· Translation: KJV

2 Kings 10:31But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.

The setting

Israel, ~841 BC. The narrator's final assessment of Jehu's 28-year reign from the capital at Samaria, modern-day West Bank...

The emotion here: sad disappointment at recording a promising reign that fell short

The original word

lēb (לֵב) — heart, the center of will and emotion, not just feelings

Why it matters

Jehu's dynasty lasted 5 generations but never fully eliminated idolatry from Israel

Read with care

What most readers miss in 2 Kings 10:31

The same verse that praises Jehu also condemns him - showing God values heart motivation over external results

Common misconceptionPeople think this contradicts verse 30's praise, but it doesn't. God can approve specific acts of obedience while disapproving overall heart condition. Jehu did the right thing for political reasons, not love for God.

Bible Genome reading

2 Kings 10:31 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerNarrator
EraDivided Kingdom
Primary emotiongrieving
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability40%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance40%
Standalone40%
Themes:incomplete obediencedivided heartspiritual compromise

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 2 Kings 10

2 Kings 10:31 comes from the book of 2 Kings, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include incomplete obedience, divided heart, spiritual compromise. Notable phrases: took no heed; with all his heart.

Your reflection

What does 2 Kings 10:31 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "grieving"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.