5-8 God, fed up, handed him over to the king of Aram, who beat him badly and took many prisoners to Damascus. God also let the king of Israel loose on him and that resulted in a terrible slaughter: Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 in one day, all of them first-class soldiers, and all because they had deserted God, the God of their ancestors. Furthermore, Zicri, an Ephraimite hero, killed the king’s son Maaseiah, Azrikam the palace steward, and Elkanah, second in command to the king. And that wasn’t the end of it—the Israelites captured 200,000 men, women, and children, besides huge cartloads of plunder that they took to Samaria.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message Prayerful Reading Bible, Softcover
The Message Prayerful Reading Bible, Softcover
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $19.29
Save: $10.70 (36%)
The Message Women's Devotional Bible: The Gospels - eBook
The Message Women's Devotional Bible: The Gospels - eBook
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $7.99
Save: $2.00 (20%)
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible--soft leather-look, brown
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible--soft leather-look, brown
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $36.98
Save: $13.01 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message // REMIX 2.0--soft leather-look, textured pieces
The Message // REMIX 2.0--soft leather-look, textured pieces
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $25.92
Save: $14.07 (35%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message One Year Chronological Bible--softcover
The Message One Year Chronological Bible--softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $19.99
Save: $5.00 (20%)