336 Oakwood Avenue Orange, NJ Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor/Teacher Email:
[email protected] Cell: (914) 562-6331 “Almost” Everything You Need to Know About…” Tuesday, September 29, 2020 6:30 pm Online I. GENERAL INFORMATION/FACTS ON THE BOOKS OF KINGS A. Name of the Books: In the Hebrew tradition, both books are simply called “Kings” from the Hebrew, “Melakim.” “The division of this work into two books was introduced by the translators of the Septuagint (pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament)…” English Bibles followed this pattern. The Greek version used the titles “3rd and 4th Kingdoms.” B. Position of the Books in the Bible: 11th and 12th books in the Bible, 6th and 7th books of Old Testament history, 54 books to follow them. 1st Kings has 22 chapters, 816 verses, approximately 24,524 words. 2nd Kings has 25 chapters, 719 verses, 23,517 words. C. Author/Editor: Unknown. Possible Jeremiah or a group of prophets. D. Who Was It Written To/For?: The people of Israel E. Purposes of the Book: 1. To contrast the lives of those who live for God and those who refuse to do so through the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. 2. To demonstrate the fate that awaits all who refuse to make God their true leader. 3. To show the religious failure of the kings of Israel and Judah. 4. To teach the people the lessons of staying true to God. 5. To tell the story of the history of Israel during the period of the monarchy from the closing days of David’s rule until the time of the Babylonian exile.