2 Kings 10:13

Iehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Iudah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, Wee are the brethren of Ahaziah, and we go downe to salute the children of the King, and the children of the Queene. 2 Kings 10:13 (KJV)

This verse is part of the account of Jehu’s reign as king of Israel. Jehu had been anointed by the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 9:1‑13 and was commissioned by God to execute judgment upon the house of Ahab and to eliminate the worship of Baal. In the narrative of 2 Kings 10:12‑14 Jehu encounters the “brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah.” Ahaziah was a king of the southern kingdom of Judah, the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, and a grandson of Ahab and Jezebel. The phrase “brethren of Ahaziah” refers to relatives or royal princes associated with Ahaziah’s family.

Jehu’s question, “Who are ye?” indicates that he did not immediately recognise or trust them. In the volatile atmosphere of a regime change, individuals connected to a former ruler were often viewed as potential threats. The brethren answer that they are indeed the brethren of Ahaziah and that they are travelling “to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen,” meaning they intended to greet the descendants of Ahaziah’s line.

Jehu’s reign was marked by a strong opposition to idolatry. He had already executed many members of Ahab’s family, witnessed the death of Jezebel at the hands of her own servants, and purged the land of Baal worshippers. The subsequent verses record that Jehu goes on to execute the brethren of Ahaziah, regarding them as political opponents and a danger to his rule.

This passage highlights the political tensions and power struggles that existed during this period in Israel’s history. It underscores the severity of God’s judgment against the house of Ahab, the consequences of idolatry, and the complexities of political transitions. The encounter serves as a reminder that loyalty to God’s commands was expected even amid the shifting alliances and threats of the time.