\\INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS\\
\\COMMONLY CALLED THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE KINGS\\

This, and the preceding book, are properly but one book divided into
two parts, because of the size of it, as the book of Samuel; it is
a continuation of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah; and
for a further account of it the reader is referred to the title of
the preceding book.

\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 1\\

This chapter begins with the rebellion of Moab against Israel,
\\#2Ki 1:1\\, relates a fall of the king of Israel in his house, which
brought on him a sickness, about which he sent messengers to inquire
of the god of Ekron, who were stopped by Elijah, and bid to return,
as they did; and upon the king's examination of them about the cause
of their return, he perceived it was Elijah that forbad them,
\\#2Ki 1:2-8\\, upon which the king sent to him two captains, with
fifty men each, one after another, to bring him to him, but fire came
down from heaven and consumed them, \\#2Ki 1:9-12\\, but a third with
fifty men sent to him were spared, and he is bid to go along with them
with a message to the king, as he did, \\#2Ki 1:13-16\\ and the chapter
is closed with the death of Ahaziah, \\#2Ki 1:17,18\\.