2 Kings 10:1

Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed · 2 Kings 10:1–17
Read 2 Kings 10

Translations

Modern
Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying:
Traditional
And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s children, saying,
Literal
And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters and sent to Samaria to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to those supporting Ahab, saying,
Latin
Erant autem Achab septuaginta filii in Samaria: scripsit ergo Jehu litteras, et misit in Samariam, ad optimates civitatis, et ad majores natu, et ad nutritios Achab, dicens:

Original

Hebrew
English
Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying:

Notes

Ahab’s sons (this term can also mean grandsons) might have been with Joram in Jezreel while he healed from his wounds (2 Kings 8:29). However, they fled to Samaria to escape Jehu’s purge.

The writer highlights two key events during the time Jehu was king:

Events

People

Ahab: Wicked king of Israel; husband of Jezebel Jehu: Son of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, destroyed Ahab's dynasty

Places

Jezreel: A city in Issachar, associated with Ahab and Jezebel Samaria: Capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel; Samaritan inhabitants

Glossary

Ahab (King) Black Obelisk Hosea, Book of Jehu Jezreel (Place) Kings, Books of First and Second Nurse Palace

Topics

Ahab: King of Israel: Sons of, Murdered Children were Named: Often Numerous Children: Edict to Murder of Jehu Children: Male: Under the Care of Tutors, Till They Came of Age Children: Tutors and Governors For Decision: Jehu Enthusiasm: Jehu Government: Monarchical by Solomon Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Homicide: Felonious: Jehu Jehu: Son of Nimshi, King of Israel: Religious Zeal of, in Killing Idolaters Massacre: Sons of Ahab Polygamy: Ahab Religious Zeal: Jehu Tutor: General Scriptures Concerning