1. Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officers and elders of Jezreel and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab. Jehu said,
2. “You have your master’s sons with you, and you have chariots, horses, a city with strong walls, and weapons. When you get this letter,
3. choose the best and most worthy person among your master’s sons, and make him king. Then fight for your master’s family.”
4. But the officers and leaders of Jezreel were frightened. They said, “Two kings could not stand up to Jehu, so how can we?”
5. The palace manager, the city governor, the leaders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu. “We are your servants,” they said. “We will do everything you tell us to do. We won’t make any man king, so do whatever you think is best.”
6. Then Jehu wrote a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side and will obey me, cut off the heads of your master’s sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.”Now the seventy sons of the king’s family were with the leading men of the city who were their guardians.