Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side and will obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the royal princes, seventy of them, were with the leading men of the city, who were rearing them. New Living Translation Jehu responded with a second letter: “If you are on my side and are going to obey me, bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the seventy sons of the king were being cared for by the leaders of Samaria, where they had been raised since childhood. English Standard Version Then he wrote to them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were bringing them up. Berean Standard Bible Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. Berean Literal Bible And he wrote to them a second letter, saying, “If you⁺ are for me, and my voice you⁺ will obey, take the heads of the men, the sons of your⁺ master, and come to me by this time tomorrow to Jezreel.” The sons of the king, seventy men, were with the great ones of the city, those bringing them up. King James Bible Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. New King James Version Then he wrote a second letter to them, saying: If you are for me and will obey my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow. Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. New American Standard Bible Then he wrote them a letter a second time, saying, “If you are on my side, and will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel about this time tomorrow.” Now the king’s sons, seventy men, were with the great people of the city, who were raising them. NASB 1995 Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. NASB 1977 Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. Legacy Standard Bible Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me about this time tomorrow at Jezreel.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. Amplified Bible Then Jehu wrote a second letter to them, saying, “If you are with me and will obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the [dead] king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them. Berean Annotated Bible Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you⁺ are on my side, and if you⁺ will obey me, then bring the heads of your⁺ master’s sons to me at Jezreel (God sows) by this time tomorrow. Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. Christian Standard Bible Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying: If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, bring me the heads of your master’s sons at this time tomorrow at Jezreel. All seventy of the king’s sons were being cared for by the city’s prominent men. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying: If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, bring me the heads of your master’s sons at this time tomorrow at Jezreel. All 70 of the king’s sons were being cared for by the city’s prominent men. American Standard Version Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be on my side, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up. Contemporary English Version Jehu then wrote another letter which said, "If you are on my side and will obey me, then prove it. Bring me the heads of the descendants of Ahab! And be here in Jezreel by this time tomorrow." The 70 descendants of King Ahab were living with some of the most important people of the city. English Revised Version Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be on my side, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. GOD'S WORD® Translation So he wrote them a second letter. It read, "If you are on my side and ready to listen to me, bring the heads of your master's heirs to me in Jezreel about this time tomorrow." The 70 male heirs were staying with the city's most powerful men. These men had raised them. Good News Translation Jehu wrote them another letter: "If you are with me and are ready to follow my orders, bring the heads of King Ahab's descendants to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow." The seventy descendants of King Ahab were under the care of the leading citizens of Samaria, who were bringing them up. International Standard Version But Jehu wrote them another letter: "If you're loyal to me, and if you intend to obey my commands, then bring the heads of your master's sons and meet me in Jezreel about this time tomorrow." Now the king's sons, totaling 70 men, were living with the leading men of the city, who were their guardians. NET Bible He wrote them a second letter, saying, "If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me, then take the heads of your master's sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow." Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent men of the city were raising them. New Heart English Bible Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, "If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time." Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up. Webster's Bible Translation Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, if ye are mine, and if ye will hearken to my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow this time. Now the king's sons being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. World English Bible Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, “If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men who are your master’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time.” Now the king’s sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he writes a letter to them a second time, saying, “If you [are] for me, and are listening to my voice, take the heads of the men—the sons of your lord, and come to me about this time tomorrow, to Jezreel”; and the sons of the king [are] seventy men, with the great ones of the city—those bringing them up. Berean Literal Bible And he wrote to them a second letter, saying, “If you⁺ are for me, and my voice you⁺ will obey, take the heads of the men, the sons of your⁺ master, and come to me by this time tomorrow to Jezreel.” The sons of the king, seventy men, were with the great ones of the city, those bringing them up. Young's Literal Translation And he writeth unto them a letter a second time, saying, 'If ye are for me, and to my voice are hearkening, take the heads of the men -- the sons of your lord, and come unto me about this time to-morrow, to Jezreel;' and the sons of the king are seventy men, with the great ones of the city those bringing them up. Smith's Literal Translation And he will write to them a second letter, saying, If ye are for me and ye hear to my voice, take the heads of the men your lord's sons, and come to me according to the time to-morrow, to Jezreel. (And the king's sons seventy men with the great of the city growing up with them.) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he wrote letters the second time to them, saying: If you be mine, and will obey me, take the heads of the sons of your master, and come to me to Jezrahel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy men, were brought up with the chief men of the city. Catholic Public Domain Version Then he again wrote letters to them a second time, saying: “If you are mine, and if you obey me, take the heads of the sons of your lord, and come to me at Jezreel at this same hour tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, being seventy men, were being raised with the nobles of the city. New American Bible So Jehu wrote them a second letter: “If you are on my side and will obey me, bring along the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow.” (The seventy princes were in the care of prominent men of the city, who were rearing them.) New Revised Standard Version Then he wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time.” Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the leaders of the city, who were charged with their upbringing. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen he wrote to them a second letter, saying, If you are mine, and if you will hearken to my voice, then take the heads of your master's sons and bring them to me to Jezreel by this time tomorrow. Now the king's sons were seventy persons, and the nobles of the city brought them up. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he wrote them a letter a second time and said: “If you are mine and you are listening to my voice, take the heads of the sons of your Master and bring them to me tomorrow at this time to Yizreil.” And the sons of the King were seventy men, and the Princes of the city had been raising them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying: 'If ye be on my side, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow this time.' Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Ju wrote them a second letter, saying, If ye are for me, and hearken to my voice, take the heads of the men your master's sons, and bring them to me at this time to-morrow in Jezrael. Now the sons of the king were seventy men; these great men of the city brought them up. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jehu Slaughters Ahab's Family…5So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.” 6Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. 7And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.… Cross References Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: 2 Samuel 11:14-15 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. / In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.” 1 Kings 21:8-10 Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” Esther 3:12-13 On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, Exodus 32:26 So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 1 Samuel 12:14-15 If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers. then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” 2 Samuel 4:7-8 They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah. / They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” 2 Samuel 20:21-22 That is not the case. But a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him alone, and I will depart from the city.” “Look,” the woman replied, “his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” / Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem. 1 Samuel 17:57 So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, Judges 9:5-6 He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. / Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king. Genesis 46:27 And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all. Deuteronomy 10:22 Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. were being brought up by the leading men of the city. 1 Chronicles 27:32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king. Esther 2:7 And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter. 2 Chronicles 11:23 Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them. 1 Kings 21:21 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free. Treasury of Scripture Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If you be mine, and if you will listen to my voice, take you the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. If ye be mine [heb] if ye be for me 2 Kings 9:32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. take ye Numbers 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 1 Kings 21:8-11 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth… your master's sons Deuteronomy 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, Joshua 7:24,25 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor… Job 21:19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. which brought them up. Jump to Previous City Great Heads Hearken Jezreel King's Letter Master's Morrow Persons Second Seventy Side Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Voice WroteJump to Next City Great Heads Hearken Jezreel King's Letter Master's Morrow Persons Second Seventy Side Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Voice Wrote2 Kings 10 1. Jehu, by his letters, causes seventy of Ahab's sons to be beheaded8. He excuses the fact by the prophecy of Elijah 12. At the shearing house he slays forty-two of Ahaziah's brothers 15. He takes Jehonadab into his company 18. By subtilty he destroys all the worshippers of Baal 29. Jehu follows Jeroboam's sins 32. Hazael oppresses Israel 34. Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: Jehu, anointed king of Israel, is executing God's judgment on the house of Ahab. His correspondence with the leaders of Samaria shows his strategic approach to consolidating power. Writing a second letter indicates persistence and determination in his mission. This reflects the seriousness of his intent to fulfill the prophecy given by Elijah (1 Kings 21:21-22). “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehuThe newly anointed king of Israel, tasked with eradicating the house of Ahab as part of God's judgment. 2. The Seventy Sons of Ahab These were the descendants of Ahab, representing the continuation of his dynasty, which was under divine judgment. 3. Jezreel A significant city in Israel where Jehu called for the execution of Ahab's sons, symbolizing the center of his campaign against Ahab's lineage. 4. Leading Men of the City These were the elders and officials responsible for the upbringing of Ahab's sons, who were now faced with a moral and political dilemma. 5. Ahab The former king of Israel whose idolatry and wickedness led to God's judgment upon his house. Teaching Points Divine Judgment and Human AgencyJehu's actions remind us that God often uses human agents to fulfill His divine purposes. We must discern our role in God's plan and act with integrity. The Consequences of Sin Ahab's house faced severe consequences due to his idolatry and sin. This serves as a warning about the long-term effects of sin on future generations. Moral Dilemmas and Obedience The leading men of the city faced a difficult choice. In our lives, we may encounter situations where obedience to God requires difficult decisions. Leadership and Responsibility Jehu's leadership was marked by decisive action. As leaders in our communities or families, we must be prepared to make tough decisions that align with God's will. The Cost of Following God Aligning with God's purposes, as Jehu demanded, often requires sacrifice and courage. We must be willing to pay the price for obedience. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 10:6?2. How does 2 Kings 10:6 demonstrate obedience to God's commands? 3. What does Jehu's request reveal about leadership and responsibility in 2 Kings 10:6? 4. How does 2 Kings 10:6 connect to God's judgment on Ahab's house? 5. How can we apply Jehu's decisive actions to our spiritual battles today? 6. What lessons on faithfulness can we learn from the events in 2 Kings 10:6? 7. What does 2 Kings 10:6 reveal about God's judgment and justice? 8. How does 2 Kings 10:6 align with the concept of divine retribution? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 10:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 10? 11. What events are described in 2 Kings? 12. Who was King Zechariah in the Bible? 13. Does the swift eradication of Ahab's lineage in 2 Kings 10:7, 11 align with historical records outside the Bible? 14. How can the depiction of divine judgment in 2 Kings 10 be reconciled with later passages emphasizing mercy and forgiveness? What Does 2 Kings 10:6 Mean Jehu’s Second Letter“Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said…” (2 Kings 10:6a) • Jehu, freshly anointed king (2 Kings 9:6–8), is God’s chosen instrument to wipe out Ahab’s wicked dynasty in fulfilment of Elijah’s prophecy (1 Kings 21:21–24; 19:17). • A first letter (2 Kings 10:1–3) dared the city rulers to crown a rival and fight; their fearful reply (v. 4–5) exposed their weakness. Now Jehu presses the issue again—this time with a demand that will prove whether their allegiance is genuine. Conditional Loyalty “ ‘If you are on my side, and if you will obey me…’ ” (v. 6b) • Two “ifs” make loyalty unmistakable—no middle ground, much like Joshua’s “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15) or Elijah’s “How long will you waver…” (1 Kings 18:21). • Obedience to the rightful king mirrors the call to obey the LORD (John 14:15). Jehu’s earthly throne reflects divine authority backing his mission (2 Kings 9:26). Grim Command “ ‘…then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.’ ” (v. 6c) • The order sounds brutal, yet it enacts God’s stated judgment on Ahab’s male heirs (2 Kings 9:8). • Swiftness (“by this time tomorrow”) stresses total break with the former regime—echoing Deuteronomy 13:5, “purge the evil from among you.” • Jehu forces the city elders either to side with God’s verdict or risk sharing Ahab’s fate (Proverbs 29:25). Seventy Royal Sons “Now the sons of the king, seventy in all…” (v. 6d) • “Seventy” marks the house of Ahab as large and potentially dangerous—each son a rallying point for rebellion (cf. Judges 9:5). • Their number magnifies God’s thorough judgment; none will escape (2 Kings 10:17). The Role of the Leading Men “…were being brought up by the leading men of the city.” (v. 6e) • Guardians of the princes hold civic power (2 Samuel 17:27). Their decision carries the city’s fate. • The phrase hints at foster-style upbringing: elders enjoyed privilege under Ahab but must now decide whether comfort trumps righteousness (Proverbs 29:2). Obedience Tested • The next verse shows compliance: the elders behead the princes and send the heads in baskets to Jezreel (2 Kings 10:7). • Their action affirms Jehu’s uncontested rule, yet also exposes the human cost when leaders serve expediency over integrity (Matthew 14:9-11). God’s Judgment Through Jehu • Jehu executes divine retribution, not personal vendetta (2 Kings 10:10). God sometimes employs flawed human agents (Habakkuk 1:12-13). • Hosea 1:4 later condemns “the blood of Jezreel,” underscoring that God can judge even the executor if his motives become prideful. • Believers today rest in God’s perfect justice: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19). Christ-Centered Application • Just as Jehu demanded visible allegiance, the greater King Jesus demands wholehearted loyalty (Luke 14:26-27; Philippians 2:10-11). • Judgment on Ahab’s house foreshadows final judgment on all who resist the true King (Revelation 19:15-16). • In contrast, those who submit find mercy, for the cross satisfies wrath we deserve (Romans 5:9). summary 2 Kings 10:6 records Jehu’s decisive second letter, forcing Israel’s leaders to prove loyalty by executing Ahab’s seventy sons. The verse underscores God’s faithful fulfillment of prophecy, the necessity of unambiguous allegiance to His chosen ruler, and the sobering reality of divine judgment against entrenched evil. (6) The second time.--Some MSS., the LXX., and the Arabic read "a second letter."Take ye the heads.--Jehu knew his men. The cool cynicism of his savage order is worthy of a Sulla or a Marius. The heads of the men your master's sons.--Literally, the heads of the men of the sons of your master Some MSS., the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulg., as well as the MSS. mentioned by Origen, omit the word men. Thenius thinks that this word is used to indicate that only male descendants of Ahab were to be put to death (?). The Alexandrian LXX. omits sons; and four Hebrew MSS. read instead house. The Authorised Version, however, is a permissible interpretation of the Hebrew. Come.--LXX., bring (them) which is a natural conjecture. To Jezreel.--A journey of more than twenty miles. By to morrow this time.--Jehu is urgent for despatch, because time is all-important. He wishes to convince the people of Jezreel as soon as possible that none of the royal princes were left to claim the crown, and that the nobles of Samaria have joined his cause. Now the king's sons . . . brought them up.--This is a correct translation. According to the Masoretic punctuation, and supposing that the particle 'eth (rendered "with") might here be used merely to introduce the subject, we might render: "Now the king's sons were seventy persons; the great men of the city were bringing them up." But such a usage of 'eth is very doubtful. (Comp. 2Kings 6:5.) The sentence, in any case, is only a parenthetic reminder of what was stated in 2Kings 10:1. The total seventy is, perhaps, not to be taken as exact, seventy being a favourite round number. (See Note on 1Chronicles 1:42.) . . . Verse 6 - Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying; rather, a second time. The reply of the Samaritan authorities gave Jehu an opportunity, of which he was not slow to take advantage. They might have been contented with their negative response, "We will not make any man king;" but they had gone beyond it - they had departed from the line of neutrality, and had placed themselves unreservedly on Jehu's side. "We are thy servants," they had said, "and will do all that thou shalt bid us." It is always rash to promise absolute obedience to a human being. To volunteer such a promise, when it is not even asked, is the height of folly. If ye be mine - as they had said they were, when they called themselves his "slaves" - and if ye will hearken unto my voice - i.e., obey me, do as I require - take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel. The Samaritan authorities were ordered to bring the heads with them, that they might be seen and counted. In the East generally, the heads of rebels and pretenders, by whatever death they may have died, are cut off, brought to the sovereign, and then exposed in some public place, in order that the public at large may be certified that the men are really dead (comp. 1 Samuel 31:9). By tomorrow this time. As Jezreel was not more than about twenty miles from Samaria, the order could be executed by that time. It necessitated, however, very prompt measures, and gave the authorities but little time for consideration. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up (comp. ver. 1).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Jehu wroteוַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב (way·yiḵ·tōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3789: To grave, to write them אֲלֵיהֶם֩ (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to a second שֵׁנִ֜ית (šê·nîṯ) Number - ordinal feminine singular Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number) letter סֵ֨פֶר ׀ (sê·p̄er) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book and said: לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you are on my side, אַתֶּ֜ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you and if you אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you will obey me, שֹׁמְעִ֗ים (šō·mə·‘îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently then bring קְחוּ֙ (qə·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take the heads רָאשֵׁי֙ (rā·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7218: The head of your master’s אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם (’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller sons בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son to me אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case at Jezreel יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה (yiz·rə·‘e·lāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3157: Jezreel -- 'God sows', two Israelites, also two cities in Israel, also a valley in Northern Israel by this time כָּעֵ֥ת (kā·‘êṯ) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6256: Time, now, when tomorrow.” מָחָ֖ר (mā·ḥār) Adverb Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter Now the king’s הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king sons, וּבְנֵ֤י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son seventy שִׁבְעִ֣ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number) in all, אִ֔ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person were being brought up מְגַדְּלִ֥ים (mə·ḡad·də·lîm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great by the leading men גְּדֹלֵ֥י (gə·ḏō·lê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent of the city. הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement Links 2 Kings 10:6 NIV2 Kings 10:6 NLT 2 Kings 10:6 ESV 2 Kings 10:6 NASB 2 Kings 10:6 KJV 2 Kings 10:6 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 10:6 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 10:6 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 10:6 French Bible 2 Kings 10:6 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 10:6 Then he wrote a letter the second (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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