2 Kings 10:18-28

New International Reader's Version

Jehu Kills the People Who Serve Baal

¹⁸ Then Jehu brought together all the people. He said to them, “Ahab served the god named Baal a little. I will serve him a lot. ¹⁹ Send for all of Baal’s prophets. Also send for all his priests and the others who serve him. Make sure that not a single one is missing. I’m going to hold a great sacrifice to honor Baal. Anyone who doesn’t come will be killed.” But Jehu was lying to them. He was planning to destroy everyone who served Baal.

²⁰ Jehu said, “Call everyone together to honor Baal.” So they did. ²¹ Then he sent a message all through Israel. All those who served Baal came. Not a single one of them stayed away. They crowded into Baal’s temple. It was full from one end to the other. ²² Jehu spoke to the one who took care of the sacred robes. He told him, “Bring robes for everyone who serves Baal.” So he brought the robes out for them.

²³ Then Jehu went into Baal’s temple. Jehonadab, the son of Rekab, went with him. Jehu said to those who served Baal, “Look around. Make sure that no one who serves the Lord is here with you. Make sure only those who serve Baal are here.” ²⁴ So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Jehu had stationed 80 men outside. He warned them, “I’m placing some men in your hands. Don’t let a single one of them escape. If you do, you will pay for his life with yours.”

²⁵ Jehu finished sacrificing the burnt offering. As soon as he did, he gave an order to the guards and officers. He commanded them, “Go inside and kill everyone. Don’t let a single one of them escape.” So they cut them down with their swords. The guards and officers threw the bodies outside. Then they entered the most sacred area inside Baal’s temple. ²⁶ They brought the sacred stone of Baal outside. They burned it up. ²⁷ So they destroyed Baal’s sacred stone. They also tore down Baal’s temple. People have used it as a public toilet to this day.

²⁸ So Jehu destroyed the worship of the god named Baal in Israel.