OUTLINE OF 2nd KINGS

By Gene McCarty

    The second book of Kings is not separated from I Kings in the Hebrew cannon. This book is a most interesting book as it involves a time of great spiritual problems among the people of God. The kings have been chosen and their leadership has brought disaster upon the nation set apart for God's purpose. 
    The kingdom is now divided and the effect of spiritual decline is already showing. The value of this book is spiritual as the fate of Israel is clearly shown. This fate grows from the sins of the past and present. 
    This book begins with the divided kingdom and ends with both kingdoms being taken into captivity. This book is not an encouraging book as it shows us the end of the nation that God called to himself. There are many great lessons to be learned about the value of faithfulness to God. The price of sin is always too great. 

1. In e chapter 1 we see that God is still involved with his people but the King has turned his back on God. One hundred of the kings soldiers have been killed by the hand of God before the prophet Elijah consents to go to the presence of the king. The problem is that the king tries to command God rather than serve him. Chapter 2 is one of the more interesting chapters in the old testament as Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. The last words of this chapter tell us of the plague of bears.
    

2. In the chapters we read of the most interesting collection of miracle ever to be recorded. Beginning in chapter 3 we see the miracle supply of water to the army of God's people. Then we notice the widow who from a small source poured enough surplus of oil to sell and pay all her debts and have extra to live on. Then the prophet restores life to a small boy, and later Naaman is healed of leprosy. Next an axhead floats, and then Elisha traps the Aramean army. Still later, in chapter7, the entire Aramean army is put to flight by God during the night and the siege on Samaria ended with a rich camp for the hungry inhabitants to plunder.
    

3. In chapters 9 and 10 we find the last chapter in the history of Ahab and Jezebel as all their friends and family as well as the prophets of Baal are killed because of their great sin.
    

4. In chapters 11 thru 16 we have the listing of the kings in both Israel and Judah for the next few years. Both nations have turned to sin, and not much good can be said for this period of time. By chapter 17 we have the end of the kingdom of Israel and the chapter clearly explains that this nation is ended because of their sinful ways.
    

5. In chapters 22 and 23 we find one of the most interesting kings of this period of history. Josiah became king at the age of 8 years, and after 10 years of his rule the Book of the Law is found where it had been forgotten in the temple. This book is brought to the king and one of the most vigorous spiritual revolutions ever was started. Many articles of Baal and other gods were removed from the temple, and then a great energy was spent destroying the altars on the high places. In fact, for the first time since King Saul had begun his reign, the Passover was observed. King Josiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord.
    

6. Following the reign of Josiah the end of the kingdom is in sight. It is only a matter of time until Nebuchadnezzar marches on Jerusalem and takes the people away to Babylonian captivity.