OUTLINE OF SECOND KINGS

The Decline and Fall of Israel and Judah

I. From the Reign of Ahaziah to the Fall of Samaria, 1Ki_22:51 - 2Ki_17:1-41; 2Ki_18:9-12

1. The Reign of Ahaziah, 1Ki_22:51 - 2Ki_1:18

2. The Translation of Elijah, 2Ki_2:1-25

3. The Work of Elisha, II Kings 3:1-9:11

(1) Victory of Israel and Judah over Moab, 2Ki_3:1-27

(2) The Widow’s Oil Multiplied, 2Ki_4:1-7

(3) The Son of the Shunammite Restored to Life, 2Ki_4:8-37

(4) The Healing of Naaman, 2Ki_5:1-27

(5) The Discomfiture of the Syrians, 2Ki_6:8-23

(6) The Siege of Samaria, 2Ki_6:24-33; 2Ki_7:1-20

(7) The Property of the Shunammite Restored, 2Ki_8:1-6

(8) Elisha and Hazael, 1Ki_8:7-15

(Reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah in Judah, and Jehoram in Israel), 2Ki_8:16-29

(9) Elisha and the Anointing of Jehu, 2Ki_9:1-10

4. The Reign of Jehu, 2Ki_9:11-37; 2Ki_10:1-36

5. The Reign of Joash in Judah, 2Ki_11:1-21; 2Ki_12:1-21

6. The Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash in Israel and Amaziah in Judah, 2Ki_13:1-25; 2Ki_14:1-20

7. The Reign of Jeroboam II, 2Ki_14:23-29

8. The Reign of Azariah in Judah, and the Reigns of Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah and Pekah in Israel, 2Ki_14:21-22; 2Ki_15:1-29

9. The Reign of Hoshea in Israel, and the Reigns of Jotham and Ahaz in Judah, 2Ki_15:30-38; 2Ki_16:1-20

10. The Fall of Samaria, 2Ki_17:1-41; 2Ki_18:9-12

II. From the Fall of Samaria to the Fall of Jerusalem, II Kings 18-25

1. The Reign of Hezekiah, II Kings 18:1-8, 13-37; 19-20

2. The Reign of Manasseh, 2Ki_21:1-26

3. The Reign of Josiah, 2Ki_22:1-20; 2Ki_23:1-30

4. Egypt Surrenders Judah to Babylon, 2Ki_23:31-37; 2Ki_24:1-9

5. The Fall of Jerusalem, 2Ki_24:10-20; 2Ki_25:1-30

INTRODUCTION

The Second Book of Kings is a continuation of the First. It records the reigns of fifteen kings in Judah and of eleven kings in Israel. In Judah the dynasty of David continued to the end, while in Israel there were nine changes of dynasty.

The northern kingdom maintained an unbroken course of idolatry, until the nation was ripe for destruction. The end came in 722 b.c., when Samaria was taken by the Assyrians. Judah continued her course for nearly 150 years longer. But in spite of the efforts of prophets and good kings, the tide of idolatry could not be stayed, and Jerusalem fell before the Babylonians, 586 b.c.Nothing but the Exile could avail to purify the nation and restore the spirit of true worship.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of 2 Kings in the printed edition}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON SECOND KINGS

Outline

(a) What are the two main divisions of the book?

(b) Who is the leading character in the first division?



Introduction

(c) The reigns of how many kings, in Judah and Israel respectively, are recorded in this book?

(d) How do the dynasties of the two governments compare?

(e) In what ways was the course of Judah like that of Israel? In what ways was it different?



II Kings 1-13

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. What was the result of Ahaziah’s attempt to inquire of Baal-zebub?

2. What was Elijah’s message to Ahaziah?

3. How was Elisha fitted to succeed Elijah?

4. What events marked the beginning of Elisha’s ministry?

5. Why was Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Jehoram unwise?

6. What led to the defeat of the Moabites?

7. How did Elisha help a poor widow?

8. What were Elisha’s relations with the Shunammite family?

9. How did Elisha win their lasting gratitude?

10. How was Elisha a type of Christ?

11. Why was Naaman disinclined to obey the command of Elisha?

12. What led to the downfall of Gehazi?

13. Why did the king of Syria wish to capture Elisha?

14. How did Elisha show his power over the Syrian army?

15. Why did Jehoram threaten the life of Elisha?

16. How did the Israelites learn of the flight of the Syrians?

17. What prophecies of Elisha were fulfilled in the events that followed?

18. How was the property of the Shunammite restored to her? What did Elisha predict concerning Ben-hadad?

19. How was Judah infected with the sin of Israel?

20. How was Jehu anointed king?

21. How did Jehu begin his reign?

22. How did Jezebel meet her end?

23. Was Jehu’s cruelty justified by the purpose behind it?

24. How did Jehu oppose the worship of Baal?

25. In what way did Jehu fail?

26. What influence shaped the early life of Joash?

27. What covenant was fulfilled by the coronation of Joash?

28. What great work did Joash accomplish in the early part of his reign?

29. How did his reign come to an end? What was the result of the conflict between Jehoahaz and Syria?

30. What did Israel lose through the unbelief of Joash?



II Kings 14-25

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

31. How is the character of Amaziah to be regarded?

32. What distinguished the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam II?

33. Why was Uzziah smitten with leprosy?

34. What was the character of the reign of Menahem?

35. Why did Pekah conspire against Pekahiah? For what is Jotham remembered?

36. To whom did Ahaz turn for aid when threatened by Syria and Israel?

37. What high-handed idolatry did Ahaz practice?

38. How did the downfall of Israel come about?

39. Of what sins were Judah and Israel guilty?

40. What is said of the later religious life of Samaria?

41. What wise step did Hezekiah take in the beginning of his reign?

42. What mistake did Hezekiah make in dealing with Sennacherib?

43. Why were the Jews silent before the taunts of Rabshakeh?

44. Who was the firmest figure in this crisis of Judah? Why?

45. What was the answer to Sennacherib’s challenge?

46. What was God’s promise concerning the safety of Jerusalem?

47. What sign was given to Hezekiah that his life should be prolonged?

48. What did Isaiah predict concerning the treasures of Jerusalem?

49. Of what crimes was Manasseh guilty?

50. What truth is illustrated in the continued wickedness of Manasseh’s son Amon?

51. What remarkable discovery was made in the reign of Josiah?

52. What covenant did the people make under Josiah’s leadership?

53. What radical measures did Josiah take in dealing with idolatry?

54. What is said of the Passover which Josiah celebrated?

55. How did Josiah meet his death?

56. Why did the Lord surrender Judah to her enemies?

57. What did Nebuchadnezzar do with the conquered people?

58. How were two apparently contradictory prophecies concerning Zedekiah fulfilled?

59. What happened to the Temple and its furnishings?

60. What was Gedaliah’s counsel and how was it rewarded?