1 KINGS
The 11th book in the Bible whose author is unknown. It is however known that the stories were written down or put together in Babylon, during the Great Exile. Tradition tells us that it was written between in 550 BC. The time period covered in this book is 975 BC to 850 BC, and contains the stories of the prophet Elijah, one of the most important prophets of the OT. It is he who appeared at the Transfiguration with Jesus and Moses in Matthew 17.
The Purpose of writing this book was to contrast the lives of those who lived for God and those who refused to do so thru the history of the kings of Israel and Judah.
The Setting of the book: The once great nation of Israel turned into a land divided, not only physically, but also spiritually.
Stories told ...
1) Solomon, as newly appointed king of Israel, judges wisely in deciding which of two women is the real mother of a baby.
2) Solomon builds the Temple.
3) The prophet Elijah confounds the prophets of the false god Baal by revealing God’s power to consume an altar doused with water multiple times. As a result the false prophets were all killed.
Important Points found in this book:
1) 1 Kings continues the stories that began in 1st and 2nd Samuel. 1 Kings covers the reign of David’s’ son, Solomon, who became known as the wisest and wealthiest man alive at that time.
2) The death of King Solomon occurs in Chapter 11.
3) In Chapter 12, Solomon’s son Rehoboam cause an uproar when he increases taxes instead of decreasing them, according to the request of the people via the elders. The kingdom splits into two and remains two kingdoms until the Babylonian invasion and exile, beginning in 586 BC.
4) The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is in 1 Kings 18. However most of 1 Kings after the split in the kingdom are writings of each of the kings. They include both the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. Each writing says whether that king did good or evil in the eyes of the Lord ... history shows that most of the kings were evil men.
Key Verses:
“Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.” - (1 Kings 2:3)
“As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations,5 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.”- (1 Kings 9:4-5)
“Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” - (1 Kings 17:1)
Next time we’ll take a look at the book of 2 Kings ... Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His glory,
Rich Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: Books of the Bible at a Glance; published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 18, 2018); The Life Application Study Bible.
Note: I took my information from this lengthy compilation of bible book information for all 66 books of the Holy Bible & the margin notes from the study bible.
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