12. 2 Kings (Bible Summary)

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2 Kings, focusing on the major events and transitions during the reigns of various kings, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and the eventual fall of Israel and Judah:

1. The Ministries of Elijah and Elisha during the Reigns of Ahaziah and Joram (1:1—8:15)

Elijah in the Reign of Ahaziah (ch. 1)

  • Elijah’s Prophecy and Ahaziah’s Death: Elijah prophesies Ahaziah’s death after the king sends soldiers to arrest him. Ahaziah dies as foretold.

Elijah’s Translation; Elisha’s Inauguration (2:1–18)

  • Elijah’s Ascension: Elijah is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha succeeds him as the prophet of Israel.

Elisha in the Reign of Joram (2:19—8:15)

  • Elisha’s Initial Miraculous Signs (2:19–25): Elisha performs miracles, including purifying a poisoned water source and cursing some youths who mocked him.
  • Elisha During the Campaign Against Moab (ch. 3): Elisha provides guidance to King Joram of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, leading them to victory over Moab.
  • Elisha’s Ministry to Needy Ones in Israel (ch. 4): Elisha performs miracles of provision and healing, including multiplying oil for a widow and raising the Shunammite woman’s son from the dead.
  • Elisha Heals Naaman (ch. 5): Elisha heals Naaman, a Syrian general, of leprosy, teaching him the importance of humility and faith in God.
  • Elisha’s Deliverance of One of the Prophets (6:1–7): Elisha makes an axe head float to help a prophet in need.
  • Elisha’s Deliverance of Joram from Aramean Raiders (6:8–23): Elisha guides Joram and the Israelites to defeat the Arameans through divine intervention.
  • The Aramean Siege of Samaria Lifted, As Elisha Prophesied (6:24—7:20): Elisha prophesies the end of a siege on Samaria, and God delivers Israel, causing the Aramean army to abandon their siege.

The Shunammite’s Land Restored (8:1–6)

  • Elisha restores the land of the Shunammite woman who had provided hospitality to him.

Elisha Prophesies Hazael’s Oppression of Israel (8:7–15)

  • Elisha prophesies that Hazael will oppress Israel, marking a new era of oppression for the nation.

2. Israel and Judah from Joram/Jehoram to the Exile of Israel (8:16—17:41)

Jehoram of Judah (8:16–24)

  • Jehoram becomes king of Judah and leads the nation into idolatry and sin, following the example of Israel.

Ahaziah of Judah (8:25–29)

  • Ahaziah, Jehoram’s son, reigns briefly and is killed in a battle with Jehu.

Jehu’s Revolt and Reign (chs. 9–10)

  • Elisha Orders Jehu’s Anointing (9:1–13): Elisha anoints Jehu as king of Israel.
  • Jehu’s Assassination of Joram and Ahaziah (9:14–29): Jehu kills Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy.
  • Jehu’s Execution of Jezebel (9:30–37): Jehu orders the execution of Jezebel, the queen mother, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy against her.
  • Jehu’s Slaughter of Ahab’s Family (10:1–17): Jehu destroys the family of King Ahab, eliminating Baal worship.
  • Jehu’s Eradication of Baal Worship (10:18–36): Jehu calls for a large assembly of Baal worshippers and destroys the Baal temple, eliminating its influence in Israel.

Athaliah and Joash of Judah; Repair of the Temple (chs. 11–12)

  • Athaliah’s Usurpation (11:1–20): Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, usurps the throne in Judah and attempts to destroy the royal family, but Joash survives and becomes king.
  • Joash’s Reign and the Repair of the Temple (12:1–16): Joash reigns as a righteous king and repairs the temple, restoring proper worship in Judah.

Jehoahaz of Israel (13:1–9)

  • Jehoahaz reigns in Israel and continues in the ways of idolatry, leading Israel to defeat by the Arameans.

Jehoash of Israel; Elisha’s Last Prophecy (13:10–25)

  • Jehoash, king of Israel, seeks Elisha’s blessing before a battle with the Arameans, and Elisha prophesies a victory for Israel.

Amaziah of Judah (14:1–22)

  • Amaziah reigns in Judah and initially does what is right, but later falls into idolatry, leading to his downfall.

Jeroboam II of Israel (14:23–29)

  • Jeroboam II reigns in Israel, and under his rule, Israel experiences a period of prosperity, but the nation’s sins continue.

Azariah of Judah (15:1–7)

  • Azariah (Uzziah) reigns in Judah, doing what is right, but he falls into pride and is struck with leprosy for trying to burn incense in the temple.

3. Exile of Israel and Judah (17:1–41)

Hoshea of Israel (17:1–6)

  • Hoshea becomes the last king of Israel. He fails to heed the warnings of God, leading to the Assyrian conquest of Israel.

Exile of Israel; Resettlement of the Land (17:7–41)

  • Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and the people are exiled, while foreigners are brought in to resettle the land.

4. Judah from Hezekiah to the Babylonian Exile (chs. 18–25)

Hezekiah (chs. 18–20)

  • Hezekiah’s Good Reign (18:1–8): Hezekiah is a righteous king who seeks God and reforms Judah.
  • The Assyrian Threat and Deliverance (18:9—19:37): The Assyrian king Sennacherib threatens Judah, but God miraculously delivers Jerusalem.
  • Hezekiah’s Illness and Alliance with Babylon (ch. 20): Hezekiah falls ill but is healed by God. He later makes a foolish alliance with Babylon, leading to future consequences.

Manasseh (21:1–18)

  • Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, reigns as a wicked king, leading Judah into idolatry and sin.

Amon (21:19–26)

  • Amon follows in his father Manasseh’s footsteps, doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Josiah (22:1—23:30)

  • Repair of the Temple; Discovery of the Book of the Law (22): Josiah renovates the temple, and during the repairs, the Book of the Law is discovered.
  • Renewal of the Covenant; End of Josiah’s Reign (23:1–30): Josiah leads a national revival, but he is killed in battle.

Jehoahaz Exiled to Egypt (23:31–35)

  • Jehoahaz is made king of Judah but is soon exiled to Egypt by Pharaoh Neco.

Jehoiakim: First Babylonian Deportation (23:36—24:7)

  • Jehoiakim reigns and is taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, marking the first deportation to Babylon.

Jehoiachin: Second Babylonian Deportation (24:8–17)

  • Jehoiachin, the successor of Jehoiakim, is also taken into exile, leaving the kingdom in ruins.

Zedekiah: Third Babylonian Deportation (24:18—25:21)

  • Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, rebels against Babylon, leading to the final destruction of Jerusalem.

Removal of the Remnant to Egypt (25:22–26)

  • A remnant of Judah flees to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem, continuing to live in exile.

Elevation of Jehoiachin in Babylon (25:27–30)

  • Jehoiachin, the exiled king, is shown favor by the king of Babylon and is allowed to live in comfort.

This summary captures the major events, kings, and transitions covered in 2 Kings, from the ministries of Elijah and Elisha to the fall of Israel and Judah, and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Let me know if you’d like more details!

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