Book introduction
The book of 1 Kings
1 Kings runs from Solomon’s glory to a split kingdom. Solomon builds the temple, then turns to other gods. After him the kingdom breaks in two, and the prophet Elijah stands against King Ahab and the prophets of Baal.
Read 1 Kings 17Start at chapter 1
Who wrote 1 Kings?
Not named. Jewish tradition pointed to Jeremiah. Most scholars see 1 and 2 Kings as one work finished during the exile, since it ends in Babylon. It cites older royal records.
When was it written?
Covers about 970–850 BC. Finished after 561 BC, the last event it records.
Main themes
- Wisdom and its loss
- Solomon asks for wisdom and gets it, then lets his heart drift.
- The temple
- A house for God’s name in Jerusalem.
- The prophets speak
- Elijah calls Israel back from Baal.
Outline of 1 Kings
Key verses
So give your servant a listening heart to judge your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?
But will God really dwell on the earth? Look, heaven, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this house that I have built!
Elijah stepped up to all the people and said, “How long will you keep hobbling back and forth between two sides? If Yahweh is God, go after him; but if Baal is, go after him.” The people said not a word in reply.
After the earthquake there was a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. After the fire there was the sound of a thin silence.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Start with Elijah in chapters 17–19. Then go back to Solomon’s prayer in chapter 8.
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