When was 2 Kings written?

Context and Purpose of 2 Kings

2 Kings serves as a continuation of the narrative begun in 1 Kings. It records the history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, details their rulers, and culminates in the fall of both kingdoms—Israel to Assyria (2 Kings 17) and Judah to Babylon (2 Kings 24–25). The account underscores the events leading up to the Babylonian exile and highlights the consequences of both kingdoms’ turning away from the ways of the LORD.

This book is part of a larger sweep of historical writings in the Hebrew Scriptures—often referred to as the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings)—which trace the unfolding of God’s covenant dealings with His people.

Evidence from the Text Itself

2 Kings ends with the release of King Jehoiachin from prison in Babylon. According to the text,

“Now in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.” (2 Kings 25:27)

Scholars commonly recognize that Jehoiachin’s release occurred around 561 BC. This sets a benchmark for the earliest possible date for the composition’s final form because the author (or compiler) must have been aware of this event.

The Likely Period of Composition

1. Post-Fall of Jerusalem (after 586 BC):

The destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity form a pivotal moment in the narrative (2 Kings 25). Because 2 Kings documents the collapse of Judah and depicts the immediate aftermath, the writer had to be recording events following 586 BC.

2. Awareness of Jehoiachin’s Release (c. 561 BC):

The mention of Jehoiachin’s release indicates that at least the final revision or compilation was completed sometime after 561 BC, since that event is included at the close.

3. Possibility of Composition During Exile:

The consistent focus on Israel’s and Judah’s departure from the law of God, paired with the tragic outcome of exile, suggests a theological and historical reflection that was likely assembled when events were still fresh—commonly believed to be sometime in the mid-6th century BC.

Traditional Attributions and Historical Considerations

1. Prophetic Source or Compiler:

Ancient Jewish and Christian tradition sometimes associates the writing or compilation of Kings with the prophet Jeremiah or a circle of scribes associated with him. Although 2 Kings does not explicitly name its author, this tradition is partly due to the stylistic and thematic similarities between the latter portion of 2 Kings and the book of Jeremiah.

2. Role of Royal and Prophetic Records:

The text itself refers multiple times to other sources (e.g., “the chronicles of the kings of Israel,” 2 Kings 14:28), indicating that the author(s) or compiler(s) drew from official records of the royal courts, as well as prophetic or priestly writings that had been preserved.

Manuscript Witnesses

1. Qumran Findings (Dead Sea Scrolls):

While no complete scroll of 2 Kings was discovered at Qumran, fragments that do exist confirm the remarkable stability of the Hebrew text over many centuries. This manuscript evidence demonstrates continuity with later Masoretic texts and affirms the historical reliability of the book’s transmission.

2. Septuagint (Greek Translation):

The Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (often designated LXX) also preserves the content of 2 Kings. Variations in the LXX can shed light on nuances in the original Hebrew. Even with some textual differences, the narrative core remains consistent, supporting the argument that 2 Kings was firmly established by the exilic or early post-exilic period.

Theological Implications

2 Kings models the theological principle that disobedience to God leads to judgment, yet the narrative still reveals God’s extension of mercy—evidenced in Jehoiachin’s release (2 Kings 25:27–30). The book’s date, therefore, coincides with a time when Israel’s exiled community needed both an explanation of why judgment had come and reassurance that God’s covenant promises continued despite the captivity. This is consistent with the broader testimony of Scripture that God remains faithful even when His people do not.

Answering “When Was 2 Kings Written?”

1. General Consensus:

The composition of 2 Kings—at least in its final form—dates to sometime after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and likely after Jehoiachin’s release (561 BC).

2. Exilic or Early Post-Exilic Era:

Most historians and textual scholars place the completion of 2 Kings in the mid-6th century BC during the Babylonian exile, when an author or compiler could reflect on the recently transpired destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of Judah.

3. Importance of Dating:

While exact dating remains a subject of scholarly discussion, the references to specific historical events anchor 2 Kings in the mid-to-late 6th century BC. From a broader perspective of Scripture, this timing highlights the reliability of biblical prophecy and the integrity of the historical record preserved by the Israelite community.

Conclusion

2 Kings documents the final years of both the northern and southern kingdoms, culminating in the Babylonian exile. By its own internal clues—especially the mention of Jehoiachin’s release around 561 BC—the book could not have reached its final form before the mid-6th century BC. While it draws on earlier records and traditions, the consensus is that the final editing or compilation took place during or soon after that period. This timeframe explains the retrospective nature of the narrative, which teaches critical lessons regarding covenant faithfulness, God’s righteous judgment, and His enduring mercy even amid national calamity.