Then Jehu called a meeting of all the people of the city and said to them, \u201cAhab\u2019s worship of Baal was nothing compared to the way I will worship him! Therefore, summon all the prophets and worshipers of Baal, and call together all his priests. See to it that every one of them comes, for I am going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Anyone who fails to come will be put to death.\u201d But Jehu\u2019s cunning plan was to destroy all the worshipers of Baal.<\/p>\n
Then Jehu ordered, \u201cPrepare a solemn assembly to worship Baal!\u201d So they did. He sent messengers throughout all Israel summoning those who worshiped Baal. They all came\u2014not a single one remained behind\u2014and they filled the temple of Baal from one end to the other. And Jehu instructed the keeper of the wardrobe, \u201cBe sure that every worshiper of Baal wears one of these robes.\u201d So robes were given to them.<\/p>\n
Then Jehu went into the temple of Baal with Jehonadab son of Recab. Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, \u201cMake sure no one who worships the LORD is here\u2014only those who worship Baal.\u201d So they were all inside the temple to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside the building and had warned them, \u201cIf you let anyone escape, you will pay for it with your own life.\u201d<\/p>\n
As soon as Jehu had finished sacrificing the burnt offering, he commanded his guards and officers, \u201cGo in and kill all of them. Don\u2019t let a single one escape!\u201d So they killed them all with their swords, and the guards and officers dragged their bodies outside. Then Jehu\u2019s men went into the innermost fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day.<\/p>\n
In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Then Jehu called a meeting of all the people of the city and said to them, \u201cAhab\u2019s worship of Baal was nothing compared to the way I will worship him! Therefore, summon all the prophets and worshipers of Baal, and call together all his priests. See to it that every one of them comes, for … <\/p>\n