The First Book of Kings, commonly referred to as 1 Kings, is the 11th book of the Bible. It is a book of narrative history that continues the account from the Book of Second Samuel, recording the history of Israel from approximately 960 to 853 BC. Its authorship is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, but this remains uncertain.
The books of First and Second Kings were originally a single work simply known as Kings. The division of the book into two parts occurred when the Old Testament was translated into Greek. In this translation, which was known as the Septuagint, The orignal Kings split into 1 Kingdoms (First Kings) and 2 Kingdoms (Second Kings). Despite being divided into two books, First and Second Kings are considered a continuous historical narrative which covers the period from the end of David’s reign to the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The book takes its name from the account of the kings of Israel it presents.
The book begins with the death of David and the reign of Solomon and ends with King Ahaziah. Notable figures within the book include Solomon, Elijah, and King Ahab.
Background of 1 Kings
1 Kings is part one of the Books of Kings, portraying the history of Israel’s kings from David’s death and Solomon’s accession to the throne until the reign of Ahab. The book reflects on the monarchic history, which is considered an important period of the Israelite’s national experience. The principal themes include the establishment of the monarchy, the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, the division of the kingdom, and the narratives of the prophetic ministry. 1 Kings explores the theme of divine retribution and underlines how the sins of Israel and Judah, especially idolatry and unfaithfulness, lead to their downfall.
Outline of 1 Kings
- 1 Kings 1-2: The succession of Solomon after David’s death.
- 1 Kings 3-11: Solomon’s reign, including his wisdom, the building of the Temple, his riches, and his eventual apostasy.
- 1 Kings 12-14: The division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death.
- 1 Kings 15-16: The series of kings in both Judah and Israel.
- 1 Kings 17-22: The prophetic ministry of Elijah during King Ahab’s rule.
Biblical Timeline
- 970 BC: Solomon is anointed king.
- 966 BC: Solomon begins building the Temple.
- 959 BC: Solomon completes the Temple.
- 931 BC: Death of Solomon and division of the kingdom.
- 875 BC: Prophet Elijah begins his ministry.
- 853 BC: Death of King Ahab.
Practical Lesson from 1 Kings
1 Kings contains several practical lessons for believers:
- Asking for Godly Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14): This is when Solomon asks God for wisdom instead of riches or power. This teaches the importance of wisdom in leadership.
- An Example of Discernment and Wisdom (1 Kings 3:16-28): The story of Solomon adjudicating the case of two women who both claimed to be the mother of a child demonstrates the necessity of discernment and wisdom, especially in complex situations.
- The Importance of Obedience (1 Kings 11:4-13): Solomon’s downfall came from his disobedience to God’s commands. This underscores the significance of obedience to God’s instructions.
- The Importance of Removing Immorality (1 Kings 15:11-14): King Asa is highlighted as one of the few good kings of Judah. He removed the idols and remained faithful to God throughout his reign. This teaches the importance of faithfulness and integrity.
- The Results of Trust and Faithfulness (1 Kings 17:1-16): The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath teaches the necessity of trusting in God’s provision.
- Dependence on God and His Renewal (1 Kings 17:2-6): When Elijah is hiding from King Ahab, God provides for him using ravens at the brook Cherith. This demonstrates God’s provision and our need to depend on Him.
- Courage Despite Circumstances (1 Kings 18:22-39): In the story of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah displays tremendous courage. He stands alone against 450 prophets of Baal, trusting completely in God’s power. This episode shows the importance of having courage in our faith, and standing up for what we believe in, even when we feel alone.
- Finding Gods Presence (1 Kings 19:11-13): In this account, Elijah experiences a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but God is not in any of these. Instead, God speaks to Elijah in a still, small voice, teaching us that God is not just in the dramatic, but also in the quiet and mundane moments of life.
- The Importance of Humility (1 Kings 21:25-29): King Ahab is often seen as one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history. However, when confronted by Elijah about his sin, Ahab humbles himself before God. This demonstrates that no one is beyond God’s reach, and there’s always an opportunity for repentance.
Additional Notes
Extrabiblical Support for 1 Kings
Solomon’s Temple: The construction of Solomon’s Temple, described in 1 Kings, is considered one of the key events of Israel’s history. The existence of Solomon and his temple remains a topic of debate among archaeologists and historians. However, there are several indirect archaeological evidences that give support to the narrative in 1 Kings. For instance, excavations at the Ophel site in Jerusalem have uncovered buildings and artifacts suggesting an advanced society consistent with the prosperous era of Solomon described in 1 Kings. This includes public buildings, inscriptions, seals, and administrative bullae from around the 10th century BC, which aligns with the timeline of Solomon’s reign. In addition, the Tel Dan Stele, an inscribed stone erected by a king of Damascus in the late 9th/early 8th centuries BC, is considered significant. It contains a reference to the House of David, suggesting that a powerful Judean dynasty existed, as described in the Books of Samuel and Kings.
The Gezer Calendar: An ancient Hebrew inscription known as the Gezer Calendar, dating to the 10th century BC (around the same period as Solomon’s reign), provides extrabiblical support for the existence of a structured society as depicted in 1 Kings. This agrarian calendar suggests a society with an organized agricultural system, consistent with the Biblical portrayal of Solomon’s prosperous rule.
Ophel Inscription: The Ophel inscription, found in Jerusalem and dated to the 10th century BC, represents one of the oldest examples of Hebrew writing. The alphabet used and the timing of the inscription provide circumstantial support for the narrative of a literate society under Solomon’s reign as depicted in 1 Kings.
Megiddo Ivories: The Megiddo Ivories are a collection of intricately carved pieces, unearthed in the ancient city of Megiddo, a site linked with King Solomon. They provide evidence of a sophisticated and wealthy society, consistent with the Biblical account of Solomon’s prosperous reign.
The ‘House of Yahweh’ Ostracon: An ostracon (inscribed pottery shard) discovered in the city of Tel Arad in Israel, dated to the early 6th century BC, makes reference to a House of Yahweh. This could potentially refer to Solomon’s Temple, offering indirect support for its existence as depicted in 1 Kings.
Shishak’s Relief at Karnak: On the walls of the temple of Amun at Karnak in Egypt, there is a relief depicting Pharaoh Shishak’s military campaign into Israel. This corresponds to the biblical account in 1 Kings 14:25-26 of Shishak’s invasion of Judah during the fifth year of the reign of King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. This provides extrabiblical confirmation of events narrated in 1 Kings.