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?
10. You should know that nothing the Lord said will fail. Everything the Lord said about Ahab’s family will come true. The Lord has spoken through his servant Elijah. And the Lord has done what he said.”
11. So Jehu killed everyone of Ahab’s family in Jezreel who was still alive. He also killed all Ahab’s leading men, close friends and priests. No one was left alive who had helped Ahab.
12. Then Jehu left and went to Samaria. He went on the road to Beth Eked of the Shepherds.
13. There Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said, “Who are you?”They answered, “We are relatives of Ahaziah. We have come down to visit the families of the king and the king’s mother.”
14. Then Jehu said, “Take them alive!” So they captured Ahaziah’s relatives alive. But they killed them at the well near Beth Eked. There were 42 of them. Jehu did not leave anyone alive.
15. After Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab. He was also on his way to meet Jehu. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you as good a friend to me as I am to you?”Jehonadab answered, “Yes, I am.”Jehu said, “If you are, then give me your hand.” So Jehonadab gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him into the chariot.