2 Kings 10:1

Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

1 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria, to the rulers of¹ Jezreel, to the elders, and to those who reared Ahab’s sons, saying:

2 Now as soon as this letter comes to you, since your master’s sons are with you, and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city also, and weapons,

3 choose the¹ best qualified of your master’s sons, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.

4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, “Look, ^atwo kings could not stand up to him; how then can we stand?”

5 And he who was in charge of the house, and he who was in charge of the city, the elders also, and those who reared the sons, sent to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, we will do all you tell us; but we will not make anyone king. Do what is good in your sight.”

6 Then he wrote a second letter to them, saying:
If you are for me and will obey my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow. Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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2 Kings 10:1

Ahab had seventy sons - As he had several wives, he might have many children. The Israelites, from the earliest part of their history, were remarkably fruitful. How amazingly did they multiply in Egypt, even under the hand of the severest oppression! And as to the individuals of whose families we have an account, they are quite remarkable: Rehoboam had thirty-eight sons; Abdon had forty; Tola had thirty; Ahab, seventy; and Gideon, seventy-one.

Unto the rulers of Jezreel - It certainly should be, unto the rulers of Samaria; for to them and to that city the whole context shows us the letters were sent. See II Kings 10:6.

To them that brought up Ahab ' s children - It appears that the royal children of Israel and Judah were intrusted to the care of the nobles, and were brought up by them, (see II Kings 10:6); and to these, therefore, Jehu' s letters are directed. It is supposed Isaiah (Isaiah 49:23) alludes to this custom: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers.

Other Adam Clarke entries containing 2 Kings 10:1:

Revelation 2:23

<< 2 Kings 9:37

2 Kings 10:2 >>

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Ahab’s Seventy Sons Killed

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
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