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1st Kings

Solomon's Wisdom to a Divided Kingdom

Summary  |  About  |  Why You Should Read it  |  Author  |  When Written |  Context  |  Timeline  |  Location  |  Outline  |  Observations  |  Resources


Summary

1st Kings is a book in the Old Testament that primarily focuses on the history of Israel from the death of King David to the reign of King Ahab. It is the first part of a two-book series (1 Kings and 2 Kings) and covers roughly 120 years of Israel’s history. The book can be divided into three main sections:

  1. The Reign of Solomon (Chapters 1-11):
    • Begins with the transition of power from David to his son Solomon.
    • Solomon becomes king and is known for his wisdom, wealth, and construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which becomes a central place of worship.
    • Despite his wisdom, Solomon later falls into idolatry due to the influence of his foreign wives, which leads to God’s anger and the eventual decline of the kingdom.
  2. The Division of the Kingdom (Chapters 12-14):
    • After Solomon’s death, the kingdom splits into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) under Jeroboam, and the southern kingdom (Judah) under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.
    • This division marks the beginning of ongoing conflict between the two kingdoms and a series of rulers, some of whom lead their people away from God.
  3. The Reigns of Various Kings (Chapters 15-22):
    • Chronicles the reigns of kings in both Israel and Judah, many of whom do evil in God’s eyes by promoting idolatry and injustice.
    • The prophet Elijah emerges as a central figure during this period, particularly in his confrontations with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel over their worship of Baal.
    • The book ends with the death of Ahab in battle, setting the stage for the events in 2 Kings.

Throughout 1st Kings, there is a recurring theme of God’s covenant with Israel, with blessings for obedience and punishment for disobedience. The book emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of turning away from Him.

The following table provides a high-level look at the structure and contents of the book of 1st Kings.


About

1st Kings is the 11th book of the Bible.  It is the sixth of the Historical books of the Old Testament.


Why You Should Read It

There is a lot to gain by reading 1st Kings Here are some valuable insights we can gain from it:

  1. Lessons on Leadership and Wisdom:
    • Solomon’s reign provides key insights into the qualities of godly leadership, particularly through his wisdom, which Christians can apply in various life situations. His request for wisdom over wealth shows the value of prioritizing spiritual over material gain (1 Kings 3:5-14).
    • However, Solomon’s later failures, like succumbing to idolatry and foreign influences, highlight the dangers of compromising faith and moral integrity, even for a leader.
  2. Understanding God’s Faithfulness and Justice:
    • God’s covenant with Israel is a recurring theme. The book reveals God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises to David’s descendants, despite human failures. Christians can take comfort in God’s unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises.
    • At the same time, 1 Kings shows that God’s justice is also certain, as disobedience brings consequences. This is important for understanding how God’s holiness and justice interact with His grace.
  3. Warnings about Idolatry and Compromise:
    • The book repeatedly illustrates the dangers of turning away from God to follow idols, as seen in the lives of Solomon, Jeroboam, and Ahab. This serves as a warning for Christians to guard their hearts against modern forms of idolatry—anything that competes with loyalty to God.
  4. The Role of Prophets and God’s Call to Repentance:
    • Prophets like Elijah remind Christians of the importance of standing up for God’s truth, even in a culture that is hostile to it. Elijah’s courage in confronting Ahab and Jezebel challenges believers to be bold in their faith.
    • The prophetic ministry also underscores the call to repentance, which is relevant for Christians striving to maintain a close, right relationship with God.
  5. Foreshadowing of Christ:
    • The temple built by Solomon represents God’s presence among His people, but it also points to a greater fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate temple (John 2:19-21), and through whom Christians experience God’s presence.
    • The failures of Israel’s kings anticipate the coming of the perfect King, Jesus, whose reign brings true righteousness and peace.

Overall, 1st Kings is rich with spiritual lessons about leadership, obedience, faithfulness, and the consequences of turning away from God. These themes resonate with the Christian walk and encourage believers to stay faithful to God’s calling.


Author

The Author of 1st and 2nd Kings is not known for certain.  Scholars suspect it was compiled during the time of Josia or up to the fall of Jerusalem in the final siege of Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.  This makes Jeremiah a likely candidate for the writings.


When Written

1st and 2nd Kings was written in the period from 620 to 586 B.C.


Context

1st and 2nd Kings were written in a context of significant historical and theological reflection, primarily shaped by the events and circumstances of the Babylonian exile. Here are the key aspects of the context in which it was written:

  1. Historical Context:
    • Fall of Jerusalem and Exile (586 BC): The book was likely completed or edited during or after the Babylonian exile, following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. This period was marked by deep trauma and loss for the Jewish people, as they grappled with the consequences of their defeat and exile.
    • Reflection on the Past: The historical context includes a reflection on the rise and fall of Israel’s kings, with a focus on the reasons for the kingdom’s decline. The narrative serves as a lens through which to understand why Israel and Judah fell, particularly emphasizing the failures of the kings and the nation’s failure to uphold the covenant with God.
  2. Theological Context:
    • Deuteronomistic Theology: The book reflects the theological perspectives of Deuteronomy, emphasizing themes like covenant faithfulness, the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, and the consequences of disobedience to God. This perspective often attributes Israel’s misfortunes to their failure to adhere to the covenant and their engagement in idolatry.
    • Divine Justice and Mercy: Theological reflections in 1 Kings focus on the justice of God in punishing disobedience and the mercy shown to those who remain faithful. The book underscores the importance of following God’s laws and the disastrous consequences of straying from them.
  3. Political and Social Context:
    • Reforms of Josiah: The reign of King Josiah (c. 640–609 BC) and his religious reforms had a significant impact on the Deuteronomistic history. Josiah’s reforms aimed to purify worship practices and centralize worship in Jerusalem, which is reflected in the emphasis on the central sanctuary and the condemnation of idolatry in 1 Kings.
    • Exilic Reflection: The period of exile was one of reevaluation and reassessment of the past. The book’s focus on the failures of the kings and the consequences for Israel serves as a way to explain and understand the exile and to encourage a return to faithfulness to God.
  4. Prophetic Influence:
    • Role of Prophets: Prophets like Elijah and Elisha are prominent in 1 Kings, and their stories reflect the ongoing struggle between faithful worship of God and the widespread idolatry practiced by the kings and people. The prophetic voice serves both as a critique of the kings and as a source of hope for future restoration.

In summary, 1st and 2nd Kings was written in a context of exile and reflection on Israel’s history, with a focus on understanding the reasons behind the nation’s downfall. It addresses themes of covenant faithfulness, divine justice, and the role of prophetic and royal leadership, serving as both a historical record and a theological commentary on the nation’s relationship with God.


Timeline

The timeline below shows from the time of the building of the temple through the fall of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.  The period of 1st Kings goes from Solomon through Jehoshaphat (Judah) and Ahaziah (Israel).


Location

1st Kings takes place in Israel as a united kingdom until the time of the civil war. After that Judah is ruled from Jerusalem and Israel (the Northern Kingdom) is ruled from Samaria.


Outline

I.      The Solomonic Era (1:1;12:24)

A.       Solomon’s Succession to the Throne (1:1;2:12)

B.      Solomon’s Throne Established (2:13-46)

C.      Solomon’s Wisdom (ch. 3)

D.      Solomon’s Reign Characterized (ch. 4)

E.      Solomon’s Building Projects (5:1;9:9)

1.     Preparation for building the temple (ch. 5)

2.     Building the temple (ch. 6)

3.     Building the palace (7:1-12)

4.     The temple furnishings (7:13-51)

5.     Dedication of the temple (ch. 8)

6.     The Lord’s response and warning (9:1-9)

F.      Solomon’s Reign Characterized (9:10;10:29)

G.      Solomon’s Folly (11:1-13)

H.      Solomon’s Throne Threatened (11:14-43)

I.      Rehoboam’s Succession to the Throne (12:1-24)

II.      Israel and Judah from Jeroboam I/Rehoboam to Ahab/Asa (12:25;16:34)

A.       Jeroboam I of Israel (12:25;14:20)

B.      Rehoboam of Judah (14:21-31)

C.      Abijah of Judah (15:1-8)

D.      Asa of Judah (15:9-24)

E.      Nadab of Israel (15:25-32)

F.      Baasha of Israel (15:33;16:7)

G.      Elah of Israel (16:8-14)

H.      Zimri of Israel (16:15-20)

I.      Omri of Israel (16:21-28)

J.       Ahab of Israel (16:29-34)

III.      The Ministries of Elijah and Other Prophets from Ahab/Asa to Ahaziah/Jehoshaphat (chs. 17-22)

A.       Elijah (and Other Prophets) in the Reign of Ahab (17:1;22:40)

1.     Elijah and the drought (ch. 17)

2.     Elijah on Mount Carmel (ch. 18)

3.     Elijah’s flight to Horeb (ch. 19)

4.     A prophet condemns Ahab for sparing Ben-Hadad (ch. 20)

5.     Elijah condemns Ahab for seizing Naboth’s vineyard (ch. 21)

6.     Micaiah prophesies Ahab’s death; its fulfillment (22:1- 40)

B.      Jehoshaphat of Judah (22:41- 50)

C.      Ahaziah of Israel (22:51-53)


Observations

  • 1 Kings covers the 120-year period from the beginning of Solomon’s reign in 970 B.C. through Ahaziah’s reign ending in 851 B.C.
  • The key date is 930 B.C., the year the united Kingdom was divided to become the Divided Kingdom.
    • Northern Kingdom of Israel – 10 tribes.
    • Southern Kingdom of Judah – 2 tribes.
  • In the original Hebrew Bible, the books of 1 & 2 Kings were originally one book.
  • Four major events in 1 Kings:
    • David’s death
    • Solomon’s reign
    • The division of the Kingdom
    • Elijah’s ministry.
  • 1 Kings is a record of disobedience, idolatry, and ungodliness which serve as an explanation for the Assyrian Captivity of Israel in 721 B.C. and the Babylonian Captivity of Judah some 135 years later in 586 B.C.
  • The first half of 1 Kings details the life of Solomon.
  • Near David’s death, Adonija, Solomon’s half-brother, attempts to take David’s throne. Nathan the prophet alerts David, who quickly directs the coronation of Solomon as coregent.
  • The Temple is constructed in Jerusalem 5:1 – 6:38.
  • Solomon’s great request: 1 Kings 3:9 – “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
  • The divided kingdom brought:
    • Two nations
    • Two sets of kings
    • Continual strife and conflict, sometimes resulting in war.
  • The northern kingdom is plagued by apostasy.
  • Of all the northern and southern kings listed in 1 Kings, only Asa (15:9-24) and Jehoshaphat (22:41-50) do what is right in God’s eyes.

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