THE ARGUMENT
OF THE FOURTH BOOK
OF KINGS.

THIS fourth Book prosecuteth the history of the two Kingdoms of Juda and Israel, to the several captivities of them both. Showing many special virtues and heroical acts of good Kings, Prophets, and other godly persons; and divers crimes of the wicked. For in Juda were some good Kings, highly commended; some evil, whom God spared in this world for David’s sake. So that in both sorts King David’s seed continued in his throne, and royal state (first in the twelve tribes, afterward in two) near four hundred fourscore years. And after the captivity (as will appear in the age ensuing) it was conserved in honour and estimation, till Christ our Saviour. But in the Kingdom of Israel (or ten tribes) which stood about two hundred fifty years, was great change, by raising and extirpating royal families. All their Kings were bad, yet partly were set up by God himself, partly suffered to reign; and in both Kingdoms were true and false Prophets, God using the ministry of all, to his own glory, the good of his Church, and punishment of others, and sometimes of themselves. So this Book may be divided into two parts. In the seventeen former chapters, are recorded jointly and mixedly the principal things done in both Kingdoms, till the captivity of the ten tribes. The other eight chapters contain other things done in Juda, until their captivity in Babylon.