2 Kings 10:7

7 When the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and slaughtered all 70, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

2 Kings 10:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:7

And it came to pass, when the letter came to them
They did not in the least hesitate, but immediately complied with the contents of it:

that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons;
which was the whole number of them:

and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jezreel;
as a present to Jehu, just as they carried the firstfruits, as Abarbinel observes.

2 Kings 10:7 In-Context

5 So the overseer of the palace, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent [a message] to Jehu: "We are your servants, and we will do whatever you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever you think is right."

6 Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying: If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, bring me the heads of your master's sons at this time tomorrow at Jezreel. All 70 of the king's sons were being cared for by the city's prominent men.

7 When the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and slaughtered all 70, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

8 When the messenger came and told him, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons," the king said, "Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning."

9 The next morning when he went out and stood [at the gate], he said to all the people, "You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all these?