THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS

INTRODUCTION:

1.AUTHOR: Perhaps Jeremiah; Or maybe a contemporary of Jeremiah.

2.DATE: Written about 560 BC, covers 265 years from 851 - 586 BC.

3.THEME: Disobedience to God led to the failure of the Monarchy.

4.After Solomon died, the Nation was divided when the Ten Northern Tribes of Israel set up their own king (see FIRST KINGS).

5.The Book of SECOND KINGS begins about eighty years after the division in 931 BC.

6.From 851 BC the story progresses as the continued rebellion and idolatry of both kingdoms led to their bitter end.

7.SECOND KINGS tells of the rebellion and idolatry of the Northern Kingdom of Israel which finally brought their captivity and scattering by the Assyrians in 722 BC.

8.This Book also tells of the corruption of Judah -- The Southern Kingdom had some good kings (eight out of twenty), but the
corruption was bad enough that it too was taken captive (that
captivity was by the Babylonians in 586 BC).

9.Chapters 1-10 trace the history of Israel; Chapters 11-17 give alternating records of both kingdoms; Chapters 18-25 continue the history of the Surviving Kingdom (Judah) to its end.

1.RECORDS OF ISRAEL: THE NORTHERN KINGDOM (FROM
THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA TO THE DEATH OF JEHU, THE
TENTH KING) -- CHAPTERS 1-10.

NOTE: Up to this point, Israel had eight kings (all evil). This is the story of Israel’s corruption in a succession of eleven more bad kings from 851 BC until their captivity in 722 BC. The situation in Judah during this time was somewhat better, but far from ideal.

A.ELISHA REPLACED ELIJAH (CHAPTERS 1-3).

1.Chapter 1, ELIJAH AND AHAZIAH.

a.The account of Ahaziah’s reign starts in 1Kg 22:51; He was wicked like his father Ahab.

b.He fell down and was sick; He sent messengers to a false god to see if he would live, Verses 1-2.

c.Elijah met them and said “NO, Ahaziah will die,” Verses 3-8.

d.Twice the king sent fifty soldiers to Elijah and they were all struck dead by fire from Jehovah, Verses 9-12.

e.The third time soldiers were sent, the captain begged Elijah; Elijah went to King Ahaziah, reproved his idolatry, and announced his death, Verses 13-16.

f.Ahaziah died; Jehoram reigned in Israel, Verses 17-18.

2.Chapter 2, TRANSLATION OF ELIJAH.

a.Elijah (about to go to heaven) went with Elisha from Gilgal to Bethel, to Jericho, to Jordan, Verses 1-7.

b.Elijah smote the waters of Jordan, and they divided, Verse 8.

c.Elisha asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah,
Verses 9-10.

d.A chariot of fire, horses of fire, and a whirlwind took Elijah to heaven, Verse 11.

e.Elisha took Elijah’s mantle to Jordan, smote the waters, and they divided, Verses 12-14.

f.Sons of the prophets asked Elisha to send fifty men to seek Elijah on mountains and in valleys; They searched three days, Verses 15-18.

g.With salt, in the Name of the Lord, Elisha healed the bad water of Jericho, Verses 19-22.

h.Idolatrous “young men” (original language) mocked Elisha and challenged him to “go up” to heaven also; A curse from God came upon them as two she-bears killed them, Verses 23-24.

i.Elisha went to Mount Carmel, then to Samaria, Verse 25.

3.Chapter 3, MOABITES DEFEATED.

a.Jehoram was the idolatrous king of Israel; The king of Moab (who had paid taxes to Israel), rebelled, Verses 1-5.

b.Israel, Judah, and Edom united to fight against Moab; They were in distress because of lack of water, Verses 6-10.

c.The three kings went to Elisha to inquire of the Lord; Elisha promised water, and also a complete victory for them,
Verses 11-20.

d.The armies were watered miraculously; The Moabites saw the water and thought it was blood; They assumed the three kings had fought each other and killed the armies, and all the Moab-ites had to do was move in and take the spoil, Verses 21-23.

e.Israel was victorious; The Moabite king sacrificed his son; There was great hatred against Israel, Verses 24-27.

B.ELISHA’S MIRACULOUS MINISTRY (CHAPTER 4-8).

1.Chapter 4, MIRACLES OF ELISHA.

a.A prophet’s widow was oppressed by a creditor; Elisha increased a pot of oil so she could pay her debts, and have enough to live, Verses 1-7.

b.A great woman of Shunem and her husband provided hospitality in their home for Elisha, Verses 8-10.

c.Elisha then prophesied that the Shunamite woman would have a son, Verses 11-17.

d.The Shunamite woman’s son died; She found Elisha; He went with her and restored the child to life, Verses 18-37.

e.Elisha came to Gilgal and prevented the sons of the prophets from being poisoned by pottage made of wild gourds,
Verses 38-41.

f.Then he multiplied a small amount of food so a hundred men were fed, and food was left over, Verses 42-44.

2.Chapter 5, NAAMAN HEALED.

a.Naaman was a great man, BUT he was a leper; He sent to the king of Israel, and then to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy, Verses 1-9.

b.Naaman was angry when he was told to dip in Jordan; He was cleansed when he finally obeyed, Verses 10-14; cf Ac 2:38.

c.Elisha refused payment from Naaman; Gehazi took the money secretly (he thought); Gehazi was afterward cursed with leprosy, Verses 15-27.

3.Chapter 6, AXE HEAD.

a.One of the sons of the prophets dropped an axe into the water; Elisha made it float (the God of nature is not bound by nature’s laws), Verses 1-7.

b.The Syrian army tried to take Elisha; The Lord struck them blind; Elisha led them to Samaria and delivered them to the king of Israel, Verses 8-20.

c.Elisha treated them with kindness, fed them well, and sent them to their master, Verses 21-23.

d.King Ben-hadad of Syria besieged Israel at Samaria; Severe famine conditions prevailed, and women ate their children, Verses 24-29.

e.The king of Israel vowed the destruction of Elisha, and sent to have him beheaded, Verses 30-33.

4.Chapter 7, SYRIANS FLEE.

a.Elisha then prophesied prosperity in Samaria for the very next day, Verses 1-2.

b.Four lepers perishing with hunger went to the Syrian army camp and found it deserted, Verses 3-5.

c.The Lord had made the Syrians hear the noise of chariots, and they had fled for their life, Verses 6-7.

d.Their provisions were left for Israel, and were sold cheaply, just as Elisha had prophesied, Verses 8-16.

e.The unbeliever of Verse 2 was killed by the people,
Verses 17-20.

5.Chapter 8, FAMINE.

a.The Shunamite woman fled to the land of the Philistines for the seven-year famine; She returned after seven years, and received back her land and her house, Verses 1-6.

b.Hazael killed King Ben-hadad of Syria and then reigned in his place; Hazael was anointed by Elisha (he was to be an instrument in God’s Hands for punishing Israel for her sins), Verses 7-15.

c.Jehoram, a bad king, reigned over Judah eight years; Edom and Libnah revolted against Judah, Verses 16-22.

d.Jehoram died, and his son Amaziah reigned as a bad king over Judah, Verses 23-27.

e.Judah and Israel joined in war against Syria, Verses 28-29.

C.THE REIGN OF JEHU (CHAPTER 9-10).

1.Chapter 9, JEHU.

a.Jehu was anointed king of Israel, and he was ordered to
destroy the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the prophets,
Verses 1-13.

b.Jehu slew many, including Judah’s King Ahaziah, Verses 14-29.

c.Jehu commanded that Jezebel be thrown from a high window; She was trodden by horses and eaten by dogs, Verses 30-37.

2.Chapter 10, MORE ABOUT JEHU.

a.Most of Ahab’s family was killed, as well as forty-two brethren of Ahaziah (king of Judah), Verses 1-14.

b.Jehu went to Samaria and slew the rest of Ahab’s kins-folk; He pretended to be a worshipper of Baal, gathered all Baal worshippers together and had them slain, and burned all the images of Baal and the temple of Baal; Thus Baalism was completely destroyed from the land of Israel, Verses 15-28.

c.But Jehu continued to be an idolater; He died, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his stead, Verses 29-36.

2.ALTERNATING RECORDS OF BOTH KINGDOMS:
(UP TO THE TIME OF THE ASSYRIAN CAPTIVITY
OF ISRAEL IN 722 BC) -- CHAPTERS 11-17.

NOTE: It was during this time period that Jonah, Amos, and Hosea prophesied in Israel.

A.GOD PROTECTED THE ROYAL SEED OF DAVID
(CHAPTERS 11-12).

1.Chapter 11, DAVID’S LINE PRESERVED.

a.Queen Athaliah tried to destroy the royal seed, but Joash (son of Ahaziah) was hidden by a nurse. He remained hidden six years while Athaliah reigned over Judah, Verses 1-3.

b.Jehoida, the high priest, showed Joash to the nobles, And armed them; They protected Joash, and then proclaimed him to be king, Verses 4-12.

c.Athaliah was executed, Verses 13-16.

d.Jehoida had the people and the King to enter into a covenant with the Lord; They destroyed Baal’s house, priest, and images, Verses 17-18.

e.Joash was the king of Judah at age seven; The land rejoiced, Verses 19-21.

2.Chapter 12, The name JOASH (The contracted form of the name JEHOASH) means “Given by the Lord”).

a.Under the instructions of Jehoida the priest, Jehoash reigned well; Repairs were made to the temple, Verses 1-16.

b.King Hazael of Syria marched to besiege Jerusalem; Jehoash prevented him, and gave him all the treasures and hallowed things of the house of the Lord, Verses 17-18.

c.After a 47-year reign, Jehoash was killed by his servants; His son Amaziah reigned in his stead, Verses 19-21.

B.FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
(CHAPTERS 13-17).

1.Chapter 13, DEATH OF ELISHA.

a.This covers the 17-year reign over Israel of Jehoahaz (an evil idolater); His wars with the Syrians; Jehoahaz died, and his evil son Joash reigned in his stead, Verses 1-13.

b.Elisha told the king of Israel that Israel would smite Syria three times; Elisha died, Verses 14-20.

c.The Moabites threw a dead man into Elisha’s grave, and the dead man came to life, Verse 21.

d.King Hazael of Syria, who had oppressed Israel, died; and his son Ben-hadad reigned; King Jehoash of Israel recovered many cities out of the hands of Ben-hadad, and defeated him three times, Verses 22-25.

2.Chapter 14, AMAZIAH.

a.Amaziah reigned twenty-nine years over Judah; He was a good king, but not as good as his Ancestor David; He defeated the Edomites, Verses 1-7.

b.There was war between Israel and Judah; Israel broke down the wall of Jerusalem and robbed the temple, Verses 8-14.

c.The kings of both nations (Amaziah and Jehoash) later died, and were buried with their fathers, Verses 15-20.

d.Amaziah’s son Azariah (sixteen years old) reigned in Judah; He built Elath and restored it to Judah, Verses 21-22.

e.Jeroboam II reigned forty-one years over Israel; He was a wicked king who continued to win victories over Syria, Verses 23-29. During this time Jeroboam and the prophet Jonah brought the Northern Kingdom to its greatest power.

3.Chapter 15, VARIOUS SHORT REIGNS.

a.The 52-year reign of Azariah; One of the “better” kings of Israel, but he was an idolater, and the Lord smote him with leprosy; His son Jotham reigned in his stead, Verses 1-7.

b.Several kings of Israel reigned only a short time each; Some of them murdered their predecessor, Verses 8-28.

c.The Assyrian King, Tiglath-Pileser (or Pul - 1 Chronicles 5:26), came in the days of King Pekah of Israel and carried Northeast Israel (Naphtali) captive into Assyria, Verse 29.

1)This was 734 BC, thirteen years before the rest of Israel
was taken.

2)At this time, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh also fell to the Assyrians -- See 1 Chronicles 5:25-26.

3)They had compromised and walked by sight - Num 32; Soon worshipped idols; Were the first to go into captivity.

d.Jotham reigned over Judah sixteen years, and was a good king; He was succeeded by his son Ahaz, Verses 30-38.

4.Chapter 16, AHAZ.

a.Ahaz reigned over Judah sixteen years; He was wicked, and he restored idolatry in Judea, Verses 1-4.

b.Syria and Israel raided Jerusalem; Ahaz, king of Judah, sent messengers and presents to the king of Assyria, asking him for help, Verses 5-8.

c.The Assyrians took Damascus (Syrian capital); Ahaz substituted an imitation altar for the true one, Verses 9-16.

d.Ahaz made several alterations in the temple; He died; His son Hezekiah reigned in his stead, Verses 17-20.

5.Chapter 17, ISRAEL INTO ASSYRIAN CAPTIVITY.

a.Hoshea, the last king, began his wicked reign, Verses 1-2.

b.King Shalmaneser IV of Assyria besieged Samaria 3 years, imprisoned Hoshea, and carried all Israel captive, Verses 3-6.

c.Reasons were given as to why God gave Israel up, Verses 7-23 (Judah sinned also, Verse 19).

d.Assyria sent men from foreign countries to dwell in the cities from which the Israelites were taken, Verses 24-25.

e.Priests were sent back from Assyria to Samaria to teach the foreign people about Jehovah; The people incorporated this worship into their idolatry, Verses 26-33.

f.These verses tell of the sad end of Samaria, Verses 34-41.

g.Uncovered Assyrian records indicate the Israelites were used as slaves and sold as slaves - cf Prov 13:15.

h.Some of the prophets of the time were: HOSEA, ISAIAH, MICAH, and AMOS.

3.RECORDS OF JUDAH, THE SURVIVING SOUTHERN KINGDOM: (FROM 721 BC TO THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY IN 586 BC) -- CHAPTERS 18-25.

NOTE: Until now, twelve successors to David had reigned -- There were to be eight more in the Davidic Dynasty. During this time Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah prophesied in Judah.

A.HEZEKIAH’S RIGHTEOUS REIGN (CHAPTERS 18-20;
See 2 Chronicles 32:23).

1.Chapter 18, HEZEKIAH.

a.King Hezekiah revived Judah during his good reign of twenty-nine years, Verses 1-8.

b.The Assyrians invaded Samaria and Judah, Verses 9-13.

c.Hezekiah paid tribute to Shalmaneser of Assyria, Verses 14-16.

d.Shalmaneser sent an army anyway; and his general (named Rabshakeh) made a blasphemous and insolent speech against the true God, Verses 17-37.

2.Chapter 19, HEZEKIAH AND ISAIAH.

a.Hezekiah, greatly distressed, sent to Isaiah to pray for him as Assyria was about to take Jerusalem, Verses 1-5.

b.Isaiah prophesied defeat for Assyria, Verses 6-7.

c.Sennacherib wrote to Hezekiah to surrender; Hezekiah took the letter to the Lord in prayer, Verses 8-19.

d.Isaiah was sent to assure Hezekiah his prayer was heard, that Jerusalem would be spared, and the Assyrians would be destroyed, Verses 20-34.

e.That night an angel killed 185,000 of the Assyrians, and their army fled; Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, and was slain by his own sons, Verses 35-37.

3.Chapter 20, HEZEKIAH’S 15 YEARS.

a.Hezekiah was SICK UNTO DEATH; Isaiah said, SET THINE HOUSE IN ORDER, FOR THOU SHALT DIE, Verse 1.

b.Hezekiah prayed, and was given fifteen additional years to live, Verses 2-7.

c.The shadow on the sun-dial was returned ten degrees as a sign that God would keep His promise to Hezekiah, Verses 8-11.

d.Hezekiah proudly showed all of his treasures to the Babylonians, Verses 12-13.

e.Isaiah foretold the Babylonian Captivity of Judah; Hezekiah died; After his death, his son Manasseh reigned in his stead, Verses 14-21.

B.FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF JUDAH (CHAPTERS 21-25).

1.Chapter 21, MANASSEH.

a.Manasseh, produced by a good father, was a wicked king who reigned fifty-five years, filling the land with idolatry and murder, Verses 1-9.

b.Because of Manasseh’s abominations, God said Judah would be taken by her enemies, Verses 10-16.

c.The amazing sequel about Manasseh is in 2 Chronicles
33:11-20.

d.Manasseh died, Verses 17-18.

e.Manasseh’s wicked son Amon reigned two years, and was murdered by his own servants; His son Josiah then reigned in his stead, Verses 19-26.

2.Chapter 22, JOSIAH.

a.Josiah, (son of a wicked father), was a good king who reigned thrity-one years, Verses 1-2.

NOTE: This was the one bright time in the last 100 years
of Judah, but it was “brightness of sunset” on the throne
of David.

b.Josiah had the temple repaired, Verses 3-7.

c.Hilkiah (Jeremiah’s father - Jer 1:1), the high priest, found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord; It was read to Josiah, and he wept, 8-11.

d.Huldah the prophetess told of evil to come to the land, but promised it would not come in Josiah’s time, Verses 12-20.

3.Chapter 23, JOSIAH’S ZEAL.

a.Josiah read the book of the law to the people, made a covenant, and the people stood to it, Verses 1-3.

b.Josiah destroyed idolatrous worship, and burned the altar of Jeroboam at Bethel, Verses 4-18.

c.He celebrated a great Passover, and put away all those who dealt with familiar spirits, Verses 19-25.

d.He tore down foreign altars and killed wicked priests.

e.Jehovah did not turn from His anger which was provoked by Manasseh’s wickedness, Verses 26-28.

f.Josiah was wounded in battle, and died, Verses 29-30.

1)The same year Josiah died (608 BC), the Assyrian Empire died, and Babylonia became the world ruler.

2)That took away Judah’s hope for protection against Egypt
on the south, and protection against Babylonia on the north and east.

3)At this time the end of the kingdom loomed near.

g.Jehoahaz, an evil king, reigned three months, Verses 31-33.

h.The land was under tribute to Egypt; Jehoiakim reigned, and he was a wicked king, Verses 34-37.

4.Chapter 24, NEBUCHADNEZZAR.

a.Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiakim his puppet ruler; The first deportation of captives to Babylon was in 605 BC, Verses 1-2 (Daniel was then taken -- See Dan 1:1-4).

b.Because of Manasseh’s sins, God, by His Sovereign Hand, was removing Judah out of His sight, Verses 3-4.

c.Jehoiakim died; His son Jehoiachin reigned, Verses 5-7.

d.The second deportation was in 597 BC; Ten Thousand of
the most useful were taken to Babylon, including Ezekiel,
Verses 8-16 (See Ezek 40:1).

e.Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah (brother of Jehoiakim) king; His reign was a wicked one, and he rebelled against Babylonia, Verses 17-20.

5.Chapter 25, JUDAH INTO BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY.

a.Zedekiah’s rebellion was futile; Nebuchadnezzar returned and besieged Jerusalem eighteen months; Judah was defeated, Zedekiah’s sons were slain, he was blinded and taken to Babylonia, Verses 1-7.

b.The Temple was burned; Its treasures, and most of the rest
of the people were taken to Babylon in the third deportation, 586 BC, Verses 8-11.

c.Some of the poorest were left to be vinedressers, Verse 12.

d.Treasures of the temple were taken to Babylonia, Verses 13-17.

e.Some of the chief men were put to death, Verses 18-21.

f.Those who escaped the Babylonian Captivity soon fled to Egypt, and the land was left utterly desolate, Verses 22-26.

g.The king of Babylon then released Jehoiachin from prison, and treated him with kindness, Verses 27-30.

h.Prophets who worked during the siege and fall of Jerusalem were Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.

i.David’s 400-year earthly kingdom was now finished; Christ, the Gospel, and the spiritual kingdom would come at a later time.

**NOTE: BY WAY OF REVIEW:

HOW TO REMEMBER THE FOUR BOOKS OF KINGS.

1Samel -- THE BOOK OF THE TRANSITION

(From theocracy to the monarchy).

2Samel -- THE BOOK OF DAVID’S REIGN

(The standard for subsequent kings).

1Kings -- THE BOOK OF THE DISRUPTION

(Of the one kingdom into two).

2Kings -- THE BOOK OF THE DISPERSION

(Both Nations into captivity).

**CONCLUSION:

1.The Books of Kings begin with Israel a mighty nation under a single righteous king.

2.The Books end with both parts of a divided kingdom in captivity, and the temple of God in ruins.

3.Israel did not have a single righteous king among their 19; Of Judah’s 20 kings, 8 were given some degree of praise.

4.Even with a revelation from God, the need of a Great Redeemer for these people is evident; How much more was He needed by the rest of mankind (cf the Book of Romans, Chapter 1).

**CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS TO
THE BIBLE:

1.Whereas the kingdom was established in 1Samuel and consolidated in 2Samuel, 1Kings records its division and decline, and 2Kings records its deterioration and destruction.

2.Locate the kings in order by thinking “1-2-3-4 Kings” (In Latin, the Books of 1Sa-2Sa and 1Kg-2Kg are “I, II, III, and IV Kings”).

a.Saul, the First King -- First Kings (1Sa in English).

b.David, the Second King -- Second Kings (2Sa in English).

c.Solomon, the Third King -- Third Kings (1Kg in English).

d.The Fourth, and following Kings -- Fourth Kings (2Kg in English).

3.The main purpose of all Bible History: To trace the origin and progress of the true worship of the true God.

**CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS:

1.In spite of Queen Athaliah’s attempt to destroy the house of David, the kings of Judah reigned as one continuous Dynasty of David.

2.God remained faithful to His covenant of 2Sa 7 by preserving the lineage of David; Jesus The Christ (Anointed, Messiah) is David’s direct descendent, and is now reigning as KING OF KINGS - 1Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; Eph 1:19-23.

**SECOND KINGS IN 4 WORDS:< Divided Kingdom -- Surviving Kingdom.

**SECOND KINGS IN 8 WORDS: Israel’s Corruption And Captivity --

Judah’s Corruption And Captivity.

**SECOND KINGS IN 1 WORD: Captivities.

**GOD STILL RULES -- ARE YOU WILLFULLY SUBMITTING TO
HIS RULE AND BEING BLESSED, OR ARE YOU RESISTING IT
AND HEADING TOWARD ETERNAL GRIEF? - REV. 22:17