2 Kings 10:5

5 So the officer in charge of the palace and the official in charge of the city, together with the leading citizens and the guardians, sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants, and we are ready to do anything you say. But we will not make anyone king; do whatever you think best."

2 Kings 10:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:5

And he that was over the house
The king's palace in Samaria, who had the custody, care, and government of it:

and he that was over the city;
the commander and governor of it, that had the highest post in it under the king;

the elders also
all other subordinate officers and magistrates:

and the bringers up of the children;
who had the education of the king's sons committed to them:

sent to Jehu, saying, we are thy servants, and will do all that thou
shall bid us.
They were ready to do homage, and swear allegiance to him as their king, and obey all his commands as faithful subjects:

we will not make any king;
or set up any on the throne, no, not any of the sons or grandsons of Ahab:

do thou that which is good in thine eyes,
we will never oppose thee.

2 Kings 10:5 In-Context

3 you are to choose the best qualified of the king's descendants, make him king, and fight to defend him."
4 The rulers of Samaria were terrified. "How can we oppose Jehu," they said, "when neither King Joram nor King Ahaziah could?"
5 So the officer in charge of the palace and the official in charge of the city, together with the leading citizens and the guardians, sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants, and we are ready to do anything you say. But we will not make anyone king; do whatever you think best."
6 Jehu wrote them another letter: "If you are with me and are ready to follow my orders, bring the heads of King Ahab's descendants to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow." The seventy descendants of King Ahab were under the care of the leading citizens of Samaria, who were bringing them up.
7 When Jehu's letter was received, the leaders of Samaria killed all seventy of Ahab's descendants, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.