¹⁸Then Jehu brought all of the people together. He said to them, “Ahab served the god Baal a little. I will serve him a lot. ¹⁹Send for all of Baal’s prophets. Also send for all of 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 those who served Baal.

²⁰Jehu said, “Call everyone together to honor Baal.” So they did. ²¹Then he sent a message all through Israel. All of 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 Recab, went with him. Jehu spoke to those who served Baal. He said, “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 very day.

²⁸So Jehu destroyed the worship of the god Baal in Israel.

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