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April 21, 2025

Bible Survey: 2 Kings

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: 2 Kings 17; 24-25

The book of 2 Kings presents a somber account of a nation divided and entrenched in idolatry. The northern kingdom of Israel is marked by a continuous succession of twenty kings, all of whom led the people in disobedience and corruption (see 2 Kings 17:21). In contrast, the southern kingdom of Judah displays a measure of spiritual resilience, producing eight kings who pursued righteousness, though twelve others failed to uphold God's standards (see 2 Kings 18:3). The book provides a detailed account of the concluding years of the divided monarchy, covering the period from 852 to 560 B.C.

Chapters 1–10 focus primarily on the northern kingdom of Israel, while Chapters 11–17 explore the intertwined histories of both Israel and Judah. Careful attention is required when reading these chapters, as the narrative frequently alternates between references to the northern and southern kingdoms. Chapters 18–25 then trace the history of Judah, the sole remaining kingdom, leading up to its eventual downfall, as the people are taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 605 B.C. (see 2 Kings 24:10-16).

Chapters 17 and 24–25 serve as pivotal moments within the book. In Chapter 17, the northern kingdom of Israel is invaded by Assyria and taken into captivity in 722 B.C.—a direct consequence of its persistent violation of the Mosaic Covenant (see Deuteronomy 28). The text emphasizes that Israel had become as corrupt as the Canaanite nations previously expelled from the land (see 2 Kings 17:15–17). Despite the Lord’s repeated warnings through His prophets—divinely appointed messengers entrusted with proclaiming His word—Israel remained unrepentant and refused to listen (see 2 Kings 17:12–14). Chapters 24–25 recount the Babylonian invasion of Judah and the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of Solomon’s Temple and the exile of the southern kingdom.

For a discussion of authorship and date, please refer to the blog post on 1 Kings.

Jesus in 2 Kings: A central theme in 2 Kings is God's judgment upon Israel and Judah due to their persistent disobedience. As a result, both kingdoms fall, and the people are exiled (2 Kings 17:18; 25:21). However, even amid judgment, God's mercy is evident, particularly through His preservation of a faithful remnant in Judah (see 2 Kings 19:30-31).

In a similar way, Jesus embodies both the judgment and mercy of God. He takes upon Himself the judgment that humanity deserves for sin through His crucifixion (see Isaiah 53), while simultaneously offering mercy and forgiveness through His sacrificial death and resurrection (see John 3:16; 19:28-30; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus speaks of God’s judgment on sin, yet He also extends the promise of eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 3:16-18; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Romans 5:8).

Application: The disobedience of ancient Israel serves as a powerful parallel to the struggles many believers face today. Just as Israel repeatedly ignored the warnings and guidance of God's prophets (see Jeremiah 7:13), many followers of Christ still struggle to listen to God's voice, even when His instructions are clearly laid out in Scripture. Psalm 81 captures this tension vividly: “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me” (Psalm 81:11, ESV). As a result, God declares, “So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels” (Psalm 81:12, ESV). God has spoken clearly through His Word—when we choose to ignore it, we do so at our own risk.