The book of 2nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. In kings, davids son solomon leads israel to greatness, only to. These and other miraculous events testify to gods continuing work among his people. Jewish tradition credits jeremiah the prophet as the author of 1 kings, although bible scholars are divided on the issue. The books of kings continue the story that began in the books of samuel. The book of 1 kings was likely written between 560 and 540 b.
The book of 1st kings is narrative history and prophecy. The first event was the rebellion of moab against israel samaria. The key personalities are david, solomon, rehoboam, jeroboam, elijah, ahab, and jezebel. The greek translation of the old testament, the septuagint lxx, divided the book in two and this was followed by the latin vulgate version and english translations. First and second kings show us how, despite the persistent sins of israels leaders, israels god remained faithfully present. In these history books, the bible contains many examples which teach how we should live 2 timothy 3. God judges ahabs family with elisha, jehu, and hazael 2 kgs 110 more kings of the north and south rule israel and judah 2 kgs 1116 israel falls to assyria 2 kgs 17. The waters of the jordan river rolled back twice 2 kings 2. Use it as a supplemental or standalone study as you dig deeper into gods word with us every day on the first 5 app. Will gods promised messiah come to pass in spite of israels failures. Relive the kingdom of israel in the book of kings 1 and 2. Others attribute a group of anonymous authors called the deuteronomists, since language from the book of deuteronomy is repeated in 1 kings.
Summary of the books of kings the story of the bible. For an outline of both 1 and 2 kings see introduction to 1 kings. These books of history pick up where second samuel left off. The tradition is that the prophet jeremiah was the author of both 1 and 2 kings. In these four books the history of the nation is traced from the time of its greatest extent, influence, and prosperity under david and solomon to the division and finally the captivity and exile of both kingdoms. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of second kings in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The writer of the books of kings describes the events of the northern and southern kingdoms after the division.
The purpose of 1st kings is to contrast those who obey and disobey god throughout the ruling kings. A similar phrase, the l ord s fire, described the miraculous divine fire that fell from a cloudless sky to consume elijahs offering in 1 kgs 18. Enoch was the only other man in the bible to do so genesis 5. Although much of the information is the same as that found in 2 samuel2 kings often verbatim, the books of chronicles more specifically identify the setbacks of. The book of 2 kings tells of events in israel and judah from the death of ahab to the exile of israel and judah. The books of first and second kings are the story of israels decline. The story begins with a united kingdom, but ends in a nation divided into 2 kingdoms, known as judah and israel. Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of god, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. An introduction to the books of first and second kings. Jul 31, 20 northern kings struggle for control 1 kgs 14.
What are now commonly known as 1 kings and 2 kings would be 3 kings and 4 kings in old bibles before the year. David instructs solomon to walk in his gods ways 2. The translators of the septuagint introduced the separation into two books and this separation was made also in the vulgate. Known as kings 1 and 2 in english bibles, the book of kings is originally a single book that recounts the rule of israels kings from davids son solomon up until the time of israels exile, the final result of israels disobedience. If the deuteronomic law is the standard of judgment in 1 and 2 kings, then the priests code is the standard in 1 and 2 chronicles.
Like the books of 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings originally were one book. The book of 2 kings, along with 1 kings, was likely written between 560 and 540 b. This is the holy book of 1 kings, known as the second book of the kings, otherwise called the fourth book of the kings. Book of second kings overview insight for living ministries. This summary of the book of 2 kings provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 kings. The book of 2 kings continues the story of 1 kings, telling how gods people gradually lose their distinct identity in the world due to the faithless kings who lead them solomon had once dedicated the temple in jerusalem by declaring that the god of israel is completely unique. Jewish tradition identifies the author as jeremiah the prophet and author of the book of jeremiah and lamentations. The jerusalem bible divides the two books of kings into eight sections. Book of first kings overview insight for living ministries. Author and time of writing the two books of kings originally formed one book only in the hebrew bible.
The book of 1 kings does not specifically name its author. The author is neither indicated in the text nor known by scholars. It includes a great prayer to the lord in chapter 8. Whereas first and second samuel document israel s shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of david, kings shows how israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. There is no god like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath. However, his final act of judgment and the passing of his cloak to elisha at the moment of his ascension to heaven in a whirlwind are contained in 2 kings 1. The book of the chroniclesannals of the kings of israel mentioned seventeen times in 1 kings 14. Israel is united under the godly king david, who appoints his son solomon to rule. First kings follows the history of this divided kingdom through the year 853 bc. Thus, the books now commonly known as 1 samuel and 2 samuel are known in the vulgate as 1 kings and 2 kings in imitation of the septuagint.
Reference is made for example to the book of the acts of solomon 1 kings 11. Whereas first and second samuel document israels shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of david, kings shows how israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies these books of history pick up where second samuel left off. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves. Solomon had once dedicated the temple in jerusalem by declaring that the god of israel is completely unique. It continues the story of the kings over the divided kingdom israel and judah.
In the hebrew bible the book of kings continued the narrative started in samuel. The books of 1 and 2 kings center around the climax of the great overarching history of a world created by god and of a particular people in it who were handpicked by him. While 2 samuel leaves off near the end of davids reign, 1 and 2 kings take us from the reign of solomon to the catastrophic division of israel into northern and southern factions. As the illustrious life of king david draws to a close, only some quick thinking by the prophet nathan and solomons mom bathsheba prevents adonijah from stealing the throne from solomon, the rightful king. A story of gods grace for a rebellious people is a tenweek study in the first 5 app. The global message of 2 kings the ongoing story of global redemption.
The prophets is grouped into former prophets joshua2 kings not. The book of kings is the ninth book of the hebrew bible or the eleventh and twelfth books of the christian old testament. It also lists as a source the book of the kings of israel and combined the book of the kings of israel and judah, but also the chronicles of king david and several others. Chronicles history appears to have been written later than kings. The same is true of the narration of the ministry of elijah, which for the most part appears in 1 kings chs. The historical books a good introduction to and overview of the historical books of the old testament joshua, judgesruth, 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings, 1 and 2 chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, esther other resources. The purpose of 1st kings is to contrast those who obey and disobey god throughout the ruling. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of bible. The tradition is that it was written by the prophet jeremiah. He was most likely a prophet, because many of the historical events. The prophet elijah left this earth without dying 2.
Listen to chuck swindolls overview of first kings in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. This navigator bible study follows the chronological events of israels eventual downfall while teaching valuable lessons about gods will and character. The book of 2 kings continues the story of 1 kings, telling how gods people gradually lose their distinct identity in the world due to the faithless kings who lead them. Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of god, behold. The holy bible book 12 2 kings kjv dramatized audio.
Going by the narrative, the story of kings and chronicles covers the time period from adam to the release from exile of the nation of judah. Moab rebelled against israel after the death of ahab. The fourth book of the former prophets i and ii kings in the septuagint. Although the writer is unknown, it was written while the first temple was still standing 1 kings 8. Apr 02, 2016 watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The two books of kings are regarded by many as the last part of a work commonly known as the deuteronomistic history.
As we noted in the previous chapter, 1 and 2 kings originally comprised one book of history. More specifically, it narrates the time from king david to the babylonian captivity of judah, including the years from 930586 bc, and twenty kings of israel, nineteen kings of judah, and one queen of judah. Those which are not specifically mentioned, but are proposed by some. In these history books, the bible contains many important lessons for us today 2 timothy 3. The story of the book of kings is one of the lost books of the old testament. This summary of the book of 1 kings provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 kings. The book of 2 kings is a sequel to the book of 1 kings. While 2 samuel leaves off near the end of davids reign, 1 and 2 kings take us. Bible summary 2 kings 1 2 kings bible book summary. This book is the sequel to 1 and 2 samuel and begins by tracing solomons rise to kingship after the death of david. The story involves israel, judah, syria, ammon, moab, edom, and philistia, as well as egypt, assyria, babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond israels borders. Books of kings, two books of the hebrew bible or the protestant old testament that, together with deuteronomy, joshua, judges, and 1 and 2 samuel, belong to the group of historical books deuteronomic history written during the babylonian exile c. Like the books of samuel, the books of kings were originally one book but divided into two by the greek translators of the original hebrew. The books of first and second kings are the story of israel s decline.
Now ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in samaria, and was injured. Sep, 2012 this is the holy book of 1 kings, known as the second book of the kings, otherwise called the fourth book of the kings. Besides that the record of the life of hezekiah or isaiah 36. Israel is united under the godly king david, who appoints his son solomon. The latter tells the story of israel from its settlement in the land joshua and judges through the transition from judgeship to monarchy under samuel, saul, and david 1 and 2 samuel to the reign of solomon, the disintegration of the united kingdom into. Originally one book, they were divided by the septuagint translators.
The book of 2 nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. First and second kings were originally one book, called in the hebrew text, kings, from the first word in 1. The book of 2 kings concludes with the final overthrow and deportation of the people of israel and judah to assyria and babylon, respectively. The time period covered by this book saw the emergence of. Watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the. The book of the chroniclesannals of the kings of judah 1 kings 15. While 2 samuel leaves off near the end of davids reign, 1 and 2 kings take us from the reign of solomon to the catastrophic division of. The books of 1 kings and 2 kings were originally one book.