Author

Unknown (possibly Jeremiah)

Written

~560–540 BC

Testament

Old Testament

Chapters

25

Key Theme

The fall of Israel and Judah through persistent unfaithfulness to God.

Written For

The people of Israel in exile

Introduction of 2 Kings

Second Kings continues the tragic history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Written in the same prophetic tradition as 1 Kings (likely 6th century BC), it follows the final centuries leading to exile. From the fiery ascension of Elijah to the ministries of Elisha, and through a succession of mostly unfaithful kings, the narrative hurtles toward judgment. The fall of Samaria and later Jerusalem are not presented as mere political defeats but as the devastating outcome of covenant unfaithfulness. Yet even in the ashes, faint glimmers of hope remain. How did it all fall apart — and could anything rise from the ruins?