2 Kings 10:1-8 ▼

1 Ahab had 70 male heirs in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters to the officials of Jezreel, the respected leaders, and the guardians of Ahab's descendants in Samaria. The letters read,

2 |Your master's heirs are with you, and you have chariots, horses, fortified cities, and weapons. As soon as this letter reaches you,

3 choose the best and most honest of your master's heirs, and put him on Ahab's throne. Fight for your master's family.|

4 But they panicked. They said, |If two kings couldn't stand up to him, how can we stand up to him?|

5 So the official in charge of the palace, the mayor of the city, the respected leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: |We are your servants. We'll do everything you tell us. We won't make anyone king. Do what you think is best.|

6 So he wrote them a second letter. It read, |If you are on my side and ready to listen to me, bring the heads of your master's heirs to me in Jezreel about this time tomorrow.| The 70 male heirs were staying with the city's most powerful men. These men had raised them.

7 When the letter came to the men, they slaughtered all 70 heirs. They put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.

8 A messenger told him, |They've brought the heads of the king's heirs.| Jehu said, |Put them in two piles at the entrance to the gateway until morning.|