2 Kings 9:25

KJV

Then said [Jehu] to Bidkar his captain, Take up, [and] cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Jehu to Bidkar {H920} his captain {H7991}, Take up {H5375}, and cast {H7993} him in the portion {H2513} of the field {H7704} of Naboth {H5022} the Jezreelite {H3158}: for remember {H2142} how that, when I and thou rode {H7392} together {H6776} after {H310} Ahab {H256} his father {H1}, the LORD {H3068} laid {H5375} this burden {H4853} upon him;

Complete Jewish Bible

"Pick him up," said Yehu to Bidkar his servant, "and throw him into the field of Navot the Yizre'eli; for remember how, when you and I were riding together after Ach'av his father, ADONAI pronounced this sentence against him:

Berean Standard Bible

And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him:

American Standard Version

Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, Jehovah laid this burden upon him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jehu's command to Bidkar to cast Joram's body into Naboth's field stands as a climactic moment of divine retribution, meticulously fulfilling Elijah's prophecy against the house of Ahab. This decisive act, rooted in the memory of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's heinous injustice against Naboth, serves as a stark testament to God's unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that sin, especially that involving oppression and bloodshed, carries severe and far-reaching consequences that will ultimately be addressed by divine decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a violent and pivotal turning point in the narrative of Israel's kings, specifically within the account of Jehu's anointing and subsequent purge of the Omride dynasty. Jehu, divinely commissioned by a prophet from Elisha's company to utterly destroy the house of Ahab due to their egregious idolatry and wickedness, particularly the shedding of innocent blood (as prophesied in [2 Kings 9:7](/2_kings/9-7 "2 Kings 9:7 - Jehu's Commission to Destroy Ahab's House")), has just personally executed King Joram (Jehoram), Ahab's son, with an arrow through the heart. Jehu's immediate instruction to Bidkar regarding Joram's corpse is not arbitrary but a deliberate, symbolic act of judgment, directly linking the present retribution to the past sin of Ahab and Jezebel in the very location of their crime. The narrative emphasizes the swift, ruthless, and divinely sanctioned nature of Jehu's actions, portraying him as God's instrument of judgment against a corrupt royal line.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Omride dynasty (specifically the reigns of Ahab and his sons) was characterized by extreme Baal worship, political instability, and pervasive moral corruption in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The infamous story of Naboth's vineyard, detailed in [1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - The Seizure of Naboth's Vineyard"), serves as a prime example of this corruption, highlighting the abuse of royal power, a blatant disregard for Israelite law (which protected family land inheritance), and the shedding of innocent blood. Land in ancient Israel was not merely property but a sacred, divinely apportioned inheritance, and its unjust seizure was considered a profound violation of God's covenant. Culturally, the act of casting a body into a field, especially one associated with a curse or judgment, was a public declaration of profound disgrace and a sign of utter destruction, denying the deceased a proper burial and further emphasizing the severity of the divine wrath poured out upon them.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes converging in this verse are **Divine Justice and Retribution**, **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, and the **Inescapable Consequences of Sin**. Jehu's command is a direct manifestation of God's perfect justice, ensuring that the very place of Naboth's martyrdom becomes the site of Ahab's descendant's ignominious end, echoing the principle of *lex talionis* (law of retaliation) in a broader, divinely orchestrated sense. It explicitly and dramatically fulfills the prophecy delivered by Elijah in [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab"), where God declared that Ahab's blood, or the blood of his house, would be shed in the very place where Naboth's blood was shed. This act powerfully underscores that God's word is true and His warnings are certain, demonstrating the inescapable and often generational consequences of profound sin, particularly when it involves injustice, oppression, and the shedding of innocent blood.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** In this context, "burden" (מַשָּׂא, H4853, _massâʼ'_) does not refer to a physical weight but rather to a prophetic utterance or oracle, often one that carries a heavy, ominous message of judgment or doom. When Jehu states, "the LORD laid this burden upon him," he is referring to the solemn, divinely ordained prophecy delivered by Elijah against Ahab and his house, which foretold their destruction and retribution for their sins, particularly the murder of Naboth. This word emphasizes the authoritative and unavoidable nature of God's pronouncement, functioning as a divine decree.
* **Portion (Hebrew, _chelqâh'_):** The word "portion" (חֵלְקָה, H2513, _chelqâh'_) refers to an allotment, share, or piece of land. Here, it specifically denotes "the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite," emphasizing that the very piece of land unjustly seized and stained with innocent blood is now the site of the perpetrator's descendant's ignominious end. This highlights the precise and localized nature of God's judgment, directly linking the punishment to the scene of the original crime.
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** The imperative "remember" (זָכַר, H2142, _zâkar'_) is a powerful call to recall a past event and its significance. Jehu's use of this word to Bidkar underscores that the current act of judgment is not random but a deliberate, divinely mandated fulfillment of a long-standing prophecy. It implies a divine memory, that God "remembers" injustices and acts upon them, and also serves as a human reminder of the certainty of God's word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said [Jehu] to Bidkar his captain, Take up, [and] cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite:"** This opening clause details Jehu's immediate and decisive command to his trusted officer, Bidkar, concerning the disposal of King Joram's body. The specific instruction to "cast him" (literally, "throw him") into Naboth's field is not merely about burial but about an act of profound public disgrace and symbolic judgment. It signifies that Joram, as a representative of Ahab's house, is being dishonored in the very place where his family committed a grave injustice, denying him a proper burial and making his death a public spectacle of divine retribution. This act is a direct, physical manifestation of the curse pronounced upon Ahab's lineage.
* **"for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;"** Jehu provides the explicit theological justification for his action, appealing directly to Bidkar's memory of a past, shared event. He recalls a specific time when both he and Bidkar were riding behind Ahab, Joram's father, when the prophet Elijah delivered a severe prophecy of judgment from the Lord. The phrase "the LORD laid this burden upon him" refers to Elijah's oracle against Ahab's house, which foretold their utter destruction and that their blood would be shed in the very place where Naboth's blood was shed ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy")). Jehu is not acting on personal vendetta or impulse but as a divinely appointed instrument, executing a long-standing prophetic decree with chilling precision.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Dramatic Irony** is profoundly evident as Jehu, who was an eyewitness when Elijah pronounced the "burden" (prophecy) against Ahab, now personally executes the judgment, fulfilling the very words he heard decades prior. This creates a powerful sense of divine orchestration and the inescapable nature of God's decree. **Symbolism** is central, with Naboth's field serving as a potent symbol of injustice, bloodshed, and ultimately, divine retribution. The casting of Joram's body into this specific field transforms it from a scene of past crime into a chilling stage for present judgment, representing the full circle of God's justice. The narrative also uses **Fulfillment of Prophecy** as a key structural element, as Elijah's original prophecy, once a future threat, is now fulfilled in a chillingly precise manner, emphasizing the absolute reliability and certainty of God's word. The direct speech of Jehu, explicitly recalling the past event, functions as a powerful **Allusion** to the foundational prophecy, reinforcing the divine mandate behind his actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological implication of 2 Kings 9:25 lies in its vivid demonstration of God's unwavering commitment to justice and the certain fulfillment of His prophetic word. It illustrates that sin, especially that which involves oppression, injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood, carries severe and inescapable consequences, not only for the perpetrators but often for their descendants. God, who sees all, remembers all, and will ultimately bring every hidden thing to light and every wrong to account. This passage reassures believers that divine justice, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, is never denied, upholding God's sovereignty over history and human affairs. It serves as a stark warning against presuming upon God's patience or escaping the repercussions of unrepentant wickedness.

* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Be sure your sin will find you out")
* [Proverbs 11:21](/proverbs/11-21 "Proverbs 11:21 - The wicked will not go unpunished")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance belongs to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark narrative of 2 Kings 9:25 offers enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the reality of God's justice, reminding us that no sin, particularly acts of injustice and oppression, goes unnoticed or unaddressed by the Almighty. While we may not witness such immediate and dramatic acts of divine retribution in our daily lives, this passage instills confidence that God's moral order will ultimately prevail. It calls us to a profound seriousness about our own actions, recognizing that sin has far-reaching consequences, not just for ourselves but potentially for those connected to us. Furthermore, it reinforces the absolute trustworthiness of God's word; if His warnings are fulfilled with such precision, then His promises of salvation, redemption, and eternal life are equally certain. This should inspire both a reverent fear of the Lord and an unwavering faith in His righteous character and His ultimate plan for justice and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy in this verse strengthen your faith in the reliability and truthfulness of God's word in your own life today?**
* **In what ways might the "consequences of sin" manifest in our individual lives or in society today, even if not as dramatically as in the judgment upon Ahab's house?**
* **How does the concept of God's unwavering justice, as seen in this passage, inform your understanding of His character and your personal call to pursue righteousness and justice in the world around you?**

### FAQ
**Why was Naboth's field so significant to Jehu's act of judgment?**

Answer: Naboth's field was highly significant because it was the precise location where King Ahab and Queen Jezebel committed a heinous act of injustice, greed, and murder. They coveted Naboth's vineyard, and when he refused to sell his ancestral inheritance, Jezebel orchestrated his false accusation and execution, allowing Ahab to seize the land ([1 Kings 21:1-16](/1_kings/21-1-16 "1 Kings 21:1-16 - The Story of Naboth's Vineyard")). God, through the prophet Elijah, then pronounced a severe judgment on Ahab and his house, explicitly declaring that their blood would be shed in the very place where Naboth's blood was shed ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy to Ahab")). By casting Joram's body into this specific field, Jehu was not only fulfilling this prophecy but also making a powerful, public statement that divine justice was being served in the exact location of the original sin, demonstrating God's meticulous memory and righteous retribution for unrepentant wickedness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 9:25 vividly portrays God's retributive justice against the house of Ahab, its ultimate fulfillment and the deeper meaning of divine justice are profoundly revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "burden" of prophetic judgment that fell upon Ahab's house for their sin finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in Jesus. He is the one upon whom the true "burden" of humanity's sin was laid, not for His own transgression, but as the innocent [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike Joram, who was cast into a field of judgment to signify his family's disgrace and destruction, Jesus was "cut off from the land of the living" ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - The Suffering Servant")) and buried in a tomb, bearing the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross. Yet, through His glorious resurrection, He conquered death and judgment, offering a pathway to reconciliation and forgiveness that Ahab's house never knew. The justice demonstrated in Jehu's act, though necessary for its time, was temporal and destructive; the justice accomplished in Christ's atoning sacrifice is redemptive and eternal, offering mercy and new life to all who believe, fulfilling the ultimate "burden" of salvation as [He who knew no sin became sin for us](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin For Us") so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

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 21:19

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

1 Kings 21:24

Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

1 Kings 21:29

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

Isaiah 13:1

¶ The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Matthew 11:30

For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

Malachi 1:1

¶ The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

Jeremiah 23:33

¶ And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What [is] the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.