| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | NET Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the leading officials of Jezreel and to the guardians of Ahab's dynasty. This is what the letters said, |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2"You have with you the sons of your master, chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons. So when this letter arrives, |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3pick the best and most capable of your master's sons, place him on his father's throne, and defend your master's dynasty." |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4They were absolutely terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not stop him! How can we?" |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5So the palace supervisor, the city commissioner, the leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, "We are your subjects! Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper." |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6He wrote them a second letter, saying, "If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me, then take the heads of your master's sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow." Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent men of the city were raising them. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7When they received the letter, they seized the king's sons and executed all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8The messenger came and told Jehu, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." Jehu said, "Stack them in two piles at the entrance of the city gate until morning." |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9In the morning he went out and stood there. Then he said to all the people, "You are innocent. I conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all of these men? |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Therefore take note that not one of the judgments the LORD announced against Ahab's dynasty has failed to materialize. The LORD had done what he announced through his servant Elijah." |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab's family in Jezreel, and all his nobles, close friends, and priests. He left no survivors. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds, |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Jehu encountered the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, "Who are you?" They replied, "We are Ahaziah's relatives. We have come down to see how the king's sons and the queen mother's sons are doing." |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14He said, "Capture them alive!" So they captured them alive and then executed all forty-two of them in the cistern at Beth Eked. He left no survivors. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15When he left there, he met Jehonadab, son of Rekab, who had been looking for him. Jehu greeted him and asked, "Are you as committed to me as I am to you?" Jehonadab answered, "I am!" Jehu replied, "If so, give me your hand." So he offered his hand and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Jehu said, "Come with me and see how zealous I am for the LORD's cause." So he took him along in his chariot. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17He went to Samaria and exterminated all the members of Ahab's family who were still alive in Samaria, just as the LORD had announced to Elijah. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, "Ahab worshiped Baal a little; Jehu will worship him with great devotion. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19So now, bring to me all the prophets of Baal, as well as all his servants and priests. None of them must be absent, for I am offering a great sacrifice to Baal. Any of them who fail to appear will lose their lives." But Jehu was tricking them so he could destroy the servants of Baal. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Then Jehu ordered, "Make arrangements for a celebration for Baal." So they announced it. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Jehu sent invitations throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; not one was absent. They arrived at the temple of Baal and filled it up from end to end. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Jehu ordered the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the servants of Baal." So he brought out robes for them. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rekab went to the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the servants of Baal, "Make sure there are no servants of the LORD here with you; there must be only servants of Baal." |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24They went inside to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside. He had told them, "If any of the men inside get away, you will pay with your lives!" |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25When he finished offering the burnt sacrifice, Jehu ordered the royal guard and officers, "Come in and strike them down! Don't let any escape!" So the royal guard and officers struck them down with the sword and left their bodies lying there. Then they entered the inner sanctuary of the temple of Baal. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26They hauled out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27They demolished the sacred pillar of Baal and the temple of Baal; it is used as a latrine to this very day. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28So Jehu eradicated Baal worship from Israel. |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29However, Jehu did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam son of Nebat had encouraged Israel to commit; the golden calves remained in Bethel and Dan. |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30The LORD said to Jehu, "You have done well. You have accomplished my will and carried out my wishes with regard to Ahab's dynasty. Therefore four generations of your descendants will rule over Israel." |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31But Jehu did not carefully and wholeheartedly obey the law of the LORD God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel's territory. Hazael attacked their eastern border. |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33He conquered all the land of Gilead, including the territory of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, extending all the way from the Aroer in the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan. |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34The rest of the events of Jehu's reign, including all his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. |
| 35[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35Jehu passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz replaced him as king. |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years in Samaria. |
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