1 Kings

Like Samuel, the book of Kings is also one scroll in the Hebrew Old Testament. 1 Kings traces the established monarchy of the nation of Israel. Following David's death and his son Solomon's ascension to the throne, the united kingdom attained its zenith in power and prosperity to a promising start under the initial rule of the wise young king.

However, soon after building the Temple and instituting the national worship of God, Solomon embarked on costly building projects and royal marriages with foreign dignitaries, securing peace for the nation and indulging himself in wanton pleasures at the same time. The amassing of great wealth and building a formidable army not only placed a heavy strain on the common people, it violated every guideline God laid down in His law for the king (Deuteronomy 17).

Tragically, Solomon's son, Rehoboam, not only succeeded his father's throne but also his tyranny in exacting heavy taxes and labor on the people. As a result, ten of the tribes revolted and reestablished themselves as the northern kingdom of Israel under the leadership of Jeroboam, while Rehoboam maintained control over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the south. But it was all downhill for the divided kingdoms from this point onwards, with successive kings ruling from Samaria in the north and Jerusalem in the south. Northern Israel plunged headlong into perpetual idolatry with the institution of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, and southern Judah immersed in Baal worship except when a few good kings took reign.

In these dark times, God raised up His prophets to speak out against idolatry and injustice, and to warn His people to repent and return to Him. Elijah was the most famous prophet to the northern kingdom with his fiery character and message:

18:24 The God who answers by fire, let him be God.

OUTLINE OF 1 KINGS

1. The United Kingdom (1:1-11:43)
a. Solomon's Coronation (1:1-2:46)
Adonijah's Scheme | Solomon Anointed
Adonijah's Submission
David's Charge | David's Death
Solomon Established
Executions—Adonijah | Joab | Shimei
b. Solomon's Rise
Request for Wisdom | Reign with Wisdom
Construction—Temple | Palace
Temple—Dedication | Celebration
c. Solomon's Decline (3:1-8:4)
Disobedience of Solomon
Slaves | Wealth | Horses | Foreign Wives | Idols
Disciplined by God
Death of Solomon
2. The Divided Kingdom (12:1-22:53)
a. Cause of the Division (12:1-14:31)
Request | Response | Revolt
Reign of Jeroboam in Northern Israel
Reign of Rehoboam in Southern Judah
b. Kings of Judah (15:1-24)
Abijam | Asa
c. Kings of Israel (15:25-16:28)
Nadab | Baasha | Elah | Zimri | Omri
d. Reign of Ahab (16:29-22:40)
Mistakes of Ahab
Jezebel | Baal | Jericho
Ministry of Elijah
Miracles | Victory | Failings | Elisha
Murder of Naboth
Death of Ahab
e. Reign of Jehoshaphat (22:41-50)
f. Reign of Ahaziah (22:51-53)