson), then orchestrated the gruesome death of Jezebel, Ahab's infamous wife, in Jezreel as prophesied by Elijah ([2 Kings 9:36](/2_kings/9-36 "2 Kings 9:36 - Jezebel's Prophesied Death")). The preceding verses detail Jehu's cunning strategy to gather and execute Ahab's seventy sons in Samaria, sending their heads to Jezreel as proof of his zeal. [2 Kings 10:11](/2_kings/10-11 "2 Kings 10:11 - Jehu's Purge in Jezreel") then describes the final, comprehensive sweep in Jezreel itself, ensuring no vestige of Ahab's influence or lineage remained in the royal city where much of their wickedness had been perpetrated. This completes the initial phase of Jehu's purge, setting the stage for his subsequent actions against Baal worship in Samaria.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Omride dynasty, founded by Omri and continued by Ahab, was notorious for its extreme idolatry, particularly the promotion of Baal worship, which was largely instigated by Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. This period saw a significant deviation from the worship of Yahweh, leading to spiritual apostasy and moral corruption within Israel. Jezreel was a prominent royal residence for Ahab, a place where he had famously committed the heinous act of seizing Naboth's vineyard through murder ([1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - Naboth's Vineyard")). Dynastic purges were not uncommon in the ancient Near East, often following a change in ruling houses, but Jehu's purge was unique in its divine mandate and its specific focus on eradicating a family line condemned by God for its profound wickedness and idolatry. The targets—"great men," "kinsfolks," and "priests"—represent the political, familial, and religious pillars of Ahab's corrupt regime, ensuring a complete dismantling of his influence.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 10:11](/2_kings/10-11 "2 Kings 10:11 - Jehu's Purge in Jezreel") powerfully illustrates several key theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against severe and prolonged sin, particularly idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood. The utter annihilation of Ahab's house is a direct consequence of their persistent rebellion against the Lord and their promotion of Baal worship, which was an abomination to God ([Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominations to the Lord")). Secondly, it highlights the precise **Fulfillment of Prophecy**. This act by Jehu was a direct and detailed execution of the word spoken by Elijah against Ahab's house in [1 Kings 21:21-22](/1_kings/21-21 "1 Kings 21:21-22 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab") and reaffirmed by Elisha's prophet to Jehu in [2 Kings 9:7-10](/2_kings/9-7 "2 Kings 9:7-10 - Jehu's Commission"). This emphasizes the certainty and reliability of God's prophetic word. Finally, the tragic end of Ahab's lineage serves as a stark warning about the devastating **Consequences of Idolatry** and spiritual compromise, reinforcing the covenantal principle that obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slew (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** This verb, often translated as "struck," "smote," or "killed," is a strong and decisive term. In this context, it emphasizes the violent, forceful, and complete nature of Jehu's action. It is not merely a passive death but an active, intentional, and thorough execution, reflecting the severity of the divine judgment being carried out.
* **house of Ahab (Hebrew, בֵּית אַחְאָב, _beit Ach'av'_):** This phrase extends beyond Ahab's immediate nuclear family to encompass his entire extended household, including his descendants, close relatives, and those intimately associated with his regime. It signifies a comprehensive dynastic cleansing, targeting not just individuals but the entire political, social, and religious infrastructure that supported Ahab's idolatrous rule.
* **Jezreel (Hebrew, יִזְרְעֶאל, _Yizre'el'_):** A significant royal city and a place of great historical import for the Omride dynasty. It was here that Ahab had built a palace and, notoriously, where Naboth was murdered for his vineyard ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Naboth's Vineyard and Ahab's Sin")). The divine judgment falling precisely in Jezreel underscores the principle that God's retribution often occurs in the very places where sin was most rampant, bringing a powerful sense of poetic justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel":** This clause highlights the culmination of Jehu's purge in the specific location of Jezreel, emphasizing the completeness of the destruction of Ahab's lineage and influence within this royal city. "All that remained" indicates that this was the final sweep, ensuring no survivors from the direct line or close associates were left.
* **"and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests":** This specifies the comprehensive nature of the purge, targeting distinct categories of individuals who were integral to Ahab's power structure. "Great men" refers to high-ranking officials, nobles, or military commanders; "kinsfolks" denotes extended family members and close relatives; and "priests" likely refers to the priests of Baal or those who served the royal cult and supported the idolatrous regime. This tripartite list underscores the thoroughness of the cleansing, eliminating all pillars of the former dynasty.
* **"until he left him none remaining":** This concluding phrase serves as an emphatic statement of totality and finality. It reiterates the absolute nature of the purge, leaving no doubt that Jehu's mission of eradication was executed with complete and uncompromising thoroughness, fulfilling the divine decree to the letter.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Fulfillment Narrative** is central, as the entire account of Jehu's actions in [2 Kings 9-10](/2_kings/9 "2 Kings 9 - Jehu Anointed King") serves as a direct and dramatic realization of the prophecies against Ahab's house, particularly those given by Elijah in [1 Kings 21:21-24](/1_kings/21-21 "1 Kings 21:21-24 - Elijah's Prophecy"). The phrase "until he left him none remaining" utilizes **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** to underscore the absolute completeness of the purge, emphasizing that not even a single individual from the specified categories was spared. There is also a strong sense of **Poetic Justice** or **Irony**, as the judgment against Ahab's house is carried out in Jezreel, the very place where Ahab and Jezebel had committed egregious sins, such as the murder of Naboth. The **Repetition** of "all" and the emphatic "none remaining" further highlight the thoroughness and finality of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 10:11](/2_kings/10-11 "2 Kings 10:11 - Jehu's Purge in Jezreel") is a stark testament to God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in the face of persistent and egregious sin like idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood. While the violence of the passage can be unsettling to modern readers, it must be understood within the Old Testament covenantal context, where God established His people Israel with a specific mandate to remain pure and distinct from the surrounding pagan nations. The complete eradication of Ahab's house demonstrates that God's patience has limits, and His word, once spoken in judgment, will inevitably come to pass. It underscores the profound consequences of spiritual apostasy and the seriousness with which God views faithfulness to His covenant. Furthermore, it reveals God's sovereignty over human rulers and historical events, using even flawed instruments like Jehu to accomplish His righteous purposes.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience") - Outlines the severe curses and judgments that would befall Israel for disobedience and idolatry, providing the theological framework for the destruction of wicked dynasties.
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge") - "God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day." This verse affirms God's nature as a just judge who actively responds to wickedness.
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness") - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." This New Testament passage speaks to the universal principle of God's righteous wrath against sin.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Jehu's purge, while rooted in a specific historical and covenantal context, offers timeless principles for reflection and application. It serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of sin, particularly idolatry—whether it be the worship of literal false gods or the modern-day idolatry of wealth, power, self, or anything that displaces God from His rightful place in our lives. The thoroughness of Jehu's purge, divinely sanctioned, challenges us to consider the completeness with which we are called to eradicate sin and spiritual compromise from our own lives and communities. While we do not engage in physical violence, we are called to a spiritual battle, to put to death the "deeds of the body" ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Putting to Death the Deeds of the Body")) and to "flee from idolatry" ([1 Corinthians 10:14](/1_corinthians/10-14 "1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from Idolatry")). This passage also reinforces the certainty of God's justice; though it may seem delayed, it is ultimately inevitable and perfect. It encourages believers to live in reverent fear of the Lord, knowing that He is both merciful and just, and that His word will always be fulfilled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of "idolatry" might be present in my own life or in my community today, and how am I called to "purge" them?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on sin, as seen in this passage, shape my understanding of His holiness and my commitment to righteous living?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in the spiritual "purification" of my own heart and mind, aligning them more fully with God's will?**

### FAQ

**Was Jehu truly righteous in God's eyes for these actions?**

Answer: Jehu's actions in [2 Kings 10:11](/2_kings/10-11 "2 Kings 10:11 - Jehu's Purge in Jezreel") and the broader purge of Ahab's house were explicitly commanded by God and considered righteous in that specific regard. [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Approval of Jehu's Actions") states, "And the Lord said to Jehu, 'Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.'" However, Jehu's righteousness was limited. The very next verse, [2 Kings 10:31](/2_kings/10-31 "2 Kings 10:31 - Jehu's Failure to Turn from Sins"), notes that "Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin—the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan." So, while God used Jehu as an instrument of His judgment, Jehu himself did not fully obey or follow the Lord.

**Why did God command such a violent and complete purge?**

Answer: The extreme violence of the purge of Ahab's house reflects the severity of their sin and its pervasive corruption within Israel. Ahab and Jezebel had not only promoted Baal worship but had actively persecuted the prophets of Yahweh ([1 Kings 18:4](/1_kings/18-4 "1 Kings 18:4 - Jezebel's Persecution of Prophets")) and shed innocent blood (e.g., Naboth, [1 Kings 21:13](/1_kings/21-13 "1 Kings 21:13 - Naboth's Murder")). In the Old Testament covenant, idolatry was considered spiritual adultery and treason against the one true God, directly threatening the spiritual health and identity of Israel as God's chosen people. A complete purge was necessary to eradicate the deep-seated idolatry and its influence, preventing it from further corrupting the nation. It served as a powerful object lesson to Israel about the consequences of forsaking God and was part of God's ongoing work to maintain His covenant with His people, even through severe judgment.

**How does this Old Testament judgment reconcile with New Testament teachings on love and forgiveness?**

Answer: While the methods differ, the underlying principle of God's justice against sin remains consistent across both Testaments. In the Old Testament, God often dealt with corporate sin and idolatry through physical judgment to preserve the purity of His covenant people. In the New Testament, the ultimate judgment for sin was borne by Jesus Christ on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). God's wrath against sin is fully satisfied in Christ for those who believe, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. However, the New Testament also speaks of a future, final judgment for those who reject Christ ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Judgment for Unbelief")). The call for believers in the New Testament is to a spiritual "purge" of sin from their lives ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")) and to live in holiness, reflecting God's character. The severity of the Old Testament judgment on Ahab's house underscores the seriousness of sin and the righteousness of God, which ultimately points to the profound need for the atoning work of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brutal purge of Ahab's house in [2 Kings 10:11](/2_kings/10-11 "2 Kings 10:11 - Jehu's Purge in Jezreel"), while a historical act of divine judgment, foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The complete eradication of a wicked dynasty by Jehu, God's anointed instrument, points to Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the forces of spiritual darkness. While Jehu's judgment was physical and limited, Christ's judgment on sin at the cross was spiritual and cosmic, bearing the full wrath of God against all ungodliness ([Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")). He, as the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), took away the sin of the world, offering a complete and final cleansing that no human purge could achieve ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Furthermore, just as Jehu cleansed Israel of Baal worship, Christ purifies His church from all forms of idolatry, calling believers to worship God in spirit and truth ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Ultimately, Christ is the righteous King who will return not only to judge the living and the dead ([2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead")) but also to establish His eternal kingdom, where all unrighteousness and corruption will be utterly removed, leaving "none remaining" who oppose His holy reign ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.