Regicide

How Nave’s arranged it

• (Assassinating a king)
• Of EhudJudges 3:16–23
• Of King Saul2 Samuel 1:16
• Of Ish-bosheth2 Samuel 4:5–8
• Of Nadab1 Kings 15:27–29
• Of Elah1 Kings 16:9–11
• Of Joram2 Kings 9:24
• Of Ahaziah2 Kings 9:27
• Of Joash2 Kings 12:202 Kings 12:21
• Of Amaziah2 Kings 14:192 Kings 14:20
• Of Zachariah2 Kings 15:10
• Of Shallum2 Kings 15:14

The passages, in Bible order (19)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Judges 3:16–23

   Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak

   ›Commentary on Judges 3:16–232 voices

   “Ehud made him a dagger . . . and he did gird it . . . upon his right thigh--The sword was usually worn on the left side; so that Ehud's was the more likely to escape detection.

   “A dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length - The word גמד gomed, which we translate cubit, is of very doubtful signification. As the root seems to signify contracted, it probably means an instrument made for the purpose shorter than usual, and something like the Italian stiletto. The Septuagint translate it by σπιθαμη, a span, and most of the versions understand it in the same sense. Upon his right thigh - Because he was left-handed.

   Everything gathered on Judges 3:16–23→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. 2 Samuel 1:16

   For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:162 voices

   “We know that David went beyond the precepts of the law when, despite Moses' command to pay back one's enemies in kind, he not only did not do this but even embraced his persecutors in love, prayed devoutly to the Lord on their behalf, even wept mournfully for them and revenged them when they were slain.

   “Whence his blood will come upon him, that is, he will be the cause of his own death, according to what David says to him who reported to him the death of Saul, and remembered that he had killed the king of Israel: "Your blood be upon your own head" (2 Kings 1:16). Not my opinion, but the blood of Saul (i.e. "Al" for Saul) will be spilled because of your blood.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 1:16→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. 2 Samuel 4:5–8

   Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while the king was taking his midday nap.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:5–81 voice

   “Lay on a bed at noon - It is a custom in all hot countries to travel or work very early and very late, and rest at noonday, in which the heat chiefly prevails.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 4:5–8→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. 1 Kings 15:27–29

   Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city.

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 15:27–292 voices

   “Baasha smote him at Gibbethon--This town, within the tribe of Dan, was given to the Levites (Jos 19:44). It lay on the Philistine borders, and having been seized by that people, Nadab laid siege to recover it.

   “Baasha ... of the house of Issachar - It is curious to find Issachar furnishing a king. Tola, its one very undistinguished Judge Jdg 10:1, on obtaining office had at once settled himself in the territory of Ephraim. The tribe was as little famous as any that could be named. The “ass crouching between two burthens” was a true symbol of the patient, plodding cultivators of the plain of Esdraelon Gen 49:14-

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 15:27–29→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 1 Kings 16:9–11

   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.

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 16:9–111 voice

   “The conspiracy of Zimri - Elah’s “servant” (i. e., “subject”) - was favored by his position, which probably gave him military authority in the city, by the absence of a great part of the people and of the officers who might have checked him, at Gibbethon 1Ki 16:15, and by the despicable character of Elah, who, instead of going up to the war, was continually reminding men of his low origin by conduct unworthy of royalty. Steward - The office was evidently one of considerable importance. In Solomon’s court it gave the rank of שׂר śar, prince.

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 16:9–11→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 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.

   ›Commentary on 2 Kings 9:242 voices

   “A report was made to Joram in his palace below. A messenger on horseback was quickly despatched down into the plain to meet the ambiguous host and to question the object of their approach. "Is it peace?" We may safely assume that this messenger would meet Jehu at the distance of three miles or more.

   “Drew a bow with his full strength - The marginal reading is correct: He filled his hand with a bow. That is, “He immediately took up his bow, set his arrow, and let fly.” This is the only meaning of the passage. Between his arms - That is, between his shoulders; for he was now turned, and was flying from Jehu.

   Everything gathered on 2 Kings 9:24→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 2 Kings 9:27

   When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there.

   ›Commentary on 2 Kings 9:272 voices

   “Ahaziah--was grandnephew to King Joram, and great-grandson to King Ahab. Ibleam--near Megiddo, in the tribe of Issachar (Jos 17:11; Jud 1:27); and Gur was an adjoining hill.

   “He died - The history is briefly and imperfectly described here, and the defects supplied in (the book of Chronicles, is great part written for that end, to supply things omitted in the book of Kings) out of both it may be thus compleated: he fled first to Megiddo, and thence to Samaria, where he was caught, and thence brought to Jehu, and by his sentence was put to death at Megiddo.

   Everything gathered on 2 Kings 9:27→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 2 Kings 12:20

   And the servants of Joash rose up and formed a conspiracy and killed him at Beth-millo, on the road down to Silla.

   ›Commentary on 2 Kings 12:202 voices

   “And slew Joash - We are told, in the Chronicles, that his murdering the prophet, Jehoiada's son, was the provocation. In this, how unrighteous so ever they were, yet the Lord was righteous.

   "His servants arose, devised a conspiracy and killed Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla." When he reached the age of 130 years, the priest Jehoiada died. Joash, being persuaded by the advice of some of his princes, …

   Everything gathered on 2 Kings 12:20→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 2 Kings 12:21

   His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Amaziah reigned in his place.

   ›Commentary on 2 Kings 12:212 voices

   “For Jozachar - This person is called Zabad in 2Ch 24:26; and Shimeath his mother is said to be an Ammonitess, as Jehozabad is said to be the son, not of Shomer, but of Shimrith, a Moabitess. They buried him with his fathers in the city of David - But they did not bury him in the sepulchres of the kings; this is supposed to express the popular disapprobation of his conduct. Thus ended a reign full of promise and hope in the beginning, but profligate, cruel, and ruinous in the end.

   “In this, how unrighteous soever they were (vengeance was not theirs, nor did it belong to them to repay), God was righteous; and this was not the only time that he let even kings know that it was at their peril if they touched his anointed and did his prophets any harm, and that, when he comes to make inquisition for blood, the blood of prophets will run the account very high.

   Everything gathered on 2 Kings 12:21→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. 2 Kings 14:19

    And conspirators plotted against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 14:192 voices

    “HE IS SLAIN BY A CONSPIRACY. 19, 20. they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem--Amaziah's apostasy (2Ch 25:27) was followed by a general maladministration, especially the disastrous issue of the war with Israel.

    “Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem,.... Against Amaziah; the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the principal men of it; perhaps those whose sons the king of Israel had carried away as hostages, which they imputed to the ill conduct of Amaziah, as well as the breaking of the wall of Jerusalem, and the pillaging of the temple, and the king's palace: and he fled to Lachish; a fortified city in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:39 but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there; in a private manner, as Josephus (g) relates. (g) Ut supra.

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 14:19→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. 2 Kings 14:20

    They carried him back on horses and buried him in Jerusalem with his fathers in the City of David.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 14:202 voices

    “And they brought him on horses,.... That is, in a chariot or hearse drawn by horses; though the Jews (h) suppose he was carried on horses, and that because he worshipped the gods of the Edomites, who were themselves carried on horses; and he was not carried on the shoulders of men, because he neglected to serve the God of Israel, whose mysteries were carried on the shoulders of men: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David; and very probably in the sepulchre of the kings, though his father was not. (h) Hieron.

    “They brought him on horses - i. e. they conveyed his body back to Jerusalem in the royal chariot. The combination of relentless animosity against the living prince with the deepest respect for his dead remains is very characteristic of an Oriental people.

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 14:20→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 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.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 15:102 voices

    “In his fate was fulfilled the prophecy addressed to Jehu (2Ki 10:30; also Ho 1:4), that his family would possess the throne of Israel for four generations; and accordingly Jehoahaz, Joash, Jehoram, and Zechariah were his successors--but there his dynasty terminated; and perhaps it was the public knowledge of this prediction that prompted the murderous design of Shallum.

    “And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him,.... A friend of his, as Josephus (q) calls him, encouraged by the dissatisfaction of the people to him: and smote him before the people, and slew him; in a public manner, the people consenting to it, and approving of it, not liking Zachariah to be their king: and reigned in his stead; though but a very short time. (q) Antiqu. l. 9. c. 11. sect. 1.

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 15:10→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. 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.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 15:142 voices

    “Shallum . . . reigned a full month--He was opposed and slain by Menahem, who, according to JOSEPHUS, was commander of the forces, which, on the report of the king's murder, were besieging Tirzah, a town twelve miles east of Samaria, and formerly a seat of the kings of Israel.

    “Tirzah, the old capital, once more appears as a place of importance, giving birth to the pretender, who alone of all these later kings died a natural death, and left the crown to his son 2Ki 15:22. It would seem from the present passage to have been on lower ground than Samaria.

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 15:14→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. 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.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 15:251 voice

    “A captain of his - A mere “captain,” a person, therefore, of very moderate rank. The low birth of Pekah is probably glanced at in Isaiah’s favorite designation of him as “Remaliah’s son” Isa 7:4-5, Isa 7:9; Isa 8:6. From the fact that Pekah employed Gileadites to carry out his designs, it has been conjectured that he himself belonged to the trans-Jordanic region. In the palace of the king’s house - Rather, “In the tower of the king’s palace;” or possibly “in the harem of the king’s palace” (1Ki 16:18 note).

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 15:25→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. 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.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 15:302 voices

    “Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy . . . and slew him--He did not, however, obtain possession of the kingdom till about nine or ten years after the perpetration of this crime [HALES]. in the twentieth year of Jotham--Jotham's reign lasted only sixteen years, but the meaning is that the reign of Hoshea began in the twentieth after the beginning of Jotham's reign.

    “Hoshea the son of Elah - in the twentieth year of Jotham - There are many difficulties in the chronology of this place. To reconcile the whole, Calmet says: “Hoshea conspired against Pekah, the twentieth year of the reign of this prince, which was the eighteenth after the beginning of the reign of Jotham, king of Judah. Two years after this, that is, the fourth year of Ahaz, and the twentieth of Jotham, Hoshea made himself master of a part of the kingdom, according to 2Ki 15:

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 15:30→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. 2 Kings 19:36

    So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

    ›Commentary on 2 Kings 19:362 voices

    “So Sennacherib king of Assyria . . . went and returned--the same way as he came (2Ki 19:33). The route is described (Isa 10:28-32). The early chariot track near Beyrout is on the rocky edge of Lebanon, which is skirted by the ancient Lycus (Nahr-el Kelb).

    “Dwelt at Nineveh - The meaning is not that Sennacherib made no more expeditions at all, which would he untrue, for his annals show us that he warred in Armenia, Babylonia, Susiana, and Cilicia, during his later years; but that he confined himself to his own part of Asia, and did not invade Palestine or threaten Jerusalem anymore. Nineveh, marked by some ruins opposite Mosul, appears here unmistakably as the Assyrian capital, which it became toward the close of the 9th century B.C. It has previously been mentioned only in Genesis (marginal reference).

    Everything gathered on 2 Kings 19:36→

    Verse page →Original language →