A Morte da Família de Acabe
1Ora, viviam em Samaria setenta descendentes de Acabe. Jeú escreveu uma carta e a enviou a Samaria, aos líderes da cidade10.1 Conforme alguns manuscritos da Septuaginta e a Vulgata. O Texto Massorético diz de Jezreel., às autoridades e aos tutores dos descendentes de Acabe. A carta dizia: 2“Assim que receberem esta carta, vocês, que cuidam dos filhos do rei e que têm carros de guerra e cavalos, uma cidade fortificada e armas, 3escolham o melhor e o mais capaz dos filhos do rei e coloquem-no no trono de seu pai. E lutem pela dinastia de seu senhor”.
4Eles, porém, estavam aterrorizados e disseram: “Se dois reis não puderam enfrentá-lo, como poderemos nós?”
5Por isso o administrador do palácio, o governador da cidade, as autoridades e os tutores enviaram esta mensagem a Jeú: “Somos teus servos e faremos tudo o que exigires de nós. Não proclamaremos nenhum rei. Faze o que achares melhor”.
6Então Jeú escreveu-lhes uma segunda carta que dizia: “Se vocês estão do meu lado e estão dispostos a obedecer-me, tragam-me as cabeças dos descendentes de seu senhor a Jezreel, amanhã a esta hora”.
Os setenta descendentes de Acabe estavam sendo criados pelas autoridades da cidade. 7Logo que receberam a carta, decapitaram todos os setenta, colocaram as cabeças em cestos e as enviaram a Jeú, em Jezreel. 8Ao ser informado de que tinham trazido as cabeças, Jeú ordenou: “Façam com elas dois montes junto à porta da cidade, para que fiquem expostas lá até amanhã”.
9Na manhã seguinte Jeú saiu e declarou a todo o povo: “Vocês são inocentes! Fui eu que conspirei contra meu senhor e o matei, mas quem matou todos estes? 10Saibam, então, que não deixará de se cumprir uma só palavra que o Senhor falou contra a família de Acabe. O Senhor fez o que prometeu por meio de seu servo Elias”. 11Então Jeú matou todos os que restavam da família de Acabe em Jezreel, bem como todos os seus aliados influentes, os seus amigos pessoais e os seus sacerdotes, não lhe deixando sobrevivente algum.
12Depois Jeú partiu para Samaria. Em Bete-Equede dos Pastores 13encontrou alguns parentes de Acazias, rei de Judá, e perguntou: “Quem são vocês?”
Eles responderam: “Somos parentes de Acazias e estamos indo visitar as famílias do rei e da rainha-mãe”.
14Então Jeú ordenou aos seus soldados: “Peguem-nos vivos!” Então os pegaram e os mataram junto ao poço de Bete-Equede. Eram quarenta e dois homens, e nenhum deles foi deixado vivo.
15Saindo dali, Jeú encontrou Jonadabe, filho de Recabe, que tinha ido falar com ele. Depois de saudá-lo Jeú perguntou: “Você está de acordo com o que estou fazendo?”
Jonadabe respondeu: “Estou”.
E disse Jeú: “Então, dê-me a mão”. Jonadabe estendeu-lhe a mão, e Jeú o ajudou a subir no carro, 16e lhe disse: “Venha comigo e veja o meu zelo pelo Senhor”. E o levou em seu carro.
17Quando Jeú chegou a Samaria, matou todos os que restavam da família de Acabe na cidade; ele os exterminou, conforme a palavra que o Senhor tinha dito a Elias.
A Morte dos Ministros de Baal
18Jeú reuniu todo o povo e declarou: “Acabe não cultuou o deus Baal o bastante; eu, Jeú, o cultuarei muito mais. 19Por isso convoquem todos os profetas de Baal, todos os seus ministros e todos os seus sacerdotes. Ninguém deverá faltar, pois oferecerei um grande sacrifício a Baal. Quem não vier morrerá”. Mas Jeú estava agindo traiçoeiramente, a fim de exterminar os ministros de Baal.
20Então Jeú ordenou: “Convoquem uma assembleia em honra a Baal”. Foi feita a proclamação, 21e ele enviou mensageiros por todo o Israel. Todos os ministros de Baal vieram; nem um deles faltou. Eles se reuniram no templo de Baal, que ficou completamente lotado. 22E Jeú disse ao encarregado das vestes cultuais: “Traga os mantos para todos os ministros de Baal”. E ele os trouxe.
23Depois Jeú entrou no templo com Jonadabe, filho de Recabe, e disse aos ministros de Baal: “Olhem em volta e certifiquem-se de que nenhum servo do Senhor está aqui com vocês, mas somente ministros de Baal”. 24E eles se aproximaram para oferecer sacrifícios e holocaustos10.24 Isto é, sacrifícios totalmente queimados; também no versículo 25.. Jeú havia posto oitenta homens do lado de fora, fazendo-lhes esta advertência: “Se um de vocês deixar escapar um só dos homens que estou entregando a vocês, será a sua vida pela dele”.
25Logo que Jeú terminou de oferecer o holocausto, ordenou aos guardas e oficiais: “Entrem e matem todos! Não deixem ninguém escapar!” E eles os mataram ao fio da espada, jogaram os corpos para fora e depois entraram no santuário interno do templo de Baal. 26Levaram a coluna sagrada para fora do templo de Baal e a queimaram. 27Assim destruíram a coluna sagrada de Baal e demoliram o seu templo, e até hoje o local tem sido usado como latrina.
28Assim Jeú eliminou a adoração a Baal em Israel. 29No entanto, não se afastou dos pecados de Jeroboão, filho de Nebate, pois levou Israel a cometer o pecado de adorar os bezerros de ouro em Betel e em Dã.
30E o Senhor disse a Jeú: “Como você executou corretamente o que eu aprovo, fazendo com a família de Acabe tudo o que eu queria, seus descendentes ocuparão o trono de Israel até a quarta geração”. 31Entretanto, Jeú não se preocupou em obedecer de todo o coração à lei do Senhor, Deus de Israel, nem se afastou dos pecados que Jeroboão levara Israel a cometer.
32Naqueles dias, o Senhor começou a reduzir o tamanho de Israel. O rei Hazael conquistou todo o território israelita 33a leste do Jordão, incluindo toda a terra de Gileade. Conquistou desde Aroer, junto à garganta do Arnom, até Basã, passando por Gileade, terras das tribos de Gade, de Rúben e de Manassés.
34Os demais acontecimentos do reinado de Jeú, todos os seus atos e todas as suas realizações, estão escritos nos registros históricos dos reis de Israel. 35Jeú descansou com os seus antepassados e foi sepultado em Samaria. Seu filho Jeoacaz foi seu sucessor. 36Reinou Jeú vinte e oito anos sobre Israel em Samaria.
Jehu Wipes Out Ahab’s Royal House
1Ahab’s royal family in the city of Samaria had a total of 70 sons. Jehu wrote some letters to the officials of the city. He also sent them to the elders there. And he sent them to the people who took care of Ahab’s children. Jehu said, 2“Your master’s sons are with you. You also have chariots and horses and weapons. And you are living in a city that has high walls around it. As soon as you read this letter, here’s what I want you to do. 3Choose the best and most respected son of your master. Place him on his father Joram’s throne. Then fight for your master’s royal house.”
4The leaders of Samaria were terrified. They said, “King Joram and King Ahaziah couldn’t stand up against Jehu. So how can we?”
5The city governor and the person in charge of the palace sent a message to Jehu. The message was also from the elders and the people who took care of Ahab’s children. In the message, they said, “We will serve you. We’ll do anything you say. We won’t appoint anyone to be king. Do what you think is best.”
6Then Jehu wrote them a second letter. He said, “You say you are on my side. You say you will obey me. If you really mean it, bring me the heads of your master’s sons. Meet me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow.”
There were 70 royal princes. They were with the most important men of the city. Those men were in charge of raising them. 7When Jehu’s letter arrived, the men went and got the princes. They killed all 70 of them. They put their heads in baskets. Then they sent them to Jehu in Jezreel. 8When the messenger arrived, he spoke to Jehu. He told him, “The heads of the princes have been brought here.”
Then Jehu ordered his men, “Put them in two piles. Stack them up at the entrance of the city gate until morning.”
9The next morning Jehu went out. He stood in front of all the people. He said, “You aren’t guilty of doing anything wrong. I’m the one who made plans against my master Joram. I killed him. But who killed all these? 10I want you to know that the Lord has spoken against Ahab’s royal house. Not a word of what he has said will fail. The Lord has done exactly what he announced through his servant Elijah.” 11So Jehu killed everyone from Ahab’s family who was in Jezreel. He also killed all Ahab’s chief men. And he killed Ahab’s close friends and his priests. He didn’t leave anyone alive in Ahab’s family.
12Then Jehu started out for Samaria. At Beth Eked of the Shepherds, 13he saw some people. They were relatives of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. Jehu asked them, “Who are you?”
They said, “We are Ahaziah’s relatives. We’ve come down to visit the families of the king and of his mother.”
14“Take them alive!” Jehu ordered. So his men took them alive. Then they killed them by the well of Beth Eked. They killed a total of 42 of them. Jehu didn’t leave anyone alive.
15Jehu left there. On the way he met Jehonadab. He was the son of Rekab. Jehonadab was on his way to see Jehu. Jehu greeted him. He asked, “Are you my friend? You know I’m your friend.”
“I am,” Jehonadab answered.
“If that’s true,” said Jehu, “hold out your hand.” So he did. Then Jehu helped him up into the chariot. 16Jehu said, “Come along with me. See how committed I am to serve the Lord.” Jehu had Jehonadab ride along in his chariot.
17Jehu came to Samaria. He killed everyone there who was left from Ahab’s family. And so he completely destroyed Ahab’s royal house. That’s what the Lord had said would happen. He had spoken that message to Elijah.
Jehu Kills the People Who Serve Baal
18Then Jehu brought together all the people. He said to them, “Ahab served the god named Baal a little. I will serve him a lot. 19Send for all of Baal’s prophets. Also send for all his priests and the others who serve him. Make sure that not a single one is missing. I’m going to hold a great sacrifice to honor Baal. Anyone who doesn’t come will be killed.” But Jehu was lying to them. He was planning to destroy everyone who served Baal.
20Jehu said, “Call everyone together to honor Baal.” So they did. 21Then he sent a message all through Israel. All those who served Baal came. Not a single one of them stayed away. They crowded into Baal’s temple. It was full from one end to the other. 22Jehu spoke to the one who took care of the sacred robes. He told him, “Bring robes for everyone who serves Baal.” So he brought the robes out for them.
23Then Jehu went into Baal’s temple. Jehonadab, the son of Rekab, went with him. Jehu said to those who served Baal, “Look around. Make sure that no one who serves the Lord is here with you. Make sure only those who serve Baal are here.” 24So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Jehu had stationed 80 men outside. He warned them, “I’m placing some men in your hands. Don’t let a single one of them escape. If you do, you will pay for his life with yours.”
25Jehu finished sacrificing the burnt offering. As soon as he did, he gave an order to the guards and officers. He commanded them, “Go inside and kill everyone. Don’t let a single one of them escape.” So they cut them down with their swords. The guards and officers threw the bodies outside. Then they entered the most sacred area inside Baal’s temple. 26They brought the sacred stone of Baal outside. They burned it up. 27So they destroyed Baal’s sacred stone. They also tore down Baal’s temple. People have used it as a public toilet to this day.
28So Jehu destroyed the worship of the god named Baal in Israel. 29But he didn’t turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit those same sins. Jehu worshiped the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
30The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have accomplished what is right in my eyes. You have done to Ahab’s royal house everything I wanted you to do. So your sons after you will sit on the throne of Israel. They will rule until the time of your children’s grandchildren.” 31But Jehu wasn’t careful to obey the law of the Lord. He didn’t obey the God of Israel with all his heart. He didn’t turn away from the sins of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit those same sins.
32In those days the Lord began to make the kingdom of Israel smaller. Hazael gained control over many parts of Israel. He gained control over all their territory 33east of the Jordan River. It included the whole land of Gilead from Aroer by the Arnon River valley all the way to Bashan. That was the territory of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh.
34The other events of Jehu’s rule are written down. Everything he did and accomplished is written in the official records of the kings of Israel.
35Jehu joined the members of his family who had already died. He was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz became the next king after him. 36Jehu had ruled over Israel in Samaria for 28 years.
