Graphics of 2 Kings


Contents

  1. 1 Vital statistics
  2. 2 Mentoring in the Old Testament
  3. 3 Concern for Widows
  4. 4  Palace Intrigues and Plots
  5. 5 The Assyrian Kings
  6. 6 Ten Prophetesses in Scripture
  7. 7 Judah Major Kings
  8. 8 The Divided Kingdom
  9. 9 Kings of Assyria
  10. 10 Kings of Babylon
  11. 11 Israel's Division and Captivity
  12. 12 The Blueprint




Vital statistics


 Purpose:  To demonstrate the fate that awaits all who refuse to make God their true leader 
 Author: Unknown. Possibly Jeremiah or a group of prophets
 Original audience: The people of Israel
 Setting: The once- united nation of Israel has been divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, for over  century
 Key verses: "Again and again the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: 'Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and decrees-the entire law that I commanded your ancestors to obey, and that I gave you through my servants the prophets.' But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God" (17:13, 14). 
 Key people: Elijah, Elisha, the woman from Shunem, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar. 
 Special features: The 17 prophetic books at the end of the Old Testament give great insights into the time period of 2 Kings. 





Mentoring in the Old Testament
Jethro and Moses (Ex. 18)
Jethro drew alongside his overworked son-in-law and helped him organize leaders over the people of Israel.
Moses and Joshua (Deut. 31:1–8; 34:9)
Moses helped Joshua prepare to assume the leadership of Israel when the people were ready of enter Canaan.
Deborah and Barak (Judg. 4:4–16)
As a judge over Israel, Deborah challenged Barak to be the commander of the military and encouraged him when he was fearful; as a result, they achieved victory over a Canaanite army.
Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1–4)
Naomi gave well-considered advice to her bereaved, minority daughter-in-law to help her avoid a life of poverty and discrimination.
Eli and Samuel (1 Sam. 1–3)
Though the priest Eli failed with his own two sons, he helped Samuel develop into a man who could hear God’s voice and speak to the nation.
Samuel and Saul (1 Sam. 9–15)
Samuel identified Saul as a future leader and tried to shape him into a man of principle; even when Saul turned away from the Lord, Samuel challenged him on several occasions about his attitude toward God.
Samuel and David (1 Sam. 16; 19:18–24)
Samuel anointed David into leadership and stood by him when Saul was trying to hunt David down.
Mordecai and Esther (Esth. 1–10)
A Jew living in Persia, Mordecai mentored his cousin when she found herself in a surprising role as queen, with the opportunity to rescue her people from their hostile enemy, Haman.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Concern for Widows
Moses (Deut. 24:19–22)
The Law told landowners to allow widows and other needy people to glean in their fields.
Ruth (the Book of Ruth)
An entire book of the Old Testament focuses on the dilemma of two widows, Naomi and Ruth, who were destined for poverty until God provided a wealthy man, Boaz, to care for them both.
David (2 Sam. 20:3)
He provided housing and support for his ten concubines who had been violated by Absalom, who lived as “widows until their death. ”
David (Ps. 68:5; 146:9)
The psalmist called God the “defender of widows” and the One who “relieves the fatherless and widows. ”
Elijah (1 Kin. 17:8–24)
The great prophet of Israel provided for a needy widow at Zarephath through a miracle.
Job. (Job. 24:21; 31:16–18)
During his sufferings he reflected on the abuse of widows in his day and the care that he had tried to provide.
Jesus (Mark 12:41–44; Luke 7:11–17; 18:1–8; 20:46–47)
The Lord often ministered to the needs of widows and held them up as examples of faithfulness or as people deserving care and respect; He condemned the Pharisees for their mistreatment of widows.
The early church (Acts 4:34–37; 6:1–7)
The new community of believers showed compassion to widows and other needy members by selling land and using the proceeds for assistance; it also developed a system to assure equality in the care.
Paul (1 Tim. 5:3–16)
The apostle gave instruction to Timothy on how to establish systems of support for widows in the church at Ephesus.
James (James 1:27)
He defined “pure religion” partly in terms of how believers treat widows.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 4.8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.



 Palace Intrigues and Plots
Ruler
Event
Rehoboam (1 Kin. 12:12–20)
He imposed even higher taxes than those levied by his father before him. Ten tribes rejected his leadership and stoned his chief tax collector.
Ben-Hadad (2 Kin. 8:7–15)
When this king of Syria lay sick, he sent his representative Hazael to ask the prophet Elisha about his recovery. Hazael returned with encouraging words, but then murdered his master and gained the throne for himself.
Jehu (2 Kin. 9:1–29)
After being informed by Elisha that he would become king of Israel, Jehu plotted to overthrow King Joram by killing him at a supposed peace conference.
Jehu (2 Kin. 9:30–37)
After assuming the throne, Jehu had old Queen Jezebel thrown from a window to her death, and dogs consumed her body just as Elijah had predicted.
Jehu (2 Kin. 10:18–28)
Jehu purged Israel of Baal worship by inviting prophets of Baal from throughout the land to convene at the temple. After declaring to them his loyalty to Baal, he had his soldiers execute them.
Athaliah (2 Kin. 11:1–3, 20–21)
This queen mother destroyed all but one of the royal heirs after her son died. Her grandson Joash was preserved, and later rose to power and put her to death.
Pekah (2 Kin. 15:25–30)
Pekah came to power by assassinating his predecessor. But during Pekah’s rule, Assyria plundered more than half of his land, stripping it of its inhabitants. A conspiracy then rose up and Pekah was assassinated.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 15.29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.



The Assyrian Kings
Tiglath-Pileser III
745–727 b. c.
Shalmaneser V
727–722 b. c.
Sargon II
722–705 b. c.
Sennacherib
705–681 b. c.
Esarhaddon
681–669 b. c.
Ashurbanipal
668–627 b. c.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 15.29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Ten Prophetesses in Scripture
Miriam (Ex. 15:20)
Along with her brothers Moses and Aaron, helped lead the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt. She prophesied after the parting of the Red Sea.
Deborah (Judg. 4:4)
A judge known as “a mother in Israel” (Judg. 5:7).
Huldah (2 Kin. 22)
Was consulted when a scroll was found in the temple and the leaders needed guidance from God.
Noadiah (Neh. 6:14)
Conspired with Tobiah, Sanballat, and others in an attempt to make Nehemiah fearful of rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall.
Isaiah’s wife (Is. 8:3–4)
Bore a son who would experience the grief of Assyria’s domination of the Israelites.
Anna (Luke 2:36–38)
Praised the Lord for Jesus’ birth at His dedication in the temple.
Four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9)
Served the early church at Caesarea.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 22.7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.



Judah Major Kings



JUDAH
Major Kings
Prophets
931
Rehoboam
Shemiah
910
Asa
Azariah
Hanani
872
Jehoshaphat
Jehu
Jahaziel
Eliezer
Elijah
835
Joash
Zechariah
Joel
797
Amaziah
791
Uzziah
Isaiah
750
Jotham
Micah
728
Hezekiah
Nahum
640
Josiah
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Jeremiah
586
Ezekiel
Babylonian
Captivity
Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary. Includes index. (280). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.






The Divided Kingdom
Sothern Kingdom
(931–586 B.C.)
Northern Kingdom
(931–722 B.C.)
King
Date
Biblical References
Prophets
King
Date
Biblical References
Prophets
(1) Rehoboam Son of Solomon
17 years
931–913 B.C.
1 Kin. 14:21–31; 2 Chr. 9:31–12:16
Shemaiah—2 Chr. 11:2–4; 12:5–7, 15
Iddo the Seer—2 Chr. 12:15
(1) Jeroboam I Son of Nebat 22 years
931 B.C.-910 B.C.
1 Kin. 11:26–40; 12:1–14:20; 2 Chr. 10:1–11:4; 11:13–16; 13:2–20
Ahijah the Shilonite—1 Kin. 11:29–39; 14:1–18
Man of God from Judah—1 Kin. 13:1–32; 2 Kin. 23:18
Iddo the Seer—2 Chr. 9:29
(2) Abijam (Abijah) Son Of Rehoboam
3 years
913–911 B.C.
1 Kin. 15:1–8;
2 Chr. 13:1–14:7
Iddo the Seer—2 Chr. 13:22
(2) Nadab Son of Jeroboam
2 years
910–909 B.C.
1 Kin. 15:25–31
(3) Asa Son of Abijam
41 years
911–870 B.C.
1 Kin. 15:9–24
2 Chr. 14:1–16:14
Azariah, the son of Oded—2 Chr. 15:1, 8 (see note in center column)
Hanani—2 Chr. 16:7–10
(3) Baasha Son of Ahijag
24 years
909–886 B.C.
1 Kin. 15:16–22, 27–29, 32–34; 16:1–7
Jehu, the son of Hanani—1 Kin. 16:1–7
(4) Elah Son of Baasha
2 years
886–885 B.C.
1 Kin. 16:8–14
(5) Zimri Chariot Commander uder Elah
7 days
885 B.C.
1 Kin. 16:9–12, 15–20
(6) Omri Army Commander under Elah
12 years
885–874 B.C.
1 Kin. 16:16–18, 21–28
(4) Jehoshaphat Son of Asa
25 years
870 (873)–848 B.C.
1 Kin. 22:41–50; 2 Chr. 17:1–21:1
Jehu, the son of Hanani—2 Chr. 19:2, 3
Jahaziel—2 Chr. 20:14–17
Eliezer—2 Chr. 20:37
(7) Ahab Son of Omri
22 years
874–853 B.C.
1 Kin. 16:29–22:40;
2 Chr. 18:1–34
Elijah—1 Kin. 17–21; 2 Kin. 1:2
Elisha (servant of Elijah)—1 Kin. 19:19–21
Micaiah the son of Imlah—1 Kin. 22:8–28; 2 Chr. 18:7–27
Unnamed Prophets—1 Kin. 18:4, 13; 20:28, 35–43
(5) Jehoram (Joram) Son of Jehoshaphat
8 years
848(853)-841 B.C.
2 Kin. 8:16–24;
2 Chr. 21:1–20
Obadiah
Elijah—2 Chr. 21:12–15
(8)Ahaziah Son of Ahab
2 years
853–852 B.C.
1 Kin. 22:51–2 Kin. 1:18; 2 Chr. 20:35–37
Elihah’s Translation—2 Kin. 2:1–18
Elisha
2 Kin. 8:25–9:29;
2 Chr. 21:1–20; 2 Kin. 11:1–20;
2 Chr. 22:1–9
(9) Joram (Jehoram ) Son of Ahab
12 years
852–841 B.C.
2 Kin. 3:1–9:26
Elisha
(6) Ahaziah (Jehoahaz) Son of Jehoram
1 year
841 B.C.
2 Kin. 11:21–12:21
(10) Jehu Son (or grandson) of Nimshi; an army officer under Ahab
28 years
841–814 B.C.
2 Kin. 9:1–10:36
Queen Athaliah Daughter of Ahab; mother of Ahaziah
6 years
835–796 B.C.
2 Chr. 24:1–27
(7) Joash (Jehoash) 40 years
841–835 B.C.
2 Kin. 14:1–20
2 Chr. 25:1–28
Joel
(11)Jehoahaz Son of Jehu
17 years
814–798 B.C.
2 Kin. 13:1–9
Elisha
(8) Amaziah son of Joash
29 years
796–767 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:1–7
2 Chr. 26:1–23
Unnamed Prophets— 2 Chr. 25:7–9, 15, 16
(12) Jehoash (Joash) Son of Jehoahaz
16 years
798–782 B.C.
2 Kin. 13:10–13, 25; 14:8–16; 2 Chr. 25:17–24
Death of Elisha
(9) Uzziah (Azariah) Son of Amaziah
52 years
767(792)-740 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:32–38;
2 Chr. 27:1–9
Isaiah—called the year that Uzziah died
Zechariah—2 Chr. 26:5
(13) Jeroboam II Son of Jehoash
41 years
782 (793)-753 B.C.
2 Kin. 14:23–29
Jonah
Amos
Hosea
(14) Zechariah Son of Heroboam II
6 months
753–752 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:8–2
Hosea
(15) Shallum Son of Jabesh
1 month
752 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:10, 13–15
Hosea
(16) Menahem Son of Gadi
10 years
752–742 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:14, 16–22
Hosea
(10) Jotham Son of Uzziah
740(750)-731 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:32–38;
2 Chr. 27:1–9
Isaiah
Micah
(17) Pekahiah Son of Menahem
2 years
742–740 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:23–26
Hosea
(11) Ahaz Son of Jotham
16 years
731(735)-715 B.C.
2 Kin. 16:1–20;
2 Chr. 28:1–27
Isaiah
Micah
(18) Pekah Son of Remaliah
20 years
740(752)-732 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:25, 27–31; 16:5;
2 Chr. 28:5, 6; 7:1
Hosea
Oded the Prophet—2 Chr. 28:9–11
(12)Hezekiah Son of Ahaz
29 years
715 (729)-686 B.C.
2 Kin. 18:1–20:21;
2 Chr. 29:1–32:33;
Is. 36:1–39:8
Isaiah
Micah
(19) Hoshea Son of Elah
9 years
732–722 B.C.
2 Kin. 15:30; 17:1–6; 18:9, 10
Hosea
(13) Manasseh Son of Hezekah
55 years
686 (696)-642 B.C.
2 Kin. 21:1–18;
2 Chr. 33:1–20
Nahum
Unnamed Prophets—2 Kin. 21:10; 2 Chr. 33:18
722 B.C.- Fall of Samaria
( 10 Northern Tribes Go into Captivity-Assyria)
(14) Amon Son of Manasseh
2 years
642–640 B.C.
2 Kin. 21:19–26
2 Chr. 33:21–25
(15) Josiah Son of Amon
31 years
640 B.C.-609 B.C.
2 Kin. 22:1–23:30; 2 Chr. 34:1–35:27
Jeremiah
Zephaniah
Huldah the Prophetess—2 Kin. 22:14–20; 2 Chr. 34:22–28
(16) Jehoahaz (Shallum) Son of Josiah
3 months
609 B.C.
2 Kin. 23:31–34; 2 Chr. 36:1–4; Jer. 22:1–12
Jeremiah
(17) Jehoiakim (Eliakim) Son of Josiah
11 years
609–598 B.C.
2 Kin. 23:34–24:7; 2 Chr. 36:4; Jer. 22:13–23; 26; 36
Jeremiah
Habakkuk
Daniel
Urijah the son of Shemaiah Jer. 26:20
NOTES:
*     Names in parentheses denote alternate names of the same king.
**     Dates in parentheses denote coregencies, a period of rule in which the son occupied the throne with his father.
***     Prophets whose names appear in boldface letters are cononical prophets.
(18) Jehoiachin (Coniah) Son of Jehoiakim
3 months
598–597 B.C.
2 Kin. 24:8–17; 2 Chr. 36:9, 10; Jer. 22:24–30; 52:31–34
Jeremiah
Daniel
(19) Zedekiah (Mattaniah) Son of Josiah
11 years
597–586 B.C.
2 Kin. 24:17–25:7; 2 Chr. 36:11–21; Jer. 39:1–10; 52:1–11
Jeremiah
Daniel
Ezekiel
586 B.C.—Fall of Jerusalem
(Southern Kindgom Goes into Captivity-Babylon)
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Kings of Assyria
Assur-nasirpal II
883–859 b.c.
Tiglath-Pileser III
745–727 b.c.
Shalmaneser III
858–824 b.c.
Shalmaneser V
727–722 b.c.
Shamshi-Adad V
823–811 b.c.
Sargon II
722–705 b.c.
Adad-nirari III
810–783 b.c.
Sennacherib
705–681 b.c.
Shalmaneser IV
782–773 b.c.
Esarhaddon
681–669 b.c.
Assur-dan III
772–755 b.c.
Ashurbanipal
668–627 b.c.
Assur-nirari V
754–745 b.c.
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 14.23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Kings of Babylon
Nabopolassar
626–605 b.c.
Neriglissar
560–556 b.c.
Nebuchadnezzar II
605–562 b.c.
Labasi-Marduk
55 b.c.
Evil-Merodach
562–560 b.c.
Nabonidus (Belshazzar reigned as vice-regent)
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (2 Re 23.29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Israel's Division and Captivity

1 Kingdom2 KingdomCaptivityReturn











1043 B.C.

Saul, David Solomon

United Kingdom

112 Years

Northern Kingdom of Israel

10 Tribes

Capital: Samaria

722 B.C.  Taken captive by Assyria when Hoshea was king of Israel    536 B.C. Started rebuilding the Temple
Kings: Jeroboam, followed by eighteen bad kings   Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah 
209 years     
931 B.C. Kingdom Divided   538 B.C. Decree of Cyrus 
605 B.C.----70-year Captivity ----536 B.C.
Southern Kingdom of Judah

2 Tribes

Capital: Jerusalem

When Jehoiakim was king of JudahWhen Jehoiachim was king of JudahWhen Zedekiah was king of Judah  
 Kings: Rehoboam, followed by eleven bad and eight goo kings605 B.C. Daniel and friendsEzekiel and ten thousandJudah taken captive by Babylon  
345 years605597586  

 

Three sieges of Jerusalem By Babylonians 

 





The Blueprint



   A. THE DIVIDED KINGDOM (1:1-17:41)
  1. Elisha's ministry
  2. Kings of Israel and Judah
  3. Israel is exiled to Assyria 
     Although Israel had the witness and power of Elisha, the nation turned from God and was exiled to Assyria. Assyria filled the northern kingdom with people from other lands. There has been no return from this captivity-it was permanent. Such is the end of all who shut God out of their lives.  
  B. THE SURVIVING KINGDOM (18:1-25:30)
  1. Kings of Judah
  2. Judah is exiled to Babylon
    The northern kingdom was destroyed, and prophets were predicting the same fate for Judah. What more could cause the nation to repent? Hezekiah and Josiah were able to stem the tide of evil. They both repaired the Temple and gathered the people for the Passover. Josiah eradicated idolatry from the land, but as soon as these good kings were gone, the people returned again to living their own way instead of God's way. Each individual must believe and live for God in his or her family, church, and nation.