And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
In the morning, he went outside, stood before all the people, and said to them, 'You are innocent in this matter. Yes, I plotted against my master and killed him, but who killed all these others?'
Jehu is telling the people that while he admits to killing King Joram, he's not responsible for the massacre of Ahab's entire family that they're witnessing.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of the divided kingdom of Israel, Jehu was anointed by a prophet as God's chosen instrument to overthrow the wicked house of Ahab, who had plunged the nation into idolatry and moral corruption. After assassinating King Joram, Jehu carried out a brutal purge of Ahab's descendants and supporters as part of fulfilling divine judgment, as described in the surrounding verses. In 2 Kings 10:9, Jehu publicly justifies his actions to the people, declaring his own righteousness while deflecting full responsibility for the massacre, highlighting the complex interplay of obedience and human ambition in executing God's will.
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