Bible Outline - 2 Kings - True Words Baptist Church

The Book of 2 Kings: A Tale of Kings and Prophets

Introduction

The Book of 2 Kings narrates the decline and fall of Israel and Judah, marked by wicked kings, idolatry, the prophetic ministry of Elisha, and the eventual conquest by the Assyrians and Babylonians. It continues the story of the divided kingdom and the influence of powerful kings such as Hezekiah, Josiah, and Jehu, as well as the persistent role of prophets who speak the word of God to the kings and people. The destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the exile of Judah are key events in this historical narrative.

SECTION OUTLINE ONE (2 Kings 1-2) 🔥

The Final Days of Elijah and the Beginning of Elisha’s Ministry

I. The Final Days of Elijah’s Ministry (1:1-2:11)

Elijah confronts Ahaziah, who seeks counsel from Baal-zebub after a fall, predicting his death.
Elijah ascends to heaven in a fiery chariot, and Elisha succeeds him.

A. Elijah and Ahaziah (1:1-18)

The fall (1:1-2): Ahaziah’s injury and his query to Baal-zebub.
The prophecy (1:3-4): Elijah condemns Ahaziah for consulting a false god.
The fury (1:5-9): Ahaziah sends soldiers to capture Elijah, but they are destroyed by fire.
The fulfillment (1:16-18): Elijah repeats the prophecy, and Ahaziah dies.

B. Elijah and Elisha (2:1-11)

The journey (2:1-6): Elijah and Elisha travel together, with Elisha repeatedly affirming his loyalty.
The miracle (2:7-8): Elijah parts the Jordan River.
The request (2:9): Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
The ascension (2:11): Elijah is taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

SECTION OUTLINE TWO (2 Kings 3-4) 🛡️

Elisha’s Miracles and War with Moab

I. Elisha and King Joram (3:1-14)

King Joram of Israel joins Jehoshaphat of Judah to fight Moab, but they face a water shortage.
Elisha prophesies water for the army and victory over Moab.

II. Elisha’s Miracles (4:1-44)

Elisha performs several miracles, including the multiplication of oil for a widow, raising a child from the dead, and purifying poisoned stew.

SECTION OUTLINE THREE (2 Kings 5) 🌊

Naaman’s Cleansing and Gehazi’s Greed

I. Naaman’s Healing (5:1-19)

Naaman, a commander of Aram’s army, seeks healing for leprosy.
He is healed after following Elisha’s instructions to wash in the Jordan River.

II. Gehazi’s Punishment (5:20-27)

Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, lies and receives gifts from Naaman, despite Elisha refusing them.
Elisha curses Gehazi and his descendants with leprosy.

SECTION OUTLINE FOUR (2 Kings 6-7) 🔮

Elisha’s Miracles and the Fall of Samaria

I. The Floating Ax Head and the Blinded Army (6:1-23)

Elisha makes an ax head float and blinds the Aramean army, leading them to Samaria.

II. The Besieged City of Samaria (6:24-7:20)

The famine in Samaria leads to desperate measures, including cannibalism.
Elisha prophesies that within 24 hours, food will be abundant, and the prophecy is fulfilled.

SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (2 Kings 8) 👑

The Rise of Hazael and the Reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah

I. The Reminiscing About Elisha (8:1-6)

Gehazi and the woman from Shunem recount the miracles of Elisha, and the woman’s property is restored by the king.

II. The Regicide of Ben-Hadad (8:7-15)

Hazael kills Ben-Hadad to become king of Aram.

III. The Reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah (8:16-29)

Jehoram and his son Ahaziah rule Judah, both struggling with idolatry and threats from surrounding nations.

SECTION OUTLINE SIX (2 Kings 9-10) ⚔️

Jehu’s Rebellion and Massacre of Ahab’s House

I. The Anointing of Jehu (9:1-13)

Jehu is anointed king of Israel and begins his violent purge of Ahab’s family.

II. The Execution of Ahab’s Family (9:14-10:29)

Jehu kills King Joram, King Ahaziah, Jezebel, and all of Ahab’s descendants.
He also eliminates the worshipers of Baal by destroying their temple.

III. Jehu’s Apostasy (10:29-31)

Despite his zeal in removing idolatry, Jehu continues to worship the golden calves.

SECTION OUTLINE SEVEN (2 Kings 11-12) 👑

The Reign of Joash and the Assassination of Athaliah

I. Athaliah’s Reign and the Death of Joash (11:1-18)

Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, murders the royal family but is eventually overthrown by the priest Jehoiada.
Joash, a young boy, is made king of Judah.

II. Joash Repairs the Temple (12:1-18)

Joash orders the repair of the Temple, but later uses its treasures to pay off King Hazael of Aram, which causes his downfall.

SECTION OUTLINE EIGHT (2 Kings 13-14) ⚔️

The Reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Amaziah, and Jeroboam II

I. The Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash (13:1-19, 22-25)

Jehoahaz is defeated by Aram, but the Lord helps him recover.
Jehoash consults Elisha before his battle with Aram.

II. Amaziah’s Reign (14:1-22)

Amaziah, king of Judah, defeats Edom but is defeated by Israel, marking a short-lived victory.

III. Jeroboam II (14:23-29)

Jeroboam II recovers Israel’s lost territories, but he continues the idolatry of Jeroboam I.

SECTION OUTLINE NINE (2 Kings 15-16) ⚔️

The Decline of Israel and Judah’s Kings

I. The Reigns of Uzziah, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Jotham, and Ahaz (15:1-38; 16:1-20)

Uzziah and Jotham rule Judah, but both struggle with idolatry.
Ahaz seeks alliances with Assyria and adopts pagan worship.

SECTION OUTLINE TEN (2 Kings 17) 🌍

The Fall of Israel to Assyria

I. The Revolt of Hoshea (17:1-6)

Hoshea rebels against Assyria, but Samaria is conquered, and the people are exiled.

II. The Reasons for Israel’s Fall (17:7-23)

Israel’s idolatry and failure to heed God’s warnings lead to their exile.

III. The Resettling of Israel (17:24-41)

Foreigners settle in Israel, blending their pagan worship with the worship of the Lord.

SECTION OUTLINE ELEVEN (2 Kings 18-19) ⚔️

Hezekiah’s Faith and Deliverance from Assyria

I. The Reign of Hezekiah (18:1-8)

Hezekiah removes idolatry from Judah and trusts in the Lord, leading to military success.

II. The Assyrian Threat (18:9-19:37)

Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s help when Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem.
The angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrians, and Sennacherib is assassinated.

SECTION OUTLINE TWELVE (2 Kings 20-21) 🏰

Hezekiah’s Life Extended and the Wickedness of Manasseh and Amon

I. Hezekiah’s Prayer and Recovery (20:1-21)

Hezekiah prays for healing, and the Lord grants him 15 more years of life.

II. The Wicked Reigns of Manasseh and Amon (21:1-26)

Manasseh leads Judah into severe idolatry, and Amon follows in his footsteps, leading to both their downfalls.

SECTION OUTLINE THIRTEEN (2 Kings 22-24) 📜

Josiah’s Reform and the End of Judah

I. The Reign of Josiah (22:1-23:30)

Josiah reforms Judah, destroys idols, and reinstates the Passover, but the Lord still prophesies judgment due to the people’s sins.

II. The Last Kings of Judah (23:31-24:20)

Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin all fail to lead Judah well.
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, and Zedekiah is captured, marking the end of the kingdom.

SECTION OUTLINE FOURTEEN (2 Kings 25) ⚔️

The Fall of Jerusalem and the Exile

I. The Fall of Jerusalem (25:1-21)

Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and the people are exiled to Babylon.

II. The Fate of Gedaliah (25:22-26)

Gedaliah is made governor but is assassinated by his own men.

III. The Favor Toward Jehoiachin (25:27-30)

Evil-Merodach, king of Babylon, releases Jehoiachin from prison, showing favor to him.

Conclusion: A Kingdom Lost and a New Era Begins 🌍

2 Kings reveals the tragic end of Israel and Judah, marked by idolatry, apostasy, and divine judgment, with a few bright moments of reform, particularly under Hezekiah and Josiah. The final chapters point to a hope for future restoration, with Jehoiachin’s release, symbolizing God’s eventual mercy despite the kingdom’s fall.

Bible Outline – 2 Kings