מלכים ב, פרק י׳, פסוק ו׳

In his second letter, Jehu presents the city's leaders with a cruel and absolute test of loyalty. He tells them that if they have truly decided to switch to his side and submit to his authority [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], they must prove it. His demand is explicit: they must bring him the severed heads of Ahab's sons [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To prevent any misunderstanding, Jehu emphasizes that they must target the king's actual sons, rather than settling for other members of the royal household or mere servants [רד״ק]. He gives them a strict deadline and a specific destination, making it clear that he will wait for them in Jezreel until that exact time the following day [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Regarding the seventy royal sons and the prominent men of the city who raised them, commentators differ on whether this information is a direct continuation of Jehu's letter or a background note. One approach suggests it is part of the letter itself, serving as a direct threat. By including this detail, Jehu warns the leaders that he knows exactly how many sons there are and that they are staying in the homes of the city's elite, making it impossible to hide or smuggle away a single person [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

Conversely, other scholars view this detail not as part of the letter, but as a descriptive note about the living situation of the seventy royal sons, who resided with their caretakers [רד״ק]. These guardians were tasked with raising the children and youths of the royal family. Because of this prestigious responsibility, they achieved a highly respected status, earning them the title of the city's greatest leaders [ביאור שטיינזלץ].