Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.

2 KINGS 10:13KJV
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2 Kings 10:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 10:13 mean?

2 Kings 10:13 describes how Jehu, while carrying out his campaign against the royal families, encounters a group of men who identify themselves as relatives of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. These men explain that they are on their way to greet the king’s children and the queen’s children, not knowing the danger they are in.

In this verse, Jehu is speaking directly to these travelers, asking who they are. The men respond that they are the "brethren" (relatives or kinsmen) of Ahaziah, and they are traveling to pay respects to members of the royal family. This meeting happens as Jehu is in the midst of eliminating the house of Ahab and those connected to it, which puts these men at risk.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 10:13

  • אַחִים (’aḥîm, transliterated "brethren"): This word can mean brothers, but often refers to relatives or kinsmen more broadly. Here, it suggests these men are extended family of Ahaziah, not necessarily his literal brothers.
  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom, transliterated "salute"): The word used for "salute" is the common Hebrew word for peace or well-being. The men are going to "seek the peace" or well-being of the royal children, showing their loyalty or respect.
  • בֵּן (ben, transliterated "children"): This word means "son" or "child." The repetition in "children of the king" and "children of the queen" emphasizes their connection to both the king and queen, highlighting the royal lineage at risk.

Why 2 Kings 10:13 matters

  • This verse shows how unaware the relatives of Ahaziah are about the political upheaval and danger that Jehu’s actions have created, which sets up the tragedy that follows.
  • The mention of both the king’s and queen’s children underlines the thoroughness of Jehu’s purge, as he targets anyone connected to the previous royal families.
  • The encounter highlights the broader impact of Jehu’s revolution, affecting not just kings but their extended families and loyal followers.

Where else these words appear

“queen” Hebrew H1377 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
  • 1 Kings 15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
  • Jeremiah 13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

“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.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

“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 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.