2 Kings 8


Note:  This story happened before the famine that was in Chapters 6 and 7
 

Elisha told the woman from Shunem to leave. He knew a famine was coming. There would be no food to eat. He told her to take her family and everyone in her house and go anywhere they could.  Elisha said the famine would last for 7 years.
[1] Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.


The woman did what Elisha told her to do. She and everyone in her house went to the Philistines' land for 7 years.
[2] And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.


After 7 years, the woman came back to Samaria. She went to ask the king to give her land back.
[3] And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.


The king of Israel was talking to Elisha's helper, Gehazi. The king asked Gehazi about the great things Elisha had done.
[4] And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.


Gehazi was telling the king about how Elisha made a dead boy alive again.  While he was telling the story, the woman arrived there with her son. Gehazi told the king that she was the woman he was talking about. The boy was the one who died, but came back to life again.
[5] And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.


The king asked the woman, and she told him the story. The king told one of his leaders to help her. He told him to give all of her land back and also the money that the land earned while she was gone.
[6] And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

 

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Hazael kills the king of Syria.


Elisha went to the city named Damascus in Syria. Syria's king, Ben-hadad, was sick. Someone told Ben-hadad that Elisha was there.
[7] And Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.


Ben-hadad talked to his helper named Hazael. He told him to go meet Elisha and take him a gift.  Hazael should ask Elisha if Ben-hadad will get better.
[8] And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?


Hazael went to meet Elisha. He took gifts with him.  The gifts were on 40 camels. The gifts were all of the good things from Syria.  Hazael told Elisha that Ben-hadad sent him. He wanted to know if he will get better.
[9] So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?


Elisha said he may get better from the sickness, but God told him that he will die.
[10] And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.


Elisha looked at Hazael a long time until Hazael was embarrassed.  Then Elisha started to cry.
[11] And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.


Hazael asked him why he was crying. Elisha said he cried because he knew Hazael would do bad things to the Israelites. He knew he will burn their cities. He will kill their young men with swords. He will hit their children against the walls and floors. He will stab the pregnant women.
[12] And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.


Hazael said he wasn't a bad person. Elisha said that God showed him that Hazael will be king of Syria.
[13] And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
 

Hazael left Elisha and went back to Ben-hadad. Ben-hadad wanted to know what Elisha said. Hazael said that Elisha said he will get better.
[14] So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
 

The next day, Hazael dipped a thick cloth in water. He covered Ben-hadad's face so that he couldn't breathe. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael became the new king.
[15] And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
 

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The kings of divided Israel (dates are not exact)
King of Israel (northern part)		King of Judah (southern part)
Year started	King's name	Year started	King's name
922 B.C.	Jeroboam	922 B.C.	Rehoboam
		915 B.C.	Abijam
		913 B.C.	Asa
900 B.C.	Nadab
897 B.C.	Baasha
887 B.C.	Elah
886 B.C.	Zimri
882 B.C.	Omri
870 B.C.	Ahab
		872 B.C.	Jehoshaphat
855 B.C.	Ahaziah
The next 2 kings are both named Jehoram, but they are not the same person. The exact dates of when they began to be kings are not known.
		849 B.C	Jehoshaphat and Jehoram (Also called Joram)
847 B.C	Jehoram (Also called Joram)	.

The area of Edom fights with Israel.


When Joram (Ahab's son) was in his 5th year as king of Israel, Jehoram (Jehoshaphat's son) began to be king of Judah. Jehoshaphat was still king, too, so Judah had 2 kings at one time.
[16] And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.


Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king. He was king for 8 years.
[17] Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.


Jehoram was king of Judah, but he behaved badly like King Ahab and his family in Israel. Jehoram was married to King Ahab's daughter.
[18] And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.


God was not happy with King Jehoram, but he did not destroy the tribe of Judah. Many years ago, God promised David that one of his descendants would always be king.
[19] Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.

 

Edom was the area south of Judah. Edom was not part of Judah, but Edom paid taxes to Judah. While Jehoram was king in Judah, the people in Edom revolted. They didn't want to pay taxes to Judah anymore. They picked a king for themselves.
[20] In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.



Jehoram went to the city named Zair.  He had many chariots with him. One night, the people of Edom surrounded Jehoram and his army. Jehoram killed many Edomites. Then the other Edomites ran away to their tents.
[21] So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.


Edom continued to revolt against Judah. When this book of the Bible was written, Edom was still revolting against Judah. The area named Libnah also revolted at the same time.
[22] Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

 

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The kings of divided Israel (dates are not exact)
King of Israel (northern part)		King of Judah (southern part)
Year started	King's name	Year started	King's name
922 B.C.	Jeroboam	922 B.C.	Rehoboam
		915 B.C.	Abijam
		913 B.C.	Asa
900 B.C.	Nadab
897 B.C.	Baasha
887 B.C.	Elah
886 B.C.	Zimri
882 B.C.	Omri
870 B.C.	Ahab
		872 B.C.	Jehoshaphat
855 B.C.	Ahaziah
The next 2 kings are both named Jehoram, but they are not the same person. The exact dates of when they began to be kings are not known.
		849 B.C	Jehoshaphat and Jehoram (Also called Joram)
847 B.C	Jehoram (Also called Joram)	.
		835 B.C.	Ahaziah

Ahaziah becomes the new king of Judah.
 

Jehoram did other things while he was king of Judah. The book about the kings of Judah tells about these things. Jehoram died, and he was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem. Then his son, Ahaziah, became the new king of Judah.
[23] And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
[24] And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.


When Joram, king of Israel, was king for 12 years, Ahaziah became the new king of Judah.
[25] In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.


Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king. He was king for one year.  His mother's name was Athaliah. She was the daughter of the Israelite king, Omri.
[26] Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.


Ahaziah was the king of Judah, but he was part of Ahab's (king of Israel) family. His wife and mother were part of Ahab's family. He behaved badly, the same as Ahab. He did not obey God, and God was angry with him.
[27] And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.


Ahaziah and King Joram of Israel fought a war with Hazael, the king of Syria. They fought the war in the place named Ramoth-Gilead.  The Syrians hurt Joram.
[28] And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.



Joram went to the place named Jezreel to get help for his injury.  Ahaziah went to Jezreel to see Joram when he was sick.
[29] And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
 

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2 Kings 9


God makes Jehu the new king of Israel.


Elisha called one of the young prophets. He told him to go to the place named Ramoth-gilead. Elisha gave him a box of oil to take with him.
[1] And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead:
 

When the prophet arrives in Ramoth-gilead, he should look for a man named Jehu. Jehu's father's name was Jehoshaphat. His grandfather's name was Nimshi. The young prophet should ask to speak to Jehu in another room away from other people.
[2] And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;


When they are alone, the young prophet should pour the oil on Jehu's head. He should tell him that God is making him the new king of Israel.  Then the young prophet should hurry and leave.
[3] Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.


The young prophet obeyed Elisha. He went to Ramoth-gilead.
[4] So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.
 

The young prophet arrived in Ramoth-Gilead.  Jehu and some army leaders were having a meeting. The prophet said he needed to talk to him. Jehu asked who he needed to talk to. The prophet said he needed to talk to him--Jehu.
[5] And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.


Jehu got up and went into the house with the prophet. The prophet poured oil on his head.  He told Jehu that God said he is the new king of God's people. He is the new king of Israel.
[6] And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.
 

God said that Jehu will destroy Ahab's family. That is because Ahab's wife, Jezebel, killed many of His prophets and other good people.
[7] And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.


God said Ahab's family will die. All of the males in his family will die.
[8] For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:


Ahab and his family will be destroyed like Jeroboam and his family and Baasha and his family.  (Jeroboam and Baasha made God angry, and they caused the people in Israel to sin.)
[9] And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:


God said that dogs will eat Jezebel in the area named Jezreel.  There will not be enough pieces of her body left for anyone to bury. Then the young prophet opened the door and left quickly.
[10] And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.


Jehu went back to the meeting with his army leaders. One of Jehu's leaders asked him if everything was all right. He wanted to know where the young prophet came from and why he left quickly. The leader said the young prophet had mental problems. Jehu said that they know the young man and the kinds of things he says.
[11] Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.


Jehu's leaders wanted him to tell them what the prophet said.  Jehu said that the prophet told him he was now the new king. The prophet said that God said he was the new king of Israel.
[12] And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.
 

Jehu's leaders hurried and put their robes on the floor. Jehu stood on the robes at the top of the stairs. His helpers blew trumpets. They said that Jehu is the new king.
[13] Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.
 

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The kings of divided Israel (dates are not exact)
King of Israel (northern part)		King of Judah (southern part)
Year started	King's name	Year started	King's name
922 B.C.	Jeroboam	922 B.C.	Rehoboam
		915 B.C.	Abijam
		913 B.C.	Asa
900 B.C.	Nadab
897 B.C.	Baasha
887 B.C.	Elah
886 B.C.	Zimri
882 B.C.	Omri
870 B.C.	Ahab
		872 B.C.	Jehoshaphat
855 B.C.	Ahaziah
The next 2 kings are both named Jehoram, but they are not the same person. The exact dates of when they began to be kings are not known.
		849 B.C	Jehoshaphat and Jehoram (Also called Joram)
847 B.C	Jehoram (Also called Joram)	.
		835 B.C.	Ahaziah
842 B.C.	Jehu

Jehu kills the kings of Israel and Judah.


The new king of Israel, Jehu, made plans to kill the old king of Israel, Joram.  Jehu was in the place named Ramoth-gilead (on the east side of the Jordan River). Joram was in Jezreel (on the west side of the Jordan).  Joram was in Jezreel because he got hurt in the war with Syria. He left Ramoth and went to Jezreel to recover. Jehu told his leaders that they should not let anyone leave Ramoth. If someone leaves Ramoth, they will go tell Joram in Jezreel that Jehu is the new king.
[14] So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
[15] But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.)
And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.


Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel. Joram was there with the king of Judah, Ahaziah.  Ahaziah was in Jezreel to visit Joram.
[16] So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.


One the soldiers in the tower was on guard. He saw Jehu coming with his helpers. The guard told Joram he saw someone coming. Joram told him to send a soldier on a horse to ask if they are peaceful or want to fight.
[17] And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?


The soldier rode the horse and met Jehu. He asked if he was there in peace. Jehu asked why he was asking that.  He told the soldier to get behind him.  The soldier in the tower saw this. He told Joram that the soldier did not come back.
[18] So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.


Joram sent another soldier on a horse. The soldier met Jehu. He asked him if he was there in peace.  Jehu told him the same as the first time. Jehu asked why he was asking that. He told him to go behind him.
[19] Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.


The soldier in the tower told Joram the same thing happened.  He said the man in the chariot drives fast like Jehu.
[20] And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.


Joram got his chariot ready. He and Judah's king, Ahaziah, went to meet Jehu. They met Jehu on the land that Ahab and Jezebel stole from Naboth.
[21] And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.


Joram asked Jehu if he came in peace.  Jehu said there could be no peace because of Jezebel.  She caused the Israelites to worship false gods and practice witchcraft.
[22] And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?


Joram ran away. He told Ahaziah that something was wrong. He thought it was a trick
[23] And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah.
 

Jehu had a bow and arrow. He pulled the string very hard. He shot the arrow. The arrow hit Joram (Jehoram) in the back between his arms. The arrow went through his heart and out the front of him. He fell down in his chariot.
[24] And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.


Jehu told one of his leaders, Bidkar, to throw Joram's body in the field. The field was part of the land that Ahab stole from Naboth (Naboth was from Jezreel).  Jehu reminded Bidkar about the past when they were part of Ahab's army.  They remembered that God said He would punish Ahab and his family. God said that He saw Naboth's blood and his sons' blood when Jezebel had them killed.
[25] Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;
[26] Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.


Judah's king, Ahaziah, saw this happen. He ran away by the garden house. Jehu followed him. He told his soldiers to kill Ahaziah in his chariot. They shot him when he was in the place named Gur, which is near Ibleam. He kept going and died at the place named Megiddo.
[27] But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
 

Ahaziah's helpers took him back to Jerusalem in a chariot. They buried him with his father, grandfather, and his ancestors in Jerusalem.
[28] And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David.


Ahaziah had become king of Judah when Ahab's son, Joram, had been king in Israel for 11 years.
[29] And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.

 

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Jezebel dies.

 

Jehu went to the place named Jezreel.  Jezebel heard he was there. She put some make-up on her face and brushed her hair.  She looked out the window.
[30] And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.



Jehu came into the city gate. Jezebel called out the window. She talked about Zimri. She said that after he killed the king, he only lived for 7 more days.
[31] And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

 

Jehu looked up at the window. He asked who would help him. There were 2 or 3 men with Jezebel. The men were helpers in the king's palace.
[32] And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.


Jehu told the men to throw Jezebel out the window. So the men threw her out and down to the street. Some of Jezebel's blood got on the wall and on the horses. Jehu's horses trampled Jezebel (stepped on her many times).
[33] And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.


Jehu went in to get something to eat and drink.  He told someone to go and bury Jezebel because she was the daughter of a king (her father was the king of the group of people named the Zidonians).
[34] And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.


Some workers went to bury her, but they only found a few parts of her. They found her skull, her feet, and her palms.
[35] And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.


The workers went and told Jehu. Jehu said this is what God said would happen. God told Elijah (from the area of Tisbe) that Jezebel would die in Jezreel, and the dogs would eat her.
[36] Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:


God said that Jezebel's remains will be scattered like manure in the field. No one will know it is her.
[37] And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.
 

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2 Kings 10


Jehu kills all of Ahab's family.
 

Ahab had 70 sons who lived in the place named Samaria.  Jehu wrote letters to the leaders in Samaria, the leaders in Jezreel, and to the people who took care of Ahab's children.  He told the leaders to pick one of Ahab's sons to be the new king when his letter arrived. Then they could use their chariots, horses, fence around the city, and armour to fight for their new king.  
[1] And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying,
[2] Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
[3] Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.


The leaders in Samaria were very afraid.  They said that Jehu had defeated 2 kings.  They knew they wouldn't be able to defeat him.
[4] But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
 

All of the leaders and the people who took care of Ahab's children told Jehu that they would not make a new king.  They will do what Jehu says to do.  They told Jehu to do what he thought was best.
[5] And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.


Jehu sent them another letter. Jehu told them if they want to follow him, they should kill Ahab's sons and cut off their heads. They should bring the heads to him in Jezreel the next day.  Ahab's sons were with some of the leaders in Samaria who had raised them. The men in Samaria did what Jehu told them to do. They killed Ahab's sons, cut off their heads, and sent the heads to Jezreel.
[6] Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
[7] And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.


A messenger told Jehu that they sent the heads of Ahab's sons.  Jehu told them to put the heads in 2 piles by the gate until the next morning.
[8] And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.


The next morning, Jehu went out, and he stood in front of all of the people. He said that he killed King Joram, but asked who killed all of Ahab's sons. They can see that everything God said would happen came true. God has done everything that He told Elijah.
[9] And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
[10] Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.


Jehu killed everyone who was left in Ahab's family, all of Ahab's leaders, and all of Ahab's priests. There was none of Ahab's family left.
[11] So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.


Jehu left Jezreel and went to Samaria.  He was at the sheep shearing house (place where they cut sheep's wool). He met some of King Ahaziah's family. Jehu asked them who they were. They said they were from Ahaziah's family, and they were going to see his children. Jehu told his workers to catch them. They caught them and killed them in a pit (hole) by the sheep shearing house.  There were 42 men killed.
[12] And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
[13] Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
[14] And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.


Jehu continued on his journey to Samaria. He met Jehonadab (his father was named Rechab) who was coming to meet him. Jehu asked him if he supported him. Jehonadab said yes.  Jehu told him to reach up his hand, and he helped him into his chariot.
[15] And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.


Jehu told him to go with him. Jehonadab will see how Jehu works for God.  Jehonadab got into Jehu's chariot and rode with him.
[16] And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.


When Jehu got to Samaria, he killed all of Ahab's family that was left. This is what God told Elijah would happen.
[17] And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.

 

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Jehu kills all of the people who worship Baal.


Jehu brought all of the people together. He lied and said he would worship the false god named Baal. He told them that Ahab worshiped Baal a little, but he would worship him a lot.
[18] And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.


Jehu told his helpers to bring all of the prophets, workers, and priests who worshiped Baal. Jehu said he wanted to make a big sacrifice to Baal.  He said that if anyone didn't come, they would be killed.  But this was just a trick. Jehu really planned to destroy everyone who worshiped Baal.
[19] Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.


Jehu told them to plan a special meeting for everyone who worshiped Baal. Jehu sent messengers through all of Israel. The messengers told all of the worshipers of Baal to come.  They all came. There was not one of them that didn't come. They all met in the Baal worship place. The place was full from one end to the other.
[20] And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.
[21] And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.


Some workers were in charge of the clothes. Jehu told them to bring out the clothes for the worshippers. The workers brought the clothes out.
[22] And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.


Then Jehu and Jehonadab (his father's name was Rechab) went to the Baal worship place. He told them to look and make sure that only Baal worshippers were there. He wanted to make sure no one there worshipped God.
[23] And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.


Jehu left 80 soldiers outside. He told them to catch anyone who tries to escape.  If they let anyone escape, they will be killed, too. Then Jehu went in to start the sacrifices and burnt offerings.
[24] And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.


When the burnt offerings were finished, Jehu told his soldiers to go in and kill everyone.  After they killed them, they threw the bodies outside.
[25] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.


They took the Baal statues out and burned them.  They destroyed the building and big statue of Baal. When this book of the Bible was written, a place for waste was on that site.
[26] And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.
[27] And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.


That is how Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel.
[28] Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
 

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The kings of divided Israel (dates are not exact)
King of Israel (northern part)		King of Judah (southern part)
Year started	King's name	Year started	King's name
922 B.C.	Jeroboam	922 B.C.	Rehoboam
		915 B.C.	Abijam
		913 B.C.	Asa
900 B.C.	Nadab
897 B.C.	Baasha
887 B.C.	Elah
886 B.C.	Zimri
882 B.C.	Omri
870 B.C.	Ahab
		872 B.C.	Jehoshaphat
855 B.C.	Ahaziah
The next 2 kings are both named Jehoram, but they are not the same person. The exact dates of when they began to be kings are not known.
		849 B.C	Jehoshaphat and Jehoram (Also called Joram)
847 B.C	Jehoram (Also called Joram)	.
		835 B.C.	Ahaziah
842-813 B.C.	Jehu
813 B.C.	Jehoahaz

Jehu did not obey God.


But Jehu continued some of the bad ways of Jeroboam.  He worshipped the golden calves in the area named Bethel in the tribe of Dan's land.
[29] Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.


God said that Jehu did a good job when he destroyed all of Ahab's family. God promised that Jehu's son, grandson, great grandson, and great great grandson will be kings of Israel.
[30] And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.


But Jehu did not obey God. He did not obey God's laws.   He behaved the same as Jeroboam did and caused Israel to sin.
[31] But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
 

At that time, God began to make Israel's land smaller.  King Hazael in Syria killed the Israelites in the tribes of Gad's, Reuben's, and Mannaseh's lands. He also took the areas named Gilead (east of the Jordan River), Bashan, and Aroer (by the Arnon River) .
[32] In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
[33] From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.


The book about the kings of Israel tells about the other things King Jehu did.
[34] Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


Then Jehu died. He was buried in Samaria.  His son, Jehoahaz, became the new king.
[35] And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.


Jehu was king of Israel for 28 years.
[36] And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
 

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