For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
2 Kings 17:7 KJV
About the Book of 2 Kings
Second Kings follows both kingdoms to their ends. It begins with Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and Elisha inheriting his role, with miracles such as healing Naaman. The northern kingdom falls to Assyria in 722 BC after a string of unfaithful kings. Judah lasts longer, helped by reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah, but eventually Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC and carries off many of its people. The book ends with the exiled king Jehoiachin shown a small kindness in Babylon.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: History
- Chapters: 25
- Verses: 719
Who Wrote 2 Kings, and When?
Author: Anonymous; Jewish tradition suggests Jeremiah.
When it was written: Probably compiled around the 6th century BC, during the exile.
Main Themes in 2 Kings
- Prophetic ministry
- Reform and decline
- Exile as consequence
A Key Verse: 2 Kings 17:7
For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
The writer pauses to explain why Israel fell, naming the people's sin rather than Assyrian power as the cause.
Reading Tip
Dates are tied to the reigns of neighboring kings, so the numbers can look confusing; focus on the stories rather than the arithmetic. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in 2 Kings, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in 2 Kings?
2 Kings has 25 chapters and 719 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote 2 Kings?
Author: Anonymous; Jewish tradition suggests Jeremiah. When it was written: Probably compiled around the 6th century BC, during the exile.
What is 2 Kings about?
Second Kings follows both kingdoms to their ends. It begins with Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and Elisha inheriting his role, with miracles such as healing Naaman. The northern kingdom falls to Assyria in 722 BC after a string of unfaithful kings. Judah lasts longer, helped by reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah, but eventually Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC and carries off many of its people. The book ends with the exiled king Jehoiachin shown a small kindness in Babylon.
Can I get a random verse from only 2 Kings?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from 2 Kings only. Every one of its 719 verses has an equal chance.