2 Kings 10:14

14 "Take them alive!" Jehu ordered. So his men took them alive. Then they killed them by the well of Beth Eked. They killed a total of 42 men. Jehu didn't leave anyone alive.

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 Jehu started out for Samaria. At Beth Eked of the Shepherds,

13 he saw some people. They were relatives of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. Jehu asked them, "Who are you?" They said, "We are Ahaziah's relatives. We've come down to visit the families of the king and of his mother."

14 "Take them alive!" Jehu ordered. So his men took them alive. Then they killed them by the well of Beth Eked. They killed a total of 42 men. Jehu didn't leave anyone alive.

15 After Jehu left there, he came upon Jehonadab. He was the son of Recab. Jehonadab was on his way to see Jehu. Jehu greeted him. He asked, "Are you my friend? You know I'm your friend." "I am," Jehonadab answered. "If that's true," said Jehu, "hold out your hand." So he did. Then Jehu helped him up into the chariot.

16 Jehu said, "Come along with me. See how committed I am to serve the Lord." He had him ride along in his chariot.