AB 11: 2 Kings

A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary.

II Kings is the chronicle of the raging conflicts that tore the United Kingdom of Israel apart, creating the rival nations of Israel to the north and Judah to the south. It tells of the time of the great prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, and of the legendary conquerors of not only the Jews, but the whole of the Middle East, including Sennacherib, Hazael, Tiglath-pileser III, Nebuchadnezzar, and Shalmaneser.

The book of II Kings was written with a dual purpose. It provided a chronological history of the divided kingdoms of Israel, from the time of division through the destruction of Jerusalem and the final exile of the Jews into Babylonia. It also served as a reminder to all Israelite monarchs that their loyalty to the God of Israel, as worshipped in Jerusalem, determined the course of history.

In telling this story, the author emphasized to both contemporaries and future generations that, in order to avert the calamities that befell the Chosen People, including conquest by foreign nations, the destruction of Jerusalem, and exile, they would have to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. If they remained loyal to their God, their God would remain loyal to them.

Complete with maps, charts, photographs, and extra-biblical documentation, II Kings presents an important and illuminating translation that explores a tumultuous period of change which had a lasting impact on both theological and world history.

Cogan and Tadmor are historically oriented experts in Mesopotamian studies. Thus it is not surprising that they concentrate on the Mesopotamian historical backdrop of the book. - Tremper Longman

Series: The Anchor Yale Bible Commentary, Volume 11.