2Kg2 Kings

About

This book continues the record of the events of the divided kingdom. None of the kings of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) followed God consistently, and thus Israel was finally destroyed by an enemy nation. The Southern Kingdom (Judah) lasted longer, but eventually Babylon conquered Judah and deported its citizens.

AuthorJeremiah, according to Jewish tradition
For whom it was writtenFor the Israelites.
Chapter amount25
Verse amount719

Message/Outline

  • Ministry of Elijah (1Kings 17-22; 2Kings 1,2).
  • Ministry of Elisha (2Kings 1-9.13).
  • The last days of Israel (2Kings 10-17).
  • The last days of Judah (2Kings 18-25).
  • Saul (good at first, then bad).
  • David (good).
  • Solomon (good).
  • Rehoboam (bad) – separation of the tribes.
  • Abijah (good) – Judah.
  • Jeroboam (bad) – Israel.
  • Asa (good) – Judah.
  • Baasha – Israel.
  • Jehoshaphat (good) – Judah.
  • Ahab (bad) – Israel.
  • Jehoram (bad) – Judah.
  • Ahaziah (bad) – Israel.
  • Joash (good at first, then bad) – Judah.
  • Amaziah (good at first, then bad) – Judah.
  • Uzziah (good at first, then bad) – Judah.
  • Jotham (good) – Judah.
  • Ahaz (bad) – Judah.
  • Hezekiah (good) – Judah.
  • Manasseh (bad at first, then good) - Judah.
  • Amon (bad) – Judah.
  • Josiah (good) – Judah.
  • Jehoiakim (bad) – Judah – captivity to Babylon.
  • Zedekiah (bad) – Judah.

Main Characters

ElishaServant and successor of Elijah.
JehuKing, raised up to end the idolatry of Ahab and the worship of Baal by the people.
Jeroboam IIKing of Israel for 41 years.
JoashKing of Judah.
AhazKing of Judah.
HezekiahOne of the greatest and most virtuous kings of Judah.
IsaiahThe most illustrious of the prophets.
ManassehFifteenth king of Judah.
JosiahKing of Judah.

Chapters

1In Israel, Ahaziah dies. His younger brother, Jehoram, takes the throne.
2Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and Elisha becomes Elijah's successor.
3The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom unite to fight against Moab. Elisha saves three kings and their armies.
4Elisha helps a widow pay the money she owes and helps another woman by asking God to resurrect her son.
5Tells the story of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria. Naaman seeks Elisha because he was leprous. Naaman follows Elisha's instructions and God heals him.
6Elisha makes the iron of an axe float.
6, 7God protects the city of Samaria, preventing it from being invaded.
8, 9Elisha anoints Jehu king of Israel and Jehu kills Jehoram and Jezebel.
10In Israel, Jehu exterminates the house of Ahab and all the worshipers of Baal.
11In Judah, Athaliah orders the royal family to be killed. Joash escapes and is crowned king at seven years old.
12Joash orders the temple to be repaired.
13 - 16The kings of Judah and Israel continue disobeying God.
17The king of Assyria captures Israel (Northern Kingdom) and takes the people captive.
18, 19Hezekiah restores the worship of the Lord. The army of Assyria approaches Jerusalem, but God sends an angel who exterminates the Assyrian army in one night.
20Hezekiah becomes ill, but God restores his health. The prophet Isaiah warns that the Babylonians will one day take the treasures and the people of Judah to Babylon.
21Amon is a very bad king and ends up being killed by his servants. After Amon's assassination, the people crown Josiah, his son, as the new king. Josiah was eight years old.
22Josiah repairs the temple. In the repair, Hilkiah finds the book of the Law.
23Josiah gathers all the people and renews the covenant of the Lord.
24, 25God allows other nations to attack Judah and take its people captive.