TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yehu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Shomron. Then Y'ho'achaz his son became king in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
And Jehu rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place.
American Standard Version
And Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
World English Bible Messianic
Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Iehu slept with his fathers, and they buryed him in Samaria, and Iehoahaz his sonne reigned in his stead.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehu lieth with his fathers, and they bury him in Samaria, and reign doth Jehoahaz his son in his stead.
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In the KJVVerse 9,829 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Kings 10 verses 29–36
29 ¶ Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
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.
31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
32 In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
33 From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
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?
35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
Here is all the account of the reign of Jehu, though it continued twenty-eight years. The progress of it answered not to the glory of its beginning. We have here,
I. God's approbation of what Jehu had done. Many, it is probable, censured him as treacherous and barbarous - called him a rebel, a usurper, a murderer, and prognosticated ill concerning him, that a family thus raised would soon be ruined; but God said, Well done (Kg2 10:30), and then it signified little who said otherwise. 1. God pronounced that to be right which he had done. It is justly questionable whether he did it from a good principle and whether he did not take some false steps in the doing of it; and yet (says God), Thou hast done well in executing that which is right in my eyes. The extirpating of idolaters and idolatry was a thing right in God's eyes, for it is an iniquity he visits as surely and severely as any: it was according to all that was in his heart, all he desired, all he designed. Jehu went through with his work. 2. God promised him a reward, that his children of the fourth generation from him should sit upon the throne of Israel. This was more than what took place in any of the dignities or royal families of that kingdom; of the house of Ahab there were indeed four kings, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram, but the last two were brothers, so that it reached but to the third generation, and that whole family continued but about forty-five years in all, whereas Jehu's continued in four, besides himself, and in all about 120 years. Note, No services done for God shall go unrewarded.
II. Jehu's carelessness in what he was further to do. By this it appeared that his heart was not right with God, that he was partial in his reformation. 1. He did not put away all the evil. He departed from the sins of Ahab, but not from the sins of Jeroboam - discarded Baal, but adhered to the calves. The worship of Baal was indeed the greater evil, and more heinous in the sight of God, but the worship of the calves was a great evil, and true conversion is not only from gross sin, but from all sin - not only from false gods, but from false worships. The worship of Baal weakened and diminished Israel, and made them beholden to the Sidonians, and therefore he could easily part with that; but the worship of the calves was a politic idolatry, was begun and kept up for reasons of state, to prevent the return of the ten tribes to the house of David, and therefore Jehu clave to that. True conversion is not only from wasteful sins, but from gainful sins - not only from those sins that are destructive to the secular interest, but from those that support and befriend it, in forsaking which is the great trial whether we can deny ourselves and trust God. 2. He put away evil, but he did not mind that which was good (Kg2 10:31): He took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel. He abolished the worship of Baal, but did not keep up the worship of God, nor walk in his law. He had shown great care and zeal for the rooting out of a false religion; but in the true religion, (1.) He showed no care, took no heed, lived at large, was not at all solicitous to please God and to do his duty, took no heed to the scriptures, to the prophets, to his own conscience, but walked at all adventures. Those that are heedless, it is to be feared, are graceless; for, where there is a good principle in the heart, it will make men cautious and circumspect, desirous to please God and jealous of doing any thing to offend him. (2.) He showed no zeal; what he did in religion he did not do with his heart, with all his heart, but did it as if he did it not, without any liveliness or concern. It seems, he was a man that had little religion himself, and yet God made use of him as an instrument of reformation in Israel. It is a pity but that those that do good to others should always be good themselves.
III. The judgment that came upon Israel in his reign. We have reason to fear that when Jehu took no heed himself to walk in God's law the people were generally as careless as he, both in their devotions and in their conversations. There was a general decay of piety and increase of profaneness; and therefore it is not strange that the next news we hear is, In those days the Lord began to cut Israel short, Kg2 10:32. Their neighbours encroached upon them on every side; they were short in their duty to God, and therefore God cut them short in their extent, wealth, and power. Hazael king of Syria was, above any other, vexatious and mischievous to them, smote them in all the coasts of Israel, particularly the countries on the other side Jordan, which lay next him, and most exposed; on these he made continual inroads, and laid them waste. Now the Reubenites and Gadites smarted for the choice which their ancestors made of an inheritance on that side Jordan, which Moses reproved them for, Num. 32. Now Hazael did what Elisha foresaw and foretold he would do. Yet, for doing it, God had a quarrel with him and with his kingdom, as we may find, Amo 1:3, Amo 1:4. Because those of Damascus have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron, therefore (says God) I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
Lastly, The conclusion of Jehu's reign, Kg2 10:34-36. Notice is taken, in general, of his might; but, because he took no heed to serve God, the memorials of his mighty enterprises and achievements are justly buried in oblivion.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 29–36. 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 10:35 provides the formal conclusion to the reign of King Jehu, who ruled over the Northern Kingdom of Israel for twenty-eight years. This verse, employing a standard ancient Near Eastern royal obituary formula, records his death, his burial in Samaria (the capital city), and the peaceful succession of his son, Jehoahaz, to the throne. It marks the transition from Jehu's divinely ordained, yet often brutal, mission to eradicate the Omride dynasty and Baal worship, initiating the next phase in the fulfillment of God's unique promise concerning Jehu's lineage.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices that enrich its meaning and narrative function. Euphemism is prominently featured in the phrase "slept with his fathers," which gently conveys the reality of death without explicit mention, softening the harshness of mortality and suggesting a peaceful end. This is a common example of Formulaic Language used consistently throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles to mark the end of a king's reign and the transition of power, providing a predictable and structured rhythm to the historical narrative. The entire verse functions as a crucial Transition, marking the definitive conclusion of Jehu's tumultuous and impactful rule and the commencement of the next phase of Israel's history under his successor. While brief, it also carries a subtle sense of Foreshadowing, as the very act of succession, though fulfilling God's promise, implicitly points to the eventual end of even this divinely sanctioned dynasty, highlighting the ephemeral nature of all earthly kingdoms compared to God's eternal reign.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The death and succession of Jehu, as recorded in this verse, powerfully illustrate the overarching biblical theme of God's sovereignty over human history and the transience of all earthly power. Even a king chosen by God for a specific, monumental task like Jehu's is ultimately subject to the universal decree of mortality. His reign, though divinely appointed and successful in its primary mission, had a finite end, reminding us that no human leader, however mighty, reigns eternally. Yet, within this mortality, God's faithfulness is strikingly evident, as the succession of Jehoahaz begins the fulfillment of the specific promise made to Jehu regarding his dynasty. This tension between human finitude and divine constancy is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, continually pointing to a greater, eternal King whose reign is without end.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief account of Jehu's passing and his son's succession offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder of the transience of all earthly power and life. No matter how influential, how divinely appointed, or how successful one might be in their earthly endeavors, the day will come when they, too, "sleep with their fathers." This truth should cultivate a deep sense of humility in leadership and in all aspects of life, shifting our focus from accumulating temporal power or recognition to living in light of eternity. It calls us to consider the legacy we are building—not merely in terms of worldly accomplishments, but in terms of faithfulness to God's call and the eternal impact we have on His kingdom. Ultimately, our hope and trust must rest not in human leaders, institutions, or our own achievements, but in the eternal, unchanging sovereignty of God. We are encouraged to live lives of purpose, knowing that our time is finite, and to steward our influence for God's glory, recognizing that true legacy is found in obedience and in pointing others to the King who reigns forever.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "slept with his fathers" mean in the Bible?
Answer: "Slept with his fathers" is a common euphemism used throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, to describe the death of a king or patriarch. It implies a peaceful, natural passing and being gathered to one's ancestors in death. It does not necessarily refer to a specific burial place alongside literal fathers, but rather to the general concept of joining the deceased generations. It is a respectful and gentle way to denote the end of a life and reign, often used regardless of the actual manner of death.
Was Jehu a "good" king in God's eyes?
Answer: Jehu's reign is presented with a mixed assessment in the biblical narrative, highlighting the complexities of divine judgment and human obedience. He was divinely appointed by God through a prophet of Elisha (2 Kings 9:6) to execute judgment against the wicked house of Ahab and to eradicate Baal worship from Israel. In this specific mission, he was zealous and successful, for which God commended him and promised his dynasty would reign for four generations (2 Kings 10:30). However, Jehu failed to depart from the sins of Jeroboam, particularly the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan (2 Kings 10:29), indicating a lack of full obedience and a failure to completely reform Israel's religious life. Later, the prophet Hosea even pronounces judgment on Jehu's house for the violent nature of the "blood of Jezreel" (Hosea 1:4), suggesting that while his actions fulfilled God's decree, his methods or motives were not entirely pure.
How long did Jehu's dynasty last, and why?
Answer: Jehu's dynasty lasted for precisely four generations, as explicitly promised by God in 2 Kings 10:30: "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." This was a unique promise of dynastic stability for the Northern Kingdom, which was otherwise characterized by frequent coups and short-lived ruling houses. The four kings in Jehu's line were Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, and Jeroboam II. After Jeroboam II, his son Zechariah reigned for only six months before being assassinated, ending the promised four-generation dynasty (2 Kings 15:8-12). The reason for the longevity of Jehu's dynasty, despite his partial obedience, was God's faithfulness to His specific promise given in response to Jehu's zeal against Baal worship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The account of King Jehu's death and the succession of his son, Jehoahaz, while a historical record of an earthly king, powerfully points forward to the ultimate, eternal King, Jesus Christ. Jehu, despite being divinely anointed and successful in his mission to purge Israel of Baal worship, was a mortal man whose reign was finite and whose obedience was imperfect (2 Kings 10:29). He "slept with his fathers," succumbing to the universal reality of death. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, did not merely "sleep with His fathers" in the sense of succumbing to death's finality. Though He truly died and was buried, He conquered death, rising triumphantly from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:26). His anointing is not by a prophet, but by the Holy Spirit, and His mission is not merely to purge a nation of idolatry, but to take away the sin of the world as the Lamb of God. Unlike Jehu, whose dynasty was limited to four generations, Christ's reign is eternal, His throne is forever, and His kingdom will have no end (Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 11:15). He is the perfect King, whose obedience was complete, and in whom all promises of a righteous and everlasting kingdom find their ultimate fulfillment.