In Context

1 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, even the elders, and to those who brought up the sons of Ahab, saying,

2 |Now as soon as this letter comes to you, since your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fortified city also, and armor.

3 Select the best and fittest of your master's sons, set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.|

4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, |Behold, the two kings didn't stand before him! How then shall we stand?|

5 He who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders also, and those who raised the children, sent to Jehu, saying, |We are your servants, and will do all that you ask us. We will not make any man king. You do that which is good in your eyes.|

6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, |If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time.| Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who brought them up.

2 Kings 10:4 in Other Translations