2 Kings Chapter 10 · Verse 17

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבֹא֙ And when he came H935
וַיָּבֹא֙ And when he came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּשֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן in Samaria H8111
בְּשֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן in Samaria
Strong's: H8111
Word #: 2 of 16
shomeron, a place in palestine
וַ֠יַּךְ he slew H5221
וַ֠יַּךְ he slew
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 3 of 16
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֧ים all that remained H7604
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֧ים all that remained
Strong's: H7604
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
לְאַחְאָ֛ב unto Ahab H256
לְאַחְאָ֛ב unto Ahab
Strong's: H256
Word #: 7 of 16
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
בְּשֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן in Samaria H8111
בְּשֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן in Samaria
Strong's: H8111
Word #: 8 of 16
shomeron, a place in palestine
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 9 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הִשְׁמִד֑וֹ till he had destroyed H8045
הִשְׁמִד֑וֹ till he had destroyed
Strong's: H8045
Word #: 10 of 16
to desolate
כִּדְבַ֣ר him according to the saying H1697
כִּדְבַ֣ר him according to the saying
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 11 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֖ר which he spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֖ר which he spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 14 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 15 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃ to Elijah H452
אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃ to Elijah
Strong's: H452
Word #: 16 of 16
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

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 contributes to the overall theme of chapter 10: Zeal for God without heart transformation. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 10 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Purge Continues) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection