2KINGS

The Book of Second Kings continues the drama begun in First Kings, the tragic history of two nations on a collision course with captivity.  The author systematically traces the reigning monarchs of Israel and Judah, first by carrying one nation's history forward, then retracing the same period for other nation. 

   Nineteen consecutive evil kings rule in Israel, leading to the captivity by Assyria.  The picture is somewhat brighter in Judah, where godly kings occasionally emerge to reform the evils their predecessors.  In the end, however, sin outweighs righteousness and Judah is marched off to Babylon.