And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

2 KINGS 10:15KJV
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2 Kings 10:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 10:15 mean?

2 Kings 10:15 describes a meeting between Jehu and Jehonadab, where Jehu asks if Jehonadab’s heart is sincere and united with his own. When Jehonadab agrees, Jehu welcomes him by offering his hand and inviting him into his chariot, showing acceptance and partnership.

In this scene, Jehu is traveling after beginning his campaign to remove the house of Ahab. He encounters Jehonadab, the son of Rechab, coming to meet him. Jehu greets Jehonadab and tests whether they share the same intentions ("Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?"). When Jehonadab affirms, Jehu physically brings him into his chariot, symbolizing trust and alliance in their shared mission.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 10:15

  • יָשָׁר (yashar, H3477) — "right": This word means straight, upright, or right, and here it refers to having a sincere, honest, or aligned heart. Jehu is not just asking about feelings but about shared purpose and integrity.
  • לֵבָב (levav, H3824) — "heart": Used three times in this verse, it emphasizes the importance of inner motives and intentions, not just outward agreement. The repetition highlights that Jehu is seeking genuine unity.
  • תֵּן (ten, H5414) — "give": When Jehu says, "give me thine hand," the word carries the sense of offering or extending, which in this context is a gesture of agreement and partnership, not just a casual handshake.

Why 2 Kings 10:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jehu was seeking not just allies in action but people who truly shared his purpose and motives, making the alliance with Jehonadab more than political convenience.
  • The repeated mention of "heart" stresses that the partnership was meant to be sincere, not just formal or strategic.
  • Understanding this meeting helps explain why Jehonadab is later involved in Jehu’s reforms, showing that Jehu valued shared conviction in those who worked with him.