Who is the author of 2 Kings?

Historical Context of 2 Kings

2 Kings picks up the narrative begun in 1 Kings, describing the later years of Israel’s monarchy. It continues the account of the divided kingdom—Israel in the north and Judah in the south—and culminates with the destruction of both. The northern kingdom is taken into Assyrian captivity, and Judah faces Babylonian exile. The book is a sobering historical record and a theological reflection on how the people’s faithfulness (or lack thereof) to the covenant affected the nation’s destiny.

Archaeological discoveries such as the Tel Dan Stele (mid-9th century BC) reference the “House of David,” underscoring the tangible historicity of the monarchic lines discussed in Kings. Additionally, Sennacherib’s Prism (c. 701 BC) aligns with various events in 2 Kings (e.g., the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 2 Kings 18–19). These findings reinforce that 2 Kings is not merely moral or theological instruction but also a chronicle rooted in verifiable historical contexts.

Traditional View of Authorship

Jewish tradition, as reflected in the Talmud (Bava Batra 14b–15a), often attributes the composition of 1 and 2 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah. This longstanding view suggests that Jeremiah, who was active during the last days of the kingdom of Judah and lived through the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (c. 586 BC), compiled royal records, prophetic accounts, and other historical sources into the consistent narrative we have today.

In the Old Testament’s arrangement, 1 and 2 Kings were originally a single work, referred to collectively as “Kings.” These texts were later divided for practical reading and copying purposes. Regardless of the division, the overarching message and structure remain coherent, strongly implying a single editorial hand (or a single organized school of thought) taking existing records and compiling them under divine inspiration.

Role of Source Materials

The author or compiler of 2 Kings frequently refers to additional records, such as “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah” or “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel” (e.g., 2 Kings 14:18, 15:31). These references confirm that multiple sources were consulted. Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry would have provided him with access to historical archives, eyewitness testimonies, and scribal resources in and around Jerusalem, lending plausibility to the traditional claim that he is responsible for Kings.

Internal Indicators of a Prophetic Hand

Within 2 Kings, there is a strong prophetic emphasis, especially relating to the warnings delivered to kings and the nation by prophets such as Elisha, Isaiah, and unnamed messengers of the LORD. This prominent role of prophetic commentary harmonizes with Jeremiah’s own prophetic calling and perspective. Passages like 2 Kings 17:13 (BSB: “Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah…”) mirror the broader prophetic themes found in Jeremiah’s writings regarding covenant faithfulness and impending judgment. Such coherence in theological outlook provides an internal hint that the compiler possessed a deep prophetic awareness and burden.

Date of Composition

Regarding the timing, 2 Kings concludes with accounts of Judah’s Babylonian captivity, including the release of King Jehoiachin (2 Kings 25:27–30). Since Jeremiah lived during this era—witnessing Jerusalem’s fall and writing extensively about its aftermath—he would have been alive and present to finalize or oversee the material that forms 2 Kings. This supports a composition or compilation date around the early exilic period (late 6th century BC), soon after the events recorded in the closing chapters.

Literary Style and Theological Themes

The literary style of 2 Kings characteristically intertwines historical narrative with theological reflection, emphasizing how the covenant plays out in national life. Kings are repeatedly assessed based on whether they “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” or “did evil in the eyes of the LORD” (e.g., 2 Kings 18:3; 2 Kings 17:2). This evaluative approach molds the historical data into a moral and spiritual lesson: faithfulness to God yields His blessing, whereas rebellion leads to decline and eventual judgment.

Additionally, 2 Kings teaches about divine sovereignty over history. The frequent appearance of prophets underscores the truth that events do not unfold randomly but rather align with God’s revealed word and purpose. Such a perspective on events resonates well with the worldview of Jeremiah, who consistently proclaimed the LORD’s supremacy and the urgent need for genuine repentance.

Canonical and Textual Witness

The consistent preservation of 2 Kings in the Hebrew Masoretic Text, the Greek Septuagint (LXX), and later manuscript traditions testifies to its importance and recognized authority from ancient times. Textual comparisons among the surviving manuscripts show remarkable uniformity, indicating careful transmission by the Jewish scribes. Ancient manuscript fragments discovered in collections such as the Cairo Geniza and references in early Christian writings further support the reliability of the text.

Because 1 and 2 Kings frequently reference historical records and thoroughly describe events verified by external archaeological data, their trustworthiness is underscored. This reliability contributes to a cohesive understanding of biblical history, in line with the conviction that Scripture is an accurate, divinely guided record.

Key Verse Illustrating Authorship Clues

One example of how the book points to usage of courtly sources is 2 Kings 22:8: “Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.’ And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it.” Such details reveal the author’s direct familiarity with temple practices and official documentation, further reinforcing the theory that a knowledgeable prophet or scribe compiled this material.

Conclusion

While the human author of 2 Kings is not explicitly named within the text itself, the long-standing and credible tradition has consistently pointed to the prophet Jeremiah. Ample internal indicators suggest a prophetic compiler with intimate access to monarchic records and the spiritual dedication to document Israel’s story through a covenantal lens.

The unity of the book, the alignment with Jeremiah’s historical setting, the thematic focus on covenant faithfulness, and the external witness of ancient Hebrew tradition all converge to confirm that Jeremiah is the most likely candidate. Under the overarching guidance of divine inspiration, 2 Kings stands as an integral record of Israel’s and Judah’s history—a testimony that continues to instruct and warn those who read it in every generation.