4 Kings

25 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1Ochozias King of Israel consulting Beelzebub, for his sickness, is blamed by Elias, and foretold, that he shall die. 9. Fire from heaven devoureth two captains with each of them fifty men. 13. The third by his more modesty escapeth the like danger, 15. With him Elias cometh to the King. 17. The same King dieth, and his brother Joram succeedeth.
2. 2Eliseus will not part from Elias. 7. Fifty disciples follow them to Jordan. 8. The water is divided by Elias' cloak, and they two pass the dry channel, 9. Elias is assumpted in a fiery chariot, and his double spirit is given to Eliseus, 13. Who returning by like miraculous means over Jordan, the disciples receive and honour him as their religious Superior. 16. They seek Elias, but find him not. 19. Eliseus amendeth the waters by casting in salt. 23. Boys are torn by bears for mocking Eliseus.
3. 3Joram king of Israel accompanied with the kings of Juda & Edom, fighteth against the king of Moab, for not paying tribute according to their league. 9. wanting waters. 16. Eliseus procureth sufficient without rain: and prophesieth victory. 21. The king of Moab deceived by a vision is overthrown in the field. 26. then being besieged immolateth his first begotten son: and the Israelites leave the siege.
4. 4Eliseus so multiplieth a poor widow's oil, that she payeth her debts and liveth of the rest. 8. By his prayers a Sunamite woman hath a son. 18. Which dying he raiseth to life. 38. He taketh away the bitterness of coloquintida, which by chance was put in the pot, 42. and feedeth many with few loaves.
5. 5Naaman the general captain of Syria is cleansed of leprosy, by washing himself as Eliseus appointeth him seven times in Jordan. 15. professeth his belief in one God promising to serve him. 20. Giezi taketh gifts of Naaman, 25. and is stricken with leprosy.
6. 6Eliseus maketh iron to swim upon the water: 8. leadeth the king of Syria his men (sent to apprehend him) blindly into Samaria. 20. Where their eyes being opened, they are courteously entertained, and freely dismissed. 24. The Syrians besiege Samaria. 26. For extreme famine a mother eateth her child. 31. And the king commandeth to kill Eliseus.
7. 7Eliseus prophesieth plenty of corn the next day, and death to a chief man that will not believe it. 3. Four Lepers going to yield themselves to the Syrians, 6. Who by God's providence are frighted and fled away, 9. bring news thereof to Samaria, 12. Which by trial is found true, 16. And so there is plenty of corn, and the incredulous nobleman is trod to death, with press of multitude in the gate, as the prophet foretold.
8. 8After seven years' famine foretold by Eliseus, the Sunamite woman returning home, recovereth her lands and revenues. 7. Eliseus foresheweth the death of Benadad king of Syria, and cruel reign of Hazael. 16. Joram reigning in Juda, the Idumeans revolt from him, also Lobna. 23. He dieth, and his son Ochozias succeedeth.
9. 9Jehu is anointed king of Israel, 7. to destroy the house of Achab and Jezabel. 14. He presently killeth Joram king of Israel, 27. Likewise Ochozias king of Juda. 30. also Jezabel, who is eaten by dogs.
10. 10The Samaritans fearing the force of Jehu, choose no other king, but offer him their service: 6. and by his commandment kill the late king's seventy sons. 11. Forty-two brothers of Ochozias late king of Juda are slain. 15. Jehu making league with Jonadab, utterly destroyeth Achab's house. 18. by a stratagem killeth all the worshippers of Baal, 26. burneth his statua, and turneth his temple into a jakes: 28. but maintaineth Jeroboam's golden calves. 32. The Assyrians afflict Israel. 34. Jehu dieth, and his son Joachaz reigneth.
11. 11Athalia killing all the king's progeny ( except Joas, who is saved by his aunt ) usurpeth the kingdom. 4. But the seventh year Joiada the high priest crowneth Joas king. 13. causeth Athalia to be slain, 17. and maketh covenant between God, the king, and the people.
12. 12Joas willeth the priests to repair what needeth in the temple, receiving all the money offered there. 6. Which they not performing, the high priest provideth that all is amended, 16. the priests receiving only the money due to themselves. 17. Hazael king of Syria taking Geth, and threatening Jerusalem is pacified with money. 19. Joas is traitorously slain by his servants, and his son Amasias reigneth.
13. 13Joachaz King of Israel is afflicted by the Syrians, 4. and delivered. 6. Yet destroyeth not idolatry. 8. dieth, and his son Joas followeth his evil steps. 14. Eliseus being sick willeth the king to shoot, 18. and to strike the earth, who striking thrice, is told that he shall thrice strike the Syrians. 20. Eliseus dieth, and a dead man is revived touching his bones. 22. Joas recovereth that which the Syrians had taken from Israel.
14. 14Amasias king of Juda killeth those that had slain his father, 7. and striketh Edom. 8. Provoking Joas king of Israel to war, receiveth a contemptible answer: 11. provoking again is beaten in battle, and Jerusalem is ransacked. 15. Joas dieth and his son Jeroboam followeth the bad steps of the first Jeroboam; yet recovereth many places lost before. and dying his son Zacharias reigneth.
15. 15Azarias beginneth well, 4. afterward (for offering incense on the altar. 2 Paralip. 26.) is stricken with leprosy, cast out of the temple, and from conversation with the people, his son Joathan ruling the kingdom. 8. Sellum killeth Zacharias king of Israel and reigneth in his place. 14. After one month Manahem killeth Sellum and reigneth also wickedly. 19. Maketh league with the Syrians. 22. dieth and his son Phaceia reigneth. 25. Phacee killeth him, and reigneth. 29. The Assyrians spoil the country, and carry away many captives. 30. Osee killeth Phacee and reigneth. 32. In the mean time Joatham reigning in Juda is infested with enemies. 38. dieth, and his son Achaz reigneth.
16. 16Achaz king of Juda besides other idolatry, sacrificeth his own son to idols. 5 The kings of Israel and Syria besieging Jerusalem, the Assyrians are hired to relieve it. 10. Achaz causeth Urias to make an altar like to one in Damascus, 14. in place of God's altar: 17. removeth divers other things pertaining to divine service, 19. dieth, and his son Ezechias reigneth.
17. 17Salmanasar king of Assyrians maketh Osee king of Israel tributary, and perceiving his endeavour to be delivered thereof, imprisoneth him; after three years siege taketh Samaria, and carrieth the people captive into Assyria. 7. All which God permitteth for divers great sins here recited. 25. The new inhabitants of the country not knowing God, are devoured by lions. Whereupon a true priest is sent to instruct them. 29. but they leaving the rites of true religion do mix the same with idolatry.
18. 18Ezechias destroyeth all places of idolatry in Juda, breaking also the brazen serpent, made by Moyses, because the people offered incense to it. 9. The captivity of the ten tribes is repeated. 13. Ezechias not able to resist the Assyrians, payeth much money to them. 17. They nevertheless send forces against Jerusalem, reproach the king, blaspheme God, and terrify the people.
19. 19Ezechias in affliction requesteth the prayers of Isaias the prophet. 6. who assureth him of God's help. 8. The king of the Assyrians still threateneth and blasphemeth. 15. Ezechias prayeth, 20. and God hearing the prayers of the one, and blasphemies of the other, 28. promiseth to protect Jerusalem. 35. An Angel in one night killeth a hundred fourscore and five thousand of the Assyrians' camp, their king returneth to Ninive, is there slain by two of his own sons, and another son reigneth in his place.
20. 20Ezechias being sick is told by Isaias that he shall die: but praying to God obtaineth fifteen years longer life, 8. and in confirmation thereof receiveth a sign in Achaz' dial, returning back ten lines. 12. To the Assyrians bringing him presents, he sheweth all his treasures. 16. Which Isaias reproving prophesieth the captivity of Juda. 20. Ezechias dieth, and his son Manasses reigneth.
21. 21For the enormous impiety of Manasses, 10. God threateneth destruction of the kingdom. 16. he spilleth innocent blood, 18. dieth, and his son Amon reigneth also wickedly: 23. is slain by his servants, and his son Iosias reigneth.
22. 22Iosias repaireth the temple, and Divine service. 8. The book of law is found 11. whereupon they consult our Lord, 15. and are foretold that much evil shall fall upon them, 18. but the good king shall die in peace.
23. 23Iosias reading the law before the people, they all promise to serve God. 4. All things belonging to Idolatry are cast forth of the temple, 8. and other places of Juda. 15. He also destroyeth the altar in Bethel (not removing the bones of a prophet) 19. and other altars in Samaria: killeth the false priests. 21. And maketh a notorious great Pasch. 26. Yet God threateneth the captivity of Juda for their sins. 29. Iosias is slain in battle by the king of Egypt: and his son Ioachaz reigneth. Who after three months is deposed by the king of Egypt, and his brother Eliacim, henceforth called Ioakim, made king.
24. 24Ioakim serveth the king of Babylon three years. 2. Many rovers infest his country. 5. He dieth, and his son Ioachim reigneth 10. The king of Babylon carrieth king Ioachim, and all the chief persons, and treasures into Babylon, 17. appointing Matthanias, whom he nameth Sedecias, king of Juda. 20. Who revolteth from the king of Babylon.
25. 25Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon besieging Jerusalem two years, the soldiers pressed with famine flee away. King Sedecias also fleeth, 5. is taken and brought before Nabuchodonosor. 7. All his sons are slain in his sight: his eyes are put out, and he is carried into Babylon: the Temple, the king's palace, and other houses burned; the walls destroyed, the people carried captive 12. except poor husbandmen. 13. All vessel of brass, silver, and gold broken and transported. 18. Saraias high priest, and other principal men are slain. 22. Godolias made governor, 25. is slain by Ismael. 27. Ioachin is delivered from prison, and exalted by a new king of Babylon.