2 Kings 10:7

7 When the letter came to the men, they slaughtered all 70 heirs. They put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in 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 official in charge of the palace, the mayor of the city, the respected leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants. We'll do everything you tell us. We won't make anyone king. Do what you think is best."

6 So he wrote them a second letter. It read, "If you are on my side and ready to listen to me, bring the heads of your master's heirs to me in Jezreel about this time tomorrow." The 70 male heirs were staying with the city's most powerful men. These men had raised them.

7 When the letter came to the men, they slaughtered all 70 heirs. They put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.

8 A messenger told him, "They've brought the heads of the king's heirs." Jehu said, "Put them in two piles at the entrance to the gateway until morning."

9 In the morning he stood there. He told the people, "You are innocent. I plotted against my master and killed him. But who killed all these men?