About This Text
Kings II (“Melakhim Bet”) is the second part of the fourth book of the Prophets. It details the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel and southern kingdom of Judah toward the end of the First Temple period, most of whom betray God. God sends the Assyrians to destroy the northern kingdom, while the southern kingdom temporarily endures under the righteous King Hezekiah. When Hezekiah’s son succeeds him and promotes idolatry, God decrees the destruction of Jerusalem and exile of Judah.