2 Kings 10:14

14 Then Jehu ordered, "Take them alive." So they took them alive and then slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked-42 men. He didn't spare any of them.^[a]

2 Kings 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:14

And he said, take them alive
Gave orders to his guards to seize them, and make them captives:

and they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the
shearing house;
where they washed the sheep when they sheered them;

[even] forty and two men, neither left he any of them;
they being, by their grandmother's side, of the house of Ahab, and so within the commission of Jehu to slay them, at least as he thought; though his chief view might be, lest they should make any pretensions to the crown, being descended from that house, or should hereafter attempt to avenge the death of their relations; but by the judgment of God they were cut off as idolaters.

2 Kings 10:14 In-Context

12 Then he set out and went on his way to Samaria. On the way, while he was at Beth-eked of the Shepherds,

13 Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, "Who are you?" They answered, "We're Ahaziah's relatives. We've come down to greet the king's sons and the queen mother's sons."

14 Then Jehu ordered, "Take them alive." So they took them alive and then slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked-42 men. He didn't spare any of them.

15 When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab [coming] to meet him. He greeted him and then asked, "Is your heart one with mine?" "It is," Jehonadab replied. Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot with him.

16 Then he said, "Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord!" So he let him ride with him in his chariot.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Ch 22:8