2 Kings 10:35

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

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.

Yehu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Shomron. Then Y'ho'achaz his son became king in his place.

And Jehu rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place.

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

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Kings 10:35 (KJV)

2 Kings 10:35 marks the conclusion of King Jehu's reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This concise verse encapsulates the universal truth of mortality and the orderly transition of power in ancient monarchies.

Context

King Jehu was a pivotal figure in Israel's history, divinely anointed by a prophet of Elisha to eradicate the wicked house of Ahab and the worship of Baal from Israel. His reign, detailed in 2 Kings chapters 9 and 10, was characterized by a swift and brutal purge against the remnants of Ahab's dynasty, including Queen Jezebel, and a zealous, albeit sometimes misguided, destruction of Baal worship. This verse, coming after a summary of his accomplishments and shortcomings (as seen in the preceding verse detailing his shortcomings, particularly his failure to depart from the sins of Jeroboam), signals the end of his 28-year rule. Samaria was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, where kings were typically buried.

Key Themes

  • Mortality of Rulers: "And Jehu slept with his fathers" is a common biblical idiom for death, signifying that even powerful kings, chosen by God for specific tasks, are subject to the same human mortality as anyone else. This common biblical idiom for death can be seen in many other passages, such as 1 Kings 11:43 regarding Solomon.
  • Succession and Dynastic Continuity: The phrase "And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead" highlights the importance of lineage and the transfer of authority from father to son. This succession was particularly significant for Jehu, as God had promised him that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations because of his obedience in executing judgment against Ahab's house (see 2 Kings 10:30).
  • The End of an Era: Jehu's reign marked a significant turning point, ending the direct influence of the Baal worship promoted by Ahab and Jezebel. His death brings to a close a tumultuous but decisive period in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "slept with his fathers" (Hebrew: ื•ึทื™ึดึผืฉึฐืื›ึทึผื‘ ื™ึตื”ื•ึผื ืขึดืึพืึฒื‘ึนืชึธื™ื•, vayyishkav Yehu im-avotav) is a gentle euphemism for death, commonly used throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles. It implies a peaceful passing and being gathered to one's ancestors, often suggesting a burial in the family tomb or ancestral burial ground, though in Jehu's case, he was buried in the capital, Samaria. This idiom underscores the natural, expected end of a life.

Practical Application

This verse, while brief, offers several timeless lessons:

  • The Transience of Earthly Power: No matter how influential or powerful a leader may be, their time on earth is finite. This reminds us of the ultimate sovereignty of God, whose reign is eternal.
  • Legacy and Succession: The careful record of who succeeded whom emphasizes the importance of orderly transitions and the continuation of leadership, whether in nations, organizations, or even families.
  • Accountability and History: The Bible meticulously records the lives of its characters, including their beginnings, actions, and ends. This encourages us to consider the legacy we are building and how our lives will be remembered in light of God's purposes. Even Jehu's divinely appointed mission had a natural end.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 14:20 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 14:31 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.