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Bible Commentaries
Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible Henry's Complete
Elijah Calls Down Fire on Ahaziah's Messengers.Chapter 2
Elijah Ascends to Heaven; Elisha Succeeds Him.Chapter 3
Elisha Aids Israel Against Moab.Chapter 4
Elisha's Miracles: Widow's Oil, Shunammite's Son.Chapter 5
Naaman Healed of Leprosy by Elisha.Chapter 6
Elisha's Axe Head Floats; Arameans Blinded.Chapter 7
Elisha Predicts Famine's End; Syrians Flee.Chapter 8
Shunammite's Land Restored; Hazael Becomes King.Chapter 9
Jehu Anointed King; Jezebel Killed.Chapter 10
Jehu Eradicates Ahab's House; Baal's Worshipers Killed.Chapter 11
Athaliah's Usurpation; Joash Crowned King.Chapter 12
Joash Repairs the Temple; Assassination.Chapter 13
Jehoahaz and Jehoash's Reigns in Israel.Chapter 14
Amaziah of Judah; Jeroboam II's Reign in Israel.Chapter 15
Uzziah's Reign in Judah; Israelite Kings' Instability.Chapter 16
Ahaz's Wicked Reign in Judah; Alliance With Assyria.Chapter 17
Israel Falls to Assyria; Exile and Idolatry Explained.Chapter 18
Hezekiah's Reforms; Assyria's Threat Against Judah.Chapter 19
Hezekiah's Prayer; Assyria Defeated by God's Intervention.Chapter 20
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery; Visitors From Babylon.Chapter 21
Manasseh's Evil Reign; Judah's Apostasy Deepens.Chapter 22
Josiah Finds the Book of the Law; Begins Reforms.Chapter 23
Josiah's Reforms; His Death in Battle.Chapter 24
Judah Conquered by Babylon; First Deportation.Chapter 25
Jerusalem Destroyed; Judah in Exile in Babylon.
- 2 Kings
by Matthew Henry
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND BOOK OF
K I N G S.
This second book of the Kings (which the LXX., numbering from Samuel, called the fourth) is a continuation of the former book; and, some think, might better have been made to begin with the 1 Kings 22:51-53, where the reign of Ahaziah begins. The former book had an illustrious beginning, in the glories of the kingdom of Israel, when it was entire; this has a melancholy conclusion, in the desolations of the kingdoms of Israel first, and then of Judah, after they had been long broken into two: for a kingdom divided against itself cometh to destruction. But, as Elijah's mighty works were very much the glory of the former book, towards the latter end of it, so were Elisha's the glory of this, towards the beginning of it. These prophets out-shone their princes; and therefore, as far as they go, the history shall be accounted for in them. Here is, I. Elijah fetching fire from heaven and ascending in fire to heaven, 2 Kings 1:1-2; 2 Kings 1:1-2 II. Elisha working many miracles, both for prince and people, Israelites and foreigners, 2 Kings 3:1-7; 2 Kings 3:1-7 III. Hazael and Jehu anointed, the former for the correction of Israel, the latter for the destruction of the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, 2 Kings 8:1-10; 2 Kings 8:1-10 IV. The reign of several of the kings, both of Judah and Israel, 2 Kings 11:1-16; 2 Kings 11:1-16 V. The captivity of the ten tribes, 2 Kings 17:1-41; 2 Kings 17:1-41 VI. The good and glorious reign of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:1-20; 2 Kings 18:1-20 VII. Manassah's wicked reign, and Josiah's good one, 2 Kings 21:1-23; 2 Kings 21:1-23 VIII. The destruction of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, 2 Kings 24:1-25; 2 Kings 24:1-25 This history, in the several passages of it, confirms that observation of Solomon, That righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is the reproach of any people.
