2 Kings — Introduction & Outline

These two books (originally one) are anonymous, but Talmudic tradition identifies the prophet Jeremiah as the author. Some evidence supports this. The books take a prophet's view of history with emphases on apostasy, judgment, idolatry, immorality, and the mention of prophets ministering to Israel and Judah. Also, some scholars see a style similar to Jeremiah's. In any case, the author would have written most of the books during the lifetime of Jeremiah. The phrase "to this day" (1 Kings 8:8; 12:19) indicates a time prior to the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C. Only the last two chapters were obviously written after the captivity, perhaps by an exile. Other traditions have suggested Ezra or Ezekiel as authors. The authors had access to a number of documents which could have been used to compile 1 and 2 Kings (1 Kings 11:41; 14:19,29; 15:7; 2 Kings 18:18; and chs. 18-20 with Isa. 36-39).

The books were written before the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C. with the exception of 2 Kings 24 and 25 which were written after the captivity. Since no mention is made of the Jews' return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C., the books were compiled in their final form before then.

These books cover a period of over 400 years beginning with the inauguration of Solomon (c. 970 B.C.) and ending with the release of Jehoiachin from Babylon (c. 560 B.C.). Of this, 1 Kings covers a period of 120 years from Solomon to the end of Ahaziah's reign (c. 851 B.C.). Three major periods of Israel's history are included: the united kingdom (c. 1043-931 B.C), the divided kingdom (c. 931-722 B.C.), and the surviving kingdom (c. 722-586 B.C.).

Politically, during the times of the kings Israel reached a peak of influence under Solomon. This declined, however, especially after the fall of the northern kingdom (722 B.C.). The surviving southern kingdom enjoyed only sporadic greatness until its fall in 586 B.C. Outside Israel, the New Assyrian empire dominated the region until just before the fall of Israel in the north. Egypt's power during this time was present but fluctuated. Assyria's power was eventually supplanted fully by Babylon about a century after the fall of northern Israel.

Israel's religious and moral condition paralleled the political. Solomon's construction of the temple was a high point for Judaism and devotion to God, but his lapse into idolatry led the nation into apostasy. After Solomon, Jeroboam began calf worship in northern Israel at Bethel and Dan. Later, Ahab and Jezebel promoted Baal worship, which was also propagated in the southern kingdom by their daughter Athaliah. Apostasy continued until the end of the northern and southern kingdoms in spite of the ministries of many prophets who called the nation to repentance. The prophets ministering in Israel included Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea. The prophets of Judah were Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk. The religious condition of either kingdom was determined and reflected in the reigning king. The record of Kings shows that all nineteen of Israel's kings were evil and of the nineteen in Judah, only eight were designated "good".

The historical purpose of Kings is to complete the history of the Davidic dynasty begun in the books of Samuel. The LXX recognized this when the books were artificially divided and labeled "3 and 4 Kingdoms," the book of Samuel being "1 and 2 Kingdoms." Theologically, Kings teaches the lessons of history by evaluating the monarchy according to the standards of the Mosaic law. Kings shows that the welfare of Israel under the monarchs depended on the covenant faithfulness of the people and their king. It thus portrays the reasons for the demise of the monarchy in terms of the covenant's stipulations of blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience.

2 Kings continues the historical record of 1 Kings. Its two main sections address the later history of the divided kingdom and the history of the surviving kingdom (Judah) after Israel's captivity.

Ahaziah's evil reign (1:1-18) forms the bridge from 1 kings. His idolatry incurs the wrath of God in the form of premature death as pronounced by Elijah. Elisha, Elijah's successor, becomes the real focus in the record of the next evil king, Jehoram (or Joram, 2:1-8:15). The transition of the ministry and power from Elijah to Elisha is confirmed by a series of early miracles by Elisha (2:1-25). He also displays his divine authority when he predicts the victory of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat over the Moabites (3:1-27). The extended ministry of Elisha (4:1- 8:15) contains a lengthy account of miracles (4:1-6:7) that prove God is still sovereign and working in behalf of those of faith. Likewise, his ministry in the war with Syria (6:8-7:20) displays miracles that show God cares for His people and preserves them in spite of the king's rejection of the prophet. Elisha's ministry extends to the kings of Syria (8:7-15), one of whom (Hazael) he sees will be a destroyer of Israel (8:12). It is obvious from this account of Joram's reign and the subsequent history that Israel's depravity was so severe even a man of God like Elisha had little influence.

The next two kings recorded are Jehoram (8:16-24) and Ahaziah (8:25-29) of Judah.

They are both evil, yet this does not prevent God from remaining faithful to his promises concerning the Davidic dynasty (8:19). In Israel, Jehu is the next notable king (9:1-10:36). Though basically characterized as evil (10:29-31), he is used by God to rid the land of the wicked, including Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel, Ahab's family, and Baal worshipers (9:1-10:36).

In Judah, Athaliah, the wicked daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, schemes to gain the throne, but her reign is cut short by Jehoida's plot to make Joash king (11:1-16). After Athaliah's execution, Joash reigns as a good king over Judah (11:17-12:21). He leads the people in renewed devotion to the Lord, destroys the Baal temple and chief priest, and restores the dignity of Jewish temple worship.

Two brief accounts of evil kings in Israel, Jehoahaz (13:1-9) and Jehoash (13:10-25), precede the record of another good king in Judah. The basically good reign of Amaziah (14:1- 22) had its troubles in a war with Jehoash of Israel and in a conspiracy which took his life. After the brief mention of the evil reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (14:23-29), another basically good king, Azariah, rules in Judah (15:1-7). There next appears brief accounts of five evil kings of Israel: Zechariah (15:8-12); Shallum (15:13-16); Menahem (15:17-22); Pekahiah (15:23-26); and Pekah (15:27-31). The record of wickedness in the north is interrupted by mention of the good reign of Jotham in Judah (15:32-38). He is succeeded by Ahaz, a wicked king (16:1-20), who showed utter disregard for the sanctity of the temple and the worship of YHWH.

The history of the divided kingdom closes with the final king, Hoshea, who proves to be evil also (17:1-41). It is under his rule that Assyria takes Samaria captive (17:5-23) and repopulates Samaria with people from the surrounding nations (17:24). The text makes it clear that the captivity of Israel is the consequence of their unfaithfulness to the covenant and rejection of the prophets who called them to repentance (17:13-18). Israel in captivity continued in their idolatry with foreign nations (17:24-41).

The last part of the book concerns the history of the surviving kingdom of Judah (18:1-25:41). The moral high point of this era was the good reign of Hezekiah (18:1--20:21).

He led Judah in rejection of idolatry (18:1-7) and in military success (18:7-20:19). Most notably, an invasion by Sennacherib of Assyria was routed supernaturally under the ministry of Isaiah (18:17-19:37). This illustrates God's willingness to respond to faith in the king (19:8-20) and His faithfulness in preserving His people according to the promises to David (19:30-31,34).

Though Hezekiah's life was graciously extended (20:1-11), this only allowed him to sin by allowing the Babylonians to inspect the treasures of Judah (20:12-19). Consequently, Isaiah pronounces the imminent Babylonian captivity of Judah (20:17-18).

The prediction of captivity as punishment is repeated during the reign of Manasseh who brings Israel to its basest level yet (21:1-18). The next king, Amon, is also evil (21:19-26). The last good king to rule Israel is Josiah (22:1-23:30). His devotion finds favor with God (22:19-20) and the renewal of the covenant and the subsequent reforms he instituted after discovering the "Book of the Law" bring a period of spiritual revival to Judah (22:3-23:24).

Still, this is not enough to divert God's plans for Judah's captivity because their wickedness overall is so outrageous (23:25-27).

The wickedness of Judah continues to spiral downward with the last four kings: Jehoahaz (23:31-34); Jehoiakim (23:35-24:7); Jehoiachin (24:8-16); and Zedekiah (24:17-25:7). Their decline as a nation is evident: Jehoahaz is imprisoned in Egypt; Jehoiakim sees the first Babylon invasion of Judah; Jehoiachin is taken captive with some of Judah to Babylon; and Zedekiah's rule brings the final destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of Judah. Babylon now completely controls Judah and sets up a governor, Gedaliah (25:8-30). The book ends with the mention of Jehoiachin's release from a Babylonian prison; a possible harbinger of restoration for Judah (25:27-30).

Kings teaches the lessons of Israel's history. As seen in the record of the united, divided, and surviving kingdoms, God blesses the obedience of His people and rulers, but judges disobedience. His faithfulness to honor His covenant with David persists through the end of the monarchy's demise.

1. The Later History of the Divided Kingdom 1:1-17:41

   1. The remainder of the evil reign of Ahaziah in Israel 1:1-18

      1. The message of Elijah about Ahaziah's death 1:1-8
      2. The meeting with Elijah 1:9-16
      3. The death of Ahaziah 1:17-18
   2. The evil reign of Jehoram (Joram) in Israel 2:1-8:15

      1. The transition from Elijah to Elisha 2:1-25

         1. The translation of Elijah 2:1-11
         2. The recognition of Elijah's spirit on Elisha 2:12-18
         3. The beginning miracles of Elisha 2:19-25
      2. The war of Jehoram against Moab 3:1-27

         1. The spiritual failure of Jehoram 3:1-3
         2. The military victory of Jehoram 3:4-27
         1. The alliance against Moab 3:4-12
         2. Elisha's prophecy of victory over Moab 3:13-19
         3. The defeat of Moab 3:20-27
      3. The ministry of Elisha 4:1-8:15

         1. His ministry with various miracles 4:1-6:7

            1. The miracle of the widow's oil 4:1-7
            2. The miracle of the Shunammite's son 4:8-37
            1. Elisha predicts a son. 4:8-17
            2. Elisha raises the son. 4:18-37
            3. The miracle of the pot of stew 4:38-41
            4. The miracle of the multiplied loaves 4:42-44
            5. The miracle of the healing of Naaman 5:1-27
            1. Naaman's miraculous healing 5:1-19
            2. Gehazi's deceptive greed 5:20-27
            6. The miracle of the floating ax head 6:1-7
         2. His ministry during war with Syria 6:8-7:20

            1. The miracles in the first Syrian attack 6:8-23
            1. Elisha's warning about Syria's plan 6:8-12
            2. Elisha's servant's eyes opened 6:13-17
            3. Elisha's capture of the Syrians 6:18-23
            2. The miracles in the second Syrian attack 6:24-7:20
            1. Samaria's siege and famine 6:24-29
            2. Elisha's prediction of food 6:30-7:2
            3. Syria's confusion and flight 7:3-11
            4. Elisha's prediction fulfilled 7:12-20
         3. His ministry with the Shunammite woman 8:1-6
         4. His ministry with the king of Syria 8:7-15
   3. The evil reign of Jehoram in Judah 8:16-24
   4. The evil reign of Ahaziah in Judah 8:25-29
   5. The evil reign of Jehu in Israel 9:1-10:36

      1. The anointing of Jehu as king 9:1-13
      2. The executions of Jehu as king 9:14-10:28

         1. The execution of Joram 9:14-26
         2. The execution of Ahaziah 9:27-29
         3. The execution of Jezebel 9:30-37
         4. The execution of Ahab's seventy sons 10:1-11
         5. The execution of Ahaziah's forty-two brothers 10:12-14
         6. The execution of Ahab's remaining family 10:15-17
         7. The execution of Baal worshipers 10:18-28
      3. The spiritual failure of Jehu 10:29-31
      4. The death of Jehu 10:32-36
   6. The evil reign of Athaliah in Judah 11:1-16

      1. The deliverance of Joash from Athaliah 11:1-3
      2. Jehoida's plot to make Joash king 11:4-12
      3. The death of Athaliah 11:13-16
   7. The good reign of Joash in Judah 11:17-12:21

      1. The spiritual renewal under Joash 11:17-12:16

         1. Jehoida's renewal of the covenant 11:17-21
         2. Joash's spiritual success 12:1-3
         3. Joash's repair of the temple 12:4-16
      2. The ransom paid to Syria 12:17-18
      3. The death of Joash 12:19-21
   8. The evil reign of Jehoahaz in Israel 13:1-9
   9. The evil reign of Jehoash in Israel 13:10-25

      1. The spiritual failure of Jehoash 13:10-13
      2. The final days of Elisha 13:14-21
      3. The victories over Syria 13:22-25
   10. The good reign of Amaziah in Judah 14:1-22

       1. The spiritual success of Amaziah 14:1-4
       2. The defeat of Amaziah by Jehoash 14:5-14
       3. The death of Jehoash 14:15-16
       4. The death of Amaziah 14:17-22
   11. The evil reign of Jeroboam II in Israel 14:23-29
   12. The good reign of Azariah in Judah 15:1-7
   13. The evil reign of Zechariah in Israel 15:8-12
   14. The evil reign of Shallum in Israel 15:13-16
   15. The evil reign of Menahem in Israel 15:17-22
   16. The evil reign of Pekahiah in Israel 15:23-26
   17. The evil reign of Pekah in Israel 15:27-31
   18. The good reign of Jotham in Judah 15:32-38
   19. The evil reign of Ahaz in Judah 16:1-20

       1. The spiritual failure of Ahaz 16:1-4
       2. The alliance with Assyria against Syria 16:5-9
       3. The construction of a pagan altar 16:10-18
       4. The death of Ahaz 16:19-20
   20. The evil reign of Hoshea in Israel 17:1-41

       1. The spiritual failure of Hoshea 17:1-2
       2. The political situation under Hoshea 17:3-41

          1. The imprisonment of Hoshea by Assyria 17:3-4
          2. The captivity of Samaria by Assyria 17:5-23
          3. The idolatry of the foreigners in Samaria 17:24-41
2. The History of the Surviving Kingdom of Judah 18:1-25:30

   1. The good reign of Hezekiah 18:1-20:21

      1. The spiritual success of Hezekiah 18:1-8
      2. The political situation under Hezekiah 18:9-20:19

         1. Assyria's captivity of Israel 18:9-12
         2. Assyria's invasions of Judah 18:13-19:37

            1. The first invasion 18:13-16
            2. The second invasion 18:17-19:37
            1. Sennacherib's mockery of the Lord 18:17-37
            2. Isaiah's prophecy of victory 19:1-7
            3. Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance 19:8-19
            4. Isaiah's prophecy against Sennacherib 19:20-34
            5. Sennacherib's defeat and death 19:35-37
         3. Hezekiah's miraculous recovery 20:1-11
         4. Babylon's tour of Judah 20:12-19
      3. The death of Hezekiah 20:20-21
   2. The evil reign of Manasseh 21:1-18

      1. The spiritual failure of Manasseh 21:1-16
      2. The death of Manasseh 21:17-18
   3. The evil reign of Amon 21:19-26
   4. The good reign of Josiah 22:1-23:30

      1. The spiritual success of Josiah 22:1-2
      2. The spiritual renewal under Josiah 22:3-23:27

         1. The Book of the Law found 22:3-20
         2. The restoration of covenant worship 23:1-24
         1. The renewal of the covenant 23:1-3
         2. The reforms of the covenant 23:4-24
         3. The Lord's coming judgment 23:25-27
      3. The death of Josiah 23:28-30
   5. The evil reign of Jehoahaz 23:31-34
   6. The evil reign of Jehoiakim 23:35-24:7
   7. The evil reign of Jehoiachin 24:8-16
   8. The evil reign of Zedekiah 24:17-25:7

      1. The spiritual failure of Zedekiah 24:17-20
      2. The capture of Zedekiah by Babylon 25:1-7
   9. The control of Babylon over Judah 25:8-30

      1. The fall and captivity of Judah 25:8-21
      2. The governorship of Gedaliah in Judah 25:22-26
      3. The release of Jehoiachin in Babylon 25:27-30