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Old Testament

1 Kings

22 chapters

Start reading: 1 Kings 1

About this book

First Kings carries Israel's story from the dying days of David to the long decline of the divided kingdom. Solomon inherits the throne, asks God for wisdom and builds the temple in Jerusalem, and for a time the nation prospers in peace. But his marriages and his divided heart lead him toward other gods, and after his death the kingdom splits in two: Judah in the south under David's line, and Israel in the north under a string of unstable rulers. The writer measures each king by one question, whether he was loyal to the Lord. In the north's darkest hour the prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab, calls down fire on Mount Carmel and meets God in a quiet whisper after fleeing in fear. The book is a sober look at how privilege and power can wear away faithfulness, and at God's patience with a wandering people.

Author
Unknown; Jewish tradition names Jeremiah, and many scholars see a compiler drawing on older royal records.
Date
The events span roughly the 970s to the 850s BC; scholars usually place the final form during or soon after the Babylonian exile.
Audience
Israelites in or after exile, asking how God's people lost the land and whether the promises to David still stood.

Themes

Wisdom and its limitsGod's presence in the templeFaithfulness and idolatryThe prophet's voice

Outline

  1. 1:1–2:46David's last days and Solomon's throne
  2. 3:1–4:34Solomon's wisdom and rule
  3. 5:1–8:66Building and dedicating the temple
  4. 9:1–11:43Solomon's glory and decline
  5. 12:1–16:34The kingdom divides
  6. 17:1–19:21Elijah against Baal
  7. 20:1–22:53Ahab's final years

Key verses

1 Kings 3:91 Kings 8:271 Kings 19:11-13

Chapters of 1 Kings

  1. 11 Kings 1As David grows old and frail, his son Adonijah declares himself king and gathers supporters, including Joab and the priest Abiathar, while leaving out Nathan, Zadok, and Solomon.
  2. 21 Kings 2Before dying, David charges Solomon to be strong, walk in God's ways, and keep the law so that the promise to his house continues.
  3. 31 Kings 3Solomon allies with Pharaoh by marriage and worships at the high places, since the temple is not yet built.
  4. 41 Kings 4This chapter portrays the height of Solomon's reign.
  5. 51 Kings 5Hiram, king of Tyre, sends greetings to Solomon, and Solomon responds that David could not build a house for the Lord because of constant warfare, but now God has given rest on every side.
  6. 61 Kings 6Construction of the temple begins in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 480 years after the exodus.
  7. 71 Kings 7After the temple, Solomon spends thirteen years building his own palace complex, including the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon, a throne hall, and a house for Pharaoh's daughter.
  8. 81 Kings 8The ark is brought into the temple, and a cloud fills the house so that the priests cannot minister, showing the glory of the Lord.
  9. 91 Kings 9God appears to Solomon a second time and affirms that he has heard his prayer and consecrated the temple.
  10. 101 Kings 10The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon's fame and travels to Jerusalem with camels laden with spices, gold, and gems to test him with hard questions.
  11. 111 Kings 11Solomon loves many foreign women, including princesses from nations God had warned against, and in his old age his wives turn his heart to other gods.
  12. 121 Kings 12After Solomon's death, Israel gathers at Shechem and asks Rehoboam to lighten the heavy labor and taxes.
  13. 131 Kings 13A man of God from Judah comes to Bethel as Jeroboam stands at the altar and announces that a future king named Josiah will burn priests' bones on it.
  14. 141 Kings 14Jeroboam's son Abijah falls ill, and the king sends his wife in disguise to the old prophet Ahijah.
  15. 151 Kings 15The chapter summarizes several kings.
  16. 161 Kings 16The northern kingdom spirals downward.
  17. 171 Kings 17Elijah the Tishbite announces to Ahab that there will be no dew or rain except at his word.
  18. 181 Kings 18In the third year of drought, Elijah meets Obadiah, a devout official who has hidden a hundred prophets from Jezebel, and tells him to bring Ahab.
  19. 191 Kings 19Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah, and he flees into the wilderness, sits under a broom tree, and asks to die, exhausted and afraid.
  20. 201 Kings 20Ben-Hadad of Aram besieges Samaria with a vast army and demands Ahab's silver, gold, wives, and children.
  21. 211 Kings 21Ahab wants Naboth's vineyard, next to the palace, and offers to buy or exchange it.
  22. 221 Kings 22Ahab and Jehoshaphat of Judah plan to retake Ramoth Gilead.
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