2 Kings 9:7

KJV

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt smite {H5221} the house {H1004} of Ahab {H256} thy master {H113}, that I may avenge {H5358} the blood {H1818} of my servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}, and the blood {H1818} of all the servants {H5650} of the LORD {H3068}, at the hand {H3027} of Jezebel {H348}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will attack the house of Ach'av your master, so that I can avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and of all the servants of ADONAI, blood shed by Izevel.

Berean Standard Bible

And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This pivotal verse in 2 Kings 9:7 records the divine decree delivered to Jehu by a young prophet, commanding him to utterly destroy the Omride dynasty, specifically the house of King Ahab. This drastic action is explicitly stated as God's means to avenge the innocent blood of His servants, the prophets, and all who suffered under the tyrannical and idolatrous hand of Jezebel. It marks the culmination of God's long-standing judgment against the profound wickedness and Baal worship propagated by Ahab and Jezebel, signaling a decisive turning point in Israel's spiritual history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct divine mandate given to Jehu immediately following his clandestine anointing as king over Israel by a young prophet, sent by Elisha, in Ramoth-Gilead. The preceding verses detail the prophet's abrupt arrival, the anointing, and the urgent message for Jehu to "smite the house of Ahab." This command, therefore, is not a personal vendetta but a direct divine commission, setting the stage for the dramatic and bloody purge that unfolds in the subsequent chapters of [2 Kings 9](/2_kings/9 "2 Kings 9 - Jehu's Coup") and [2 Kings 10](/2_kings/10 "2 Kings 10 - Jehu's Purge"). It is the specific reason and justification for Jehu's violent actions, rooting them in God's righteous judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Omride dynasty, particularly under King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel, had plunged the northern kingdom of Israel into profound idolatry, replacing the worship of Yahweh with the cult of Baal and Asherah. Jezebel was notoriously zealous in her promotion of Baal worship, actively persecuting and slaughtering the Lord's prophets, as vividly recounted in [1 Kings 18:4](/1_kings/18-4 "1 Kings 18:4 - Jezebel's Persecution of Prophets"). Beyond religious persecution, she was responsible for gross injustices, such as orchestrating the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard, a heinous act detailed in [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Naboth's Vineyard and God's Judgment"). This verse, therefore, represents the divine reckoning for decades of systemic wickedness, idolatry, and the shedding of innocent blood, fulfilling prophecies previously delivered by Elijah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the Books of Kings. Firstly, **Divine Judgment and Retribution** is paramount, highlighting God's active and unwavering commitment to justice against severe sin and idolatry. The phrase "that I may avenge the blood of my servants" underscores that God is not passive but actively intervenes to vindicate His faithful and uphold moral order. Secondly, it demonstrates **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as this command to Jehu directly executes the long-standing prophecies of judgment against Ahab's house, initially pronounced by Elijah in [1 Kings 21:21-24](/1_kings/21-21 "1 Kings 21:21-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab's House"). This reinforces God's **Sovereignty Over History and Kings**, showing His ultimate control over the rise and fall of dynasties and His use of human instruments to achieve His divine purposes. Finally, it speaks to God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, as He acts to cleanse His people from the pervasive idolatry that threatened their very identity as the people of Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smite (Hebrew, _nakah_):** This verb carries a strong connotation of striking, hitting, or killing, often with violent intent or as an act of divine judgment. In this context, it signifies a decisive and destructive blow, indicating the complete eradication of the Omride dynasty. It's not merely to injure but to utterly destroy.
* **Avenge (Hebrew, _naqam_):** This word denotes divine retribution or vindication, rather than personal vengeance driven by spite. It signifies God's righteous response to injustice, ensuring that the shedding of innocent blood does not go unpunished. It is an act of restoring moral order and demonstrating God's justice, not an emotional outburst.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dam_):** In biblical thought, "blood" often represents life itself, and the shedding of innocent blood is considered a grievous offense that cries out for justice. Here, it refers to the lives of God's devoted servants—the prophets and other faithful individuals—who were unjustly murdered, particularly by Jezebel's hand. Their "blood" is a testament to the profound injustice that demands divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master":** This is the direct, imperative command given to Jehu. "Smite" indicates a violent and decisive act of destruction. The target is not just Ahab himself (who is already dead), but his entire "house" or dynasty, including his descendants and those closely associated with his rule. Jehu, though Ahab's military commander, is now commissioned by God to be the instrument of judgment against his former "master."
* **"that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets":** This clause reveals the divine motivation behind the command. The "I" refers to the LORD Himself. The purpose of Jehu's action is not merely political upheaval but divine retribution. God is taking action to "avenge" or vindicate the innocent lives of His prophets, who were persecuted and murdered for their faithfulness to Him, particularly during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel.
* **"and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel":** This expands the scope of God's vengeance beyond just the explicitly named "prophets" to include "all the servants of the LORD"—any faithful individual who suffered persecution or death under the Omride regime. The phrase "at the hand of Jezebel" specifically implicates her as the primary agent of this bloodshed and injustice, highlighting her personal culpability and the direct nature of God's judgment against her.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Divine Command** is central, as the prophet delivers a direct, unequivocal order from God to Jehu, emphasizing the divine authority behind the coming purge. **Retribution Theology** is powerfully evident, as the entire command is framed as God's just response to the shedding of innocent blood and the widespread idolatry. The phrase "avenge the blood" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "blood" stands for the lives that were unjustly taken, crying out for justice. The specificity of "the prophets" and "all the servants of the LORD" followed by "at the hand of Jezebel" uses **Emphasis** to highlight the profound injustice and the primary antagonist. Furthermore, the verse serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the violent and comprehensive judgment that Jehu is about to execute, fulfilling long-standing prophecies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and His active opposition to evil, especially when it involves the persecution of His faithful servants and the promotion of idolatry. It underscores the sanctity of human life, particularly the lives of those who stand for God's truth, demonstrating that their innocent blood cries out to heaven for vindication. While God is patient, there is a limit to His forbearance, and He will ultimately bring judgment upon those who persistently rebel against Him and oppress His people. This divine act of "avenging" is not capricious revenge but a holy act of restoring moral order, ensuring that righteousness ultimately prevails. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual compromise and the dire consequences of leading a nation into apostasy.

* [Genesis 9:5-6](/genesis/9-5 "Genesis 9:5-6 - The Sanctity of Life and Blood Vengeance")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to the LORD")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine command in 2 Kings 9:7 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that God is a God of perfect justice who sees, remembers, and will ultimately respond to every act of wickedness and injustice. While His patience is immense and His grace abundant, there comes a time for divine reckoning, especially for those who actively oppose Him, lead others into sin, and shed innocent blood. For believers living in a world often marked by profound injustice, this verse offers profound comfort: God will ultimately set all wrongs right. Our call is not to take personal vengeance, for "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Vengeance to God")). Instead, we are called to trust in His perfect timing and righteous judgment, to stand for truth and justice, and to pray for His kingdom to come. It also serves as a stark warning to those in positions of power, reminding them of their accountability to the ultimate Sovereign, and the serious consequences of spiritual compromise and leading others astray.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does this verse reveal about God's character, particularly His attributes of justice and holiness?**
* **How does God's act of "avenging" here differ from human vengeance, and what implications does this have for our own responses to injustice?**
* **In what ways might we, like Jezebel, be guilty of leading others astray or persecuting those who stand for God's truth, even in subtle ways?**
* **How does trusting in God's ultimate justice impact our ability to persevere and remain faithful in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command such a violent and sweeping judgment against Ahab's house?**

Answer: God's command for the eradication of Ahab's house was not an arbitrary act of cruelty but a righteous judgment against generations of profound and systemic evil. Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into deep apostasy, promoting the worship of Baal and Asherah, persecuting and murdering God's prophets ([1 Kings 18:4](/1_kings/18-4 "1 Kings 18:4 - Jezebel's Persecution")), and committing gross injustices like the murder of Naboth ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Naboth's Vineyard")). This judgment was the culmination of long-standing warnings and prophecies, demonstrating God's holiness and His commitment to upholding His covenant and cleansing His people from pervasive idolatry and wickedness. It served as a stark lesson about the consequences of rebellion against the one true God.

**Was Jehu's obedience to this command considered righteous by God?**

Answer: Jehu was indeed God's chosen instrument to execute this specific judgment against the house of Ahab, and his initial actions were in direct obedience to the divine command. The text indicates that God approved of his zeal in eradicating Baal worship and the Omride dynasty ([2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Approval of Jehu's Actions")). However, Jehu's later actions reveal a mixed record. While he purged Baal worship, he did not fully turn from the sins of Jeroboam, specifically maintaining the golden calves at Bethel and Dan ([2 Kings 10:29](/2_kings/10-29 "2 Kings 10:29 - Jehu's Failure to Depart from Jeroboam's Sins")). This suggests that while he fulfilled God's specific commission, his heart was not entirely devoted to the Lord, and his motives may have become intertwined with personal ambition, leading to later divine judgment upon his own house ([Hosea 1:4](/hosea/1-4 "Hosea 1:4 - Judgment on Jehu's House")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 9:7 depicts a violent act of divine judgment through a human instrument, it ultimately points to the perfect justice of God, which finds its ultimate expression and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "blood of my servants the prophets" that cried out for vengeance in the Old Testament finds its ultimate vindication not merely in the destruction of an earthly dynasty, but in the triumph of the Lamb of God over all evil, sin, and death. Jesus himself spoke of the blood of all righteous people, from Abel to Zechariah, being avenged upon that generation ([Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - The Blood of All Righteous Ones")), foreshadowing a greater, final reckoning. Christ, in His first coming, came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Did Not Come to Condemn")), offering His own innocent blood as the ultimate atonement for sin, which "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Sprinkled Blood of Jesus")). However, the same Jesus will return as the righteous judge, the "Faithful and True" one, who "judges and makes war in righteousness" ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - Christ the Warrior King")), bringing final and complete vengeance upon all who have oppressed His people and rejected His rule. Thus, the justice foreshadowed in Jehu's commission is perfectly and comprehensively fulfilled in the redemptive and judicial work of Christ.

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.