Revised by RachelLaban’s younger daughter and Jacob’s second wife. More Wrenn, 2/24
1. Solomon (1 Kings 1:1–11:43)
The first half of 1 Kings tells the story of SolomonThird king of Israel who was known for wisdom and building the first Temple. More as he builds the Temple, grows in wisdom and wealth, and ultimately falls into apostasy.
A. Solomon Becomes King (1 Kings 1:1–2:12)
Solomon becomes king at the end of a bloody struggle for succession.
B. Solomon Eliminates the Opposition (1 Kings 2:13-46)
Solomon consolidates his kingdom by purging those who might threaten his reign.
C. Solomon’s Wisdom (1 Kings 3:1–4:34)
Solomon’s legendary wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, “The fear of the… More is presented as a gift from God and demonstrated with the story of the two mothers.
D. Solomon Builds the Temple (1 Kings 5:1–9:9)
Solomon’s greatest achievement was the building of the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged… More in Jerusalem, which is meticulously related in these chapters.
E. Solomon’s Wealth (1 Kings 9:10–10:29)
The themes of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom appear again in these descriptions of Solomon’s luxurious court along with indications of the king’s approaching apostasy.
F. Solomon’s Apostasy (1 Kings 11:1-43)
Solomon’s apostasy is blamed on his inability to stay faithful to God within his many marriages to the original inhabitants of the land in violation of Deuteronomy’s proscriptions.
2. Rebellion Splits the Nation (1 Kings 12:1–16:28)
Following Solomon’s death, the nation split into two kingdoms: Judah in the south, comprised of the tribes of JudahJudah was the name of Jacob’s fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More, Benjamin, and LeviSon of Jacob and Leah, brother to Reuben, Simeon, and Dinah. More; and Israel, comprised of the ten northern tribes that broke away.
A. Jeroboam I of Israel (1 Kings 12:1–14:20)
The division of the kingdom following Solomon’s death–fulfilling the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:26-40)–is recounted, with Jeroboam receiving the ten northern tribes.
B. Early Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:21–15:24)
From this point on, the books of Kings present evaluations of the kings of Judah and Israel. First we hear about the early kings of Judah: Rehoboam, Abijam, and Asa.
C. Early Kings of Israel (1 Kings 15:25–16:28)
The early kings of Israel: Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri are evaluated very differently than those of Judah. Following in the pattern of Jeroboam, they flourish politically while growing in apostasy.
3. Elijah and the Prophets Confront Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29–22:53)
The reign of AhabKing of Israel who opposed Elijah. More will dominate the rest of 1 Kings. Like his father Omri, this powerful king’s political triumphs are of little concern to the narrator, who presents Ahab and JezebelQueen who promoted worship of Baal and who opposed Elijah. More as the religious foes of God and God’s prophets..
A. Elijah Battles Baal (1 Kings 17:1–19:21)
First Kings draws on another source for these dramatic stories that relate the battle between YHWH, the God of Israel, and the Canaanite god, Baal.
B. Ahab Battles Syria (1 Kings 20:1-43)
Three prophetic encounters are woven into Ahab’s battles with Syria.
C. Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-29)
Ahab and Jezebel attempt to acquire the vineyard of Naboth through an immoral and unrighteous use of their political power. ElijahA miracle working Israelite prophet who opposed worship of Baal. More challenges them and announces the destruction of Ahab’s house.
D. Micaiah and the Death of Ahab (1 Kings 22:1-40)
Ahab’s final battle with Syria is fought in collaboration with JehoshaphatJehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah (succeeding his father, King Asa) and ruled over Jerusalem for 25 years (2 Chronicles 20:31). His reign is described in 1 Kings 22 and with more detail in 2 Chronicles 17-21. Jehoshaphat has a mixed legacy: he is… More of Judah. His encounter with Micaiah typifies the struggle between king and prophet that runs through the book of Kings.
E. Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahaziah of Israel (1 Kings 22:41-53)
Jehoshaphat’s reign is evaluated mainly in terms of his political accommodation with Israel. Ahaziah’s evil reign is curiously split between 1 Kings and the beginning of 2 Kings.