Old Testament Survey: Book of 1 Kings The wisest of the Kings of the United Kingdom—King Solomon Glory and Division

Background The book’s author and the date of the writing are unknown. Probably written by Jeremiah or Ezra Originally, 1 and 2 Kings formed one book History covered: Solomon’s reign (1-11) History of Divided Kingdom (12-22)

Background After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam came to the throne in 975 BC. Oppressive measures caused the ten northern tribes to revolt and form Israel under Jeroboam’s leadership 1 Kings covers 119 years--from David’s death in 1015 BC, to the deaths of Jehoshaphat, Judah’s fourth king, and Ahab, Israel’s seventh king.

Background The books of 1 and 2 Kings form a continuous history. The parallel history of Solomon’s reign is given in 2 Chronicles 1-9. From the Kingdom’s division to Israel’s fall—1 Kings 12—2 Kings 18:12 2 Chronicles 10-28

Keys to 1 Kings Key words—Glory and division Key phrase—”As David his father.” Key verses: 2:2,3 “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.”

Keys to 1 Kings Key word— Glory and division Key Phrase—”As David his father.” Key Verses: 3:9 Key words—Glory and division Key phrase—”As David his father.” Key verses: 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?”

Keys to 1 Kings Key word— Glory and division Key Phrase—”As David his father.” Key Verses: 9:4,5 Key words—Glory and division Key phrase—”As David his father.” Key verses: 9:4,5 “Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments.”

Keys to 1 Kings Key words—Glory and division Key phrase—”As David his father.” Key verses: 11:11 Key words—Glory and division Key phrase—”As David his father.” Key verses: 11:11 “Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, ‘Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.’”

Keys to 1 Kings Key chapter— Chapter 12 Critical turning point in Israel’s history United kingdom—becomes divided kingdom 12:14 Key chapter—12 Critical turning point in Israel’s history United Kingdom becomes Divided Kingdom 12:14 “And he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’”

Keys to 1 Kings Key chapter— Chapter 12 Ten tribes revolt under Jeroboam Northern kingdom of Israel Great sin 12:28 Key chapter—12 Ten tribes revolt under Jeroboam Northern Kingdom of Israel Great sin 12:28 “Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”

Keys to 1 Kings Key chapter—12 Jeroboam sets up golden calves New feast day Priests not of Levi Built high places 12:29 Key chapter—12 Jeroboam sets up golden calves New feast day Priests not of Levi Built high places 12:29 “Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.”

The Book’s Message Two main divisions Solomon’s reign Divided kingdom Chapters 1-11 Divided kingdom Chapters 12-22 Probably written after the captivity 12:20 “So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense.”

The Book’s Message God affirms His promise to Solomon Will rend the kingdom from him, but not in his days Spiritual significance of promised seed (Galatians 3:16) 11:13 “However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”

The Book’s Message 1 Kings plays a grand role in the development of God’s plan Shows the importance of choosing God’s word Necessity of faith and obedience Blesses obedience; punishes disobedience 3:14 “So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

The Book’s Purpose Two –fold: To move the Jews to repent by reminding them of God’s promise to restore Trace God’s providence in preserving David’s seed Genesis 22:18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

The Book’s Message The prophets’ importance during Divided Kingdom Must choose God’s wisdom Importance of prayer in serving God Temple built—God does not live in a man-made temple 8:22-53 “That Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My name shall be there,' that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.”

The Book’s Message God dwells in “thick darkness” Elisha follows God after Elijah’s death The standard: “as David his father” Power, wealth, and knowledge can corrupt and lead to destruction 19:19-21 “So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”

The Temple Materials David had collected Cedars of Lebanon from king Hiram 7 years, 185,000 workers Millions of dollars worth of gold, ivory, etc. Heaven is God’s real dwelling place 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!”

Other Kings All of Judah’s kings descended from David Israel had bad kings Good kings Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah Evil kings Jeroboam, Ahab, (j)Ahaz, (j)Manasseh Eight kings in the book 16:30 “Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.”

The Prophets Divided kingdom - the period of the prophets Sent to reprove their sins Elijah and Elisha 17:1 “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.’”

The Prophets Elijah, the first great oral prophet Fearless reformer—the book’s hero Rebuke of Ahab and Jezebel Prophets of Baal Miracles 18:21 “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.”

More Information about Solomon in the “Special Studies” section under “King Solomon’s Reign”