John Gill Commentary 2 Kings 10

And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria

These might not be all his immediate sons, but some of them his grandsons, as such are sometimes called in Scripture:

and Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel ;

who fled thither, perhaps on Jehu's coming to Jezreel, having slain Joram, being the metropolis of the kingdom, to consult about a successor, or how to oppose Jehu, and to frustrate his designs: but the Septuagint version is, "to the rulers of Samaria", which seems most likely to be the true reading:

to the elders ;

the civil magistrates of the city of Samaria:

and to them that brought up Ahab's children :

who had the care of their education; who either always dwelt at Samaria, being the royal city, or were sent with their charge thither, when Joram went to Ramothgilead, for safety, supposing he should be worsted by the Syrians; or they fled thither with them upon the death of Joram:

saying ;

Now as soon as this letter comes to you, seeing your master's
sons are with you
Sons of Ahab, and some of Joram, and all either the sons or grandsons of Ahab:

and there are with you chariots and horses
military ones:

a fenced city also
as Samaria was, well walled and fortified, and able to hold out a long siege:

and armour
of all sorts, to arm themselves and people with in their defence.

Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons

Most fit for government, whether on account of age or proper qualifications, and wisdom, courage

and set him on his father's throne ;

proclaim him king:

and fight for your master's house ;

that the crown may continue in his family; all which he did not desire might be, but in this sarcastic and sneering manner dares them to do it.

But they were exceedingly afraid They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of this kind, he would come upon them with his forces.

and said, behold, two kings stood not before him ; the kings of Israel and Judah, Joram and Ahaziah; but they were unarmed, and therefore how should they stand before an armed body of men Jehu had with him? this shows the pusillanimity of these men to make use of such an argument as this.

how then shall we stand ? that is, before Jehu; but they were in much better circumstances than the two kings, as they are truly represented in (2 Kings 10:2).

And he that was over the house
The king's palace in Samaria, who had the custody, care, and government of it:

and he that was over the city ;
the commander and governor of it, that had the highest post in it under the king;

the elders also
all other subordinate officers and magistrates:

and the bringers up of the children ;
who had the education of the king's sons committed to them:

sent to Jehu, saying, we are your servants, and will do all that you
shall bid us .
They were ready to do homage, and swear allegiance to him as their king, and obey all his commands as
faithful subjects:

we will not make any king ;
or set up any on the throne, no, not any of the sons or grandsons of Ahab:

do you that which is good in your eyes ,
we will never oppose you.