(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: 2 Kings – the continuation of the historical record begun in 1 Kings. The original Hebrew scroll of Kings was divided into two books in the Septuagint.
• Definition: A historical-theological narrative tracing the decline of both the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) due to persistent covenant violation, ending with the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Anonymous; traditionally attributed to prophetic scribes such as Jeremiah. Scholars view it as part of the Deuteronomistic History, compiled during or after the Babylonian exile.
• When: Covers approximately 850 to 560 BC, from the reign of Ahaziah to the exile of Judah. Composition likely finalised in the 6th century BC.
• Audience: Exilic Jews grappling with the reasons for national collapse, reflecting on their history and covenant responsibilities.
• Purpose: To explain Israel’s downfall as the result of disobedience to God’s covenant, to emphasise the prophetic voice, and to sustain hope by preserving a theological interpretation of history.

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Royal chronicles, prophetic narratives, biographical accounts, covenant evaluations, miracle stories, and political histories.
• Key Themes: Covenant failure, divine judgement, prophetic intervention, idolatry, reform, exile, and hope through divine sovereignty.
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Elisha’s miracles point to Christ’s healing and restorative ministry.
○ The destruction of the Temple highlights the need for a new and eternal temple, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (John 2:21).
○ The survival of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs. 25:27–30) leaves a glimmer of messianic hope through the Davidic line.
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The Temple symbolises God’s presence but also His withdrawal due to national sin.
○ The prophetic mantle passed from Elijah to Elisha represents continuity of God’s word.
○ Exile is a symbol of judgement and purification.

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Four sections – (1) Elijah’s final ministry and Elisha’s rise (2 Kgs. 1–8), (2) downfall of the northern kingdom (2 Kgs. 9–17), (3) reform and decline of Judah (2 Kgs. 18–23), (4) fall of Jerusalem and exile (2 Kgs. 24–25).
• Canonical Significance: Completes the Deuteronomistic narrative from Joshua to Kings, explaining exile as covenantal consequence.
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Continues 1 Kings and precedes 1 Chronicles (in canonical order); parallels the latter portion of 2 Chronicles.
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Fulfils Deuteronomic warnings (Deut. 28) and prophetic calls to repentance from books like Isaiah, Hosea, and Jeremiah.
○ Connections to the New Testament: The prophetic ministry of Elisha prefigures Christ’s miraculous works. The exile frames the background of messianic expectation (Matt. 1:11–12).
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Jehoiachin’s restoration hints at the Davidic line’s survival and the eventual coming of the Messiah.
○ Connections with Judaism: Explains the fall of both kingdoms and underscores the necessity of Torah obedience and prophetic fidelity.
○ Connections with Islam: Prophets like Elisha (Al-Yasaʿ) and others are acknowledged in Islamic tradition as righteous messengers.
• Key Passages or Verses: 2 Kgs. 2:11 – Elijah taken to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kgs. 5:14 – Naaman healed of leprosy. 2 Kgs. 17:7 – “All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD.” 2 Kgs. 25:27 – Jehoiachin released from prison in Babylon.

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: The narrator interprets history through covenant theology, evaluating kings and events by their faithfulness to Yahweh’s commands.
• Who are the Main Characters: Elijah, Elisha, Jehu, Jezebel, Naaman, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, and various kings of Israel and Judah.

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Righteous Judge, Covenant Enforcer, Sustainer of the faithful remnant.
○ The Son – Foreshadowed in Elisha’s miracles, which resemble Christ’s healing, provision, and resurrection power.
○ The Holy Spirit – Evident in prophetic inspiration, miracles, and divine judgement.
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Prophets confront corruption, call for reform, and perform miracles. Kings are evaluated solely on their obedience to God. Priests feature mainly in the context of temple reform or defilement.
• Role of the Church: The prophetic call to faithfulness, the danger of syncretism, and hope amid judgement are directly applicable to the Church’s mission.
• Role of Men and Women: Women play roles in judgment and reform (e.g. the Shunammite woman, Jezebel, Huldah); kings either lead or corrupt the nation.

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Samaria (capital of Israel), Jerusalem (capital of Judah), the Jordan Valley, Assyria, and Babylon.
• Historical Context: The northern kingdom falls to Assyria in 722 BC; the southern kingdom falls to Babylon in 586 BC. Assyrian and Babylonian imperial powers dominate the region.
• Cultural Context: Pagan worship and political alliances lead to spiritual compromise; prophets operate in opposition to royal policies and societal norms.

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: The rise and fall of empires, temple cults, and dynastic propaganda were common; Israel’s unique covenantal framework sets it apart.
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Assyrian and Babylonian cultures influence Israelite politics, religious practices, and idolatrous tendencies.
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Baal worship, child sacrifice, divination, and foreign alliances compromise covenant faithfulness.
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Royal succession and palace coups,
   ○ Temple worship and desecration,
   ○ Prophetic signs and miracles,
   ○ Military conquest and exile.

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Concludes Israel’s monarchic history and explains the theological reasons for exile, preparing the way for return and restoration themes in later books.
2. Theological Significance: Reinforces covenant theology, divine justice, prophetic authority, and the need for faithful leadership and worship.
3. Spiritual Themes: Judgement and mercy, idolatry and reform, exile and hope, prophetic courage, and God’s faithfulness to His remnant.
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Faithfulness is the only security in times of political and spiritual collapse. God does not tolerate compromise. Prophetic truth must be upheld regardless of opposition.
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Highlights the prophetic model fulfilled in Christ and the covenantal foundation for messianic hope. Shows the consequences of rejecting divine instruction.
6. Historical Reception: Used in Jewish and Christian traditions as a sobering account of national decline and a call to repentance and reform.

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Closes the Deuteronomistic History; its structure reflects Deuteronomy’s blessings and curses in historical fulfilment.
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Vital for understanding the exile, prophetic faithfulness, and the destruction of the First Temple.
3. Connections with Islam: Recognises prophets such as Elisha and preserves narratives of divine intervention and judgement.
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Inspires calls for reform, resistance to tyranny, and the spiritual evaluation of leadership.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Archaeological support includes Assyrian and Babylonian records confirming conquests and exile.
6. Global Perspective: Universally relevant in addressing national morality, divine justice, and hope for restoration.

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Elijah’s and Elisha’s miracles are viewed symbolically in mystical traditions as signs of divine presence, power, and transformation.
2. Comparative Mythology: Distinct in its moral evaluation of kings and its prophetic worldview, contrasting with deified or glorified monarchs in other ANE literature.
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Challenges human pride, political abuse, and spiritual compromise; upholds truth, repentance, and divine mercy.
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Spiritual leadership requires moral integrity,
   ○ National survival depends on covenant fidelity,
   ○ False worship leads to real consequences,
   ○ Prophets must speak truth to power.
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Informs modern political ethics, religious reform, and theological responses to national crisis and cultural decline.

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Reconciling divine justice with the severity of exile, understanding the role of miracles, evaluating Elisha’s actions (e.g. 2 Kgs. 2:23–25), and interpreting prophetic judgement.
2. Theological Debates: The balance between judgement and mercy, nature of prophetic succession, role of remnant theology, and the future of the Davidic line.
3. Key Questions Addressed: Why did God allow His people to be exiled? How should leaders be evaluated spiritually? What is the role of prophets in a corrupt society? Is there hope after divine judgement?