The 2nd Book of Kings continues the record of the divided kingdom.
The early chapters deal with the work of Elisha the prophet
who, like Elijah, was active in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Continued disobedience of God's Word and persistent idolatry
resulted in the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in
722BC when it was finally overthrown by Assyria.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah had a few better kings and some
improvement in Judah's attitude towards God was seen in the
days of King Joash (chapter 12), King Hezekiah (chapters 18-20)
and King Josiah (chapter 22). The reforms were not kept up and
King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, finally overthrew Jerusalem
in 586BC. God allowed His people to be carried into captivity.
The prophets who lived during the period of 2 Kings:
