2 Kings 10
Jehu Wipes Out Ahab’s Family
10:1 Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria.1 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 10:2 “You have with you the sons of your master, chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons. So when this letter arrives,3 10:3 pick the best and most capable4 of your master’s sons, place him on his father’s throne, and defend5 your master’s dynasty.”
10:4 They were absolutely terrified6 and said, “Look, two kings could not stop him!7 How can we?”8 10:5 So the palace supervisor,9 the city commissioner,10 the leaders,11 and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, “We are your subjects!12 Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper.”13
10:6 He wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me,14 then take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow.”15 Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent16 men of the city were raising them.
10:7 When they received the letter, they seized the king’s sons and executed all seventy of them.17 They put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel.
10:8 The messenger came and told Jehu,18 “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” Jehu19 said, “Stack them in two piles at the entrance of the city gate until morning.”
10:9 In 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?
10:10 Therefore take note that not one of the judgments the
10:12 Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria.21 While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds, 10:13 Jehu encountered22 the relatives23 of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Ahaziah’s relatives. We have come down to see how24 the king’s sons and the queen mother’s sons are doing.” 10:14 He 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.
10:15 When he left there, he met25 Jehonadab, son of Rekab, who had been looking for him.26 Jehu greeted him and asked,27 “Are you as committed to me as I am to you?”28 Jehonadab answered, “I am!” Jehu replied, “If so, give me your hand.”29 So he offered his hand and Jehu30 pulled him up into the chariot.
10:16 Jehu31 said, “Come with me and see how zealous I am for the
Jehu Executes the Prophets and Priests of Baal
10:18 Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab worshiped36 Baal a little; Jehu will worship37 him with great devotion.38
10:19 So now, bring to me all the prophets of Baal, as well as all his servants and priests.39 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 them40 so he could destroy the servants of Baal.
10:20 Then Jehu ordered, “Make arrangements for41 a celebration for Baal.” So they announced it.
10:21 Jehu 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.42
10:22 Jehu ordered the one who was in charge of the wardrobe,43 “Bring out robes for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out robes for them.
10:23 Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rekab went to the temple of Baal. Jehu44 said to the servants of Baal, “Make sure there are no servants of the
10:25 When he finished offering the burnt sacrifice, Jehu ordered the royal guard47 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.48 Then they entered the inner sanctuary of the temple of Baal.49 10:26 They hauled out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it. 10:27 They demolished50 the sacred pillar of Baal and51 the temple of Baal; it is used as52 a latrine53 to this very day. 10:28 So Jehu eradicated Baal worship54 from Israel.
A Summary of Jehu’s Reign
10:29 However, Jehu did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam son of Nebat had encouraged Israel to commit; the golden calves remained in Bethel55 and Dan.56
10:30 The
10:32 In those days the
10:34 The 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.63 10:35 Jehu passed away64 and was buried in Samaria.65 His son Jehoahaz replaced him as king. 10:36 Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years in Samaria.