Faith & Reason Nexus

AUTHORSHIP: The author of 2 Kings is unknown, with suggestions pointing to Jeremiah or a group of prophets.
TIME WRITTEN: Majority of 2 Kings was written prior to 586 B.C., but chapters 24 & 25 were likely composed around 550 B.C. after Jehoiachin’s release.
POSITION IN THE BIBLE: 2 Kings in the Context of Scripture

• 12th Book in the Bible.
• 12th Book in the Old Testament.
• 7th of 12 books of History (Joshua – Esther).
• Followed by 54 books in the Holy Bible.

2 KINGS: Key Stats

• CHAPTERS: 25
• VERSES: 719
• WORDS: 23,532

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT 2 KINGS: Historical Overview

• 2 Kings continues the narrative initiated in 1 Kings.
• Majority written before the Babylonian Captivity, while chapters 24 & 25 were composed afterward.

Time Frames in 2 Kings:

• Chapters 1-17 span 131 years from 853 B.C. to 722 B.C., covering events up to the Assyrian Captivity of Israel.
• Chapters 18-25 cover 155 years from Hezekiah’s reign in 715 B.C. to Jehoiachin’s release in Babylon in 560 B.C.

Kingdom Facts:

• United Kingdom of Israel lasted for 120 years (1053-933 B.C.).
• Northern Kingdom existed for 210 years (931-721 B.C.) before Assyrian Captivity.
• Southern Kingdom of Judah lasted from 931-586 B.C., 135 years longer than Israel, before entering Babylonian Captivity.
• Total kingdom period: 467 years (1053-586 B.C.).

Northern Kingdom Details:

• 19 kings in 210 years, with 9 different dynasties, mostly established through regicide.
• Prophets: Amos, Elisha, Hosea.

Southern Kingdom Details:

• 20 kings in 345 years.
• 8 kings characterized as having good moral character.
• Prophets: Obadiah, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk.

Continuous Dynasty in the Southern Kingdom: The Southern Kingdom kings belonged to one continuous dynasty (David), despite Athaliah’s attempt to eliminate David’s descendants. Only Joash survived.