King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 10:15 Mean?

2 Kings 10:15 in the King James Version says “And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and s... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. lighted on: Heb. found saluted: Heb. blessed

2 Kings 10:15 · KJV


Context

13

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. met with: Heb. found to salute: Heb. to the peace of, etc

14

And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.

15

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. lighted on: Heb. found saluted: Heb. blessed

16

And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.

17

And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 10: Zeal for God without heart transformation. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 10 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Purge Continues) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 10 regarding zeal for god without heart transformation?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 32
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מִשָּׁ֡ם2 of 32
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וַיִּמְצָ֣א3 of 32

thence he lighted

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֶת4 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהֽוֹנָדָ֥ב5 of 32

And Jehonadab

H3082

jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab

בֶּן6 of 32

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רֵכָ֨ב7 of 32

of Rechab

H7394

rekab, the name of two arabs and of two israelites

לִקְרָאת֜וֹ8 of 32

coming to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֗הוּ9 of 32

him and he saluted

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר10 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו11 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וָיֵ֖שׁ12 of 32

It is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אֶת13 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְבָבֶ֔ךָ14 of 32

as my heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

יָשָׁ֗ר15 of 32

right

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר16 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְבָבֶ֔ךָ17 of 32

as my heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עִם18 of 32
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לְבָבֶ֔ךָ19 of 32

as my heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר20 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהֽוֹנָדָ֥ב21 of 32

And Jehonadab

H3082

jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab

וָיֵ֖שׁ22 of 32

It is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

וָיֵ֖שׁ23 of 32

It is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן24 of 32

And he gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת25 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָד֔וֹ26 of 32

him his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן27 of 32

And he gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יָד֔וֹ28 of 32

him his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֥הוּ29 of 32

and he took him up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֵלָ֖יו30 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶל31 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּרְכָּבָֽה׃32 of 32

to him into the chariot

H4818

a chariot


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 10:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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