10 King Ahab had seventy sons who lived in Shomron (Samaria), so Yehu sent letters to the leaders and elders of Yizre’el, and to the guardians of Ahab’s children, saying, 2 “When you all receive this letter, you’ll have the sons of your masters with you, as well as chariots and horses, and weapons within your fortified city. 3 So select the best and the most honest one out of your masters’ sons or nephews, and establish him on his father’s throne, and then be prepared to defend your masters’ family.” 4 But they were extremely frightened and said, “Listen—those two kings couldn’t stand against Yehu, so how could we?” 5 Then the man who was now in charge of the household and leading the city elders sent a message to Yehu, “We are your servants and we’ll do whatever you tell us to. We don’t plan to select a king. Do whatever you think best.”

6 So Yehu sent a second letter saying, “If you’re all on my side and ready to follow me, come and meet me at Yizre’el tomorrow with the heads of your masters’ sons.”

The late King Ahab had seventy sons who were being brought up by the city leaders, 7 and when that letter arrived, they killed and beheaded all of them, put the heads in baskets, and sent them to him at Yizre’el.

8 A messenger went and informed Yehu that the heads had been brought, and he instructed them to pile them up in two piles at the city gate until the next morning. 9 In the morning he went out and stood there, and he told all the people, “You are innocent. Listen—it was me myself who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? 10 You all should know that when Yahweh says something will happen, then it will happen. He said via his servant Eliyah that this is what would happen to Ahab’s family, and so it has.” 11 Then Yehu killed all Ahab’s remaining family members in Yizre’el, and all his chosen leaders, and his associates and priests, leaving no survivors.