1. The prophet Elisha summoned
a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, "Tuck your
cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth
Gilead.
2. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.
Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner
room.
3. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, `This
is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door
and run; don't delay!"
4. So the young man, the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead.
14. So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth Gilead against Hazael king of Aram,
21. "Hitch up my chariot,"
Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah
king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met
him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite.
22. When Joram saw Jehu he asked, "Have you come in peace, Jehu?"
"How can there be peace," Jehu replied, "as long as all
the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?"
15. After he left there, he
came upon Jehonadab son of Recab, who was on his way to meet him. Jehu
greeted him and said, "Are you in accord with me, as I am with you?"
"I am," Jehonadab answered. "If so," said Jehu, "give
me your hand." So he did, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot.
16. Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD."
Then he had him ride along in his chariot.
17. When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all who were left there of Ahab's
family; he destroyed them, according to the word of the LORD spoken to
Elijah.
28. So Jehu destroyed Baal
worship in Israel.
29. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat,
which he had caused Israel to commit--the worship of the golden calves
at Bethel and Dan.
30. The LORD said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in accomplishing
what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had
in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the
fourth generation."
31. Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, the God of Israel,
with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which
he had caused Israel to commit.
32. In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael
overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory