2 Kings 10:35

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehu {H3058} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}: and they buried {H6912} him in Samaria {H8111}. And Jehoahaz {H3059} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 10:35 succinctly records the end of King Jehu's 28-year reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse, a standard formula for royal transitions, notes his death ("slept with his fathers"), his burial in Samaria, the capital, and the succession of his son, Jehoahaz. It marks the conclusion of a tumultuous period defined by Jehu's divinely appointed, albeit often brutal, purge of the Omride dynasty and Baal worship, and the beginning of the next phase in the fulfillment of God's promise regarding Jehu's lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding summary of Jehu's reign, following an extensive narrative in [2 Kings 9](/2_kings/9 "2 Kings 9 - Jehu Anointed King") and [2 Kings 10](/2_kings/10 "2 Kings 10 - Jehu's Purge and Reign") that details his anointing by a prophet of Elisha, his swift and violent overthrow of the Omride dynasty (including Joram, Ahaziah, and Jezebel), and his zealous eradication of Baal worship in Israel. The immediate preceding verse, [2 Kings 10:34](/2_kings/10-34 "2 Kings 10:34 - Summary of Jehu's Reign"), provides a concise summary of "the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might," hinting at his accomplishments and, by omission, his shortcomings. Verse 35 then delivers the standard obituary formula, signaling the end of his personal story and the transfer of power, setting the stage for the reigns of subsequent kings in the Northern Kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jehu reigned during a turbulent period in Israel's history, marked by political instability and the pervasive influence of Baal worship, largely imported and promoted by Queen Jezebel and the Omride dynasty. Samaria was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, established by Omri, and served as the administrative and religious center. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical and ancient Near Eastern euphemism for death, implying a peaceful passing and being gathered to one's ancestors, often signifying burial in a family tomb or ancestral burial ground. While Jehu was buried in Samaria, this still signifies a proper royal burial befitting a king. The emphasis on succession ("his son reigned in his stead") underscores the importance of dynastic continuity in ancient monarchies, a critical aspect for the stability and legitimacy of a kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the Books of Kings. Firstly, it highlights the **mortality and transience of earthly power**, reminding readers that even divinely appointed kings, like Jehu, are subject to the universal human fate of death, contrasting with God's eternal sovereignty (as seen in [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3-4 - Do Not Put Your Trust in Princes")). Secondly, it underscores **divine faithfulness and dynastic succession**. God had promised Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations because of his obedience in executing judgment against the house of Ahab ([2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Promise to Jehu")). The succession of Jehoahaz begins the fulfillment of this unique promise for the Northern Kingdom, which was often plagued by short-lived dynasties. Finally, Jehu's death marks **the end of an era** characterized by a decisive break from the direct influence of Baalism, though the pervasive sin of Jeroboam's golden calves remained a persistent problem ([2 Kings 10:29](/2_kings/10-29 "2 Kings 10:29 - Jehu's Partial Obedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slept (Hebrew, _shakhav_):** This verb, meaning "to lie down" or "to sleep," is used here as a gentle euphemism for death, particularly when combined with "with his fathers." It conveys a peaceful, natural passing rather than a violent or sudden end, which is notable given Jehu's own violent rise to power. This idiom is prevalent throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles for the deaths of kings, regardless of their moral standing.
* **Fathers (Hebrew, _avotav_):** Refers to the ancestors or predecessors. The phrase "slept with his fathers" signifies being gathered to one's departed kin, implying a shared destiny in death and often a burial in an ancestral tomb or burial ground, even if the specific location was the capital city. It connects the individual's death to the broader lineage and historical continuity of the family or dynasty.
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Shomron_):** The capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, founded by Omri. Its mention as Jehu's burial place signifies his status as a legitimate, albeit controversial, king of Israel, receiving a royal burial within the seat of power. This contrasts with the often unceremonious deaths and burials of those he overthrew.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehu slept with his fathers":** This clause serves as the standard biblical euphemism for the death of a king. It signifies the peaceful end of Jehu's life and reign, acknowledging his mortality despite his powerful and divinely sanctioned mission. Theologically, it reminds us that all human authority and life are finite and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will over life and death.
* **"and they buried him in Samaria":** This detail confirms Jehu's royal status and the legitimacy of his reign. Samaria, as the capital, was the customary burial place for the kings of Israel. It indicates a proper, public burial, solidifying the end of his rule and the public acknowledgment of his passing within the kingdom's center of power.
* **"And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead":** This final clause announces the immediate and orderly succession of Jehu's son, Jehoahaz. This is a crucial element of the formulaic account of a king's death, ensuring the continuity of the monarchy. For Jehu, this succession was particularly significant as it marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise in [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Promise to Jehu") that his sons would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **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. This is a common **Formulaic Language** used throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles to mark the end of a king's reign and the transition of power, providing a consistent structure to the historical narrative. The entire verse functions as a **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, also 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 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, pointing to a greater, eternal King.

* [1 Kings 11:43](/1_kings/11-43 "1 Kings 11:43 - Solomon's Death and Burial")
* [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3-4 - Do Not Put Your Trust in Princes")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")

### 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 "sleep with their fathers." This truth should cultivate 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 impact we have on His kingdom. Ultimately, our hope and trust must rest not in human leaders or institutions, 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 pointing others to the King who reigns forever.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jehu's story, culminating in his death, challenge our understanding of success and divine favor in the context of human mortality?**
* **What does the phrase "slept with his fathers" teach us about our own mortality and the ultimate sovereignty of God over life and death?**
* **In what ways can we ensure that our "legacy" points not to ourselves or our accomplishments, but to God's faithfulness and His eternal purposes?**

### 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.

**Was Jehu a "good" king in God's eyes?**

Answer: Jehu's reign is presented with a mixed assessment in the biblical narrative. He was divinely appointed by God through a prophet of Elisha ([2 Kings 9:6](/2_kings/9-6 "2 Kings 9:6 - Jehu Anointed King")) 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](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Promise to Jehu")). 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](/2_kings/10-29 "2 Kings 10:29 - Jehu's Partial Obedience")), 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](/hosea/1-4 "Hosea 1:4 - Hosea's Children and God's Judgment")), 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 four generations, as explicitly promised by God in [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Promise to 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." 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](/2_kings/15-8 "2 Kings 15:8-12 - The End of Jehu's Dynasty")). 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, 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](/2_kings/10-29 "2 Kings 10:29 - Jehu's Partial Obedience")). 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](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy to Be Destroyed Is Death")). 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, 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](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne"); [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). He is the perfect King, whose obedience was complete, and in whom all promises of a righteous and everlasting kingdom find their ultimate fulfillment.

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

1 Kings 14:20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned [were] two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab 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.

1 Kings 2:10

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

1 Kings 14:31

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.

2 Samuel 7:12

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Kings 1:21

Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

2 Kings 13:7

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.