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1. Ahab had seventy sons living in the city of Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the elders and officials of the city, and to the guardians of King Ahab's sons. He 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. "The king's sons are with you, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, a fortified city, and weapons. As soon as you receive this letter,
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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. select the best qualified of your master's sons to be your king, and prepare to fight for Ahab'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. But they were paralyzed with fear and said, "We've seen that two kings couldn't stand against this man! What can we do?"
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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 and city administrators, together with the elders and the guardians of the king's sons, sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants and will do anything you tell us. We will not make anyone king; do whatever you think is best."
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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. Jehu responded with a second letter: "If you are on my side and are going to obey me, bring the heads of your master's sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow." Now the seventy sons of the king were being cared for by the leaders of Samaria, where they had been raised since childhood.
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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 the letter arrived, the leaders killed all seventy of the king's sons. They placed their heads in baskets and presented them to Jehu at 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. A messenger went to Jehu and said, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." So Jehu ordered, "Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the city gate, and leave them there 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 spoke to the crowd that had gathered around them. "You are not to blame," he told them. "I am the one who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?
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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. You can be sure that the message of the LORD that was spoken concerning Ahab's family will not fail. The LORD declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen."
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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 relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests. So Ahab was left without a single survivor.
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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. Then Jehu set out for Samaria. Along the way, while he was at 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. he met some relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. "Who are you?" he asked them.And they replied, "We are relatives of King Ahaziah. We are going to visit the sons of King Ahab and the sons of the queen mother."
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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. "Take them alive!" Jehu shouted to his men. And they captured all forty-two of them and killed them at the well of Beth-eked. None of them escaped.
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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 Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab, who was coming to meet him. After they had greeted each other, Jehu said to him, "Are you as loyal to me as I am to you?" "Yes, I am," Jehonadab replied."If you are," Jehu said, "then give me your hand." So Jehonadab put out his hand, and Jehu helped him 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. Then Jehu said, "Now come with me, and see how devoted I am to the LORD." So Jehonadab rode along with him.
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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. When Jehu arrived in Samaria, he killed everyone who was left there from Ahab's family, just as the LORD had promised through 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. Then Jehu called a meeting of all the people of the city and said to them, "Ahab's worship of Baal was nothing compared to the way I will worship him!
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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. Therefore, summon all the prophets and worshipers of Baal, and call together all his priests. See to it that every one of them comes, for I am going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Anyone who fails to come will be put to death." But Jehu's cunning plan was to destroy all the worshipers 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, "Prepare a solemn assembly to worship Baal!" So they did.
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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. He sent messengers throughout all Israel summoning those who worshiped Baal. They all came-- not a single one remained behind-- and they filled the temple of Baal from one end to the other.
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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. And Jehu instructed the keeper of the wardrobe, "Be sure that every worshiper of Baal wears one of these robes." So robes were given to 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 went into the temple of Baal with Jehonadab son of Recab. Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, "Make sure no one who worships the LORD is here-- only those who worship 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. So they were all inside the temple to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside the building and had warned them, "If you let anyone escape, you will pay for it with your own life."
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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. As soon as Jehu had finished sacrificing the burnt offering, he commanded his guards and officers, "Go in and kill all of them. Don't let a single one escape!" So they killed them all with their swords, and the guards and officers dragged their bodies outside. Then Jehu's men went into the innermost fortress 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 dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship 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 smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this 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. In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of 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. He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin.
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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. Nonetheless the LORD said to Jehu, "You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation."
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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 obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led 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. At about that time the LORD began to cut down the size of Israel's territory. King Hazael conquered several sections of the country
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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. east of the Jordan River, including all of Gilead, Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. He conquered the area from the town of Aroer by the Arnon Gorge to as far north as Gilead and 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 in Jehu's reign-- everything he did and all his achievements-- are recorded in The Book of the History 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. When Jehu died, he was buried in Samaria. Then his son Jehoahaz became the next 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. In all, Jehu reigned over Israel from Samaria for twenty-eight years.
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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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