This book deals with the histories of Israel and Judah until the fall of the Southern kingdom, when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple.
Author & date
The writing, or rather editing of the Kings is usually ascribed to Ezra, though Ch8:8 suggests that some parts were written whilst the Temple was still standing.
Outline
A. The final days of Elijah’s ministry CH.1-2:1-18
- Elijah’s message to AhaziahCh.1
- Elijah’s translation to heaven Ch.2:1-18
B. Elisha’s ministry Ch.2:19-13:21
- The water healed
- Elisha’s prophecy to Jehoram
- Moab defeated
- The widow and the oil
- The woman of Shunem
- The Shunemite’s child healed
- Death in the pot
- The healing of Naaman
- The iron that swam
- The war with the Syrians
- The Shunemite returns home
- Elisha’s final prophecy
- Elisha’s bones heals a man
C. Kings of Israel & Judah Ch.3-25
1. Northern Kingdom – Israel
- Ahaziah
- Jehoram I
- Jehu
- Jehoahaz
- Jehoash
- Jeroboam II
- Zachariah
- Shallum
- Pekahiah
- Pekah
- Hosea
Fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria Ch.17
2. Southern Kingdom – Judah
- Jehoshaphat
- Jehoram
- Ahaziah
- [queen] Athaliah
- Joash
- Amaziah
- Uzziah
- Jotham
- Ahaz
- Hezekiah
- Manasseh
- Amon
- Josiah
- Jehoahaz
- Jehoichin
- Zedekiah
Fall of the Southern Kingdom to Babylon Ch.24-25
Notes
a. Background
In the Hebrew Bible, what we have as the two books of Kings are in fact one book. Like Samuel and Chronicles they were split up when the LXX was made, and then became known as the third and fourth books of the Kings.
b. Time period
This book deals with the history of both Israel and Judah until both kingdoms go into captivity.