1 Kings Introduction
Synopsis:
1st Kings is split into two equal halves. The first 11 chapters covering Solomon’s reign as the last king of the unified nation for 40 years. Then the last 11 chapters cover the divided kingdom for the next 90 years.
Solomon’s reign is a rollercoaster. He was granted the honor to build the Temple for God’s shechinah glory to dwell in. God blesses him with untold riches and wisdom to rule the nation upon his request (1 Kn 10:23). His lust for women ultimately leads him down the road to idolatry. And as the king goes, so does the nation. Solomon eventually repents but the affects of his unfaithfulness upon the nation will have lasting consequences.
Upon Solomon’s death, the nation is split in two after God tells Rehoboam that He is ripping 10 tribes away from his rule. Although divided, God still remains faithful to His chosen people by sending them prophets to support and warn their kings to remain faithful to Him or they will suffer further punishment.
Authorship: Jeremiah
- Jeremiah according to the Jewish tradition
- Three sources:
- 1) “book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kn 11:41)”
- 2) “book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel (1 Kn 14:19; 15:7)”
- 3) “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah (1 Kn 14:29; 15:7)”
- probably completed during Babylonian Captivity due to grammar and style
Time Period: 970-840 BC
- Based upon the Thiele's Chronology.
Simple Outline:
1. United Kingdom (1 Kings 1-11)
A. Establishment of Solomon (Ch 1-2)
B. Rise of Solomon (Ch 3-8)
C. Decline of Solomon (Ch 9-11)
2. Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12-22)
A. Division (Ch 12-14)
B. Reigns (Ch 15-16)
C. Ahab & Elijah (Ch 16-22)
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