at a glance
author: Unknown.
date: Sometime between 560 and 550 BC.
setting: Second Kings covers the period from about 850 to 560 BC, including the defeat of both kingdoms.
verse to remember: So the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, ‘My Name shall be there’” (23:27).
theme to consider: God punished his chosen people because they rejected him and chose to worship other gods. No one can escape God’s judgment.
unchanging truth
Have you ever tried swimming against the ocean current? Or how about pedaling your bike against a strong wind? It’s tough, sometimes even impossible, to overcome that force dragging you back. At times, trying to maintain your faith in a culture that is seemingly going against your beliefs can feel the same way.
Throughout much of the book of 2 Kings, most of the people of Israel and Judah and many of their kings were heading in one direction—worshiping idols and rejecting God. Against this current stood God’s prophets and a few faithful kings who tried to stem the tide and turn the people back to God.
At times, they succeeded, and the people enjoyed brief periods of peace, revival and God’s blessings. Unfortunately, the current was too strong, and by the end of the book, the people of Israel and Judah were swept away by idol worship, their nations punished and destroyed as God had warned if they rejected him. At the book’s end, we witness Israel’s darkest moment as the people are taken away into captivity.
The message of 2 Kings couldn’t be clearer. If we reject God, we’re on our own. The choice is ours, just as it was for the people of Israel. Even if the tide is against you, hold fast to your faith. Stay connected to God through studying his Word, praying and staying close to other believers.
1. We are never too young to tell others of the love and power of God (5:1–5).
2. When God-fearing leaders take charge, they have an incredible opportunity to influence others (11:12, 17–18, 21).
3. Even in the worst of times, hold onto your faith in God. He is always in control and always faithful (19:14–19).