2 Kings 10:30

And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Jehu {H3058}, Because thou hast done well {H2895} in executing {H6213} that which is right {H3477} in mine eyes {H5869}, and hast done {H6213} unto the house {H1004} of Ahab {H256} according to all that was in mine heart {H3824}, thy children {H1121} of the fourth {H7243} generation shall sit {H3427} on the throne {H3678} of Israel {H3478}.

ADONAI said to Yehu, "Because you did well in accomplishing what is right from my perspective, and have done to the house of Ach'av everything that was in my heart, your descendants down to the fourth generation will sit on the throne of Isra'el."

Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.”

And Jehovah said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 10:30

This verse comes at a pivotal moment in Israelite history, following Jehu's dramatic and bloody purge of the house of Ahab and the worshippers of Baal. Jehu was anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha with the specific divine commission to destroy the corrupt dynasty of King Ahab and his notorious wife, Jezebel, who had led Israel into deep idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, and persecuted the prophets of the Lord. Jehu executed this task with extreme zeal, killing King Joram of Israel, King Ahaziah of Judah, Jezebel, all of Ahab's seventy sons, and completely eradicating Baal worship from Israel. This verse records God's direct commendation of Jehu for fulfilling His will.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Mandate and Obedience: The Lord explicitly affirms that Jehu's actions were "right in mine eyes" and "according to all that was in mine heart." This highlights that Jehu acted as God's chosen instrument to carry out a specific judgment, demonstrating the importance of obedience to divine commands, even when those commands involve severe actions.
  • God's Sovereign Judgment: The destruction of the house of Ahab was a direct fulfillment of earlier prophetic pronouncements, particularly those delivered by Elijah, regarding God's judgment against Ahab's house for their wickedness, idolatry, and shedding of innocent blood. This verse underscores God's active involvement in history to bring justice.
  • Conditional Dynastic Promise: In recognition of Jehu's obedience, God promises a dynastic reward: his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations. This contrasts with the eternal nature of the Davidic covenant, indicating a specific, limited blessing for Jehu's line, tied to his specific obedience in this instance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes" conveys God's approval of the righteousness of Jehu's actions from a divine perspective. The Hebrew term for "right" (yashar) implies straightness, uprightness, or being correct in God's judgment. It emphasizes that Jehu's purge was not merely a political coup but a divinely sanctioned act of justice, fulfilling God's long-standing intention concerning the corrupt "house of Ahab."

Practical Application

While Jehu's methods were violent and specific to his historical context, this verse offers timeless principles:

  • God's Purpose and His Instruments: God is sovereign and works through various means and individuals to accomplish His purposes in history, even using imperfect people to fulfill His righteous judgments.
  • The Value of Obedience: God notices and rewards obedience to His specific commands. Jehu's actions, though harsh, were precisely what God had willed for the eradication of deep-seated evil in Israel.
  • Divine Justice Prevails: Ultimately, God's justice will prevail against wickedness and idolatry. This offers both a warning to those who defy God and comfort to those who suffer under injustice.
  • Nuance of God's Approval: It's important to note that while God commended Jehu for this specific task, 2 Kings 10:31 indicates that Jehu himself did not fully follow the Lord with all his heart, failing to depart from the sins of Jeroboam. God's commendation here is for the specific act of judgment against Ahab's house, not for Jehu's entire life or all his subsequent choices.
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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

  • 2 Kings 10:35

    And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 13:1

    ¶ In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] seventeen years.

  • 2 Kings 14:23

    ¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, [and reigned] forty and one years.

  • 2 Kings 13:10

    ¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] sixteen years.

  • 1 Kings 20:42

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of [thy] hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 29:18

    Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head [was] made bald, and every shoulder [was] peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
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