Introduction to 1 Kings

First Kings testifies to Yahweh’s presence among Israel, but also shows just how far a nation can fall when Yahweh is ignored. First Kings begins at the end of David’s reign, as his sons Adonijah and Solomon compete for the throne. Solomon is selected, and he builds a temple for Yahweh. But after Solomon, the once-prosperous nation splits into two kingdoms. Most of the kings on both sides fail to follow Yahweh and allow idolatry to flourish. Meanwhile, prophets, most notably Elijah, boldly call unfaithful kings to account.

Background

The books of 1–2 Kings originally formed a single work, which was probably divided because its length required two scrolls. The division between 1–2 Kings is not based on a natural break in the text; it splits the story of Elijah between the two books.

The whole work of 1–2 Kings deals with the period from 971 bc (the transition from David to Solomon) to 586 bc (the Babylonian exile). First Kings covers about 120 years of that span, starting just before Solomon’s accession and ending shortly after Ahab’s reign over the northern kingdom (853 bc).

Structure

The combined work of 1–2 Kings can be divided into three parts. The first section (1 Kgs 1–11) opens with an aging David and a political coup by his son Adonijah. Following the advice of the Prophet Nathan, David is able to repair his kingdom by appointing another son, Solomon, to the throne (chs. 1–2). Shortly thereafter, Yahweh comes to Solomon and asks him what he desires; Solomon requests wisdom, which Yahweh grants him (chs. 3–4). Solomon then builds Yahweh’s temple (compare 2 Sam 7)—representing Yahweh’s visible presence on earth—and then continues his building projects with his own palace (1 Kgs 5–7). However, Solomon ends up worshiping the gods of his foreign wives (11:1–8). Yahweh consequently declares that Solomon’s son will lose control over most of his kingdom (11:9–13). The section ends with Solomon’s death.

In the second section (1 Kgs 12–2 Kgs 17), we see Yahweh’s declaration against Solomon played out. A civil war divides the nation into a southern kingdom, known as Judah, and a northern kingdom, called Israel. The northern kingdom of Israel is comprised of 10 of the 12 tribes of God’s people, with the tribe of Benjamin joining Judah in the south (1 Kgs 12:21). Solomon’s descendants reign over Judah, but Israel is ruled by kings not from the Davidic line. Most kings on both sides are unfaithful to Yahweh. Throughout this section, the Prophet Elijah is a major figure (1 Kgs 17–2 Kgs 2:12). Although 1 Kings ends in the middle of Elijah’s ministry, this section of the narrative continues through 2 Kings 17, which describes the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. The third section (2 Kgs 18–25) deals with the southern kingdom of Judah until it, too, is conquered.

Outline

• Solomon comes to the throne (1:1–2:46)

• Solomon’s reign (3:1–11:43)

• Israel is divided after Solomon’s death (12:1–22:53)

Themes

In 1 Kings, priests lead God’s people astray when they should have been interceding on their behalf; and kings, who are expected to be godly examples, are selfish and idolatrous. After Solomon’s death, almost all rulers of the northern kingdom do evil by continuing the idolatrous shrines established by the first northern king, Jeroboam. (The one exception is Jehu, who receives a mixed evaluation; see 2 Kgs 10:28–31.) Most leaders of the southern kingdom also receive negative or mixed evaluations, but two—Hezekiah and Josiah—are regarded positively.

First Kings profoundly illustrates just how faith in national identity or leadership can lead to failure. Meanwhile, a faithful relationship with Yahweh is reflected in the life of Elijah, who predicts droughts, resurrects the son of a widow, and calls down fire upon the prophets of the god Baal (chs. 17–18). Elijah and a few others bravely show strength in the midst of religious persecution (e.g., 18:1–16). We see that these courageous few have the most powerful ally of all, Yahweh, who provides whatever they need (17:2–6) and speaks truth in a still small voice (19:9–18).

First Kings leads us to reflect on what kind of people we will turn out to be. We can choose to stand nearly alone like Elijah, proclaiming righteousness in an unjust time, or we can choose to follow after failed leaders—or worse, become like them. The choice to follow Yahweh—or not—is ours to make.

Further Reading

The Historical Books

Kings, First and Second Books of CLBD

Solomon, King of Israel CLBD

Elijah the Prophet CLBD