Second Kings continues the saga of disobedience begun in 1 Kings, opening around 850BC with the conclusion of Elijah's prophetic ministry in Israel and the beginning of the work of his successor Elilsha. Israel spiraled downward in faithfulness, ultimately being defeated by the Assyrians in 722BC. Judah, the southern kingdom, had several kings who trusted God and attempted reforms. But after many years of God's warnings through Isaiah and other prophets, Judah's sins were punished by Babylonian conquest starting in 605BC and ultimately in the fall of Jerusalem in 586BC. The people were exiled to Babylon for seventy years, as prophesied by Jeremiah. God remained faithful to his covenant despite his people's faithlessness. The author of 2 Kings is unknown.