6. Then Jehu wrote a second letter to these leaders. He said, “If you support me and obey me, cut off the heads of Ahab’s sons. Bring them to me at Jezreel about this time tomorrow.” Ahab had 70 sons. They were with the leaders of the city who raised them.
7. When the leaders of the city received the letter, they took the king’s sons and killed all 70 of them. Then the leaders put the heads of the king’s sons in baskets and sent the baskets to Jehu at Jezreel.
8. The messenger came to Jehu and told him, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” Then Jehu said, “Lay the heads in two piles at the city gate until morning.”
9. In the morning Jehu went out and stood before the people. He said to them, “You are innocent. Look, I made plans against my master. I killed him. But who killed all these sons of Ahab? You killed them.
10. You should know that everything the Lord says will happen. The Lord used Elijah to say these things about Ahab’s family. Now the Lord has done what he said he would do.”
11. So Jehu killed all the people in Ahab’s family living in Jezreel. He killed all the important men, close friends, and priests. None of Ahab’s people were left alive.
12. Jehu left Jezreel and went to Samaria. On the way, he stopped at a place called Shepherd’s Camp.
13. There he met with the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. Jehu asked, “Who are you?” They answered, “We are the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. We have come down to visit the king’s children and the queen mother’s children.”
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.