King of Aram: I am going to write a letter to Israel’s king, and I want you to take it to him immediately. Naaman left with the king’s letter in his hand, plus 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and 10 sets of fine clothing.

Hazael greeted Elisha with a gift and with kindness. He did as instructed and offered him many excellent items from Damascus—40 camel loads of gifts. Hazael (standing before Elisha): Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, who honors you like a father, has asked me to come to you and ask you, “Am I going to get well?”

Hazael: Why are you crying, my lord? Elisha: Because I am aware of all the wicked things you will do to the Israelites. You will set their strongholds on fire, slaughter their young men with swords, dismember their children, and tear open the bodies of pregnant women.

Jehu left in his chariot, and he was met by Jehonadab (Rechab’s son). Jehu: I have no grievance against you. Do you have a problem with me? Jehonadab: No. I am at peace with you, as you are at peace with me. Jehu: If you truly are at peace with me, then offer your hand to me. Jehonadab offered his hand to Jehu, and Jehu lifted him up into the chariot.

Jehu was accompanied by Jehonadab (Rechab’s son) as he entered the temple of Baal. Jehu gave a strict command to Baal’s worshipers. Jehu: Look among yourselves, and make sure that none of the Eternal’s servants have slipped in without us noticing. This is very important. There should be no one but Baal’s servants within this room.

He entered into a sacred covenant with the new Samaritans and gave them the same sacred commands to follow. Eternal One: I am your God! Do not fear, bow down to, serve, or sacrifice to any other gods except for Me.

Remember the sacred covenant you have entered into with Me, and do not revere any other gods except Me. I am your God—your only God!

Rabshakeh: How arrogant and foolish of you! Do you think I have been sent here by my king to talk to only you and your king? I am to speak to everyone. Soon you and these men on the walls will surely be doomed to fill your bellies with your own dung and quench your thirst with your own urine.

Because you have raged against Me, because your arrogance has flooded My ears, I am going to insert My hook into your nose and harness your lips with My bridle, And I will send you back in the direction from which you came.

“‘Observe! I am going to bring you to be with your ancestors, and you will meet the grave peacefully, so that you will not have to witness the wicked cloud of disaster I will bring to shadow this land and all those who dwell within it.’” Then Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah returned to the king and gave him the Lord’s message, as sent through Huldah the prophetess.