Bible Strands
2 Kings 10:18
Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehu addresses the assembled Israelites in Samaria immediately after executing Ahab’s remaining household. He uses this public gathering to announce his decisive break from the royal house’s religious policy.
The words — וַ/יִּקְבֹּ֤ץ (va/i.yik.Botz) translates to "and he gathered," establishing the public assembly, while אַחְאָ֕ב ('ach.'Av) identifies Ahab, whose prior religious compromise Jehu contrasts with his own extreme zeal.
The thread — The narrative echoes 1 Kings 18:19, where Elijah previously summoned Baal’s prophets, and references 1 Kings 16:31, which details Ahab’s introduction of Baal worship through Jezebel.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that Jehu’s declaration is a strategic prelude to violence, not a theological manifesto. It requires the reader to track how political and religious purges are justified through public declarations of zeal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 16:31 And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.
- 1 Kings 18:19 Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
- 1 Kings 18:22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.
- 1 Kings 18:40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
- 2 Kings 3:2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He removed the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made.
- Job 13:7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
- Romans 3:8 Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
- Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.