The book of 2 Kings describes the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the Babylonian exile, with the prophet Elisha playing a significant role in the early chapters. The kings generally did evil in the sight of the Lord, with some exceptions, and faced punishment or were spared accordingly. The book concludes with the Babylonian conquest of Judah, the destruction of the temple, and the exile of the people, ultimately ending on a note of judgment and exile due to the people's sins.