2 Kings 10:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jehu {H3058} met {H4672} with the brethren {H251} of Ahaziah {H274} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and said {H559}, Who are ye? And they answered {H559}, We are the brethren {H251} of Ahaziah {H274}; and we go down {H3381} to salute {H7965} the children {H1121} of the king {H4428} and the children {H1121} of the queen {H1377}.

Complete Jewish Bible

where he encountered relatives of Achazyah king of Y'hudah. "Who are you?" he asked. "We're relatives of Achazyah," they answered, "and we're going down to pay our respects to the families of the king and of the queen mother."

Berean Standard Bible

Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, “Who are you?” “We are relatives of Ahaziah,” they answered, “and we have come down to greet the sons of the king and of the queen mother.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures a pivotal and chilling encounter during Jehu's divinely mandated purge of the house of Ahab and the worshippers of Baal in Israel. As Jehu methodically eliminates all those connected to the wicked dynasty, he intercepts a delegation of forty-two relatives of the recently slain King Ahaziah of Judah. Unaware of the full scope of Jehu's violent mission, they innocently identify themselves as kin of Ahaziah and state their purpose: to visit the surviving royal children in Samaria, a mission that tragically places them directly in the path of Jehu's sweeping judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This encounter immediately follows Jehu's execution of King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah, and his subsequent arrival in Samaria where he has already begun to systematically eliminate all who remain of Ahab's house, as prophesied by Elijah and Elisha (see [1 Kings 21:21-24](/1_kings/21-21 "1 Kings 21:21-24 - Prophecy against Ahab's house") and [2 Kings 9:7-10](/2_kings/9-7 "2 Kings 9:7-10 - Jehu's Anointing and Commission")). The narrative in [2 Kings 10](/2_kings/10 "2 Kings 10 - Jehu's Purge") details Jehu's ruthless efficiency in fulfilling this divine commission, moving from the assassination of the kings to the elimination of their seventy sons, and now, the unexpected interception of Ahaziah's relatives. This scene underscores the pervasive reach of Jehu's judgment, extending beyond the direct descendants of Ahab to those allied with them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy often saw alliances forged between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, frequently cemented through royal marriages. King Ahaziah of Judah was the grandson of Ahab and Jezebel through his mother Athaliah (see [2 Kings 8:26](/2_kings/8-26 "2 Kings 8:26 - Ahaziah's connection to Ahab")). This familial tie explains why Ahaziah was visiting Joram when Jehu struck, and why his "brethren" (relatives) would be traveling to Samaria to "salute" (inquire about the welfare of) the royal children. Such visits were common diplomatic and familial courtesies. The group's journey to Samaria, the capital of Israel, highlights the deep intermingling of the two royal houses, which ultimately brought Judah's royal line into the orbit of God's judgment against Ahab's wickedness and Baal worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several themes central to the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The History of the Divided Monarchy"). Firstly, it showcases **Divine Judgment**, as Jehu acts as God's instrument to purge the land of the pervasive idolatry and wickedness introduced by Ahab and Jezebel. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Unholy Alliances**, demonstrating how Judah's close ties with the apostate house of Israel brought its own royal family into the path of destruction. The "brethren of Ahaziah" are caught in the crossfire of a judgment primarily aimed at Israel. Thirdly, the encounter emphasizes the **Suddenness and Scope of God's Retribution**, as these unsuspecting men are intercepted and condemned, illustrating that judgment can sweep up those indirectly connected to sin. Finally, it subtly touches on **Kinship and Loyalty**, as the men's stated purpose is a familial duty, ironically leading them to their doom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brethren (Hebrew, _’aḥîm'_):** While literally meaning "brothers," this term often extends to include kinsmen, relatives, or even tribal members. In this context, it refers to a group of Ahaziah's relatives, likely nephews or cousins, indicating a broader familial connection to the Judean royal house. Their identification as "brethren of Ahaziah" underscores their royal lineage and their perceived legitimacy in approaching the Israelite royal family.
* **Salute (Hebrew, _liš’ōl lišlom'_):** This phrase literally means "to ask concerning the peace/welfare of." It signifies a formal inquiry about the health, prosperity, or general well-being of another. Their intention was a courteous, familial visit, completely oblivious to the violent upheaval and the fate that awaited them. This highlights their innocence regarding Jehu's purge and creates a stark contrast with the grim reality of their situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah":** This clause sets the scene for an unexpected encounter. Jehu, on his mission of extermination, intercepts a group of forty-two men. Their identification as "brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah" immediately links them to the recently deceased king whom Jehu himself had killed, underscoring the interconnectedness of the two royal houses and the far-reaching nature of Jehu's purge.
* **"and said, Who [are] ye?":** Jehu's direct question is not merely an inquiry for information but a challenge, a demand for identification from strangers encountered in the midst of his bloody mission. It reveals his cautious and methodical approach to eliminating potential threats or targets.
* **"And they answered, We [are] the brethren of Ahaziah;":** Their honest and straightforward answer seals their fate. By identifying themselves as kin to Ahaziah, they unwittingly confirm their connection to the very dynasty Jehu is commissioned to destroy. This moment is fraught with dramatic irony, as their declaration of identity, intended to explain their presence, instead marks them for death.
* **"and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.":** This final part of their answer clarifies their innocent purpose. They are on a familial visit, seeking to inquire about the welfare of the royal children in Samaria. This statement further emphasizes their unawareness of the unfolding tragedy and the complete devastation Jehu has already wrought upon the royal family they intend to visit.

#### Literary Devices
The encounter in [2 Kings 10:13](/2_kings/10-13 "2 Kings 10:13 - Jehu Intercepts Ahaziah's Relatives") is rich with **Dramatic Irony**. The audience is fully aware of Jehu's mission and the fate of Ahaziah and the Israelite royal family, while the "brethren of Ahaziah" are completely oblivious. Their innocent declaration of identity and purpose ("We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen") is heard by the reader with a chilling understanding of their impending doom, contrasting sharply with their own hopeful intentions. This irony heightens the sense of tragedy and the inexorable nature of divine judgment. Furthermore, the scene employs **Foreshadowing**, as the very act of their identification and stated purpose immediately suggests their unfortunate end, which is confirmed in the following verses. The swiftness of their encounter and subsequent demise also serves as a form of **Pacing**, accelerating the narrative of Jehu's relentless purge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of divine judgment, particularly when a nation or dynasty has persistently defied God. The "brethren of Ahaziah," though seemingly innocent of the primary offenses of Ahab and Jezebel, are caught in the sweeping consequences of Judah's unholy alliance with the wicked house of Israel. Their fate underscores the principle that sin, especially idolatry and apostasy, has far-reaching effects, impacting not only the perpetrators but also those closely associated with them. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and the complete eradication of evil from His people, even if it means the innocent are swept up in the wake of judgment against the guilty. This incident powerfully illustrates the severity of God's wrath against idolatry and the dangers of compromising faith through political or familial alliances with those who reject God.

* [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God's Jealousy and Punishment of Iniquity")
* [Exodus 34:7](/exodus/34-7 "Exodus 34:7 - God's Forgiveness and Punishment of Iniquity")
* [Psalm 1:1](/psalm/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man's Path")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The encounter between Jehu and the relatives of Ahaziah presents a sobering truth: the consequences of sin, particularly the sin of idolatry and unholy alliances, can extend far beyond the immediate perpetrators, impacting even those who seem only tangentially connected. This should prompt us to consider the ripple effects of our choices, especially in our associations and allegiances. Are we aligning ourselves with influences or systems that are contrary to God's will, even if our intentions seem innocent or our connection is indirect? This passage calls us to examine our spiritual integrity, urging us to sever ties with anything that compromises our devotion to God. It reminds us that while God is merciful, His justice is also thorough and inescapable, and His call to holiness demands a clear separation from all forms of spiritual compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our associations or alliances, even those seemingly innocent, draw us into the consequences of others' spiritual compromises?**
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of divine justice, particularly concerning those who may be indirectly affected by the judgment on others?**
* **What "unholy alliances" or compromises might we need to identify and sever in our own lives to ensure our complete devotion to God?**

### FAQ
**Why were Ahaziah's relatives going to Samaria, and why were they killed?**

Answer: Ahaziah's relatives were traveling to Samaria, the capital of Israel, to "salute" or inquire about the welfare of the children of the king and queen (presumably the surviving members of the Israelite royal family). This was a customary familial and diplomatic visit, reflecting the close alliance between the royal houses of Judah and Israel, cemented by marriage (Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, was Ahab's daughter). They were likely unaware of the full extent of Jehu's purge. They were killed because Jehu was executing a divinely commanded judgment against the entire house of Ahab, which included all those connected to the dynasty and its Baal worship. As Ahaziah was Ahab's grandson and an ally, his relatives were considered part of the condemned lineage or those closely associated with it. Jehu's mission was to utterly destroy all who remained of Ahab's influence, and these men, by their very identity and destination, fell into that category, fulfilling the prophecy of God's comprehensive judgment against the wicked house (see [2 Kings 9:7-10](/2_kings/9-7 "2 Kings 9:7-10 - Jehu's Anointing and Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brutal judgment executed by Jehu, culminating in the slaughter of Ahaziah's relatives, foreshadows the ultimate, perfect judgment of God, yet it also points to the radical nature of salvation found in Christ. While Jehu's purge was a violent, earthly cleansing of a corrupt dynasty, it imperfectly reflects God's righteous wrath against sin and idolatry. The innocent caught in the crossfire of this Old Testament judgment highlight the universal human condition: all are implicated in sin and stand under God's righteous judgment ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, the Christ-centered fulfillment reveals a divine solution far beyond human purging. Jesus, the true King, does not come to destroy the innocent, but to bear the judgment for the guilty. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to appease God's wrath ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Justification by Blood")). In Christ, those who were once "brethren" of a condemned world, caught in the spiritual consequences of sin, are offered a new kinship—adoption into God's family ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")). The judgment on the house of Ahab, and even on Ahaziah's kin, ultimately points to the necessity of a radical divine intervention, which finds its complete and merciful expression in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross, offering not destruction, but eternal life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Kings 8:29

And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

2 Kings 8:24

And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 21:17

And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

2 Kings 9:21

And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.

2 Kings 9:27

But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw [this], he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. [And they did so] at the going up to Gur, which [is] by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.

2 Chronicles 22:1

¶ And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

2 Chronicles 22:10

¶ But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.