1 KINGS
Title:
Originally 1 Kings and 2 Kings were one book (in the Hebrew Bible). The translators of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) divided the one book into two.
Author, date:
According to ancient Jewish tradition the author was the prophet Jeremiah, but there is no proof for this. It was probably written shortly after the Jews went into captivity in Babylon.
Themes:
This book continues the history of the kings who ruled the people of Israel from David to Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah. Some important events recorded here are the construction of the temple by Solomon, the division of the tribes of Israel into two kingdoms, the rapid descent of the northern kingdom into idolatry and corruption, and the remarkable ministry of the prophet Elijah. The events in 1 Kings cover a period of 118 years.
Contents:
Solomon as king 1:1—11:43
David’s last days and Adonijah’s
attempt to become king 1:1-10
Solomon chosen by David and God 1:11-40
David’s final instructions to Solomon 2:1-9
David’s death 2:10-11
The beginning of Solomon’s rule and the
elimination of wicked enemies 2:12-46
Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter 3:1
Solomon’s love for God 3:2
Solomon’s request for wisdom 3:3-9
God gives Solomon wisdom and more 3:10-15
One baby, two mothers, Solomon’s wise decision 3:16-28
Solomon organizes the kingdom 4:1-28
Solomon’s wisdom 4:29-34
Solomon prepares to build the temple 5:1-18
Solomon builds the temple and his palace 6:1—7:51
The dedication of the temple 8:1-66
The ark and the cloud 8:1-11
Solomon’s speech to the people 8:12-21
Solomon’s prayer 8:22-53
God’s promise to Solomon 9:1-9
Other works of Solomon 9:10-28
The visit of the queen of Sheba 10:1-13
Solomon’s wealth 10:14-29
Solomon’s fall into sin and God’s message to him 11:1-13
Solomon’s enemies Hadad, Rezon, Jeroboam 11:14-40
Solomon’s death 11:41-43
The division of the kingdom 12:1-24
Jeroboam creates a false, idolatrous religion 12:25-33
Prophecies against Jeroboam 13:1—14:20
The man of God from Judah 13:1-34
The prophet Ahijah predicts the
destruction of Jeroboam’s dynasty 14:1-20
Judah’s bad King Rehoboam 14:21-31
Judah’s bad king Abijah 15:1-8
Judah’s good king Asa 15:9-24
Israel’s evil king Nadab 15:25-32
Israel’s evil king Baasha 15:33—16:7
Israel’s evil king Elah 16:8-14
Israel’s evil king Zimri 16:15-20
Israel’s evil king Omri 16:21-28
Israel’s evil king Ahab, Jezebel 16:29—22:40
The sudden appearance of Elijah 17:1
Elijah fed by the ravens 17:2-6
Elijah and the widow of Zarephath 17:7-24
Obadiah takes Elijah to Ahab 18:1-15
Elijah and Baal’s prophets on Carmel 18:16-41
Elijah’s prayer for rain 18:42-46
Elijah’s depression and flight to Sinai 19:1-9
The Lord’s encouragement and instruction to Elijah 19:10-18
Elijah goes to Elisha 19:19-21
Ben-Hadad’s defeat at Samaria 20:1-34
God’s message to Ahab 20:35-43
Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard 21:1-4
Jezebel’s way of getting the vineyard 21:4-16
Elijah gives God’s message to Ahab 21:7-29
Good king Jehoshaphat and evil Ahab 22:1-28
Lying prophets join hands 22:6,10-12
The prophet Micaiah tells the truth 22:13-28
The death of Ahab, Micaiah’s word is fulfilled 22:29-40
Judah’s good king Jehoshaphat 22:41-50
Israel’s evil King Ahaziah 22:51-53