Key word: Rebellion
Since 1 & 2 Kings were originally one book, 2 Kings picks up where 1 Kings leaves off. It covers about 270 years from the deaths of Ahab (Israel) and Jehoshaphat (Judah) to the fall of both nations. Israel to Assyria in 721 B.C. (1 Kings 17), and Judah to Babylon in 586 B.C.
The narrative concerning Israel is that of progressive spiritual disintegration until finally the Lord turns them over to the consequences of their sin. In one of the most insightful and frightening sections found in Scriptures, the Lord ticks off the multitude of ways Israel defiled themselves and rebelled against God (17:7-23), until finally God had, had enough (17:18). But the most insightful part is found in verse 15, “They followed vanity and became vain” (several translations substitute the word “worthless” for vanity/vain). Ultimately, we become what we worship. Because they followed and lived for worthless things, they became worthless themselves.
As for Judah, their spiritual journey was up and down. Two kings in particular, stand out as exemplary in their devotion to God and spiritual leadership of Judah: Hezekiah (chapters 18-20), and Josiah (chapters 22-23). After the death of Josiah, Judah is on a rapid spiritual downhill slide until Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar destroys the nation, taking the people into exile in three stages from 605-586 B.C.
As Elijah did in 1 Kings, so Elisha stands out in 2 Kings as a bright spot in the history of the kings. He is Elijah’s prophetic successor and his faithfulness, and efforts to turn the people to the Lord, dominates the first eight chapters.
While a very unpleasant verse, 17:15 has to be our key verse because it describes so perfectly not only Israel’s sin, but also the consequences and it is a powerful reminder to us today.
Key verse: 2 Kings 17:15 – “And they followed vanity and became vain,”
