Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 10
Jehu had told Samaria’s leaders to appoint one of the young men from Ahab’s family as their king. Then, they could organise the men in Samaria to fight for that king against Jehu.
Samaria’s leaders discussed that plan carefully. However, they had a very serious problem. None of the young men in Ahab’s family seemed powerful enough to defeat Jehu in a battle. Actually, it seems likely that few or none of them had any experience as soldiers. All the important leaders of Israel’s army had been with Jehu at Ramoth-Gilead (9:5). These young men from Ahab’s family had chosen to remain in the palace during that war.
It was clear to Samaria’s leaders that Jehu was an extremely powerful man. They reminded themselves that Jehu had just killed King Joram of Israel at Jezreel. They seemed to believe that he had killed King Ahaziah of Judah at the same time. Actually, Ahaziah had escaped and he was now hiding with them, in secret, in Samaria (2 Chronicles 22:9). Soon, however, Jehu would catch and kill him, too (9:27).
Even if Samaria’s leaders could find a good leader among Ahab’s sons, Jehu was probably more powerful than him. It seemed clear to them that Jehu was now the best person to be king of Israel. So, their responsibility for Ahab’s children was becoming a major difficulty for them. They wanted to be on Jehu’s side – but while Ahab’s sons were still alive in their city, that seemed impossible.
Next part: Jehu's order about the sons of Ahab (2 Kings 10:5-6)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.