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1. Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria. 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,
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1. And Ahab H256 had seventy H7657 sons H1121 in Samaria H8111 . And Jehu H3058 wrote H3789 letters H5612 , and sent H7971 to Samaria H8111 , unto H413 the rulers H8269 of Jezreel H3157 , to the elders H2205 , and to H413 them that brought up H539 Ahab H256 's children , saying H559 ,
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2. "You have with you the sons of your master, chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons. So when this letter arrives,
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2. Now H6258 as soon as this H2088 letter H5612 cometh H935 to H413 you , seeing your master H113 's sons H1121 are with H854 you , and there are with H854 you chariots H7393 and horses H5483 , a fenced H4013 city H5892 also , and armor H5402 ;
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3. pick the best and most capable of your master's sons, place him on his father's throne, and defend your master's dynasty."
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3. Look even out H7200 the best H2896 and meetest H3477 of your master's sons H4480 H1121 H113 , and set H7760 him on H5921 his father H1 's throne H3678 , and fight H3898 for H5921 your master H113 's house H1004 .
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4. They were absolutely terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not stop him! How can we?"
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4. But they were exceedingly H3966 H3966 afraid H3372 , and said H559 , Behold H2009 , two H8147 kings H4428 stood H5975 not H3808 before H6440 him: how H349 then shall we H587 stand H5975 ?
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5. So the palace supervisor, the city commissioner, the leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, "We are your subjects! Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper."
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5. And he that H834 was over H5921 the house H1004 , and he that H834 was over H5921 the city H5892 , the elders H2205 also , and the bringers up H539 of the children , sent H7971 to H413 Jehu H3058 , saying H559 , We H587 are thy servants H5650 , and will do H6213 all H3605 that H834 thou shalt bid H559 H413 us ; we will not H3808 make any king H4427 H376 : do H6213 thou that which is good H2896 in thine eyes H5869 .
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6. He wrote them a second letter, saying, "If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me, then take the heads of your master's sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow." Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent men of the city were raising them.
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6. Then he wrote H3789 a letter H5612 the second time H8145 to H413 them, saying H559 , If H518 ye H859 be mine , and if ye H859 will hearken H8085 unto my voice H6963 , take H3947 ye H853 the heads H7218 of the men H376 your master H113 's sons H1121 , and come H935 to H413 me to Jezreel H3157 by tomorrow H4279 this time H6256 . Now the king H4428 's sons H1121 , being seventy H7657 persons H376 , were with H854 the great men H1419 of the city H5892 , which brought them up H1431 H853 .
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7. When they received the letter, they seized the king's sons and executed all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel.
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7. And it came to pass H1961 , when the letter H5612 came H935 to H413 them , that they took H3947 H853 the king H4428 's sons H1121 , and slew H7819 seventy H7657 persons H376 , and put H7760 H853 their heads H7218 in baskets H1731 , and sent H7971 H413 him them to Jezreel H3157 .
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8. The messenger came and told Jehu, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." Jehu said, "Stack them in two piles at the entrance of the city gate until morning."
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8. And there came H935 a messenger H4397 , and told H5046 him, saying H559 , They have brought H935 the heads H7218 of the king H4428 's sons H1121 . And he said H559 , Lay H7760 ye them in two H8147 heaps H6652 at the entering in H6607 of the gate H8179 until H5704 the morning H1242 .
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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?
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9. And it came to pass H1961 in the morning H1242 , that he went out H3318 , and stood H5975 , and said H559 to H413 all H3605 the people H5971 , Ye H859 be righteous H6662 : behold H2009 , I H589 conspired H7194 against H5921 my master H113 , and slew H2026 him : but who H4310 slew H5221 H853 all H3605 these H428 ?
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10. Therefore take note that not one of the judgments the LORD announced against Ahab's dynasty has failed to materialize. The LORD had done what he announced through his servant Elijah."
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10. Know H3045 now H645 that H3588 there shall fall H5307 unto the earth H776 nothing H3808 of the word H4480 H1697 of the LORD H3068 , which H834 the LORD H3068 spoke H1696 concerning H5921 the house H1004 of Ahab H256 : for the LORD H3068 hath done H6213 H853 that which H834 he spoke H1696 by H3027 his servant H5650 Elijah H452 .
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11. Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab's family in Jezreel, and all his nobles, close friends, and priests. He left no survivors.
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11. So Jehu H3058 slew H5221 H853 all H3605 that remained H7604 of the house H1004 of Ahab H256 in Jezreel H3157 , and all H3605 his great men H1419 , and his kinsfolk H3045 , and his priests H3548 , until H5704 he left H7604 him none H1115 remaining H8300 .
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12. Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds,
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12. And he arose H6965 and departed H935 , and came H1980 to Samaria H8111 . And as he H1931 was at the shearing house H1044 in the way H1870 ,
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13. Jehu encountered the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, "Who are you?" They replied, "We are Ahaziah's relatives. We have come down to see how the king's sons and the queen mother's sons are doing."
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13. Jehu H3058 met H4672 with H853 the brethren H251 of Ahaziah H274 king H4428 of Judah H3063 , and said H559 , Who H4310 are ye H859 ? And they answered H559 , We H587 are the brethren H251 of Ahaziah H274 ; and we go down H3381 to salute H7965 the children H1121 of the king H4428 and the children H1121 of the queen H1377 .
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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.
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14. And he said H559 , Take H8610 them alive H2416 . And they took H8610 them alive H2416 , and slew H7819 them at H413 the pit H953 of the shearing house H1044 , even two H8147 and forty H705 men H376 ; neither H3808 left H7604 he any H376 of H4480 them.
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15. When he left there, he met Jehonadab, son of Rekab, who had been looking for him. Jehu greeted him and asked, "Are you as committed to me as I am to you?" Jehonadab answered, "I am!" Jehu replied, "If so, give me your hand." So he offered his hand and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot.
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15. And when he was departed H1980 thence H4480 H8033 , he lighted on H4672 H853 Jehonadab H3082 the son H1121 of Rechab H7394 coming to meet H7122 him : and he saluted H1288 him , and said H559 to H413 him, Is H3426 H853 thine heart H3824 right H3477 , as H834 my heart H3824 is with H5973 thy heart H3824 ? And Jehonadab H3082 answered H559 , It is H3426 . If it be H3426 , give H5414 me H853 thine hand H3027 . And he gave H5414 him his hand H3027 ; and he took him up H5927 to H413 him into H413 the chariot H4818 .
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16. Jehu said, "Come with me and see how zealous I am for the LORD's cause." So he took him along in his chariot.
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16. And he said H559 , Come H1980 with H854 me , and see H7200 my zeal H7068 for the LORD H3068 . So they made him ride H7392 in his chariot H7393 .
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17. He went to Samaria and exterminated all the members of Ahab's family who were still alive in Samaria, just as the LORD had announced to Elijah.
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17. And when he came H935 to Samaria H8111 , he slew H5221 H853 all H3605 that remained H7604 unto Ahab H256 in Samaria H8111 , till H5704 he had destroyed H8045 him , according to the saying H1697 of the LORD H3068 , which H834 he spoke H1696 to H413 Elijah H452 .
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18. Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, "Ahab worshiped Baal a little; Jehu will worship him with great devotion.
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18. And Jehu H3058 gathered H6908 H853 all H3605 the people H5971 together , and said H559 unto H413 them, Ahab H256 served H5647 H853 Baal H1168 a little H4592 ; but Jehu H3058 shall serve H5647 him much H7235 .
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19. So now, bring to me all the prophets of Baal, as well as all his servants and priests. 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 them so he could destroy the servants of Baal.
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19. Now H6258 therefore call H7121 unto H413 me all H3605 the prophets H5030 of Baal H1168 , all H3605 his servants H5647 , and all H3605 his priests H3548 ; let none H376 H408 be wanting H6485 : for H3588 I have a great H1419 sacrifice H2077 to do to Baal H1168 ; whosoever H3605 H834 shall be wanting H6485 , he shall not H3808 live H2421 . But Jehu H3058 did H6213 it in subtlety H6122 , to the intent H4616 that he might destroy H6 H853 the worshipers H5647 of Baal H1168 .
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20. Then Jehu ordered, "Make arrangements for a celebration for Baal." So they announced it.
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20. And Jehu H3058 said H559 , Proclaim H6942 a solemn assembly H6116 for Baal H1168 . And they proclaimed H7121 it .
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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.
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21. And Jehu H3058 sent H7971 through all H3605 Israel H3478 : and all H3605 the worshipers H5647 of Baal H1168 came H935 , so that there was not H3808 a man H376 left H7604 that H834 came H935 not H3808 . And they came H935 into the house H1004 of Baal H1168 ; and the house H1004 of Baal H1168 was full H4390 from one end H6310 to another H6310 .
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22. Jehu ordered the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the servants of Baal." So he brought out robes for them.
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22. And he said H559 unto him that H834 was over H5921 the vestry H4458 , Bring forth H3318 vestments H3830 for all H3605 the worshipers H5647 of Baal H1168 . And he brought them forth H3318 vestments H4403 .
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23. Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rekab went to the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the servants of Baal, "Make sure there are no servants of the LORD here with you; there must be only servants of Baal."
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23. And Jehu H3058 went H935 , and Jehonadab H3082 the son H1121 of Rechab H7394 , into the house H1004 of Baal H1168 , and said H559 unto the worshipers H5647 of Baal H1168 , Search H2664 , and look H7200 that H6435 there be H3426 here H6311 with H5973 you none of the servants H4480 H5650 of the LORD H3068 , but H3588 H518 the worshipers H5647 of Baal H1168 only H905 .
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24. They went inside to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside. He had told them, "If any of the men inside get away, you will pay with your lives!"
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24. And when they went in H935 to offer H6213 sacrifices H2077 and burnt offerings H5930 , Jehu H3058 appointed H7760 fourscore H8084 men H376 without H2351 , and said H559 , If any H376 of H4480 the men H376 whom H834 I H589 have brought H935 into H5921 your hands H3027 escape H4422 , he that letteth him go , his life H5315 shall be for H8478 the life H5315 of him.
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25. When he finished offering the burnt sacrifice, Jehu ordered the royal guard 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. Then they entered the inner sanctuary of the temple of Baal.
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25. And it came to pass H1961 , as soon as he had made an end H3615 of offering H6213 the burnt offering H5930 , that Jehu H3058 said H559 to the guard H7323 and to the captains H7991 , Go in H935 , and slay H5221 them ; let none H376 H408 come forth H3318 . And they smote H5221 them with the edge H6310 of the sword H2719 ; and the guard H7323 and the captains H7991 cast them out H7993 , and went H1980 to H5704 the city H5892 of the house H1004 of Baal H1168 .
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26. They hauled out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it.
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26. And they brought forth H3318 H853 the images H4676 out of the house H1004 of Baal H1168 , and burned H8313 them.
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27. They demolished the sacred pillar of Baal and the temple of Baal; it is used as a latrine to this very day.
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27. And they broke down H5422 H853 the image H4676 of Baal H1168 , and broke down H5422 H853 the house H1004 of Baal H1168 , and made H7760 it a draught house H4163 unto H5704 this day H3117 .
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28. So Jehu eradicated Baal worship from Israel.
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28. Thus Jehu H3058 destroyed H8045 H853 Baal H1168 out of Israel H4480 H3478 .
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29. However, Jehu did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam son of Nebat had encouraged Israel to commit; the golden calves remained in Bethel and Dan.
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29. Howbeit H7535 from the sins H2399 of Jeroboam H3379 the son H1121 of Nebat H5028 , who H834 made H853 Israel H3478 to sin H2398 , Jehu H3058 departed H5493 not H3808 from after H4480 H310 them, to wit , the golden H2091 calves H5695 that H834 were in Bethel H1008 , and that H834 were in Dan H1835 .
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30. The LORD said to Jehu, "You have done well. You have accomplished my will and carried out my wishes with regard to Ahab's dynasty. Therefore four generations of your descendants will rule over Israel."
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30. And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto H413 Jehu H3058 , Because H3282 H834 thou hast done well H2895 in executing H6213 that which is right H3477 in mine eyes H5869 , and hast done H6213 unto the house H1004 of Ahab H256 according to all H3605 that H834 was in mine heart H3824 , thy children H1121 of the fourth H7243 generation shall sit H3427 on H5921 the throne H3678 of Israel H3478 .
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31. But Jehu did not carefully and wholeheartedly obey the law of the LORD God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit.
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31. But Jehu H3058 took no heed H8104 H3808 to walk H1980 in the law H8451 of the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 with all H3605 his heart H3824 : for he departed H5493 not H3808 from H4480 H5921 the sins H2403 of Jeroboam H3379 , which H834 made H853 Israel H3478 to sin H2398 .
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32. In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel's territory. Hazael attacked their eastern border.
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32. In those H1992 days H3117 the LORD H3068 began H2490 to cut Israel short H7096 H3478 : and Hazael H2371 smote H5221 them in all H3605 the coasts H1366 of Israel H3478 ;
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33. He conquered all the land of Gilead, including the territory of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, extending all the way from the Aroer in the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan.
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33. From H4480 Jordan H3383 eastward H4217 H8121 , H853 all H3605 the land H776 of Gilead H1568 , the Gadites H1425 , and the Reubenites H7206 , and the Manassites H4520 , from Aroer H4480 H6177 , which H834 is by H5921 the river H5158 Arnon H769 , even Gilead H1568 and Bashan H1316 .
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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.
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34. Now the rest H3499 of the acts H1697 of Jehu H3058 , and all H3605 that H834 he did H6213 , and all H3605 his might H1369 , are they H1992 not H3808 written H3789 in H5921 the book H5612 of the chronicles H1697 H3117 of the kings H4428 of Israel H3478 ?
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35. Jehu passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz replaced him as king.
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35. And Jehu H3058 slept H7901 with H5973 his fathers H1 : and they buried H6912 him in Samaria H8111 . And Jehoahaz H3059 his son H1121 reigned H4427 in his stead H8478 .
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36. Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years in Samaria.
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36. And the time H3117 that H834 Jehu H3058 reigned H4427 over H5921 Israel H3478 in Samaria H8111 was twenty H6242 and eight H8083 years H8141 .
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