2 Kings 10:34

Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Jehu {H3058}, and all that he did {H6213}, and all his might {H1369}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Other activities of Yehu, all his accomplishments and all his power are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

As for the rest of the acts of Jehu, along with all his accomplishments and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

2 Kings 10:34 KJV serves as a concluding summary for the reign of King Jehu, a common literary device found throughout the Books of Kings. It points readers to external historical records for more detailed accounts of his rule, highlighting the selective yet purposeful nature of the biblical narrative.

Context of Jehu's Reign

Jehu was a pivotal figure in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha to carry out God's judgment against the wicked house of Ahab and the pervasive worship of Baal. His reign began with a swift and violent purge, eliminating Ahab's descendants, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal. While Jehu fulfilled the specific divine mandate to eradicate Baal worship from Israel, the biblical narrative also notes his failure to fully walk in the law of the Lord. This verse, like many others concluding a king's summary in the Books of Kings, indicates that the biblical account is selective, focusing on the theological and moral implications of a king's rule, rather than providing an exhaustive historical record.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Selective Nature of Scripture: The Bible's primary purpose is not to be a comprehensive historical encyclopedia, but a divinely inspired revelation of God's character, His plan for humanity, and the spiritual lessons derived from human history. It often refers to external historical documents, like "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel," acknowledging their existence while maintaining its unique theological focus.
  • Divine Record-Keeping: The repeated mention of these chronicles underscores a broader theme that all human actions, especially those of leaders, are recorded and will ultimately be accounted for. God is sovereign over history, and no deed goes unnoticed.
  • Historical Accountability: Kings were held accountable for their actions, not just by their contemporaries but by future generations who would consult these records. This principle extends to all people, as our lives are observed and recorded, both in human annals and in God's divine memory.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (Hebrew: sepher divrei hayyamim l'malkhei Yisra'el) refers to official state archives or court records. These were likely detailed annals kept by royal scribes, documenting daily events, decrees, military campaigns, and other administrative matters. It is crucial to distinguish these ancient state chronicles from the biblical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, which were also compiled much later and drew upon various sources, including these royal annals, but had a distinct theological purpose—to trace the lineage of David and emphasize the importance of the temple and covenant faithfulness, especially after the exile.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that while the Bible doesn't contain every detail of history, it provides the essential spiritual truths necessary for life and godliness. It encourages us to trust in God's comprehensive knowledge of all events and to live with an awareness that our deeds, whether public or private, are known to Him. Just as Jehu's "acts" and "might" were recorded, so too are our lives. This perspective encourages integrity and faithfulness in all our endeavors, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to God and that God's overarching plan for history is meticulously unfolding.

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

  • 2 Kings 13:8

    Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • 1 Kings 14:19

    And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

  • 2 Kings 12:19

    And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 1 Kings 14:29

    Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 1 Kings 11:41

    ¶ And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, [are] they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
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