2 Kings 10:4-6

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

⁴ But they were utterly terrified and said, ‘Look, two kings could not withstand him; how then can we stand?’ ⁵ So the steward of the palace, and the governor of the city, along with the elders and the guardians, sent word to Jehu: ‘We are your servants; we will do anything you say. We will not make anyone king; do whatever you think right.’ ⁶ Then he wrote them a second letter, saying, ‘If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time.’ Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the leaders of the city, who were charged with their upbringing.