TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
Complete Jewish Bible
Then he set out and went to Shomron. On the way he reached a shearing shed for shepherds,
American Standard Version
And he arose and departed, and went to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing-house of the shepherds in the way,
World English Bible Messianic
He arose and departed, and went to Samaria. As he was at the shearing house of the shepherds on the way,
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he arose, and departed and came to Samaria. And as Iehu was in the way by an house where the shepheards did shere,
Young's Literal Translation
And he riseth, and cometh in and goeth to Samaria; he is at the shepherds' shearing-house in the way,
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In the KJVVerse 9,806 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Kings 10 verses 1–14
1 ¶ And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying,
2 Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
3 Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
8 And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.
9 And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
10 Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.
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.
12 And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
13 Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
We left Jehu in quiet possession of Jezreel, triumphing over Joram and Jezebel; and we must now attend his further motions. He knew the whole house of Ahab must be cut off, and therefore proceeded in this bloody work, and did not do it deceitfully, or by halves, Jer 48:10.
I. He got the heads of all the sons of Ahab cut off by their own guardians at Samaria. Seventy sons (or grandsons) Ahab had, Gideon's number, Jdg 8:30. In such a number that bore his name his family was likely to be perpetuated, and yet it is extirpated all at once. Such a quiver full of arrows could not protect his house from divine vengeance. Numerous families, if vicious, must not expect to be long prosperous. These sons of Ahab were now at Samaria, a strong city, perhaps brought thither upon occasion of the war with Syria, as a place of safety, or upon notice of Jehu's insurrection; with them were the rulers of Jezreel, that is, the great officers of the court, who went to Samaria to secure themselves or to consult what was to be done. Those of them that were yet under tuition had their tutors with them, who were entrusted with their education in learning, agreeable to their birth and quality, but, it is to be feared, brought them up in the idolatries of their father's house and made them all worshippers of Baal. Jehu did not think fit to bring his forces to Samaria to destroy them, but, that the hand of God might appear the more remarkably in it, made their guardians their murderers. 1. He sent a challenge to their friends to stand by them, Kg2 10:2, Kg2 10:3. "You that are hearty well-wishers to the house of Ahab, and entirely in its interests, now is your time to appear for it. Samaria is a strong city; you are in possession of it; you have forces at command; you may choose out the likeliest person of all the royal family to head you; you know you are not tied to the eldest, unless he be the best and meetest of your master's sons. If you have any spirit in you, show it, and set one of them on his father's throne, and stand by him with your lives and fortunes." Not that he desired they should do this, or expected they would, but thus he upbraided them with their cowardice and utter inability to contest with the divine counsels. "Do if you dare, and see what will come of it." Those that have forsaken their religion have often, with it, lost both their sense and their courage, and deserve to be upbraided with it. 2. Hereby he gained from them a submission. They prudently reasoned with themselves: "Behold, two kings stood not before him, but fell as sacrifices to his rage; how then shall we stand?" Kg2 10:4. Therefore they sent him a surrender of themselves: "We are thy servants, thy subjects, and will do all that thou shalt bid us, right or wrong, and will set up nobody in competition with thee." They saw it was to no purpose to contend with him, and therefore it was their interest to submit to him. With much more reason may we thus argue ourselves into a subjection to the great God. Many kings and great men have fallen before his wrath, for their wickedness; and how then shall we stand? Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? No, we must either bend or break. 3. This was improved so far as to make them the executioners of those whom they had the tuition of (Kg2 10:6): If you be mine, bring me the heads of your master's sons by tomorrow at this time. Though he knew it must be done, and was loth to do it himself, one would think he could not expect they should do it. Could they betray such a trust? Could they be cruel to their master's sons? It seems, so low did they stoop in their adoration to the rising sun that they did it; they cut off the heads of those seventy princes, and sent them in baskets a present to Jehu, Kg2 10:7. Learn hence not to trust in a friend nor to put confidence in a guide not governed by conscience. One can scarcely expect that he who has been false to his God should ever be faithful to his prince. But observe God's righteousness in their unrighteousness. These elders of Jezreel had been wickedly obsequious to Jezebel's order for the murder of Naboth, Kg1 21:11. She gloried, it is likely, in the power she had over them; and now the same base spirit makes them as pliable to Jehu and as ready to obey his orders for the murder of Ahab's sons. Let none aim at arbitrary power, lest they be found rolling a stone which, some time or other, will return upon them. Princes that make their people slaves take the readiest way to make them rebels; and by forcing men's consciences, as Jezebel did, they lose their hold of them. When the separated heads were presented to Jehu, he slyly upbraided those that were the executioners of this vengeance. The heads were laid in two heaps at the gate, the proper place of judgment. There he acquitted the people before God and the world (Kg2 10:9, You are righteous), and, by what the rulers of Samaria had now done, comparatively acquitted himself: "I slew but one; they have slain all these: I did it by conspiracy and with design; they have done this merely in compliance and with an implicit obedience. Let not the people of Samaria, nor any of the friends of the house of Ahab, ever reproach me for what I have done, when their own elders, and the very guardians of the orphans, have done this." It is common for those who have done something base to attempt the mitigation of their own reproach by drawing others in to do something worse. But, (2.) He resolves all into the righteous judgment of God (Kg2 10:10): The Lord hath done that which he spoke by Elijah. God is not the author of any man's sin, but even by that which men do from bad principles God serves his own purposes and glorifies his own name; and he is righteous in that wherein men are unrighteous. When the Assyrian is made the rod of God's anger, and the instrument of his justice, he meaneth not so, neither does his heart think so, Isa 10:7.
II. He proceeded to destroy all that remained of the house of Ahab, not only those that descended from him, but those that were in any relation to him, all the officers of his household, ministers of state, and those in command under him, called here his great men (Kg2 10:11), all his kinsfolks and acquaintance, who had been partners with him in his wickedness, and his priests, or domestic chaplains, whom he employed in his idolatrous services and who strengthened his hand that he should not turn from his evil way. Having done this in Jezreel, he did the same in Samaria (Kg2 10:17), slew all that remained to Ahab in Samaria. This was bloody work, and is not now, in any case, to be drawn into a precedent. Let the guilty suffer, but not the guiltless for their sakes. Perhaps such terrible destructions as these were intended as types of the final destruction of all the ungodly. God has a sword, bathed in heaven, which will come down upon the people of his curse, and be filled with blood. Isa 34:5, Isa 34:6. Then his eye will not spare, neither will he pity.
III. Providence bringing the brethren of Ahaziah in his way, as he was going on with this execution, he slew them likewise, Kg2 10:12-14. The brethren of Ahaziah were slain by the Arabians (Ch2 22:1), but these were the sons of his brethren, as it is there explained (Kg2 10:8), and they are said to be princes of Judah, and to minister to Ahaziah. Several things concurred to make them obnoxious to the vengeance Jehu was now executing. 1. They were branches of Ahab's house, being descended from Athaliah, and therefore fell within his commission. 2. They were tainted with the wickedness of the house of Ahab. 3. They were now going to make their court to the princes of the house of Ahab, to salute the children of the king and the queen, Joram and Jezebel, which showed that they were linked to them in affection as well as in affinity. These princes, forty-two in number, being appointed as sheep for the sacrifice, were slain with solemnity, at the pit of the shearing-house. The Lord is known by these judgments which he executeth.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–14. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
2 Kings 10:12 details Jehu's swift and purposeful journey from Jezreel towards Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, marked by a significant pause at a landmark known as the "shearing house." This verse signifies the strategic continuation of his divinely mandated purge against the idolatrous house of Ahab and the eradication of Baal worship, following the decisive execution of Ahab's seventy sons. It underscores Jehu's unwavering zeal and the systematic unfolding of God's righteous judgment against a deeply apostate dynasty, setting the stage for the climactic phase of cleansing in the very heart of the nation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several Literary Devices to enhance its narrative impact and underscore its theological significance. The swift, sequential verbs ("arose," "departed," "came") create a strong sense of Pacing and Momentum, reflecting Jehu's relentless drive and unwavering resolve to fulfill his mission. The mention of the "shearing house" serves as a crucial element of Realism and Specificity, grounding the extraordinary events in an identifiable, everyday setting, which significantly enhances the historical credibility of the account. This specific detail acts as a Geographical Marker, indicating a precise location on Jehu's journey, thereby making the narrative more vivid and tangible for the reader. Furthermore, the very act of moving towards Samaria, the capital, functions as Foreshadowing, signaling that Jehu's purge is far from over and that more significant acts of judgment are yet to unfold in the heart of the kingdom, building narrative tension and anticipation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 10:12 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to executing His righteous judgment against persistent sin and idolatry. Jehu's journey to Samaria, punctuated by the detail of the "shearing house," is not merely a historical account of a political coup but a vivid demonstration of God's sovereignty over human affairs and His meticulous fulfillment of prophetic declarations. The relentless pursuit of the divine mandate by Jehu underscores that divine judgment, though often delayed, is ultimately inescapable for those who defiantly persist in rebellion against God's covenant. This passage reminds us that God is actively involved in history, orchestrating events to bring about His purposes, whether in judgment or salvation, and that the consequences of rejecting His truth are severe and far-reaching, impacting generations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Jehu's actions are set within a specific historical and cultural context of divinely mandated judgment in ancient Israel, the principles embedded in 2 Kings 10:12 offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. This passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all history, working out His purposes even through complex and sometimes violent means in the Old Testament. It underscores the seriousness of idolatry—anything that replaces God as the supreme object of our worship and devotion—and the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience to His revealed will. For us, the "purge" is not a physical one, but a call to spiritual purity: to ruthlessly root out sin and idolatry from our own hearts and lives, aligning ourselves with God's righteous standards. Jehu's zeal, though expressed differently, can inspire us to pursue God's will with unwavering commitment and to stand against the spiritual compromises of our age, trusting that God's ultimate justice will prevail and His kingdom will be established.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the "shearing house" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The mention of the "shearing house" (Hebrew: Bêyth ʻÊqed) serves several purposes. Firstly, it provides a specific, identifiable geographical marker, grounding the narrative in historical reality and making Jehu's journey tangible. It was likely a known landmark or a common caravanserai where shepherds would gather their flocks for shearing or where travelers might stop. Secondly, it sets the scene for the subsequent encounter with the relatives of Ahaziah of Judah (2 Kings 10:13-14), highlighting that this was a place where people might congregate or pass through, making it a logical location for such an encounter. This detail enhances the realism and credibility of the biblical account, showing God's judgment unfolding in a concrete, historical setting.
Does God approve of Jehu's violent actions in this chapter?
Answer: The biblical narrative presents Jehu's actions as divinely mandated and a fulfillment of specific prophecies against the house of Ahab due to their extreme idolatry and wickedness (see 1 Kings 21:21-24 and 2 Kings 9:6-10). While the methods employed by Jehu were brutal, they were consistent with the nature of divine judgment in the Old Testament against a deeply apostate dynasty that had led Israel into grievous sin. The text indicates God's approval of Jehu's zeal in executing this judgment (2 Kings 10:30), though it also notes that Jehu did not fully turn from the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:31). This complex portrayal highlights God's use of human instruments, even flawed ones, to achieve His righteous purposes, while not necessarily endorsing all aspects of their character or subsequent actions.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 10:12 describes a violent, physical purge of an idolatrous dynasty, it ultimately points to the greater, spiritual cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. Jehu's mission was to eradicate the visible manifestations of Baal worship and the corrupt house of Ahab, bringing about a temporary, national judgment. However, the true and ultimate "shearing house" of judgment and purification is found in Christ. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, whose perfect sacrifice on the cross cleanses not just a nation, but all who believe, from the deep-seated idolatry of the human heart (see Hebrews 9:14). Unlike Jehu, whose zeal was for a temporal kingdom and physical eradication, Jesus' mission was to establish an eternal kingdom and to purge sin from within, offering spiritual transformation and new life. Where Jehu's path was marked by bloodshed and the destruction of physical structures, Christ's path to Samaria (as seen in John 4) was one of radical inclusion and life-giving truth, breaking down spiritual barriers and offering living water to the spiritually thirsty. The judgment against sin that Jehu executed finds its ultimate, perfect expression in Christ's bearing of sin on the cross, satisfying divine justice and making a way for reconciliation with God, fulfilling the deepest need for cleansing that Jehu's actions could only foreshadow.