3. choose the best and most honest of your master’s heirs, and put him on Ahab’s throne. Fight for your master’s family.”
4. But they panicked. They said, “If two kings couldn’t stand up to him, how can we stand up to him?”
5. So the official in charge of the palace, the mayor of the city, the respected leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: “We are your servants. We’ll do everything you tell us. We won’t make anyone king. Do what you think is best.”
6. So he wrote them a second letter. It read, “If you are on my side and ready to listen to me, bring the heads of your master’s heirs to me in Jezreel about this time tomorrow.”The 70 male heirs were staying with the city’s most powerful men. These men had raised them.
7. When the letter came to the men, they slaughtered all 70 heirs. They put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.
8. A messenger told him, “They’ve brought the heads of the king’s heirs.”Jehu said, “Put them in two piles at the entrance to the gateway until morning.”
9. In the morning he stood there. He told the people, “You are innocent. I plotted against my master and killed him. But who killed all these men?
10. You can be sure that the word of the Lord spoken about Ahab’s family will be fulfilled. The Lord will do what he said through his servant Elijah.”
11. Jehu also killed every member of Ahab’s household who was left in Jezreel: all the most powerful men, friends, and priests. Not one of them was left.
12. Then Jehu left for Samaria. When he came to Beth Eked of the Shepherds,
13. he found some relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. “Who are you?” he asked.They answered, “We’re Ahaziah’s relatives. We’ve come to greet the families of the king and the queen mother.”
14. Jehu ordered, “Capture them!”⌊Jehu’s men⌋ captured and slaughtered 42 of them at a cistern near Beth Eked. They didn’t leave any survivors.
15. When he left that place, he met Jehonadab, son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Are you as loyal to me as I am to you?”“I am,” Jehonadab answered.⌊So Jehu said,⌋ “If you are, give me your hand.”When he gave Jehu his hand, Jehu helped him up into the chariot.
16. Jehu said, “Come with me. See how devoted I am to the Lord.” So he had Jehonadab ride on his chariot.
17. When they arrived in Samaria, Jehu killed the rest of Ahab’s family, every member who was left in Samaria. He wiped them out, as the Lord had told Elijah.
18. Then Jehu brought all the people together. He said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.
19. Summon all the prophets, servants, and priests of Baal. Make sure no one is missing because I have a great sacrifice to offer Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” (Jehu was deceiving ⌊them⌋. He actually wanted to destroy those who worshiped Baal.)
20. Jehu said, “Call a holy assembly to honor Baal.” So they did.
21. Jehu sent messengers to all the Israelites. All the worshipers of Baal came, and there wasn’t one who didn’t come. They went into the temple of Baal and filled it from one end to the other.