The eight good kings are indicated by having their names in all capital letters. In addition, the book recounts the activities of six prophets, including elijah. Aug 15, 2008 the books of 1 and 2 kings recount events that cover a period of just over four hundred years, from the death of david to the release of jehoiachin from prison in babylon. The book of 2 kings outlines the causes of the scattering of israel.
Aug 01, 2005 highlights from the book of second kings 1. The book of 2 kings continues the history of the nations of israel and judah until the time of their captivity for their sins. Who really wrote the biblical books of kings and the prophets. Give yourself a crash course of the bible by reading these very useful old testament highlights and notes from the second book of kings at adams ministry. The book of 2 kings kjv audio bible full by alexander. Jun 25, 2015 this book became the basis of a series of reforms, which made josiah, according to his own scribes, the best king ever. Whereas first and second samuel document israels shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of david, kings shows how israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. Chapter 23 of the second book of kings began with king josiah and his reaction to the book of the law.
The books of kings were originally one book in the hebrew text and formed a two volume corpus with the present books of samuel. Everything which is known of him can be characterized by the statement in 2 kings 9. It concludes the deuteronomistic history, a history of israel also comprising the books of joshua and judges and the book of samuel, which biblical commentators believe was written to provide a theological explanation for. In these history books, the bible contains many important lessons for us today 2 timothy 3. Theile in his two books, the mysterious numbers of the hebrew kings and a chronology of the hebrew kings, these are close approximations and are, of course, b. The bad water supply of jericho is made healthful 2 kings 2. Narrates the events of king solomon and subsequent kings of israel and judah, from the glory of the first temple, to the division of the nation of israel, to their being led captive into babylon and assyria. Who really wrote the biblical books of kings and the.
Highlights from the book of first kings watchtower. The book of 2 kings concludes with the final overthrow and deportation of the people of israel and judah to assyria and babylon, respectively. The book of 2 kings, king james bible, by alexander scourby is being aired with permission of, all rights reserved. It also serves as the final account of the demise of the divided kingdoms of israel and judah. The israelites unfaithfulness was reflected in the evil idolatry of the kings and resulted in god exercising his righteous wrath against their rebellion. The two books of kings present a history of ancient israel and judah from the death of king david to the release of jehoiachin from imprisonment in babylon, a period of some 400 years c. The prophet elijah left this earth without dying 2. Mar 29, 2021 it is clear to even the casual reader that the books of 1 and 2 kings share a great deal of similarities with the books of 1 and 2 chronicles. Naaman, captain of the host of the king of syria, was a great man with his masterhighly esteemed for his military character and success. The dates assigned are largely based on those given by e. Jul 31, 20 the books of kings were probably written during the time of judahs captivity in babylon which begins at the end of second kings. Watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. He receives a notice of death from the prophet elijah. Jewish tradition credits jeremiah the prophet as the author of 1 kings, although bible scholars are divided on the issue.
Books of kings, two books of the hebrew bible or the protestant old testament that, together with deuteronomy, joshua, judges, and 1 and 2 samuel, belong to the group of historical books deuteronomic history written during the babylonian exile c. The book chronicles the events that took place between the time of king ahaziahs death and king jehoiachin of judah being released from his prison in babylon elijah is taken up into heaven, and elisha becomes a prophet to israel in his place. Juvenile delinquents are attacked by bears 2 kings 2. Josiah brought the elders and leaders of jerusalem together to learn of the reformation he would implement nationwide. The book of 2 nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. Since you likely both lead and follow, lessons from 1 and 2 kings offer helpful examples that can enable you to do each more wisely, effectively and faithfully. Shows the gods love toward us as we follow him in faithfulness. Since the two books of kings in our present bible were originally one book, 2 kings continues on in the account of the kings of judah and israel where i kings. Written by jan turrentine, managing editor for acacia resources, baptist center for ethics, nashville, tenn. The book of 2nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. The 2nd book of kings 2 kings from the holy bible new international version niv book 12please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of. The waters of the jordan river rolled back twice 2 kings 2. It is a history book, from the old testament of the bible.
Davids death solomons reign the division of the kingdom elijahs ministry. Two of the bestknown prophets of the old testament. Introduction to the books of first and second kings, lesson 1. Kings, or in greek, was originally a book of the former prophets in hebrew scripture. Jul 01, 2005 highlights from the book of first kings when the righteous become many, the people rejoice. It relates the life story of solomon, during whose kingship ancient israel enjoys a time of security. These books of history pick up where second samuel left off. This book relates the transactions from the death of saul until the end of davids reign, being a history for the space of about fortysix years. Second kings features many unique events and people.
Two of the bestknown prophets of the old testament are elijah and elisha. Highlights from the book of second kings watchtower online. The book begins with the blessing from heaven upon gods prophet. It is an account of 29 kings 12 from the northern kingdom of israel and 17 from the southern kingdom of judah. For an outline of both 1 and 2 kings see introduction to 1 kings. Highlights from the book of second kings watchtower. The book of 2 kings features the famous prophets elijah and elisha.
Highlights from the book of first kings when the righteous become many, the people rejoice. He is succeeded by his son, solomon, who builds a reputation as a righteous judge and powerful monarch. Second kings continues the history of the divided kingdom, picking up the story around 853 bc. Therefore, 2 kings is actually the fourth book in the series on the history of the hebrew kings as presently arranged. Modern scholarship assigns the authorship to the prophets. Apr 24, 20 the books used as resource material by 1 and 2 kings refer to separate works for the kings of judah and the kings of israel. Having been anointed by elisha to punish the house of ahab for its great wickedness, jehu set about his task with a frightening zeal. Enoch was the only other man in the bible to do so genesis 5. The 1st book of kings 1 kings from the holy bible new international version niv book 11please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of. The book covers the last 12 kings of the northern kingdom, and the last 16 kings of the southern kingdom a period, in all, of about 250 years. The two books of kings are called the 3 rd and 4 th book of kings in the septuagint as well as the vulgate. Wicked kings who had godly sons, also good kings who had wicked sons. The book of the law was found in the previous chapter by the high priest hilkiah. Elijah, eliza, the fall of samaria, hezekiah, josiah, and the fall of jerusalem are a few.
Israel is united under the godly king david, who appoints his son solomon to rule. Second kings also relates activities of the prophets elijah, elisha, and isaiah. Second book of kings, simply second kings or 2nd kings, is the twelfth book of the old testament and of the bible. Interesting facts about 2 kings barnes bible charts author. The majority of 2 kings was written prior to 586 b. Book of second samuel overview insight for living ministries. The tribes of judah, benjamin, and some of levi were serving a pagan king in a faraway country. First and second kings kjv the holy bible, king james.
Most bible scholars also believe that there was a written succession narrative describing the transition of power from david to solomon. First, the lord will judge his people when they disobey and turn their backs on him. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. The second book of kings niv audio holy bible high. May 02, 2020 there are three prominent themes present in the book of 2 kings.
The books of first and second kings are the story of israels decline. The book was divided into the two books of first kings and second kings in the historical books of the greek septuagint old testament, and continues as such in the latin vulgate and our christian old testament of the bible. Possibly jeremiah or a group of prophets time written. Considered together, they open with king david and close with the king of babylon. The bible book of second kings takes up where the book of first kings leaves off. Although the writer is unknown, it was written while the first temple was still standing 1 kings 8.
Prophets of god boldly challenged both kings and common people to follow the right ways of the lord i kings 18. 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. Others attribute a group of anonymous authors called the deuteronomists, since language from the book of deuteronomy is repeated in 1 kings. While compiling the book, jeremiah evidently consulted such ancient records as the book of the affairs of solomon. Summary of the books of kings the story of the bible. Elishas ministry to the northern kingdom of israel chapters 18. The book of kings is a narrative history of the kings of israel and judah. The first 2 chapters concentrate on events leading up to, and including, the death of king david in old age. Highlights from the book of second kings the bible book of second kings takes up where the book of first kings leaves off.
Written in jerusalem and judah by the prophet jeremiah, the narrative covers a period of some 129 years from 1040 b. Highlights from the book of first kings watchtower online. In 722 bc, the powerful nation of assyria invaded the northern kingdom, scattering and taking captive the people of israel. The books of 1 and 2 kings describes a movement towards the eventual loss of the land and exile. King ahaziah of israel suffers a fall in his home and is sick.
Originally one book, they were divided by the septuagint translators. According to jewish tradition in the talmud the author was the prophet jeremiah. Book of second kings overview insight for living ministries. The books of 1 and 2 kings cover more than 400 years of israelite history, starting with the death of king david approximately 1015 b. The books of 1 kings and 2 kings were originally one book. Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of moses. The book closes with the sad plight of king jehoiachin. The book chronicles the events that took place between the time of king ahaziahs death1 and king jehoiachin of judah being released from his prison in babylon. Second kings is filled with teaching concerning christ, even though his name is not mentioned. Ahaziah sent men to elijah but they were consumed by fire. So much so, in fact, that some wonder why it is that we have both of these accounts of israels history in our bibles. Large print complete books of first and second kings from the holy bible king james version, kjv. The waters of the jordan are made to divide 2 kings 2. This is a selftest on chapters 25 of the book of ii kings.
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