1. Ahab’s family had 70 sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria. He sent them to the officers and elders of Jezreel. He also sent them to the guardians of the sons of Ahab. Jehu said,
2. “You have chariots, horses and a city with strong walls. You also have weapons. When you get this letter,
3. choose the best and most worthy person among your master’s sons. Make him king. Then fight for your master’s family.”
4. But the officers and elders of Jezreel were very frightened. They said, “The two kings could not stop Jehu. So, surely we can’t either.”
5. The palace manager, the city governor, the elders and the guardians sent a message to Jehu. They said, “We are your servants. We will do everything you tell us to do. We won’t make any man king. Do whatever you think is best.”
6. Then Jehu wrote a second letter. It said, “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 there were 70 sons of the king’s family. They were with the leading men of the city who were their guardians.
7. The leaders received the letter. Then they took the king’s sons and killed all 70 of them. They put their heads in baskets. And they sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.
8. The messenger came to Jehu. He told Jehu, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons!”Then Jehu said, “Lay the heads in two piles at the city gate until morning.”
9. In the morning, Jehu went out and stood before the people. He said to them, “You are innocent. Look, I made plans against my master. I killed him. But who killed all these?