Bible Strands
2 Kings 15:10
Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the violent transfer of power in the northern kingdom immediately after Zechariah’s brief, wicked reign. Shallum son of Jabesh assassinates the reigning king to seize the throne.
The words — וַ/יִּקְשֹׁר (va/i.yik.Shor) translates literally as “and he conspired,” indicating a coordinated plot to overthrow authority. קָבָלְ־עָם (ka.val.'Am-) means “before the people,” highlighting the public, brazen execution of the king.
The thread — This pattern of usurpation repeats in 1 Kings 15:28 when Baasha kills Nadab and in 1 Kings 16:9 when a servant kills Elah. The biblical record consistently notes these violent successions in the official chronicles of Israel (2 Kings 15:11).
Why it lands — The text states a political murder without editorializing, leaving moral judgment to the surrounding narrative. It requires the reader to acknowledge that power seized through violence mirrors the very sins that condemn the rulers who wield it.
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 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 15:28 In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and reigned in his place.
- 1 Kings 16:9 However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.
- 2 Kings 9:24 Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.
- 2 Kings 9:31 And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?”
- 2 Kings 15:14 Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria, struck down and killed Shallum son of Jabesh, and reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 15:25 Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 15:30 Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place.
- Hosea 1:4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.
- Amos 7:9 The high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.”