1. Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And so Jehu wrote letters, and he sent to Samaria, to the nobles of the city, and to those greater by birth, and to those who had raised Ahab's sons, saying:
2. "Immediately when you receive these letters, you who have your lord's sons, and chariots, and horses, and reinforced cities, and weapons,
3. choose him who is better and who pleases you from among the sons of your lord, and set him on the throne of his father, and fight for the house of your lord."
4. But they were vehemently afraid, and they said: "Behold, two kings were not able to stand before him. So how will we be able to withstand him?"
5. Therefore, those who were in charge of the house, and the prefects of the city, and those greater by birth, and those who raised the sons, sent to Jehu, saying: "We are your servants. Whatever you will order, we will do. But we will not appoint a king for ourselves. Do whatever pleases you."