2 Kings 10:18-28

Modern English Version

Worshippers of Baal Killed

¹⁸ Then Jehu gathered all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. ¹⁹ Now call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshippers, and all his priests. Let none go unaccounted for, because I have a great sacrifice for Baal. All who are not accounted for will not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the servants of Baal.

²⁰ Jehu said, “Sanctify a festive assembly for Baal.” So they proclaimed it. ²¹ Jehu sent word through all Israel, and all the worshippers of Baal came. Not a man remained who did not come. They came into the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was full from one end to the other. ²² He said to the one in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the worshippers of Baal.” So he brought them garments.

²³ Then Jehu and Jehonadab the son of Rekab went into the house of Baal and said to the worshippers of Baal, “Search and see that there are no worshippers of the Lord here with you and only worshippers of Baal.” ²⁴ Then they went to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, but Jehu put eighty men outside and said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escapes, the one who lets him go will die in his place.”

²⁵ As soon as he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and the officers, “Go in. Kill them. No one comes out.” So they struck them with the edge of the sword. The guards and the officers threw them out and went to the city of the house of Baal. ²⁶ They brought out the sacred pillar from the house of Baal and burned it. ²⁷ They broke down the sacred pillar of Baal, and tore down the house of Baal and made it a latrine to this day.

²⁸ So Jehu exterminated Baal from Israel.