The Book of II Kings,
Chapters 1:-25:.
By Darren Johnson
A Commentary on the Book of
II Kings, Chapters 1:-25:.
Publisher’s Note:
The Scripture quotations found herein are from the text of the Old King James, 1611 Authorized Version of the Bible.
Any deviations there from are not intentional.
The publisher owns the copyright and hereby gives anyone permission to reproduce or transmit in any form and any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage, retrieval system, multimedia, or Internet system, any part or all of this publication. However, he may not sell any of it for profit.
Matt. 10:8 “…freely ye have received, freely give.”
The Book of II Kings, Chapters 1:-25:. ©Darren Johnson 2016.
Table of Contents
Introduction …………..…..….……...... 4
I. II Kings 1: .……………...... 5-7
II. II Kings 2: ……….……...... 8-10
III. II Kings 3: ….…….……...... 11-13
IV. II Kings 4: ….……...... 14-18
V. II Kings 5: .……..…..……....19-22
VI. II Kings 6: …...………...... 23-26
VII. II Kings 7: ….……..……...... 27-29
VIII. II Kings 8: …..…..……….....30-33
IX. II Kings 9: …...……….….....34-37
X. II Kings 10: …...……….…...38-41
XI. II Kings 11: .……………...... 42-44
XII. II Kings 12: .……………...... 45-47
XIII. II Kings 13: …...……….…...48-50
XIV. II Kings 14: .……………...... 51-54
XV. II Kings 15: .……………...... 55-58
XVI. II Kings 16: .……………...... 59-61
XVII. II Kings 17: …...……….…..62-66
XVIII. II Kings 18: .……………...... 67-70
XIX. II Kings 19: .……………...... 71-74
XX. II Kings 20: …...………...... 75-78
XXI. II Kings 21: .……………...... 79-81
XXII. II Kings 22: .…………….....82-84
XXIII. II Kings 23: …...………...... 85-89
XXIV. II Kings 24: .…………...... 90-91
XXV. II Kings 25: .…………...... 92-94
XXVI. Salvation Message .……...... 95-96
Introduction
The purpose of this book is to motivate you to study the book of II Kings. II Kings starts with the end of Ahaziah king of Israel and covers the Assyrian captivity of Israel and then the Babylonian captivity of Judah. The time line of the kings can be downloaded at
The average Christian is ignorant of the many truths found in the book of II Kings. For the Bible believing Christian, every book in the Bible is important and loaded with truths and everyday applications(II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17).
II Kings 1:1-6 Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
:2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
:3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
:4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
:5 And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
:6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
After the death of Ahab, the nation of Moab(east of Israel and evidently under Israel tribute) rebelled against the nation of Israel. Also, king Ahaziah fell down through a lattice(a metal or wood grid like structure) in a room that was 2nd story or higher. In the process he sustained injuries that were life threatening and caused him sickness or he had a life threatening disease as well that was made worse by the fall, etc.. Nevertheless, he sent messengers to enquire or ask of Baalzebub the god of Ekron(1 mile north & 23 miles west of Jerusalem) on whether he would recover.
However, the angel of the LORD had the prophet Elijah intercept the messengers before they reached their destination and send a message of rebuke to Ahaziah. The message was that Ahaziah would die in his bed because he didn’t seek help from the Lord God in Israel but of Baalzebub the god of Ekron. When the messengers returned early Ahaziah knew that they never went to Baalzebub. When he asked why they told him that a man met them to give him a message of death because he wouldn’t seek the Lord but Baalzebub.
We see the judgment of God on Ahaziah for forsaking the Lord(I John 5:16, see comments there) once too often. Notice that even his messengers believed Elijah’s message. Although by himself and ostracized, the man of God still holds serious clout amongst those of the royal court. This probably was further cemented by Micaiah’s prophecy of death and defeat for his father Ahab.
II Kings 1:7-12 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
:9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
:11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
:12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
The messengers of king Ahziah told him that the man that met them was a hairy man and girt(gird- encircle with a belt or girdle) with a girdle of leather about his loins(belt around his waist). When Ahaziah realized that it was Elijah the Tishbite, he sent a captain of 50 men with his 50 men to apprehend him. After the captain called him down in the name of the king from the top of a hill where he was sitting, Elijah replied that if he was a man of God that fire would come down from the sky and consume the captain with his 50 soldiers. As a result, fire came down and consumed the captain and his 50 men. When king Ahaziah got the news of what happened he sent another captain of 50 with his 50 men, who in the name of the king ordered him to come down quickly. Likewise, Elijah called fire down from heaven to consume him and is men.
Here God is making a point. King Ahaziah sinned against God and God passed judgment on him (God is over the government which He ordained, Rom. 13:1-4, see comments there). When Ahaziah
doesn't like the judgment of God on his life, he tries to use government force and authority to change and/or influence it(sounds like the Obama Administration in America concerning social issues, 2009-2017). However, God and his word are above all(Ps. 138:2, go to and download Proper Authority). Hence, Elijah is on top of the hill(above the world in authority for God) and when the governmental authority of Israel comes around to arrest him, they get burned alive(the judgment of fire on the lesser authority). By the way Christian, when two authorities disagree, always go with the higher authority(God and His word).
Also, beware of intruding authorities of government who have no scriptural authority in ordaining marriage and running the home. The government is
supposed to enforce laws on the books and not make ungodly laws that violate the bible and other authorities, etc.. The Obama Administration tries to change the structure of the family and enforce it(not his authority and yet won't enforce illegal immigration laws that protect are businesses and citizens from crime and corruption(his authority).
II Kings 1:13-18 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
:14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
:15 And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
:16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
:17 So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
:18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
When king Ahaziah sent the 3rd captain of 50 with his 50, that captain fell on his knees before
Elijah and begged for his life and the life of his 50. Because of his humility and respect for God's
authority over the governments, the angel of the Lord spared him and his men. The angel told Elijah to go with these men to Ahaziah and be not afraid.
When Elijah met the king he told him that since he sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron(Mic. 4:5) and not the God in Israel, he would stay bedridden until he died. As a result, king Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord and Jehoram reigned in his stead in the 2nd year of
Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. By the way, both the kings of Israel and Judah have the same first name(download, The time line of the kings at The rest of the acts of Ahaziah are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
So the authority of God trumped the authority of the government and all the nation of Israel got a very direct and forward demonstration. Two captains, 100 soldiers and a king died to prove the point.
As the old saying goes, don't mess with God's man within his limited authority structure and don't mess with the word of God(Heb. 4:12). God will win every time and at the last day as well(Jo. 12:48, Rev. 20:12-15).
II Kings 2:1-5 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
:2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
The day came when Elijah would be taken up to heaven by a whirlwind without experiencing death. This is a picture of the rapture(taking up of the saved, I Th. 4:17-18, see comments there). Enoch was the only other person to experience going to heaven without dying(Gen. 5:24).
Elijah tried to leave Elisha behind when he travelled to Bethel(9 miles north of Jerusalem) from Gilgal(4 miles west of the Jordan river & 13 miles west of Bethel). However, Elisha wouldn’t leave his side. The sons of the prophets at were at Bethel told Elisha that today was the day that Elijah would leave and go to heaven. Elisha knew that, but followed Elijah anyway. Next, Elijah went to Jericho(1 mile southwest of Gilgal) from Bethel and the same scenario happened. Elisha followed him, the sons of the prophets there told him that Elijah was going to heaven that day and Elisha told them to hold their peace(keep quiet, because he knew it as well).
Spiritually, Elijah is a picture of Jesus and Elisha is a picture of John the Apostle, who stuck him out to the end(the crucifixion). Elisha represents the 100 fold Christian who goes all the way for the Lord in service, faithfulness and obedience. The sons of the prophets(Jo. 1:12) represent the spiritual Christians who serve the Lord, but are 30 & 60 fold Christians. E.g. Peter the Apostle kept his distance from Jesus when he was being crucified. Elisha, like the Christian, knows the future or that there will be a rapture one day of the new testament church.
II Kings 2:6-12 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
Finally, Elijah went from Jericho to the Jordan river. He told Elisha to wait behind but he would not. Like Jacob, he wasn’t going to let go until he got a blessing, etc.. Meanwhile, 50 men of the sons of the prophets observe what would happen to Elijah from a distance. Elijah took his mantle(a loose sleeveless cloak, like an overcoat), wrapped it together and smote the waters of the Jordan river. Afterward the two went over on dry ground(like Joshua and the nation of Israel did(Josh. 4:, see comments there). The folding of the overcoat or cloak was a sign that the ministry of Elijah was over.
The mantle was a symbol of God’s authority as chief prophet that was to be passed on to Elisha(I Ki. 19:16).
Elijah gave Elisha one last request before he left earth. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit to be upon him. Elijah agreed only if Elisha saw him when he left. Afterward while walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted them both asunder(apart). Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven while Elisha saw it and he cried out that Elijah was his father, chariot of Israel and the horsemen of Israel. Afterward Elisha saw Elijah no more and he tore his own clothes in two pieces.
Spiritually, Elisha represents the Christians who got the Holy Ghost after Jesus ascended up to heaven(Acts 2:, Jo. 7:38-39, Eph. 5:18, see comments there). Notice that God has a heavenly army with chariots and horses of fire(Rev. 19:11-21, see comments there). Elijah was Elisha’s spiritual father in that the office of the chief prophet was passed on to him. The nation of Israel was God’s nation and hence the most important position would be that of chief prophet(hence the chariot and horsemen of Israel). Remember that the nation of Israel followed Baal and had all bad spiritual kings. Hence, they didn’t have a high priest(I Jo. 2:1). Elijah represents the word of God on earth(Ps. 138:2) and all the authority thereof(II Tim. 3:16-17). Elisha tore his clothes in grief after Elijah. Also it signified that his position in life had changed. He went from a person to chief prophet and hence the old man(clothes) died, so that the new man could take over, etc..