Summary of 2 Kings in the Old Testament
Key Old Testament, religion, religious books, the Bible, books of Old Testament, 2 Kings, Book of 2 Kings, Book of Kings, Second Kings, prophet Jeremiah, Israel, Judah, Egypt, Pharaoh king, Elisha
Desc This article gives the account of the divided kingdom which made two nations (Israel and Judah), whose story appears in the Old Testament in the Book of 2 Kings.
In Second Kings, the tale of the divided kingdom continues. There are now two nations (Israel and Judah), which is plagued by rebellion and a future of captivity. In 2 Kings, we are also introduced to the ministry of the prophet Elisha, who ministered under these horrible circumstances. In this article, you will learn more about the events that are written in the Book of 2 Kings.
The author of the book of 2 Kings is not named, but it is believed that the prophet Jeremiah wrote both the first and second book of Kings , sometime between 560 and 540 BC. The tale of the kings that ruled over the divided kingdom is discussed. At the end, we learn that the deportation of the people of Israel and Judah to Assyria and Babylon took place.
The Book of 2 Kings illustrates the downfall of a divided kingdom. Despite constant warnings from prophets, the people ignore that the judgment of God will take place. They disregard their urgings to repent. Wicked kings continue to rule over the kingdom of Israel. A few of Judah’s kings are good, but those with plans to lead the people away from the worship of God are much stronger. The few rulers with good intentions (including Elisha and other prophets) are no match against the increasing decline of the nation. In time, the Assyrians destroy the Northern Kingdom of Israel and more than 130 years later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah falls at the hands of the Babylonians.
Three prevailing themes are weaved throughout the Book of 2 Kings. The first is that the Lord will judge His people when they disobey and turn their backs on Him. The Israelites are disloyal as they follow the evilness of the kings. Their rebellion is answered with God’s wrath. Secondly, the book highlights the word of the true prophets of God always comes to pass. Thirdly, the Lord is faithful. He still remembers his promise to David (mentioned in 2 Samuel 7:10-13) and even though the disobedience of the people and the evil kings who ruled them being present, the Lord did not bring David’s family to an end.
Significant verses found in the Book of 2 Kings includes:
“All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.” (2 Kings 17:7-8)
“The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him. He sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets.” (2 Kings 24:2)
“Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.” (2 Kings 8:19)