The two books of Kings, like those of Samuel, originally formed a single volume. Beginning with Solomon’s reign of righteousness, peace, and glory, they end with Israel in captivity and all in ruin. In the Kings, as with the books of Samuel, we have man in responsibility. Sadly, we find that Solomon himself—blessed by Jehovah more than any other in wisdom, glory, and riches—sows the seeds for the ruin. “King Solomon loved many strange women, ... it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:1, 4). It is not until Josiah, one of the very last kings of Judah, that the high places built by Solomon are destroyed (2 Kings 23:13).
Jehovah pleaded with His people, patiently dealing with them in mercy. Though there are periods of revival and examples of individual faith, the calls are unheeded. “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:15-16).
Upon the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two. Ten tribes were given into the hand of Jeroboam, a ruler over the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28), while Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, was left with just two tribes, Judah and Benjamin. Henceforth there are two kingdoms (to be united again in a future day under Christ the King). The ten northern tribes are collectively called Israel, or sometimes Ephraim (particularly by the prophets), while Judah and Benjamin are known simply as Judah—Benjamin’s numbers being few. The priests and Levites joined with Judah (2 Chron. 11:13-14). Omri, the father of Ahab—kings of Israel—established his capital in Samaria, forever connecting that name with the northern kingdom (1 Kings 16:24).
Fearing lest the people should return to Jerusalem to sacrifice, Jeroboam established a false religion (1 Kings 12:25-33). Making two golden calves, he placed one in the southern town of Bethel and the other in Dan in the north, declaring, “Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28). Complete with priests (of the lowest of the people), holy days, and sacrifices—all devised of his own heart—this counterfeit religion displaced the true. Israel never turned from this position, walking in the sins of Jeroboam, and never departing from them (2 Kings 17:22).
From the twelfth chapter of First Kings to the first chapter of Second Kings we have the ministry of the prophet Elijah, and, from the second chapter to the thirteenth chapter we have that of Elisha. Miracles were performed (especially reserved for Israel) that had not been seen since the day of Moses. Israel’s apostasy culminates with their being taken captive by the Assyrians (the king of the North, the rod of God’s anger) in chapter 17 of Second Kings. The Assyrians replaced the displaced people with men from other lands; these became known as the Samaritans.
Up to this point, the book of Kings has been chiefly occupied with the history of Israel. Now, with the 10 tribes in captivity, the closing days of Judah’s history is taken up. Though there were kings of Judah that “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord”, as a nation they failed to heed the warning of Israel’s captivity and forsook the Lord, falling into the same sin of idolatry (Jer. 3:8). The prophets Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, all lived and prophesied during this period. Solomon’s temple is gradually stripped of its glory. In the days of Ezekiel we find its inner walls covered with images portraying creeping things, abominable beasts, and the idols of Israel (Eze. 8:10).
The book of Second Kings concludes with the captivity of Judah under the Chaldeans. God’s sentence, of which they were forewarned by Hosea the prophet, is fulfilled, “Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God” (Hos. 1:9). Though men may scoff, there is a day appointed “in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained” (Acts 17:31).