Families of Ahab and Ahaziah Killed

10 Ahab’s family had 70 sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria. He sent them to the officers and elders of Jezreel. He also sent them to the guardians of the sons of Ahab. Jehu said, ² “You have chariots, horses and a city with strong walls. You also have weapons. When you get this letter, ³ choose the best and most worthy person among your master’s sons. Make him king. Then fight for your master’s family.”

⁴ But the officers and elders of Jezreel were very frightened. They said, “The two kings could not stop Jehu. So, surely we can’t either.”

⁵ The palace manager, the city governor, the elders and the guardians sent a message to Jehu. They said, “We are your servants. We will do everything you tell us to do. We won’t make any man king. Do whatever you think is best.”

⁶ Then Jehu wrote a second letter. It said, “If you are on my side and will obey me, cut off the heads of your master’s sons. And come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.”

Now there were 70 sons of the king’s family. They were with the leading men of the city who were their guardians. ⁷ The leaders received the letter. Then they took the king’s sons and killed all 70 of them. They put their heads in baskets. And they sent them to Jehu at Jezreel. ⁸ The messenger came to Jehu. He told Jehu, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons!”

Then Jehu said, “Lay the heads in two piles at the city gate until morning.”

⁹ In the morning, Jehu went out and stood before the people. He said to them, “You are innocent. Look, I made plans against my master. I killed him. But who killed all these? ¹⁰ You should know that nothing the Lord said will fail. Everything the Lord said about Ahab’s family will come true. The Lord has spoken through his servant Elijah. And the Lord has done what he said.” ¹¹ So Jehu killed everyone of Ahab’s family in Jezreel who was still alive. He also killed all Ahab’s leading men, close friends and priests. No one was left alive who had helped Ahab.

¹² Then Jehu left and went to Samaria. He went on the road to Beth Eked of the Shepherds. ¹³ There Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said, “Who are you?”

They answered, “We are relatives of Ahaziah. We have come down to visit the families of the king and the king’s mother.”

¹⁴ Then Jehu said, “Take them alive!” So they captured Ahaziah’s relatives alive. But they killed them at the well near Beth Eked. There were 42 of them. Jehu did not leave anyone alive.

¹⁵ After Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab. He was also on his way to meet Jehu. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you as good a friend to me as I am to you?”

Jehonadab answered, “Yes, I am.”

Jehu said, “If you are, then give me your hand.” So Jehonadab gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him into the chariot. ¹⁶ Jehu said, “Come with me. You can see how strong my feelings are for the Lord.” So Jehu had Jehonadab ride in his chariot.

¹⁷ When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all of Ahab’s family. He did this until he had destroyed all of those who were left. Jehu did what the Lord had told Elijah would happen.

Baal Worshipers Killed

¹⁸ Then Jehu gathered all the people together. He said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little. But Jehu will serve Baal much. ¹⁹ Now call for me all Baal’s prophets and priests. Call all the people who worship Baal. Don’t let anyone miss this meeting. I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Anyone who is not there will not remain alive.” But Jehu was tricking them so he could destroy the worshipers of Baal. ²⁰ He said, “Prepare a holy meeting for Baal.” So they announced the meeting. ²¹ Then Jehu sent word through all Israel. All the worshipers of Baal came. Not one stayed home. They came into the temple of Baal. The temple was filled from one side to the other.

²² Jehu spoke to the man who kept the robes. He said, “Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out robes for them. ²³ Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Recab went into the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, “Look around. Be sure there are no servants of the Lord with you. Be sure there are only people here who worship Baal.” ²⁴ So the worshipers of Baal went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings.

But Jehu had 80 men waiting outside. He told them, “Don’t let anyone escape. If you let anyone escape, you must pay with your own life.”

²⁵ Jehu finished offering the burnt offering. Then he spoke to the guards and the captains. He said, “Go in and kill the worshipers of Baal! Don’t let anyone come out.” So the guards and captains killed the worshipers of Baal with the sword. They threw the bodies of the worshipers of Baal out. Then they went to the inner rooms of the temple. ²⁶ They brought out the pillars of the temple of Baal and burned them. ²⁷ Then they tore down the stone pillar of Baal. They also tore down the temple of Baal. They made it into a sewage pit, and it is still one today.

²⁸ So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. ²⁹ But he did not stop doing the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin. They worshiped the golden calves in Bethel and Dan.

³⁰ The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have done what I said was right. You have done to the family of Ahab as I wanted. Your descendants as far as your great-great-grandchildren will be kings of Israel.” ³¹ But Jehu was not careful to keep the teachings of the Lord with all his heart. He did not stop doing the same sins Jeroboam had done. Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin.

³² At that time the Lord began to make Israel smaller. Hazael defeated the Israelites in all the land of Israel. ³³ He took all the land on the east side of the Jordan. This was the land of Gilead. (It was the region of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh.) He took land from Aroer by the Arnon Ravine through Gilead to Bashan.

³⁴ The other things Jehu did are written down. Everything he did and all his victories are recorded. They are in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. ³⁵ Jehu died and was buried in Samaria. Jehu’s son Jehoahaz became king in his place. ³⁶ Jehu was king over Israel in Samaria for 28 years.