Abbreviations
Table of the Kings
Introduction: A Troubled World Now and Then

Part 1
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM (1–17)
The House of Ahab (1–8)
Chapter 1: A Troubled World (1:1)
Ahaziah: The King Who Had a Fall
Chapter 2: Is It Because There Is No God? (1:2–18)
Jehoram: The King Who Had Elisha
Elisha: The Man of God (2)
Chapter 3: Following Elijah (2:1–7)
Chapter 4: The Ascension of Elijah (2:8–15)
Chapter 5: He Is Not Here! (2:16–18)
Chapter 6: To Be Taken Seriously (2:19–25)
Chapter 7: Presuming On God’s Kindness I (3:1–8)
Chapter 8: Presuming On God’s Kindness II (3:9–27)
Elisha and the God Who IS There (4)
Chapter 9: The God Who Cares (4:1–7)
Chapter 10: The God Who Gives Life (4:8–17)
Chapter 11: The God Who Beats Death (4:18–37)
Chapter 12: The God Who Feeds the Hungry (4:38–44)
Chapter 13: One God in All The Earth (5:1–19)
Chapter 14: A Covetous Heart (5:20–27)
Chapter 15: An Important Unimportant Story (6:1–7)
Chapter 16: See Clearly Now (6:8–23)
Chapter 17: Terrible Suffering and Hope in God (6:24–33)
Chapter 18: How Hope Works (7)
Chapter 19: A Gospel for a Great Lady (8:1–6)
Chapter 20: The Bad News (8:7–15)
Meanwhile in Judah:Jehoram and Ahaziah: Kings Who Copied Ahab
Chapter 21: A Lamp Shining in A Dark Place (8:16–29)
The House of Jehu (9–14)
Jehu: The King Appointed by God to Judge
Chapter 22: The One Appointed by God to be Judge (9:1–13)
Chapter 23: The Wrath Of God: Is It Real? Is It Right? Is It Good? (9:14–29)
Chapter 24: “That Woman Jezebel” (9:30–37)
Chapter 25: Uncomfortable Truth (10:1–17)
Chapter 26: Bad Religion (10:18–28)
Chapter 27: A King Who Was Still Not Good Enough (10:29–36)
Meanwhile in Judah:Athaliah and Jehoash: A Daughter and Grandson of Ahab
Chapter 28: The Promise and the Lie (11:1–20)
Chapter 29: A New Beginning? (11:21–12:21)
Jehoahaz and Jehoash: Two Kings Who Were Disappointments
Chapter 30: Promise and Perversity: The Puzzle of History (13:1–13)
Chapter 31: All Depends on the Word of God (13:14–25)
Meanwhile in Judah:Amaziah: The King with a Big Head
Chapter 32: The Problem With Pride (14:1–22)
Jeroboam II: The King Who is Easily Misunderstood
Chapter 33: The Puzzle of History Again (14:23–29)
The Collapse of the Northern Kingdom (15–17)
Azariah, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Jotham: Kings Who Made No Progress
Chapter 34: The Myth of “Progress” (15)
Meanwhile in Judah:Ahaz: A Weak and Wicked King
Chapter 35: Wickedness and Weakness (16)
Hoshea: The Last King of Israel
Chapter 36: “The End Has Come Upon My People Israel” (17:1–6)
Chapter 37: What’s Wrong With the World? (17:7–23)
Chapter 38: “Is He Not the God of Nations Also?” (17:24–41)

Part 2
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (18–25)
Hezekiah: The King Who Trusted in God
Chapter 39: Trust in God: A Case Study (18:1–12)
Chapter 40: Trust in God Tested (18:13–37)
Chapter 41: “Faith Comes from Hearing”—But So Does Fear (19:1–19)
Chapter 42: Trust in God Vindicated (19:20–37)
Chapter 43: The Shadow of Death (20:1–11)
Chapter 44: Great Expectations (20:12–21)
Manasseh and Amon: The Worst Kings
Chapter 45: As Bad as It Gets (21)
Josiah: The King Who Found the Bible
Chapter 46: The Book that Changed the World (22)
Chapter 47: Back to the Bible (23:1–30)
Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah: Four Foolish Failures
Chapter 48: Finally: Four Foolish Failures (23:31–24:20)
Chapter 49: The End (25:1–26)
Jehoiachin (again!)
Chapter 50: The End is Not the End (25:27–30)

“Those—like me—who greatly value John Woodhouse’s commentaries on 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings will be delighted to hold this volume for 2 Kings in their hands. This commentary completes Woodhouse’s excellent series on the books of Samuel and Kings and continues at the same high standard. The main text of the commentary combines both Woodhouse’s characteristic clarity with his evident gifts for storytelling. The invaluable endnotes explain and defend why he reads the text as he does and engage thoughtfully with a range of other scholars and commentators. For me, as a preacher, these four commentaries are my first ‘go to’ volumes. And very often I feel no need to look further afield for help.”
Christopher Ash, Writer-in-Residence, Tyndale House, Cambridge; former Director, Cornhill Training Course, London

“In your hands is a most valuable and unusual book. A good commentary on 2 Kings is rare. It’s a part of the Bible usually skipped over by commentators. Yet as the book of Acts gives the narrative that is necessary to understand the epistles, so the books of Samuel and Kings give the narrative necessary to understand the later prophets. But this is more than a commentary on 2 Kings. Following John Woodhouse’s excellent writings on 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, this brings to completion a wonderful exposition of the rise and fall of the kings of Israel and Judah. Exposition is the right word for this commentary, for it is based in, and will be most useful for, preaching this part of the Scriptures. It brings us the understanding of God and his great purposes in the world. Furthermore, unlike most expository commentaries, this volume is also a reference book for the pastor to have on his shelf awaiting consultation on the many varied questions raised about 2 Kings or this period of Israel’s history. Now that you have picked it up, I hope for your sake that you do not put it down but buy it and use it.”
Phillip D. Jensen, Bible Teacher and Evangelist, Two Ways Ministries; author, The Coming of the Holy Spirit; Guidance and the Voice of God; and Two Ways to Live

“This outstanding commentary is everything any Bible student or teacher could ask for. It is rooted in rigorous scholarship with further detailed technical discussion in extensive footnotes. It seeks to expound the original author’s pastoral purpose and faithfully explore the implications for today. It deals with the detail of the text whilst simultaneously presenting the big picture. Above all it comes from the careful study of Scripture by a man who both believes that the text of 2 Kings is God’s word for his people today and who has decades of personal experience in local church ministry. Time and again the author cuts to the chase and makes the right calls when it comes to enabling his reader to study and benefit from the message of God in 2 Kings. We have been waiting for this book—and it does not disappoint.”
William Taylor, Rector, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom

“If I were preaching a series on 2 Kings, or simply studying this part of God’s word, I would treasure this book. It is erudite but always exhibits scholarship at the service of the Scripture. The fine exegesis is made all the more useful by the constant reference to the unfolding narrative of the book and its companion histories as well as an acute use of biblical theology. The result is that the reader is inducted into the words and works of God as they unfold within and beyond 2 Kings. I am so pleased to have it with its companion volumes on my bookshelf.”
Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, Australia

“In this excellent commentary, John Woodhouse blesses the reader with careful and clear writing that delves into the stories and drama of 2 Kings. He helps us think through how to interpret these chapters in their historical context, and he faithfully guides us to see the stories in light of the redemptive trajectory of Scripture. Amid fiery prophets and a declining nation, the righteousness and faithfulness of God is on full display. If you're studying or teaching 2 Kings, you’ll want Woodhouse’s commentary within arm’s reach.”
Mitchell L. Chase, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Short of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall