Memory Verse(s)
Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
Overview|Background
1 and 2 Kings (like 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Chronicles) are actually one literary work, called in Hebrew tradition simply “Kings.” The division of this work into two books was introduced by the translators of the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT) and subsequently followed in the Latin Vulgate (c. a.d. 400) and most modern versions. In 1448 the division into two sections also appeared in a Hebrew manuscript and was perpetuated in later printed editions of the Hebrew text. Both the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate further designated Samuel and Kings in a way that emphasized the relationship of these two works (Septuagint: First, Second, Third and Fourth Book of Kingdoms; Latin Vulgate: First, Second, Third and Fourth Kings). Together Samuel and Kings relate the whole history of the monarchy, from its rise under the ministry of Samuel to its fall at the hands of the Babylonians.
The division between 1 and 2 Kings has been made at a somewhat arbitrary and yet appropriate place, shortly after the deaths of Ahab of the northern kingdom (22:37) and Jehoshaphat of the southern kingdom (22:50). Placing the division at this point causes the account of the reign of Ahaziah of Israel to overlap the end of 1 Kings (22:51-53) and the beginning of 2 Kings (ch. 1). The same is true of the narration of the ministry of Elijah, which for the most part appears in 1 Kings (chs. 17 – 19). However, his final act of judgment and the passing of his cloak to Elisha at the moment of his ascension to heaven in a whirlwind are contained in 2 Kings 1:1 — 2:17.
Key Passage(s)
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom – 1Kings 3:1-15
(1) Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and married Pharaoh’s daughter; then he brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall all around Jerusalem.
(2) Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.
(3) And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
(4) Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
(5) At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
(6) And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
(7) Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
(8) And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.
(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?”
(10) The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
(11) Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
(12) behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
(13) And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
(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.”
(15) Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
Key Facts
Authorship & Time Period
The Book of 1 Kings does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the prophet Jeremiah was the author of both 1 and 2 Kings. Full article: Who wrote the book of 1 Kings? Who was the author of 1 Kings?
The Books of 1 & 2 Kings was likely written between 560 and 540 B.C. Full article: When was 1 Kings written?
Type of literature
Historical narrative, prophetic literature
Characters
MAJOR CHARACTERS: God, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Omri, Ahab, Jezebel, Elijah, Elisha, Jehu, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah.
The Story
Summary
The book of 1 Kings starts with Solomon and ends with Elijah. The difference between the two gives you an idea as to what lies between. Solomon was born after a palace scandal between David and Bathsheba. Like his father, he had a weakness for women that would bring him down. Solomon did well at first, praying for wisdom and building a temple to God that took seven years to construct. But then he spent thirteen years building a palace for himself. His accumulation of many wives led him to worship their idols and away from God. After Solomon’s death, Israel was ruled by a series of kings, most of whom were evil and idolatrous. The nation fell further away from God, and even the preaching of Elijah could not bring them back. Among the most evil kings were Ahab and his queen, Jezebel, who brought the worship of Baal to new heights in Israel. Elijah tried to turn the Israelites back to the worship of Yahweh, challenging the idolatrous priests of Baal to a showdown with God on Mount Carmel. Of course, God won. This made Queen Jezebel angry (to say the least). She ordered Elijah’s death, so he ran away and hid in the wilderness. Depressed and exhausted, he said, “Let me die.” But God sent food and encouragement to the prophet and whispered to him in a “quiet gentle sound” and in the process saved his life for further work.
Second Kings depicts the downfall of the divided kingdom. Prophets continue to warn the people that the judgment of God is at hand, but they will not repent. The kingdom of Israel is repeatedly ruled by wicked kings, and, even though a few of Judah’s kings are good, the majority of them lead the people away from worship of the Lord. These few good rulers, along with God’s prophets, cannot stop the nation’s decline. The Northern Kingdom of Israel is eventually destroyed by the Assyrians, and about 136 years later the Southern Kingdom of Judah is destroyed by the Babylonians.
There are three prominent themes present in the Book of 2 Kings. First, the Lord will judge His people when they disobey and turn their backs on Him. The Israelites’ unfaithfulness was reflected in the evil idolatry of the kings and resulted in God exercising His righteous wrath against their rebellion. Second, the word of the true prophets of God always comes to pass. Because the Lord always keeps His word, so too are the words of His prophets always true. Third, the Lord is faithful. He remembered His promise to David (2 Samuel 7:10-13), and, despite the disobedience of the people and the evil kings who ruled them, the Lord did not bring David’s family to an end.
Major Events
- David’s death
- Solomon’s temple construction
- The division of the kingdom
- Ahab and Jezebel’s conflict with Elijah over Baal worship
- Elisha’s ministry
- The fall of Samaria
- The Sennacherib crisis
- Josiah’s reform
- The destruction of Jerusalem.
Themes
- God blesses Solomon in keeping with the covenant with David
- God approves of the temple
- God judges Solomon’s idolatry
- God keeps his promise to exile Israel and Judah for ongoing sin
- God preserves David’s lineage
| KINGS OF JUDAH (SOUTH)* | |
| Dynasties | |
| Rehoboam | 930–913 BC |
| Abijah | 913–910 BC |
| Asa | 910–869 BC |
| [Coregency with Jehoshaphat] | 872–869 BC |
| Jehoshaphat | 869–848 BC |
| [Coregency with Jehoram] | 853–848 BC |
| Jehoram | 848–841 BC |
| Ahaziah | 841 BC |
| Athaliah (Ahaziah’s mother/daughter of Ahab) | 841–835 BC |
| Joash | 835–796 BC |
| Amaziah | 796–767 BC |
| [Coregency with Uzziah] | 792–767 BC |
| Azariah/Uzziah | 767–740 BC |
| [Coregency with Jotham] | 750–740 BC |
| Jotham | 740–731 BC |
| [Coregency with Ahaz] | 735–731 BC |
| Ahaz | 731–715 BC |
| Hezekiah | 715–687 BC |
| [Coregency with Manasseh] | 697–687 BC |
| Manasseh | 687–642 BC |
| Amon | 642–640 BC |
| Josiah | 640–609 BC |
| Jehoahaz | 609 BC (3 months) |
| Jehoiakim | 609–598 BC |
| Jehoiachin | 598–597 BC (3 months) |
| Zedekiah | 597–587 BC |
| KINGS OF ISRAEL (NORTH)* | |
| Dynasties | |
| Jeroboam I | 930–909 BC |
| Nadab | 909–908 BC |
| Baasha (usurper) | 908–885 BC |
| Elah | 885–884 BC |
| Zimri (usurper) | 885 BC (7 days) |
| Tibni | 885–880 BC |
| [Civil unrest] | 885–880 BC |
| Omri | 880–874 BC |
| Ahab | 874–853 BC |
| Ahaziah (eldest son of Ahab) | 853–852 BC |
| Joram (second son of Ahab) | 852–841 BC |
| Jehu (usurper, anointed by God) | 841–814 BC |
| Jehoahaz | 814–798 BC |
| Jehoash | 798–782 BC |
| [Coregency with Jerobam II] | 793–782 BC |
| Jeroboam II | 782–753 BC |
| Zechariah | 753–752 BC (6 months) |
| Shallum (usurper) | 752 BC (1 month) |
| Menahem (usurper) | 752–742 BC |
| Pekahiah | 742–740 BC |
| Pekah (usurper) | 740–732 BC |
| Hoshea (usurper) | 732–722 BC |
*all dates approximate
Outline of 1 & 2 Kings
- The Solomonic Era (1:1;12:24)
- Israel and Judah from Jeroboam I/Rehoboam to Ahab/Asa (12:25;16:34)
- The Ministries of Elijah and Other Prophets from Ahab/Asa to Ahaziah/Jehoshaphat (chs. 17–22)
- The Ministries of Elijah and Elisha during the Reigns of Ahaziah and Joram (2ki 1:1;8:15)
- Elijha in the Reign of Ahaziah (ch. 1)
- Elijah’s Translation; Elisha’s Inauguration (2:1-18)
- Elisha in the Reign of Joram (2:19;8:15)
- Elisha’s initial miraculous signs (2:19-25)
- Elisha during the campaign against Moab (ch. 3)
- Elisha’s ministry to needy ones in Israel (ch. 4)
- Elisha heals Naaman (ch. 5)
- Elisha’s deliverance of one of the prophets (6:1-7)
- Elisha’s deliverance of Joram from Aramean raiders (6:8-23)
- Aramean siege of Samaria lifted, as Elisha prophesied (6:24;7:20)
- The Shunammite’s land restored (8:1-6)
- Elisha prophesies Hazael’s oppression of Israel (8:7-15)
- Israel and Judah from Joram/Jehoram to the Exile of Israel (8:16;17:41)
- Jehoram of Judah (8:16-24)
- Ahaziah of Judah (8:25-29)
- Jehu’s Revolt and Reign in Israel (chs. 9–10)
- Athaliah and Joash of Judah; Repair of the Temple (chs. 11–12)
- Jehoahaz of Israel (13:1-9)
- Jehoash of Israel; Elisha’s Last Prophecy (13:10-25)
- Amaziah of Judah (14:1-22)
- Jeroboam II of Israel (14:23-29)
- Azariah of Judah (15:1-7)
- Zechariah of Israel (15:8-12)
- Shallum of Israel (15:13-16)
- Menahem of Israel (15:17-22)
- Pekahiah of Israel (15:23-26)
- Pekah of Israel (15:27-31)
- Jotham of Judah (15:32-38)
- Ahaz of Judah (ch. 16)
- Hoshea of Israel (17:1-6)
- Exile of Israel; Resettlement of the Land (17:7-41)
- Judah from Hezekiah to the Babylonian Exile (chs. 18–25)
Where Do We See Christ?
1. God’s Faithfulness: Even when Israel and Judah turned their backs on God, He never gave up on them. He continually sent prophets to warn them and call them back to repentance (2 Kings 17:13). This mirrors the Gospel, where God, despite our sin, never stops pursuing us. In Jesus, we see the ultimate fulfillment of His faithfulness, offering redemption to all who turn to Him (Romans 5:8).
2. The Promise of a King: Throughout these books, especially in Chronicles, there is a focus on the line of David. Though many of the kings failed, God promised that one day a perfect King would come from David’s line (1 Chronicles 17:11-14). This King is Jesus, the Messiah, who would establish an eternal kingdom (Luke 1:32-33).
3. Sin Has Consequences: The downfall of Israel and Judah reminds us that sin has real, painful consequences. Turning away from God leads to destruction, just as it did for these ancient nations. But the Gospel offers hope: through Jesus, we can be forgiven and restored, no matter how far we’ve fallen (1 John 1:9).
4. God’s Mercy and Grace: Even as the people rebelled, God showed incredible mercy. He gave them countless opportunities to repent, and even after they were exiled, He promised to restore them (2 Chronicles 36:15-23). The same is true for us today. No matter how many mistakes we’ve made, God offers us a way back through Jesus Christ.
Point of Application
How can we apply this to our lives today?
If you’ve ever felt like God has given up on you, or if you’ve wondered how His justice and love work together, these books are for you. They show us a God who is both just and merciful, who hates sin but loves His people deeply. They also remind us that our actions have consequences, but God’s grace is always greater.
Discussion Questions
- What are ways we can seek wisdom today instead of comfort and material gain?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we long for the day when we shall see the true King and you renew this broken world. Grant that we would lean on you until our faith is become sight.
Current Prayer Requests:
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
Richard Brooks – faith and courage during the next stage of his journey in Christ
Andrew McKinney – employment provision
Bob & Gaynelle – mother’s hospitalization (from Mike Arras)
Julia (Arras) – health
Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, VLAP operation
Jim Sachs – job situation, improvement, wisdom for interaction with leadership
Daryl’s employee Tara, in hospital in Cambodia
Daryl’s son Jonathan and daughter in law, spiritual walk
Tom and Jeanice – Divine Healing and Peace in their spirit
Becky and Lee Davidson, health and healing
Jim & Melissa, father-in-law’s heart condition and spiritual health, marital closeness
Mike Arras’ daughter, mental and spiritual health
Mike Arras’ son, Trevor – employment
Mike Allen – sister Adele and brother
Joe & Deb – safe travel, peace, and healing for Deb’s Dad
JC – kidney health
Additional Content
FOR GREATER HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING: JEROBOAM AND REHOBOAM’S TIMES
Both Judah (made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) and Israel (the northern ten tribes) were weakened by constant warfare between Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Not long after the division of the kingdom, Pharaoh Shishak plundered both kingdoms (see map on p. 214). Carved in the Karnak temple of Amun in Luxor, Egypt, the record of Shishak’s campaign memorializes his march through the land conquering Jerusalem and Tirzah (Jeroboam’s capital). Shishak robbed the treasuries of the temple and of King Rehoboam (c. 918 BC).
FOR GREATER HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING: SOLOMON’S REIGN
Solomon built a palace and the temple, and he rebuilt and fortified key cities. The Egyptian pharaoh Siamun may have been the one who gave one of these key cities to Solomon. First Kings 9:15–16 indicates that a pharaoh of Egypt destroyed Canaanite Gezer and gave it as a gift/dowry to Solomon upon his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter. Siamun was a rare pharaoh who allowed his daughters to marry outside of Egypt. Excavations at Tel Gezer have uncovered this destruction under the Solomonic casemate wall. Gezer, Megiddo, and Hazor were royal cities rebuilt by Solomon. These cities have consistent architecture in the construction of their walls and gates. Their city gates are all the same size and style and feature a six-chambered gate. Solomon’s marriage to an Egyptian princess fits his foreign policy of marrying the daughters of foreign kings to forge strong international relationships. Solomon also continued the trade agreements with the Phoenicians that his father David had initiated. According to the Bible, the wealth of Solomon’s kingdom was extravagant. Some scholars have disputed the amounts mentioned. However, the amount of Solomon’s yearly gold income is not unusual when compared to other empires such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.1 While Solomon’s reign was a time of prosperity, his excesses wearied the Israelites of forced labor and taxes, thus setting the stage for the divided monarchy. [Paul R. House; Eric Mitchell (2023). (p. 200). Old Testament Survey. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
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