13 2 Kings

What is in the book of 2 Kings?

2 Kings has many well known events, such as Elijah being carried to heaven in a chariot of fire and Elisha getting a double portion of Elijah's spirit. It also has extraordinary events like the children making fun of Elisha's bald head and two bears killing 42 children. 2 Kings tells of the raising of the Shunammites's son to life and the healing of Namaan the leper.

2 Kings records the ends of both the northern and southern kingdoms. Samaria fell to the Assyrians and the northern kingdom of Israel was carried away. Judah experiences a brief revival, Josiah finds the book of the law, but Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians and Judah is exiled to Babylon.

Summary Statement: 2 Kings concludes the story of the death of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, demonstrating the judgment of sin and the hopelessness of kings, priests, prophets, wisdom, law, and the temple to save them from death. The only hope is in God who raises the dead.