“King Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So King Jehu wrote letters to them. He sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of the city, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of King Ahab, saying. ‘Since your master’s sons are with you, you have at your disposal chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons, select the son of your master who is the best qualified, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.’ But they were utterly terrified. They said. ‘Look, two kings could not withstand him. How then can we stand?’ So the steward of the palace, and the governor of the city, along with the elders and the guardians, sent to King Jehu. ‘We are your servants. We will do anything you say. We will not make any one king. Do whatever you think right.’”
King Ahab had 70 sons. He was a busy man. Queen Jezebel was really active or extremely tolerant of King Ahab. Anyone of these sons could claim the throne since they were brothers of King Jehoram. This might also include his grandsons also. King Jehu sent letters to Samaria, the rulers of the cities, the elders, and the guardians of the children. He wanted them to name a new king and then fight over the palace. However, they were afraid since he had just killed the 2 reigning kings of Israel and Judah. Was this a setup to kill someone else? They finally said. Do whatever you want. They were not going to make a king from among the 70 of themselves.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 