12 - 2 Kings

TLDR: The two kingdoms to the end: Elisha's miracles, Israel's fall to Assyria, Judah's reforms and eventual exile to Babylon. The temple is destroyed. Hope lies in the promise of a remnant and a future king.

Overarching Storyline

Elijah taken up; Elisha's ministry (ch. 1–8). Jehu, Jehoahaz to Jehoash (ch. 9–14). Israel falls to Assyria (ch. 15–17). Hezekiah and Josiah's reforms (ch. 18–23). Judah's last kings; Babylon; exile (ch. 24–25).

Bible Project: 2 Kings overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Elisha, Hezekiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar.
• Image: Chariot of fire, floating axe, Jerusalem besieged, temple burned.
• Number: 2 (kingdoms to the end), 70 (years of exile foretold).
• Phrase: "So Israel was exiled from their land" (17:23).

Highlights

• 2 Kings 2:11 — Elijah taken up in a whirlwind.
• 2 Kings 18–19 — Hezekiah and the Assyrian crisis.
• 2 Kings 22–23 — Josiah's reform and the book of the law.
• 2 Kings 25 — Fall of Jerusalem and exile.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: 1 Kings leaves the kingdoms divided; 2 Kings carries both to destruction.
• After: 1 Chronicles retells from a Judah/David focus; 2 Kings is the end of the monarchy until the Christ.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Exile and hope. The covenant curses (Deut 28) come; the land is lost. The prophets had promised restoration and a new David; that hope looks to the exile and beyond to Christ.

Interesting Facts

• 2 Kings 19:35 — Angel of the LORD strikes the Assyrian camp; Jerusalem spared in Hezekiah's day.
• Daniel and Ezekiel — Written in exile; they and the later returns (Ezra–Nehemiah) continue the story.