King James Version
What Does 2 Kings 15:10 Mean?
“And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.”
Context
8
In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
9
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
10
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
11
And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
12
This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(10) **Son of Jabesh.**—*Not* man of Jabesh Gilead, as Hitzig explains. The father’s name is always given in the case of usurpers.
**Before the people.**—Rather, *before people*—*i.e.,* in public. So all the versions except the LXX. The open assassination of the king is noted, in contrast with the secrecy with which former conspiracies had been concerted. It is a symptom of the rapidly-increasing corruption of morals, which allowed people to look on with indifference while the king was being murdered. (The LXX. puts the Hebrew words into Greek letters thus: κεβλααμ*.* The word *qobol*—“before”—is Aramaic rather than Hebrew, and only occurs here. Ewald acutely conjectured that *Qobol’ām—“*before people”—was really the proper name of another usurper, comparing Zechariah 11:8, “the third king during that month;” but in that case the narrative is hardly coherent of complete. Grätz suggests the correction “in Ibleam.”
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 15:10 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 15:10
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge