2 Kings

Second Kings continues the narrative begun in First Kings, tracing the history of the divided monarchy from the ministry of Elijah's successor Elisha through the Assyrian conquest of Israel (722 BC) and the Babylonian exile of Judah (586 BC). Jewish tradition attributes the book to the prophet Jeremiah, though most scholars understand it as the work of anonymous scribes working within the Deuteronomistic tradition — a school of authors who interpreted Israel's history through the lens of covenant faithfulness as taught in Deuteronomy. The book likely reached its final form during or shortly after the Babylonian exile.

The central purpose of Second Kings is theological rather than merely historical: it asks why God's chosen people ended up in exile and answers clearly that repeated idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness brought divine judgment. The ministries of the prophets, especially Elisha, stand as constant reminders of God's patience and call to repentance. Yet even amid judgment, glimmers of hope appear — godly kings like Hezekiah and Josiah demonstrate that faithful obedience still matters. For readers today, the book offers a sobering reflection on the consequences of turning away from God, while also affirming that His purposes and mercy are never finally extinguished.