2Ki: "1Ki and 2Ki were originally one book divided into two by
the LXX (BC 294-289). It appears Isaiah and Jeremiah were the authors, using the
public records of the kings. It could be that Isaiah wrote to the time of
Hezekiah (2Ch 32:32). Jewish tradition says that Jeremiah was the author. The
purpose of the book is to show the reason for the Davidic Kingdom being
disrupted and to reveal why Yahweh sent Israel into captivity (Eze 21:24-32). It
describes the events in the Northern Kingdom of Israel from the ministry of
Elisha to the death of Jehu, Israel's 10th king (2Ki 1-10). It provides
alternating annals of both kingdoms to the captivity of Israel. Jonah, Amos and
Hosea prophesied at this time in the north (2Ki 11-17). The record continues to
the end of the Kingdom. The prophets Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Jeremiah prophesied at this time (2Ki 18-25). Judah
outdistanced Israel for over a century. The Northern Kingdom was compared to the
shameful example of Jeroboam. The Southern Kingdom was likened to the glory of
David. The one example cast the shadows of death; the other revealed the light
of life. Nineteen kings reigned over the north for a period of 250 years, whilst
20 kings reigned in the south from the time of the Disruption for 390 years. The
19 kings of the north came from 7 different dynasties in contrast to the one
dynasty in the South. The record of the kings graphically shows the faithfulness
of Yahweh to the Davidic Covenant in the preservation of a line (cp 2Ki 8:19)"
(GEM).
2Ki 1:2
BAAL-ZEBUB: God of the fly, which the Ekronites
worshiped (most likely Jupiter, Greek "Muiodes", god of the flies). Exemplifies
at what an early period the Jews were acquainted with demonology of the
surrounding heathen nations.
2Ki 1:10
MAY FIRE COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN: Cp Luk 9:54; Heb 12:29;
Deu 4:24. Judgment of the wicked described as a sacrifice: Rev 20:9; Gen 19:24;
2Ki 1:10-14; Psa 37:20; Eze 39:6,17-22.
2Ki 1:13
A THIRD CAPTAIN WITH HIS FIFTY MEN: 3 x (50 + 1) = 153,
same as the number of fish in Joh 21:11.
2Ki 1:17
JORAM SUCCEEDED HIM: Or "Jehoram". Brother of Ahaziah,
and son of Ahab (2Ki 3:1).