How to Study 2 Kings

• 1. As you read through 2 Kings one chapter at a time:

     1. 1. Mark the following key repeated words: according to the Word of the Lord, Aram, Assyria, prophet, did evil, did right, heart, sin, references to mediums, spiritists, and related terms, high places, idols (gods), and covenant. Always watch for and mark words which are distinctive to a particular chapter, such as customs in chapter 17. Write these keywords on an index card you can use as a bookmark while studying 2 Kings.   

        2. Mark references to time with a clock ¹ and double-underline in green all geographical locations.

        3. Observe what your learn about God: His requirements< His Ways, His judgments, and His character. record your insights in the margin of the text under a ∆. Also, be sure to note  "Lessons for Life" (LFL).

        4. Watch for any reforms instituted by a king such as "he removed the high places". In the margin, note these reforms and the results. Mark the beginning of a king's reign with a crown. Each time you finish reading about a king, record your insights on the chart The Kings of Israel and Judah

        5. Record  the theme or main event of each chapter on Structure of 2 Kings and in your Bible.

• 2. Second Kings has some key or pivotal events: 

• • • 1. In 1:1 through 8:15 the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha are prominent. Mark Elijah and Elisha and then list in the margin the miracles accomplished through these men. Several miraculous things occur after 8:15; watch for them.

      2. Second Kings gives the account of the Assyrian invasion and subsequent captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel. Give special attention to details of this invasion and why it come about, and mark in the margin when it happens.

      3. After the Assyrian captivity all that remains of the Hebrew nation is the southern kingdom-Judah. Watch how Judah conducts herself after seeing God's judgment on the northern kingdom. All this come to pass just as God's prophets said it would!

      4. Watch for the account of the Babylonian sieges of the southern kingdom (Judah) and the ensuing events. Record these in the margin as you did the Assyrian captivity.

• 3. The chart Israel's Division and Captivity, gives a broad overview of the division of the kingdom through the tree sieges of Jerusalem by the Babylonians

  4. Complete the char Structure of 2 Kings. Considering the key events or personages featured in 2 Kings, see which chapter of 2 Kings can be grouped together under a common theme or topic. Record the theme of each segment under 'Segment Divisions." Also, you might want to note on the chart the chapters that tell when the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions occur. Remember to record the theme of 2 Kings.

Key Words in the NIV and KJV

Key doctrines in 2 Kings

1. God's judgments of the apostate nations (17:7-23; 21:10-15; Judg 6:10; 1Sam 3:11; Jer 6:9; 19:3; Lam 2:8; Amos 7:7, 8; Matt 23:33-36; John 3:18, 19; 12:48; Rom 2:5-6; 2Pet 3:10; Rev 18:10) 

2. Fulfilled prophecies of God (23:16; 24:2; 1Kin 13:2; Jer 25:9; 32:28; 35:11; Ezek 19:8)

3. God's faithfulness to His covenant with David (8:19; 25:27-30; 2Sam 7:12-16; Luke 1:30-33; Acts 2:22-36) 

Worksheets

Studies on 2 Kings