1 Kings

Solomon’s wisdom and temple, then his drift into idolatry. After his death the kingdom splits into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab and the worship of Baal.

Author

Unknown, traditionally Jeremiah

Written

Finished during the exile, about 560 BC

Chapters

1. 11 Kings 1As David grows old, his son Adonijah tries to make himself king. Nathan and Bathsheba act, and David has Solomon anointed king.
2. 21 Kings 2David charges Solomon to walk in God’s ways, then dies. Solomon secures his throne.
3. 31 Kings 3God offers Solomon anything he asks, and Solomon asks for wisdom to govern well. He wisely settles a dispute between two mothers.
4. 41 Kings 4Solomon’s officials, his vast wealth, and his wisdom, which is greater than all the wise men of the east.
5. 51 Kings 5Solomon prepares to build the temple with cedar from King Hiram of Tyre.
6. 61 Kings 6Solomon builds the temple over seven years, and God promises to live among his people if they obey.
7. 71 Kings 7Solomon builds his palace, and the bronze pillars and furnishings of the temple are made.
8. 81 Kings 8The ark is brought into the temple, and God’s glory cloud fills it. Solomon prays a long prayer of dedication.
9. 91 Kings 9God appears to Solomon again, promising blessing for faithfulness and warning of judgment for idolatry.
10. 101 Kings 10The Queen of Sheba visits and is amazed by Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.
11. 111 Kings 11Solomon’s many foreign wives turn his heart to other gods. God says the kingdom will be torn away from his son, and raises up adversaries, including Jeroboam.
12. 121 Kings 12Solomon’s son Rehoboam rejects wise advice, and ten tribes break away under Jeroboam. Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
13. 131 Kings 13A prophet from Judah condemns Jeroboam’s altar, but he is later deceived into disobeying God and dies.
14. 141 Kings 14Jeroboam’s son falls ill, and the prophet Ahijah announces judgment on his house. In Judah, Rehoboam’s reign is marked by idolatry.
15. 151 Kings 15The kings Abijam and Asa of Judah, and Nadab and Baasha of Israel. Asa does what is right.
16. 161 Kings 16A string of wicked northern kings ends with Ahab, who marries Jezebel and worships Baal.
17. 171 Kings 17The prophet Elijah announces a drought. Ravens feed him, and he stays with a widow in Zarephath whose flour and oil do not run out. He raises her son.
18. 181 Kings 18On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal. God answers with fire from heaven, the people cry, “The Lord, he is God!” and the rain returns.
19. 191 Kings 19Elijah flees from Jezebel and asks to die. God feeds him, meets him in a gentle whisper at Horeb, and calls Elisha to follow him.
20. 201 Kings 20God gives Ahab victory over the Arameans, but Ahab spares their king against God’s will.
21. 211 Kings 21Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard, and Jezebel has Naboth killed. Elijah pronounces judgment, and Ahab humbles himself.
22. 221 Kings 22The prophet Micaiah alone warns that Ahab will die in battle. Ahab disguises himself but is killed by a random arrow.