Name
The title “2 Kings” is derived from the history of the kings after Saul. Originally the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings were a single book known simply as Kings. However, when the books were translated into Greek (about 150 B.C.), the books of Samuel and Kings were combined into one large book (titled First, Second, Third, and the Fourth Kingdom). Later 1 and 2 Samuel were again separated from the books of Kings. Note: in the Latin and Vulgate Bibles, they are referred to as First, Second, Third, and Fourth Kings.
Author
The authorship of 1 and 2 Kings is unknown. Most scholars agree that the book contains the writing style of a single individual, but there is no agreement as to whom that might be.
Genre
History
Literary Form
Historical Narrative of Royal Records
Time Frame
The record of 1 Kings and 2 Kings covers a period of approximately 410 years. 1 Kings begins around 970 B.C. with David’s death, and 2 Kings ends around 560 B.C.
Emphasis
The book of 1 and 2 Kings emphasizes not just a record of the history of the people, but the important spiritual lessons of obedience to God
- God will fulfill His kingdom purposes
- Obeying God with all our hearts is the basis of His blessings
- Turn from sin that separates us from God
- Fulfill our kingdom purpose
Outline
- The divided kingdom from Israel’s Ahaziah to the fall of Israel 1:1-17:41
- The kingdom of Judah from King Hezekiah to the captivity 18:1-25:30
