History · Old Testament
1 Kings
c. 970–850 BC
- Section
- History · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 970–850 BC
- Written
- c. 560 BC
- Author
- Compiled by an anonymous author (traditionally Jeremiah)
1 Kings tells of Solomon's glorious reign (his wisdom, his temple, and his tragic slide into idolatry), then the kingdom's split into Israel and Judah. It follows a line of mostly wicked kings and the bold prophet Elijah's stand against Baal.
Historical setting: United under Solomon, who builds the First Temple, then split into Israel (north) and Judah (south) after his death.
Key themes
- Wisdom and folly
- The temple
- The divided kingdom
- Idolatry versus covenant faithfulness
- Elijah and the prophets
Key events
Solomon's Reign (1 Kings 1–11)
- Solomon becomes king; Adonijah's bid for the throne fails
- Solomon asks God for wisdom and settles the case of the two mothers
- Solomon builds and dedicates the temple in Jerusalem
- The Queen of Sheba visits, and Solomon's wealth and fame reach their peak
- Solomon's foreign wives turn his heart to idols, and God announces the kingdom will divide
The Kingdom Divides (1 Kings 12–16)
- Rehoboam's harshness splits the kingdom; ten tribes follow Jeroboam (Israel)
- Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Dan and Bethel
- A succession of kings do evil; Omri founds Samaria as Israel’s capital
- Ahab marries Jezebel and promotes Baal worship throughout Israel
Elijah versus Baal (1 Kings 17–22)
- Elijah announces a drought and is fed by ravens and a widow
- Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal with fire from heaven on Mount Carmel
- Fleeing Jezebel, Elijah hears God in a still small voice at Horeb
- Ahab seizes Naboth's vineyard, and Elijah pronounces judgment on his house
- Ahab dies in battle just as the prophet Micaiah had foretold
Key lessons
- Wisdom and gifts do not guarantee faithfulness: even Solomon, wisest of kings, is drawn into idolatry by divided loyalties, and the kingdom is torn apart as a result. 1 Kings 11:4
- Leaders shape the faith of those they lead, for good or ill; Jeroboam’s golden calves set the northern kingdom on a road of idolatry it never leaves. 1 Kings 12:28–30
- God always keeps a faithful witness; when Baal worship seems to win, he answers by fire on Carmel and assures Elijah that seven thousand have not bowed the knee. 1 Kings 19:18
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
Critical scholarship view
Where mainstream critical scholarship dates or attributes this book differently from the traditional view above.
- Written
- Part of the Deuteronomistic History, c. 6th century BC
- Author
- The Deuteronomistic historians