Kings, or in greek, was originally a book of the former prophets in hebrew scripture. However this forms part of a series of books clearly written by the same author. The two books we now have, 1 kings and 2 kings, were originally a single book written by a single author towards the end of the judahite monarchy. Online catholic bible click here for complete book of 2 kings. Books of kings, two books of the hebrew bible or the protestant old testament. Books of kings, two books of the hebrew bible or the protestant old testament that, together with deuteronomy, joshua, judges, and 1 and 2 samuel, belong to the group of historical books deuteronomic history written during the babylonian exile c. They are more commonly named by the fathers, the first and second book of kings. The book was divided into the two books of first kings and second kings in the historical books of the greek septuagint old testament, and continues as such in the latin vulgate and our christian old testament of the bible. The books of 1 kings and 2 kings were originally one book. Samuel, the talmud says, wrote the book of judges and the book of samuel, until his death, at which point the prophets nathan and gad picked up the story. Kings melechim or the book of the kings was the original title in hebrew of the one book that was later divided into what are now 1 and 2 kings by the translators of the greek old testament, septuagint or lxx. Who was the writer of the book of kings in the bible. Book of the annals chronicles of the kings of judah, 1 kgs 14. The books of samuel are part of what is now called the deuteronomic history joshua, judges, 1 and 2 samuel and 1 and 2 kings which was written.
The tradition is that it was written by the prophet jeremiah. The first half of 1 kings concerns the history of israel from completion of the story of the great king david in the events of the succession of david\s son, solomon, and david\s death. The books of first and second kings are the story of israels decline. Books of kings bible britannica encyclopedia britannica. The same thing happened with the books of samuel and chronicles immediately before and after the books of kings. The books of kings were probably written during the time of judah s captivity in babylon which begins at the end of second kings. In most roman catholic versions, 1 and 2 samuel are called the first and.
Who really wrote the biblical books of kings and the. The books of kings are followed by first chronicles and second chronicles, and then the books of the restoration following the babylonian exile. The division of this work into two books was introduced by the translators of the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and subsequently followed in the latin vulgate c. The old testament also calls genesis through deuteronomy the book of the law joshua 8. The deuteronomistic history, of which 2 kings is a part, addresses the questions of those who had experienced the fall of the north to assyria in 722721 b.
The book of samuel, or 1 samuel and 2 samuel, form part of the narrative history of israel in the neviim or prophets section of the hebrew bibleold testament, called the deuteronomistic history, a series of books joshua, judges, samuel and kings that constitute a theological history of the israelites and aim to explain gods law for israel under the guidance of the prophets. Besides that the record of the life of hezekiah or isaiah 3639 is to a large extent rendered in 2 kings 1820. And the book of kings, according to tradition, was written by the prophet jeremiah. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. If jeremiah did write much of kings, he could not have written this section, set in babylon, for he had been taken away to egypt years earlier. The division between 1 and 2 kings has been made at a somewhat arbitrary and yet. The paean to king josiah and exalted descriptions of the ancient israelite empires beg the thought that he and his scribes lie behind the deuteronomistic history. Author, sources and date there is little conclusive evidence as to the identity of the author of 1,2 kings. The book of 2 nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. Second kings features many unique events and people.
The book of kings was originally one book that was later divided into i kings and ii kings. The books of kings were probably written during the time of judahs captivity in babylon which begins at the end of second kings. Like the books of 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings originally were one book. The greek translation of the old testament, the septuagint lxx, divided the book in two and this was followed by the latin vulgate version and english translations. Austel, 1, 2, kings, expositors bible commentary, 4.
In the hebrew bible the book of kings continued the narrative. The first five books of the bible are known by various names. The tradition is that the prophet jeremiah was the author of both 1 and 2 kings. Watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It continues the story of the kings over the divided kingdom israel and judah. For an outline of both 1 and 2 kings see introduction to 1 kings.
Others attribute a group of anonymous authors called the deuteronomists, since language from the book of deuteronomy is repeated in 1 kings. They form part of an integrated history, now known as the deuteronomic history joshua, judges, 1 samuel, 2 samuel, 1 kings and 2 kings. Book of second kings overview insight for living ministries. What it is now common l y known as 1 king s and 2 kings wou ld be 3 kings and 4 kings in old bibles before the year 1516 such as the vulgate and the septuagint respectively. Book of the annals chronicles of the kings of israel, 1 kgs 14. The books of kings were probably written during the time of judahs captivity in babylon which begins. Annals of the kings of israel, annals of the kings of judah, and annals of solomon. No one knows the author of 1 and 2 kings, though some commentators have suggested ezra, ezekiel, and jeremiah as possible authors. An introduction to the books of first and second kings. The book of kings now produced as two books, 1 kings and 2. Joshua is the first book in this section and the book of 2 kings is the last. The 1st book of kings 1 kings from the holy bible new international version niv book 11 please note we have increased the volume and the. The guiding thesis of the book is that the welfare of israel and her kings.
They trace the history of the kings of israel and judah from the time of solomon 970931 b. Summary of the book of 2 kings this is the second part of the book of kings. This book is the sequel to 1 and 2 samuel and begins by tracing solomons rise to kingship after the death of david. Ancient tradition identifies jeremiah as the author of 1 and 2 kings.
However, the jewish canon classified them as the fifth and sixth books of. Together, the two books of 1 and 2 kings cover the period from the last days of davids reign to the captivity of judah also referred to as the babylonian captivity. The book of 1 kings was likely written between 560 and 540 b. See the book of acts instances in the king james version kjv. The books of 1 and 2 kings were compiled by some unknown writer from a variety of written documents, including the state chronicles. Intro to 1 kings biblica the international bible society. The book of 2 kings is a sequel to the book of 1 kings. Whoever the author was, it is clear that he was familiar with the book of deuteronomy as were many of israels prophets. Kings is part of the deuteronomic history, written by an anonymous. The books of 1 and 2 kings are placed in the former prophets section of the old testament.
Who really wrote the biblical books of kings and the prophets. This summary of the book of 2 kings provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 kings. The book of 2 kings, along with 1 kings, was likely written between 560 and 540 b. The tribes of judah, benjamin, and some of levi were serving a pagan king in a faraway country. Because the entire work encompasses a time period of more than four hundred years, several source materials were used to compile the records. Originally this book and the preceding book were combined into one longer book in the hebrew bible. The deuteronomistic history, of which 1 kings is a part, addresses the questions of those who had experienced the fall of the north to assyria in 722721 b. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of bible. Then, what it is now commonly known as 1 samuel and 2 samuel are called by the vulgate, in imitation of the septuagi n t, 1 kings and 2 kings respectively. Scholars tend to treat the books as made up of a first edition from the late 7th century bce and a second and final edition from the mid 6th century bce. In the christian bible, the books commonly referred to as 1 chronicles and 2 chronicles, or first chronicles and second chronicles generally follow the two books of kings, and precede ezranehemiah. First and second kings were originally one book, called in the hebrew text, kings, from the first word in 1. The first book of kings begins with the elderly king david naming solomon, his son by.
The chapters and verses of 2 kings from the douay rheims version of the online catholic bible. Book of first kings overview insight for living ministries. The books of joshua, judges, 1 samuel, 2 samuel, 1 kings and 2 kings. Bible summary 2 kings 1 2 kings bible book summary. However, it was divided into two books by the translators of the septuagint the greek translation of the old testament, and so it was written as 1 and 2 kings by the latin translation and many other versions. The book of 1 kings does not specifically name its author. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. First and second book of kings arend remmers biblecentre.
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