A review of 1 Kings

A review of 1 Kings

Title

Refers very directly to the subject matter contained in the book - the kings of Israel and Judah

Authorship

The author of First Kings is not known with certainty but Jewish tradition ascribes the work to Jeremiah the prophet. The author mentions three sources of which he compiled this work:

1. The "book of the acts of Solomon" (11:41)

2. The "book of the chronicles of the kings" (14:19)

3. The "book of the chronicles of Judah" (14:29; 15:7)

Date

The work was written during the Babylonian exile probably about 550 B.C. It records King Solomon's reign and the early history of the Divided Kingdom.

Outline

1. The United Kingdom (1:1-11:43)

2. The Divided Kingdom (12:1-22:53)

Plot

Israel enjoys a time of tremendous prosperity and welcome peace during Solomon's reign. The Temple is built and dedicated to the Lord.

Solomon's elaborate palace is completed where upon he entertains many foreign kings, queens and dignitaries. Slowly but persistently, however, Israel slides from glory and promise to idolatry, and then division.

One Nation becomes two Divided Kingdoms with a continuing vacillation between good kings and bad kings.

The prophetic ministry of Elisha also figures prominently in the book.

Major Characters

David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Ahab, Jezebel, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Elijah

Major Events

David's Death

Solomon's Inauguration

Solomon's Temple Construction

Solomon's Wisdom and Wealth

Israel's Slide into idolatry

The division of the kingdom

Ahab and Jezebel's disobedience

The ministry of Elijah on Mount Carmel

Purpose and Message

To show God's affirmation that David's house will be blessed

To show that the life of the king determines the health of the nation

To show that obedience to God and faithfulness to Him brings blessing but disobedience and idolatry brings the curse.

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