►1 Kings / Chapters 1-22

OT/NT (a): Old Testament (1)
 
SECTION (a): Historical Books (2)
 
PLACEMENT (a) (b): 1 Kings is the eleventh book of the Holy Bible (3), the eleventh book of the Old Testament, and the sixth of the twelve Historical Books. This book is the sequel to 1 Samuel (4) and 2 Samuel (5) and begins by tracing Solomon's (6) rise to kingship (7) after the death of David (8). The story begins with a united kingdom (9), but ends in a nation divided into 2 kingdoms, known as the Southern Kingdom of Judah (10) and Northern Kingdom of Israel (11). 
 
TRADITIONAL AUTHORS (b): The Book of 1 Kings does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that it was written by the Prophet (12) Jeremiah (13). Originally, the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings (14) were one book. The translators of the Septuagint (15) separated them, and we have retained that separation ever since.
 
TIMELINE: The events of 1 Kings span approximately 117 years, circa 970 BC (16) to 853 BC (17). The events of 2 Kings cover the remaining years of the 2 Israelite kingdoms until they are both conquered and forced into exile/captivity- Israel in 722 BC (18) and Judah in 586 BC (19). See our Bible Timeline (20) for references.
 
KEY FIGURES: Ahab (21), David, Elijah (22), Jeroboam (23), Jezebel (24), Rehoboam (25), Solomon.
 
SUMMARY (b): The book of 1 Kings starts with Solomon and ends with Elijah. The difference between the two gives you an idea as to what lies between. Solomon was born after a palace scandal between David and Bathsheba (26). Like his father, Solomon had a weakness for women that would bring him down. Solomon did well at first, praying for wisdom (27) and building a Temple (28) to God (29) that took seven years to construct. But then he spent thirteen years building a palace for himself. His accumulation of many wives led him to worship their idols and away from God.
 
After Solomon’s death, Israel was ruled by a series of kings (Kings of Israel (30) Kings of Judah (31)), most of whom were evil and idolatrous. The nation fell further away from God, and even the preaching of Elijah could not bring them back. Among the most evil kings were Ahab and his queen, Jezebel, who brought the worship of Baal (32) to new heights in Israel. Elijah tried to turn the Israelites (33) back to the worship of Yahweh, challenging the idolatrous priests of Baal to a showdown with God on Mount Carmel (34). Of course, God won. This made Queen Jezebel angry (to say the least). She ordered Elijah’s death, so he ran away and hid in the wilderness. Depressed and exhausted, he said, “Let me die.” But God sent food and encouragement (35) to the prophet and whispered to him in a “quiet gentle sound” and, in the process, saved his life for further work.
 
APPLYING 1 KINGS TO MY LIFE (b): The Book of 1 Kings has many lessons for believers. We see a warning about the company we keep, and especially in regard to close associations and marriage. The kings of Israel who, like Solomon, married foreign women exposed themselves and the people they ruled to evil. As believers in Christ, we must be very careful about whom we choose as friends, business associates, and spouses. “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
 
Elijah’s experience in the wilderness also teaches a valuable lesson. After his incredible victory over the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, his joy turned to sorrow when he was pursued by Jezebel and fled for his life. Such “mountaintop” experiences are often followed by a letdown and the depression and discouragement that can follow. We have to be on guard for this type of experience in the Christian life. But our God is faithful and will never leave or forsake us. The quiet, gentle sound that encouraged Elijah will encourage us.
 
CHAPTER SUMMARIES: Explore (36) chapter by chapter summaries!
 
COMING UP (a): Next up is the Book of 2 Kings (14)!
 

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All bible verse references linked herein are courtesy of Bible Gateway (a). The narrative (b) offered herein has been published with permission (c) and no monetary gain is being sought. Footnotes inserted within the narrative re-direct to Marion County Manna Project webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.
 

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (37). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (38) (g) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!
 

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (39), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (40), Discipleship Encounters (41) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].
 

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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/historical-books
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1-samuel
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/2-samuel
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/solomon
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/united-monarchy-kings
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/david
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/israel
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/southern-kingdom-of-judah
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/northern-kingdom-of-israel
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/prophets-of-the-bible
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jeremiah-1
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/2-kings
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/septuagint
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1000-bc
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/900-bc
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/israel-exiled-into-assyria
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judah-exiled-into-babylon
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-timeline
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ahab
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/elijah
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jeroboam-i
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jezebel
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/rehoboam
(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bathsheba
(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/wisdom
(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/temple-first
(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-Bible
(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-israel
(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-judah
(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/baal
(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Israelites
(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mount-carmel
(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/encouragement
(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1-kings-1-22-chapter-summaries
(37) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(39) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(40) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(41) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020, https://www.biblegateway.com/
 
(b) Summary of the Book of 1 Kings, Got Questions Ministries, accessed October 19, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-1-Kings.html
 
(c) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
(d) Timeline of 1 Kings, Bible Hub, accessed February 6, 2021,
https://www.biblehub.com/timeline/1_kings/1.htm
 
(e) Chronology of United Kingdom, Steve Rudd, accessed February 3, 2021,
https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-date-1200-1004bc.jpg
 
(f) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(g)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html

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BIBLE AUDIO COMMENTARIES / 1 KINGS
 
"THRU THE BIBLE" with DR. J. VERNON McGEE
 

 
RESOURCE CREDIT:
Dr. J. Vernon McGee, "'Thru the Bible' with Dr. J. Vernon McGee"
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ttb/1-kings.html