2 Kings

Bloodbath

The seventy sons of Ahab lived in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the leaders of the city, to the judges, and to those who took care of the sons of Ahab, saying,

“As soon as this letter comes to you who have the king’s sons, chariots of war and horses, fortified cities and weapons,

select the best and most fit of your master’s sons and make him sit on his father’s throne; then prepare to defend the family of your lord.”

They were in great fear, and they said: “If the two kings were not able to stand up to him, how then can we resist him?”

The palace chamberlain, the military commissioner of the city, the judges, and the tutors sent this response to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not proclaim anyone king; do whatever seems best to you.”

Then he sent them a second letter, which said: “If you are on my side and among those who obey me, take the heads of the sons of the king, your lord, and come to talk to me tomorrow at this time in Jezreel.” The king had seventy sons, who were raised in the houses of prominent city families.

When they received the letter, they seized the king’s sons and executed all seventy of them and placed their heads in large baskets, which they sent to Jezreel.

The messenger came to where Jehu was and said to him: “Here, they send you the heads of the king’s sons.” He answered: “Lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate of Jezreel until tomorrow.”

In the morning, Jehu went out and said to all the people: “Be fair, tell me: if I have conspired against my king and have killed him, who then has beheaded all these?

Know then that none of the words the Lord has spoken against the family of Ahab shall be without effect. Everything he said through the mouth of his servant Elijah has been fulfilled.”

Jehu then killed all who remained loyal to Ahab in Jezreel—all his ministers, relatives, and priests—without sparing anyone.

Then he left for Samaria; in Beth-eked of the Shepherds,

he met the brothers of Ahaziah, king of Judah. He asked them: “Who are you?” They answered: “We are the brothers of Ahaziah, and we go to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the queen.”

Jehu said: “Take them alive.” They took them alive and beheaded them all by the well of Beth-eked. They were forty-two men, and none was left alive.

Setting out from there, he met Jehonadab, son of Rechab, who came out to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said: “Would you be faithful to me as I am to you?” Jehonadab answered: “Yes.” So Jehu said to him: “Give me your hand.” He gave him his hand, and Jehu took him up into his chariot and said:

“Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord.” And he had him ride in his chariot.

When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all the survivors loyal to Ahab in that city and did not spare anyone. So the word the Lord had spoken through Elijah’s mouth was fulfilled.

Jehu gathered together all the inhabitants and said: “Ahab served Baal, but I will serve him still better.”

He added: “Summon all the prophets of Baal, all his faithful followers, and priests.

Let no one be missing at the solemn sacrifice I will offer to Baal. Whoever is absent shall die.” Jehu did this with cunning, for he was determined to kill all who were faithful to Baal. They proclaimed the sacred solemnity that Jehu had commanded. And Jehu, for his part,

sent messengers throughout Israel for all the faithful of Baal to come without any exception.When they entered the temple of Baal, there were so many that they hardly touched the ground.

Then Jehu ordered those in charge of the vestments to bring out the sacred vestments reserved for the faithful of Baal and to distribute these to them.

Jehu, who Jehonadab, the son of Rechab, accompanied, said insistently to the faithful of Baal: “Make sure that none of the faithful of the Lord has entered with you, that there is no one here except all the true servants of Baal.”

Then they entered to prepare the sacrifice. But Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said to them: “Whoever of you lets anyone escape of those who must die shall pay with his own life.”

And when the sacrifice was finished, Jehu gave this order to the soldiers and officers: “Go in and kill all of them; let none of them escape.” So, they put everyone to the sword, going as far as the Sanctuary of the house of Baal.

They pulled out the sacred pillar of the house of Baal and burned it.

They destroyed the altar and pulled down the temple, which remains a garbage dump to this very day.

This was how Jehu wiped out the name of Baal from Israel.

But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins which Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, had caused Israel to commit, for they kept the golden calves of Bethel and Dan.

Despite this, the Lord said to Jehu: “Since you have acted well, doing what seems just to me, and have dealt with the family of Ahab according to my will, your sons until the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.”

But Jehu did not completely walk according to the Law of the Lord since he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam had led Israel.

In those days, the Lord began to reduce the land of Israel. Hazael conquered the Israelites, taking their territory

from the Jordan to the East, all the land of Gilead, of the tribes of Gad, Reuben, Manasseh, from Aroer by the brook of Arnon, all the land of Gilead and Bashan.

Now, the rest of the story of Jehu, all that he did, and his bravery are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

When Jehu died, they buried him in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place.

Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years.