History
2 Kings
The kings of Israel and Judah to the fall of Samaria in 721 BC and of Jerusalem in 588 BC, and Elisha’s ministry.
Second Kings explains why both kingdoms were taken into exile: the people and kings turned from the LORD, despite the prophets’ warnings. It closes in Babylon with a note of hope, the release of Jehoiachin.
Kinds of writing
- Narrative 100%
Key verses
Elijah taken up in a whirlwind. As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:11 (World English Bible)
Israel removed from God's sight. Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
2 Kings 17:18 (World English Bible)
Hezekiah trusted in Yahweh. He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him.
2 Kings 18:5 (World English Bible)
No king like Josiah. There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.
2 Kings 23:25 (World English Bible)
Judah carried away captive. The king of Babylon attacked them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.
2 Kings 25:21 (World English Bible)
People
ElijahElishaNaamanJehuHezekiahIsaiahJosiahNebuchadnezzar
Places
JordanShunemSamariaJezreelDamascusJerusalemAssyriaBabylon
On the timeline
Elijah taken up to heavenNaaman healed of leprosyJehu's revoltSamaria falls; Israel exiled to AssyriaSennacherib invades JudahThe Book of the Law found in the templeJehoiachin and 10,000 exiled to BabylonJerusalem falls; the temple is burned
The New Testament quotes or alludes to 2 Kings 2 times (counted in the site’s Old in the New).
Dating notes
Spans are estimates. The span is an estimate; Scripture doesn’t say when the book was written.