The Book of 2 Kings
Persistent unfaithfulness leads both Israel and Judah into exile.
- Author
- Unknown; traditionally attributed to Jeremiah
- Date
- Probably completed c. 560–540 BC
- Chapters
- 25
- Genre
- History
Summary
2 Kings continues the history of the divided kingdom. It opens with the ministry of Elisha, Elijah's successor, whose miracles show God's care for the faithful.
Despite repeated warnings from the prophets, the northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria in 722 BC. Judah has moments of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, but eventually Jerusalem is destroyed by Babylon and its people taken into exile. Yet the book ends with a glimmer of hope as King Jehoiachin is released from prison.
Outline
- Chapters 1–8 — Elisha's ministry
- Chapters 9–17 — The kings of Israel until the fall of Samaria
- Chapters 18–25 — The kings of Judah until the exile
Key Themes
Key Verses
The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.”
Start reading 2 KingsNeither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.