Faith & Reason Nexus

AUTHORSHIP: The author of 1 Kings is unknown, with suggestions pointing to Jeremiah or a group of prophets.
1 KINGS: The first half of 1 Kings provides details about Solomon’s life.
Majority of the content written before 586 B.C.
POSITION IN THE BIBLE: 1 Kings in the Context of Scripture

• 11th Book in the Bible.
• 11th Book in the Old Testament.
• 6th of 12 books of History (Joshua – Esther).
• Followed by 55 books in the Holy Bible.

1 KINGS: Key Stats

• CHAPTERS: 22
• VERSES: 816
• WORDS: 24,524

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT 1 KINGS: Historical Overview

• Covers the 120-year period from Solomon’s reign in 971 B.C. to Ahaziah’s reign ending in 851 B.C.
• The crucial year is 931 B.C. when the united Kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes).
• Originally, the Hebrew Bible had 1 & 2 Kings as a single book.

Four Major Events in 1 Kings:

• David’s death.
• Solomon’s reign.
• The division of the Kingdom.
• Elijah’s ministry.

Themes of Disobedience and Idolatry: 1 Kings serves as an account of disobedience, idolatry, and ungodliness, explaining the Assyrian Captivity of Israel in 721 B.C. and the Babylonian Captivity of Judah in 586 B.C.

Key Moments in 1 Kings:

• Adonija’s attempt to take David’s throne, thwarted by Nathan directing Solomon’s coronation.
• Construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (5:1-6:38).
• Solomon’s request for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9).

Divided Kingdom Dynamics:

• Two nations.
• Two sets of kings.
• Ongoing strife and conflict, at times leading to war.

Northern Kingdom Challenges:

• Plagued by apostasy.
• Few kings, like Asa and Jehoshaphat, do what is right in God’s eyes.