What does 2 Kings 10:17 mean?
"And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah." - 2 Kings 10:17
2 Kings 10:17 (KJV) states, "And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake to Elijah."
This verse comes from the Old Testament and is part of the story of Jehu's reign as king of Israel. It is important to understand the historical and cultural context in order to fully grasp the meaning and significance of this verse.
At the time of this verse, the Kingdom of Israel was divided into two, with the northern kingdom being ruled by various kings in succession. One of them was King Ahab, who is known for his wickedness and idolatry. After Ahab's death, his son Joram became king but was later killed by Jehu, who then took the throne and began a campaign to eradicate the worship of Baal in Israel.
In the preceding verses, Jehu had already killed Jezebel, the queen mother, and all of Ahab's descendants in Jezreel. Now, as he arrives in Samaria, he carries out the same brutal extermination. This was in accordance with the prophecy of Elijah, who had been instructed by God to anoint Jehu as the new king and to carry out these violent acts of judgment against the house of Ahab for their wickedness and idolatry.
The verse aligns with the theme of divine judgment and justice. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where God intervenes in human affairs to enforce His justice, often using human agents as instruments of His will. In this case, Jehu is the instrument through which God executes His judgment on the house of Ahab. This serves as a reminder that no one is above God's judgment and that He will hold people accountable for their actions.
Another theme present in this verse is the fulfillment of prophecy. The words spoken by God through Elijah are brought to fruition as Jehu carries out the destruction of Ahab's house. This emphasizes the trustworthiness and authority of God's word. It also serves as a testament to the importance of heeding the words of the prophets and the consequences of disobeying God's commands.
Symbolism can also be found in this verse. The eradication of Ahab's house symbolizes the removal of wickedness and idolatry from the land of Israel. It is a purging of the unrighteous and a restoration of true worship of God. It also serves as a warning to future generations about the consequences of turning away from God and the severity of His judgment.
Overall, 2 Kings 10:17 is a powerful and sobering verse that highlights the themes of divine judgment, fulfillment of prophecy, and the symbolism of purging wickedness. It reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's word and the consequences of straying from His path. It also emphasizes the righteousness and justice of God, as well as His sovereign authority over the affairs of humanity.
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2 Kings 10:17 - "And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah."
"And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah." - 2 Kings 10:17
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
Joshua 10:17 - "And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
"And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:" - 2 Kings 17:10
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
1 Kings 10:17 - "And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon."
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
Revelation 17:10 - "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."
2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 10:28 - "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
2 Corinthians 10:17 - "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
2 Kings 10:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 10:20 - "And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it."
2 Kings 10:16-17 - "And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot. And when he came to Samaria, he killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had wiped them out, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to Elijah."
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
"Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." - 2 Kings 10:28
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
1 Kings 2:10 - "So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David."
2 Kings 10:26 - "And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them."
"And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah." - Joshua 10:17