Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 10

Ahab’s 70 sons

2 Kings 10:1-3

Jehu now controlled Jezreel and its palace. However, most of Ahab’s family was not there. They were in Samaria, the capital city, which was a much stronger city, with good defences. Perhaps Jezreel’s palace officials took them there when Jehu killed Joram. That might explain why Jehu wrote to the officials of Jezreel in Samaria.

Ahab had 70 ‘sons’, and they were now in Samaria. It seems that this included his grandsons and perhaps other family members. Ahab may have had other wives in addition to Jezebel. It seems likely that Joram also had children. So, some of the 70 sons were boys, and some were adults. Some of them had teachers, to whom Jehu also wrote.

So, Jehu’s letters were to the elders or rulers of Samaria, to the officials and the teachers. They remained loyal to the family of Ahab – but the family of Ahab had no king now. If they did not want Jehu to take control over Samaria, they would have to fight against him.

Jehu explained that he would not allow these members of Ahab’s family to live in safety in Samaria. If they did not defeat him in war, he would defeat them. He considered them to be his enemies, and he intended to attack soon. He could not delay, because that would give them an opportunity to gain the support of more people in Israel.

So Jehu told them to choose one of Ahab’s sons to be their king. Then they would be ready for when he began his attack.

Next part: Jehu is too powerful for Ahab's family to oppose (2 Kings 10:4)

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