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Book 12 of 66 · Old Testament

2 Kings

The prophets Elijah and Elisha, and the long decline that ends with both kingdoms carried into exile.

25 chapters719 versesWritten in HebrewSet Israel and Judah, c. 850–586 BC

Overview

2 Kings carries the story to its bitter end. It opens with the prophet Elisha and his many wonders, then follows the parade of kings in the two kingdoms — mostly toward disaster. The northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria; a century later the southern kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, Jerusalem and its temple are destroyed, and the people are carried into exile.

Book facts

Author
Unknown; part of the Kings scrollThe second half of the Kings scroll; unnamed, drawing on royal records.
Date written
c. 560–540 BCCompiled during the exile, continuing straight from 1 Kings.
Original language
HebrewHebrew narrative, citing older annals of the kings.
Setting
Israel and Judah, c. 850–586 BCFrom the prophet Elisha to the fall of both kingdoms.

How it came to be

2 Kings continues straight from 1 Kings and names no author. It was originally the same scroll as 1 Kings, split in two.

It keeps citing older annals of the kings of Israel and Judah, and was compiled during the exile it describes.

What is arguedHow its sources were combined, and its exact date. Most read it as an exilic history explaining why the kingdoms fell.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat happensWho is in itWhere it takes place
Elisha — the prophet and his wonders, chapters 1–8
Chapter 1The fire from heavenElijah calls down fire and foretells the death of King Ahaziah of Israel.
Chapter 2The chariot of fireElijah is taken up in a whirlwind, and Elisha receives his mantle and a double portion of his spirit., , ,
Chapter 3The Moabite warElisha helps the kings of Israel and Judah in a campaign against Moab.,
Chapter 4The widow's oilElisha multiplies a widow's oil and raises a Shunammite woman's son.—
Chapter 5NaamanElisha heals the Syrian commander Naaman of leprosy; his servant Gehazi is punished for greed., , ,
Chapter 6The floating axe headElisha makes a lost axe head float and blinds a Syrian army.
Chapter 7The siege liftedFour lepers discover the besieging Syrians have fled, ending a famine in Samaria.
Chapter 8HazaelElisha foretells that Hazael will become king of Syria; kings come and go in Judah.,
The kings decline — toward the fall of the north, chapters 9–17
Chapter 9JehuJehu is anointed and sweeps away the house of Ahab, killing Jezebel.,
Chapter 10The house of Ahab endedJehu wipes out the rest of Ahab's line and the worshippers of Baal.
Chapter 11AthaliahQueen Athaliah seizes the throne of Judah until the priest Jehoiada crowns the boy Joash.,
Chapter 12The temple repairedKing Joash repairs the temple in Jerusalem.
Chapter 13The death of ElishaElisha dies; even his bones revive a dead man laid against them.—
Chapter 14Amaziah and JeroboamThe kings of Judah and Israel war and reign, for good and ill.——
Chapter 15The later kingsA rapid succession of kings in both kingdoms, as the north grows unstable.——
Chapter 16AhazKing Ahaz of Judah turns to Assyria and to idolatry.
Chapter 17The fall of SamariaAssyria captures Samaria and carries the northern kingdom into exile.—
Judah's last years — reform, and then the fall of Jerusalem, chapters 18–25
Chapter 18Hezekiah and SennacheribGood king Hezekiah reforms Judah; Assyria's Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem and taunts God.,
Chapter 19The Assyrians defeatedIsaiah reassures Hezekiah, and the Assyrian army is struck down overnight., ,
Chapter 20The shadow turned backHezekiah is healed, and the sun's shadow turns back as a sign.,
Chapter 21ManassehKing Manasseh fills Judah with idolatry and bloodshed.—
Chapter 22The book of the lawThe lost book of the law is found during Josiah's temple repairs; the prophetess Huldah is consulted., ,
Chapter 23Josiah's reformsJosiah sweeps away idolatry and renews the covenant, but is later killed in battle.
Chapter 24The first captivityBabylon under Nebuchadnezzar first carries off Judah's king and leaders., ,
Chapter 25The fall of JerusalemJerusalem and the temple are destroyed, and Judah is carried into exile in Babylon., , ,

All 25 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

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Key places

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Known for

Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.