2 Kings 10:28-36

Evaluation of Jehu's Reign

28 Jehu eliminated Baal [worship] from Israel,

29 but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit-[worshiping] the golden calves that were in Bethel and Dan.^[a]

30 Nevertheless, the Lord said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel."

31 Yet, Jehu was not careful to follow with all his heart the law of the Lord God of Israel. He did not turn from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

32 In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory:

33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead-the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites-from Aroer which is by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan.^[b]

34 Now the rest of the events of Jehu's [reign], along with all his accomplishments and all his might, are written about in the Historical Record of Israel's Kings.

35 Jehu rested with his fathers, and he was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz became king in his place.

36 The length of Jehu's reign over Israel in Samaria was 28 years.

2 Kings 10:28-36 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 10

This chapter gives a further account of the destruction of the house of Ahab by Jehu, or his orders, even of all his sons and relations, 2Ki 10:1-11, and also of the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, 2Ki 10:12-14, of his taking up Jehonadab the son of Rechab into his chariot, to be a witness of his zeal for the Lord, 2Ki 10:15-17, and of his gathering together the prophets, priests, and worshippers of Baal, and slaying them, 2Ki 10:18-25 and of his extirpation of the idolatry of Baal, 2Ki 10:26-28, nevertheless he continued the worship of the calves, 2Ki 10:29-31 wherefore Israel was distressed by the king of Syria, 2Ki 10:32,33 and the chapter is concluded with the reign and death of Jehu, 2Ki 10:34,35.

Footnotes

• [a]. 1 Kg 12:28
• [b]. Lit Arnon Valley and Gilead and Bashan