# 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.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/about
Section: History · 22 chapters

## 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

- Chapters 1–11: [Solomon’s reign and the temple](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/1)
- Chapters 12–16: [The kingdom splits](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/12)
- Chapters 17–22: [Elijah and Ahab](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/17)

## Key verses

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

> 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?
> — [1 Kings 3:9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/3#9)

> 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!
> — [1 Kings 8:27](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/8#27)

> 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.
> — [1 Kings 18:21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/18#21)

> 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.
> — [1 Kings 19:12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/19#12)

## Where to start

Start with Elijah in chapters 17–19. Then go back to Solomon’s prayer in chapter 8. [Read 1 Kings 17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/17.md)

Read the whole book: https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/1.md
Ask about it: https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md