Old Testament

New Testament

2 Kings 10:14-30 Holy Bible: Easy-To-Read Version (ETR)

14. Then Jehu said, “Take them alive!” Jehu’s men captured Ahaziah’s relatives alive. There were 42 of them. Jehu killed them at the well near Beth Eked. He did not leave anyone alive.

15. After Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab. Jehonadab was on his way to meet Jehu. Jehu greeted Jehonadab and said to him, “Are you a faithful friend to me, as I am to you?” Jehonadab answered, “Yes, I am a faithful friend to you.” Jehu said, “If you are, give me your hand.” Then Jehu reached out and pulled Jehonadab up into the chariot.

16. Jehu said, “Come with me. You can see how strong my feelings are for the Lord.” So Jehonadab rode in Jehu’s chariot.

17. Jehu came to Samaria and killed all Ahab’s family who were still alive in Samaria. He killed them all. He did what the Lord had told Elijah.

18. Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve Baal much.

19. Now call together all the priests and prophets of Baal. And call together everyone who worships Baal. Don’t let anyone miss this meeting. I have a great sacrifice to give to Baal. I will kill anyone who does not come to this meeting.” But Jehu was tricking them. He wanted to destroy the worshipers of Baal.

20. Jehu said, “Prepare a holy meeting for Baal.” So the priests announced the meeting.

21. Then Jehu sent a message through all the land of Israel. All the worshipers of Baal came. Not one stayed home. The Baal worshipers came into the temple of Baal. The temple was filled with people.

22. Jehu said to the man who kept the robes, “Bring out the robes for all the worshipers of Baal.” So that man brought out the robes for the Baal worshipers.

23. Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Recab went into the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, “Look around and be sure that there are no servants of the Lord with you. Be sure there are only people who worship Baal.”

24. The worshipers of Baal went into the temple of Baal to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. But outside, Jehu had 80 men waiting. He told them, “Don’t let anyone escape. If any man lets one person escape, that man must pay with his own life.”

25. Quickly after Jehu had finished offering the burnt offering, he said to the guards and to the captains, “Go in and kill the worshipers of Baal! Don’t let anyone come out of the temple alive!” So the captains used thin swords and killed the worshipers of Baal. They threw the bodies of the worshipers of Baal out. Then the guards and the captains went to the inner room of the temple of Baal.

26. They brought out the memorial stones that were in the temple of Baal and burned that temple.

27. Then they smashed the memorial stones of Baal. They also smashed the temple of Baal. They made the temple of Baal into a public toilet, which is still used today.

28. So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel,

29. but he did not completely turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that caused Israel to sin. Jehu did not destroy the golden calves in Bethel and in Dan.

30. The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have done what I say is good. You destroyed Ahab’s family the way I wanted you to, so your descendants will rule Israel for four generations.”

Read complete chapter 2 Kings 10