2 Kings 10:1-7

1Ahab 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,

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

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

5So 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.”

6So 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.

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