1 Jeú escreveu uma carta ao conselho da cidade de Samaria, aos aios dos 70 filhos de Acabe que viviam ali, e ainda ao conselho dos anciãos de Jezreel: 2,3 "Após a receção desta missiva, escolham o melhor e o mais capaz dos filhos de Acabe para ser rei, e preparem-se para lutar a favor do seu trono; vocês têm carros de combate, cavalos, armamento e uma cidade fortificada."

4 Contudo, eles estavam demasiado atemorizados para o fazer: "Nem dois reis poderiam enfrentar-se com um indivíduo destes!", diziam eles. "Que havemos de fazer?" 5 Então o administrador do palácio, juntamente com o governador da cidade, o conselho local e os aios dos filhos de Acabe, enviaram-lhe uma mensagem: "Jeú, nós somos teus servos e faremos tudo o que mandares. Decidimos que serás o nosso rei, em lugar de um dos filhos de Acabe."

6 Jeú respondeu-lhes com outra mensagem: "Se estão do meu lado e dispostos a obedecer-me, tragam-me as cabeças dos filhos do vosso senhor a Jezreel amanhã a esta hora."

Esses 70 filhos de Acabe viviam em casa dos responsáveis da cidade, onde tinham sido educados desde a sua infância. 7 Ao receberem a mensagem de Jeú, todos os 70 foram mortos e as suas cabeças colocadas dentro de cestos e enviadas a Jeú, que se encontrava em Jezreel. 8 Avisado de que as cabeças tinham chegado, mandou que fizessem com elas um monte à entrada da cidade e as deixassem ali até de manhã.

9 No dia seguinte, cedo, Jeú saiu e foi falar à multidão que, entretanto, se tinha aglomerado: "Não devem sentir remorsos", disse-lhes. "Fui eu quem conspirou contra o meu senhor e o matou; no entanto, não fui eu quem matou os seus filhos! 10 Foi o Senhor quem o fez, porque tudo quanto ele diz se realiza. Ele declarou, através do seu servo Elias, que isto haveria de acontecer aos descendentes de Acabe." 11 Posteriormente, Jeú matou o resto da família de Acabe que vivia em Jezreel, assim como todas as figuras importantes do seu pessoal administrativo, amigos íntimos e sacerdotes privados, de forma que não ficou ninguém.

12 Depois, Jeú partiu para Samaria e estabeleceu-se ali. Mas antes, passou a noite em Bete-Equede dos Pastores, que ficava no caminho. 13 Enquanto ali estava, viu uns homens que eram irmãos do rei Acazias de Judá. "Quem são vocês?", perguntou-lhes. "Somos irmãos do rei Acazias. Vamos a Samaria visitar os filhos do rei Acabe e da rainha Jezabel."

14 "Apanhem já essa gente!", gritou Jeú para os seus homens. Levou-os para a cisterna junto à casa da tosquia e ali os matou; eram 42 ao todo.

15 Ao deixar a estalagem, Jeú encontrou-se com Jonadabe, o filho de Recabe, que vinha justamente ao seu encontro. Depois de se terem cumprimentado, perguntou-lhe Jeú: "És tão leal comigo como eu sou contigo?" Jonadabe respondeu: "Sou, sim!" E disse-lhe: "Então dá-me a mão." E fê-lo subir para o seu carro real. 16 "Vem comigo", continuou ele, "e verás o meu zelo pelo Senhor." E Jonadabe foi com ele.

17 Quando chegou a Samaria, matou todos os parentes próximos de Acabe que ali viviam, tal como o Senhor tinha anunciado a Elias.

18 Jeú convocou uma assembleia dos habitantes da cidade e disse-lhes: "Acabe pouco serviu a Baal; eu, sim, hei de prestar-lhe culto convenientemente! 19 Mandem juntar todos os profetas e sacerdotes de Baal e chamem todos os seus adoradores. Não falte ninguém, porque pretendo fazer um grande sacrifício ao deus Baal. Quem faltar deverá morrer." Jeú dizia isto com astúcia; o seu plano era liquidá-los a todos.

20,21 Enviou mensageiros por toda a terra de Israel, convocando os adoradores de Baal; todos vieram, sem faltar nenhum, enchendo literalmente o templo do seu ídolo. 22 Jeú deu ordem ao chefe do guarda-roupa: "Quero que todas as pessoas vistam túnicas sacerdotais!"

23 Depois, acompanhado de Jonadabe, o filho de Recabe, entrou no templo e falou à multidão: "Certifiquem-se de que aqui não esteja mais ninguém além dos que adoram a Baal. Não deixem entrar ninguém que adore o Senhor!" 24 Quando os sacerdotes começaram a oferecer os sacrifícios e os holocaustos, Jeú cercou o edifício com oitenta dos seus homens e disse-lhes: "Vão lá dentro e matem-nos a todos. Se deixarem escapar alguém, terão de pagar com a vida."

25 Eles entraram e assassinaram todos os indivíduos que lá se encontravam, lançando os corpos para o exterior. Depois disso, penetraram no interior do templo. 26 Derrubaram o pilar usado para a adoração de Baal, queimando-o. 27 Derrubaram o edifício e transformaram as ruínas em latrinas, permanecendo assim até ao dia de hoje.

28 Dessa forma, Jeú exterminou todos os vestígios do culto de Baal em Israel. 29 Contudo, não destruiu os bezerros de ouro que se encontravam em Betel e em Dan; esses bezerros tinham sido o grande pecado de Jeroboão, filho de Nebate, porque levaram todo o Israel a pecar.

30 Posteriormente, o Senhor disse a Jeú: "Fizeste bem em seguir as minhas instruções, destruindo a dinastia de Acabe. Por isso, farei com que o teu filho, o teu neto e ainda o teu bisneto sejam reis de Israel." 31 No entanto, Jeú não se preocupou em cumprir fielmente a Lei do Senhor, Deus de Israel, com todo o seu coração, nem se afastou dos pecados com que Jeroboão fez pecar Israel.

32 Por essa altura, o Senhor começou a diminuir o território de Israel. O rei Hazael conquistou várias zonas do país; 33 a leste do rio Jordão, assim como todo o território de Gileade, Gad e Rúben; também tomou partes de Manassés, desde o ribeiro de Aroer, no vale de Arnom, até Gileade e Basã.

34 O resto da história do reinado de Jeú está relatado no Livro das Crónicas dos Reis de Israel. 35 Quando Jeú faleceu, foi enterrado em Samaria. O seu filho Jeoacaz subiu ao trono. 36 Jeú reinou ao todo 28 anos como rei de Israel, em Samaria.

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,*10.1 them…: Heb. nourishers 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. 4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? 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. 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.*10.6 mine: Heb. for me 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.

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. 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.*10.10 by: Heb. by the hand of 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.*10.11 kinsfolks: or, acquaintance

12 And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,*10.12 shearing…: Heb. house of shepherds binding sheep 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.*10.13 met with: Heb. found*10.13 to salute…: Heb. to the peace of, etc 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.

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.*10.15 lighted on: Heb. found*10.15 saluted: Heb. blessed 16 And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot. 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.

18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 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. 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.*10.20 Proclaim: Heb. Sanctify 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.*10.21 full…: or, so full that they stood mouth to mouth 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. 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. 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. 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.*10.25 the edge: Heb. the mouth 26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.*10.26 images: Heb. statues 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. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

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 Beth-el, and that were in Dan. 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. 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.*10.31 took…: Heb. observed not

32 In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;*10.32 to cut: Heb. to cut off the ends 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.*10.33 eastward: Heb. toward the rising of the sun*10.33 even…: or, even to Gilead and Bashan 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? 35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead. 36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.*10.36 the time: Heb. the days were