2 Kings 10:9

And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye [be] righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

And it came to pass in the morning {H1242}, that he went out {H3318}, and stood {H5975}, and said {H559} to all the people {H5971}, Ye be righteous {H6662}: behold, I conspired {H7194} against my master {H113}, and slew {H2026} him: but who slew {H5221} all these?

When morning came, he went out, stood before the people and said, "You are not responsible [for the deaths of these men]. Yes, I conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, โ€œYou are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye are righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him; but who smote all these?

Commentary

2 Kings 10:9 (KJV) is a pivotal moment in Jehu's purge of the house of Ahab, where he addresses the people after ordering the execution of Ahab's seventy sons.

Context

This verse takes place in Jezreel, the city where Ahab had a palace. Jehu, having recently been anointed king and having killed King Joram (Ahab's son) and Queen Jezebel, sent orders to the rulers and elders in Samaria to kill Ahab's seventy sons. When their heads were brought to him in baskets at the city gate of Jezreel, Jehu went out the next morning. He stood before the people gathered there and delivered this calculated speech. He had already fulfilled part of the prophecy against Ahab's wicked dynasty, and this speech serves to justify his actions publicly and perhaps implicate the people to some degree, while asserting his own role in the conspiracy against the king.

Key Themes

  • Political Strategy and Manipulation: Jehu cleverly distances himself from the wholesale slaughter of the seventy sons, acknowledging his role in the initial conspiracy against Joram ("I conspired against my master, and slew him"), but then asking, "but who slew all these?" This implies that others (the rulers in Samaria who carried out the order) were also involved, distributing the perceived responsibility and perhaps alleviating some potential backlash against himself.
  • Claiming Righteousness (Strategic): By stating, "Ye [be] righteous," Jehu seems to be absolving the people of Jezreel from guilt in the conspiracy against Joram, contrasting them with his own admitted action. This also serves to subtly highlight the perceived wickedness of the house of Ahab, making their demise seem justified to the onlookers.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not explicitly stated in this verse, Jehu's actions, including the killing of Ahab's descendants, are presented in the wider narrative as the fulfillment of divine judgment pronounced upon Ahab and Jezebel for their idolatry and wickedness, particularly the murder of Naboth (see 1 Kings 21:19).

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "righteous" is the Hebrew tzaddiqim (ืฆึทื“ึดึผืงึดื™ื). Here, it likely means "innocent" or "blameless" regarding the specific conspiracy against the king Joram, rather than implying moral perfection. Jehu is acknowledging their non-involvement in *his* initial plot, setting the stage for his next point.

Reflection

This verse reveals Jehu as a shrewd and calculating leader. He is executing God's judgment but doing so with political acumen, ensuring his own position is solidified while the full weight of the recent horrific events is not solely placed upon him. It highlights how even actions aligned with divine purpose can be carried out through complex human motivations and strategies, including the use of rhetoric to shape public perception.

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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

  • 2 Kings 9:14 (3 votes)

    So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.

  • 2 Kings 9:24 (3 votes)

    And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

  • 1 Samuel 12:3 (2 votes)

    Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

  • Isaiah 5:3 (2 votes)

    And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

  • Hosea 1:4 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little [while], and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.