Ahab had seventy sons - As he had several wives, he might have many children. The Israelites, from the earliest part of their history, were remarkably fruitful. How amazingly did they multiply in Egypt, even under the hand of the severest oppression! And as to the individuals of whose families we have an account, they are quite remarkable: Rehoboam had thirty-eight sons; Abdon had forty; Tola had thirty; Ahab, seventy; and Gideon, seventy-one.

Unto the rulers of Jezreel - It certainly should be, unto the rulers of Samaria; for to them and to that city the whole context shows us the letters were sent. See 2 Kings 10:6.

To them that brought up Ahab's children - It appears that the royal children of Israel and Judah were intrusted to the care of the nobles, and were brought up by them, (see 2 Kings 10:6); and to these, therefore, Jehu's letters are directed. It is supposed Isaiah (Isaiah 49:23) alludes to this custom: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers.

seventy sons

Judges 8:30 And Gideon had three score and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

Judges 10:4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair to this day...

Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on three score and ten donkey colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

in Samaria

2 Kings 5:3 And she said to her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel...

1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 22:9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him...

the rulers

Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes...

1 Kings 21:8-14 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal...

them [heb] nourishers

Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh Away Holy Martyrdoms Altogether. ...
3. Which sentence dishonoreth the holy Martyrs, nay rather taketh away holy martyrdoms altogether. For they would do more justly and wisely, according to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying what they were, should both themselves keep safe the convenience of the flesh and purpose of the heart, and not allow those to accomplish the wickedness which they had conceived in their mind. …
St. Augustine—Against Lying