9:11 When Jehu rejoined 1 his master’s servants, they 2 asked him, “Is everything all right? 3 Why did this madman visit you?” He replied, “Ah, it’s not important. You know what kind of man he is and the kinds of things he says.” 4
10:6 He wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me, 5 then take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow.” 6 Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent 7 men of the city were raising them.
1 tn Heb “went out to.”
2 tc The MT has the singular, “he said,” but many witnesses correctly read the plural.
3 tn Heb “Is there peace?”
4 tn Heb “He said, ‘You, you know the man and his thoughts.’” Jehu tries to deflect their question by reminding them that the man is an eccentric individual who says strange things. His reply suggests that the man said nothing of importance. The translation seeks to bring out the tone and intent of Jehu’s reply.
5 tn Heb “If you are mine and you are listening to my voice.”
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 LXX, Syriac Peshitta, and some
7 tn Heb “great,” probably in wealth, position, and prestige.