And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him,(for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

2 CHRONICLES 22:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 22:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 22:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 22:9 tells how Ahaziah, the king of Judah, was found hiding in Samaria, captured, and brought to Jehu, who killed him. Ahaziah was buried out of respect for his grandfather Jehoshaphat, who had sincerely sought God, but after Ahaziah’s death, his family lost all power to rule the kingdom.

This verse describes a moment during a violent change of leadership in Israel’s history. Jehu, who had been anointed to wipe out the house of Ahab, also killed Ahaziah because of his connection to that family. The people showed some honor to Ahaziah in burial because of Jehoshaphat’s faithful reputation, but the verse makes clear that Ahaziah’s family could not hold onto the throne after his death.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 22:9

  • "sought" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search diligently or pursue. It shows that Jehu’s men were actively looking for Ahaziah, not just stumbling upon him by chance.
  • "caught" (לָכַד, lakad): This word carries the sense of capturing or seizing, emphasizing that Ahaziah was taken by force, not surrendering willingly.
  • "hid" (חָבָא, chava): This word means to conceal oneself. It highlights Ahaziah’s fear and desperation, hiding in Samaria to escape Jehu.
  • "power" (כֹּחַ, koach): This word means strength or ability. The verse uses it to state that Ahaziah’s family had no strength left to maintain control of the kingdom.

Why 2 Chronicles 22:9 matters

  • This verse explains why Ahaziah’s family line lost the throne, connecting it to both his violent death and the lack of strength or support afterward.
  • The mention of Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness shows that even in a time of judgment, past faithfulness was remembered and honored in burial customs.
  • The verse ties the events in Judah to the larger story of Jehu’s purge in Israel, showing how the two kingdoms’ histories were intertwined.

Where else these words appear

“Ahaziah” Hebrew H274 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:16 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

“hid” Hebrew H2244 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
  • 1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait,(for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

“keep” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
  • 2 Kings 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.