2 Kings 10:4-6

New English Translation

⁴They were absolutely terrified^[a] and said, “Look, two kings could not stop him!^[b] How can we?”^[c] ⁵So the palace supervisor,^[d] the city commissioner,^[e] the leaders,^[f] and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, “We are your subjects!^[g] Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper.”^[h]

⁶He wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me,^[i] then take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow.”^[j] Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent men^[k] of the city were raising them.

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Footnotes

2 Kings 10:4 tn Heb “they were very, very afraid.” The term מְאֹד (meʾod) “very,” is repeated for emphasis.
2 Kings 10:4 tn Heb “did not stand before him.”
2 Kings 10:4 tn Heb “How can we stand?”
2 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “the one who was over the house.”
2 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “the one who was over the city.”
2 Kings 10:5 tn Or “elders.”
2 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “servants.”
2 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “Do what is good in your eyes.”
2 Kings 10:6 tn Heb “If you are mine and you are listening to my voice.”
2 Kings 10:6 sn Jehu’s command is intentionally vague. Does he mean that they should bring the guardians (those who are “heads” over Ahab’s sons) for a meeting, or does he mean that they should bring the literal heads of Ahab’s sons with them (so reads Lucian’s Greek translation, the Syriac Peshitta, and some mss of the Targum)? The city leaders interpret his words in the literal sense, but Jehu’s command is so ambiguous he is able to deny complicity in the executions (see v. 9).
2 Kings 10:6 tn Heb “great men,” probably in wealth, position, and prestige.

New English Translation (NET)

2 Kings 10:4-6 New English Translation

Footnotes

2 Kings 10:4-6

New English Translation