7. Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king.

8. The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much plunder from them, and brought the plunder to Samaria.

9. But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, "Behold, because The LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.

10. Now you intend to degrade the children of Judah and Jerusalem as male and female slaves for yourselves. Aren't there even with you trespasses of your own against the LORD your God?

11. Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives that you have taken captive from your brothers, for the fierce wrath of the LORD is on you."

12. Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war,

13. and said to them, "You must not bring in the captives here, for you intend that which will bring on us a trespass against The LORD, to add to our sins and to our guilt; for our gulit is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel."

14. So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the princes and all the assembly.

15. The men who have been mentioned by name rose up and took the captives, and with the plunder clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them, gave them sandals, and gave them something to eat and to drink, anointed them, carried all the feeble of them on donkeys, and brought them to JERICHO, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.