1 Kings

Divided Kingdom

The Book of 1 Kings is the third book of the Books of the Kings in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, beginning with the reign of Solomon, the son of David. The book begins with the story of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, and it includes the story of the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, Solomon's later years are marked by corruption and disobedience to God, and the kingdom begins to decline. After Solomon's death, the kingdom is divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The book also includes the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah, including the good kings who followed God's commands and the bad kings who turned away from God. Key figures in the book of 1 Kings include Solomon, Rehoboam, Ahab, Elijah, and Elisha. The book also mentions various other individuals, such as the prophets and the priests, who served as advisers and leaders for the kings.

Commentary

22 chapters

Biblical figures

Key figures in 1 Kings

God

Supreme Being

Israel

King

David

Prophet, King of Israel

Moses

Prophet, biblical judge

Judah

Tribal leader

Jerusalem

Capital

Egypt

Pharaoh

Mark

Gospel writer

Dan

Judge

Jacob

Prophet, Patriarchs

Levi

Priest

Ezra

Cohen

Solomon

Prophet, King of Israel

Philistine

Enemy

Pharaoh

Ben

Son of Jacob.

Abraham

Prophet, patriarch

Joseph

Prophet, Vizier

Joshua

Prophet

Jordan

Baptist

Ephraim

Tribe Leader

Benjamin

Son of Jacob.

Canaan

Land of Canaan

Eve

Mother of all humankind

Zion

No official position held by the figure Zion.

Syria

Ruler

Manasseh son of Jacob

Joab

Commander of David's army

Isaac

Prophet, patriarch

Ammon

Servant

Samaria

King of Israel

Jonathan

Prince

Gilead

Judge

Absalom

King

Edom

Chief of Edom.

Jehoshaphat

King of Judah

Shem

Son

Ram

Judge

Elisha

Prophet

Hebron

City

Galilee

Region

Elijah

Prophet

Bethel

priest

Midian

Judge

Abner

Commander

Zedekiah

King of Judah

Bashan

King of Bashan

Damascus

Governor of Damascus

Hanan

High Priest

Josiah

King of Judah

Zadok

High Priest of Israel

Shema

Leader

Naphtali

Tribal leader

Azariah

High Priest

Jezreel

The position held by Jezreel was "a city in Israel."

Joash

King

Nathan

Prophet

Jesse

Father of King David

Asher

Tribal leader.

Issachar

Tribal leader.

Benaiah

Commander of King David's bodyguard

Sheba

Queen

Shemaiah

Prophet

Shilo

Religious Leader

Hanani

Messenger

Ahaziah

King of Judah

Ramah

Prophet.

Carmel

Prophet.

Shiloh

Leader.

Amon

King

Zidon

King

Uriah

High Priest of Israel

Adonijah

Rebel leader.

Zeruiah

Sister of Abishai.

Abel

Shepherd

Boaz

Kinsman redeemer

Hazael

King

Hiram

King of Tyre.

Jezebel

Queen consort

Amasa

Commander of the army

Abijah

King of Judah

Ahijah

High Priest of Israel

Obadiah

Governor

Sidon

King

Arabia

Queen

Micaiah

Prophet

Omri

King of Israel

Tirzah

Queen

Elah

King of Israel

Horeb

Mountain

Heman

Singer

Zimri

King of Israel

Iddo

Priest

Abinadab

Unknown.

Ophir

King of Ophir

Abiram

Rebel

Kidron

Judge

Bathsheba

Queen Mother

Dor

Generation.

Elon

Judge

Jachin

High Priest

Ethan

Unknown

Kishon

Judge

Naamah

Eliada

Adoniram

Arza

Barley

Hesed

Rezon

Abiathar

High Priest of Israel

Ahab

King of Israel

Ahimaaz

High Priest of Israel

Baasha

King of Israel

Eli

High Priest of Israel, biblical judge

Hadadezer

King

Ham

Jehoiada

High Priest of Israel

Moab

Nadab

Rehoboam

King of Judah, King of Israel

Shishak

Pharaoh

Tibni

King of Israel

Chapters

David's Charge to Solomon

1 Kings 1

David charges Solomon, his son, to be faithful to God as he becomes king.

David's Last Days

1 Kings 2

David reflects on his life and makes final arrangements before his death.

Solomon's Wisdom and Reign

1 Kings 3

Solomon becomes known for his wisdom and builds a prosperous and peaceful kingdom.

Solomon's Administrative Wisdom

1 Kings 4

Solomon sets up a wise and efficient system of administration, benefiting Israel.

Solomon's Building Projects

1 Kings 5

Solomon builds a temple for God, a palace for himself, and many other structures.

The Construction of the Temple

1 Kings 6

The construction of the temple in Jerusalem is described in detail.

Solomon's Other Buildings

1 Kings 7

Solomon builds many other structures, including a palace, throne room, and storage buildings.

The Ark Brought into the Temple

1 Kings 8

The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the temple and dedicated with a great ceremony.

Solomon's Sin and Decline

1 Kings 9

Despite his initial success, Solomon becomes unfaithful to God and his kingdom begins to decline.

Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

1 Kings 10

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and is impressed by his wisdom and wealth.

Solomon's Apostasy

1 Kings 11

Solomon becomes increasingly idolatrous, leading to division in the kingdom after his death.

Rehoboam's Folly

1 Kings 12

Rehoboam, Solomon's son, refuses to heed the counsel of the older leaders and instead makes demands of the people, leading to a division in the kingdom.

The Man of God from Judah

1 Kings 13

A man of God from Judah confronts Jeroboam, the northern king, and pronounces judgment on him.

Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam's Wife

1 Kings 14

Ahijah the prophet prophesies to Jeroboam's wife about the future of the kingdom.

Abijam's Reign in Judah

1 Kings 15

Abijam becomes king of Judah and continues the sins of his father.

The Reign of Baasha in Israel

1 Kings 16

Baasha becomes king of Israel and continues in the sins of Jeroboam.

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath

1 Kings 17

Elijah is sustained by God during a famine and performs miracles, including raising a boy from the dead.

Elijah Confronts Ahab and Baal

1 Kings 18

Elijah confronts Ahab and the prophets of Baal in a dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel.

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

1 Kings 19

Elijah flees from Jezebel after she threatens his life.

Ahab's Wars

1 Kings 20

Ahab continues his idolatry and goes to war against Ben-hadad, the king of Syria.

Naboth's Vineyard

1 Kings 21

Ahab wants Naboth's vineyard and Jezebel arranges for him to be falsely accused and executed.

Ahab and Jehoshaphat Against Syria

1 Kings 22

Ahab and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, join forces against Syria, but Ahab is killed in the battle.