1 Kings: Summary & Overview
Overview
First Kings begins with Solomon's glorious reign — the building of the temple and Israel's golden age — then descends into tragedy as Solomon's idolatry leads to the kingdom splitting in two. The northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom (Judah) each go their own way. The prophet Elijah emerges as a powerful voice calling people back to God.
Key Themes
- •Wisdom and its limits
- •The danger of idolatry
- •Division and consequences
- •Prophetic courage
- •God's faithfulness despite human failure
Famous Verses
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.”
— 1 Kings 3:9
“There hath not failed one word of all his good promise.”
— 1 Kings 8:56
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
— 1 Kings 18:21
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
— 1 Kings 19:12
“And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes.”
— 1 Kings 2:3
Key Facts
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Historical Narrative
- Author
- Unknown (possibly Jeremiah)
- Date Written
- ~550 BC
- Chapters
- 22
Related Books
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