Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- In what ways are Elijah and Elisha similar as prophets? Do their styles differ to any degree? How, specifically, do they seek to guide Israel rightly?
- What are we supposed to make of Elisha sending some bears to kill a crowd of mocking children? Are the prophets beyond criticism?
- Are all of the "bad kings" in 2 Kings totally bad? Are there gray areas? Or are there only good kings, on the one hand, and bad kings on the other?
- What qualities make Josiah and Hezekiah particularly great kings?
- Josiah institutes a Passover for the first time since Moses and institutes other holy laws, but does he actually equal David? Or does David still transcend the most righteous kings of 2 Kings as God's special beloved?
- Is the God of 2 Kings more just than merciful, or is it the reverse? In what ways does he demonstrate his mercy, and how does he balance it with justice?
- Are the people of Judah collectively punished for the sins of their kings? Is that fair? Are the righteous people rewarded and do they always receive mercy?
- What qualities do the wicked kings of 2 Kings have in common? Is it just polytheism and image-worship? Or is there more to it than that? (Think about the behavior of Mannaseh and others, including non-Israelite kings like Hazael and Sennacherib.)
- How are women treated in 2 Kings? Compare the Shunnamite woman and Huldah with Athaliah and Jezebel.
- To what extent can people outside of Israel—like Naaman—worship God and win his favor in 2 Kings?
- Is there any hope at the end of 2 Kings?