History
1 Kings
Solomon’s reign and the temple, the divided kingdom, and the ministry of Elijah.
First and Second Kings were one book in the Hebrew Bible. It ends in exile with the release of Jehoiachin from prison in 562 BC (2 Kings 25:27–30), so it was finished there, while drawing on court records such as “the book of the acts of Solomon” (1 Kings 11:41). The Talmud names Jeremiah, who was alive for the events up to 586 BC.
Kinds of writing
- Narrative 100%
Key verses
Solomon asks for wisdom. Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?
1 Kings 3:9 (World English Bible)
Heaven cannot contain you. But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
1 Kings 8:27 (World English Bible)
The kingdom will be torn away. Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.”
1 Kings 11:11 (World English Bible)
How long will you waver?. Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.
1 Kings 18:21 (World English Bible)
A still small voice. After the earthquake a fire passed; but Yahweh was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:12 (World English Bible)
People
SolomonJeroboamRehoboamAsaAhabJezebelElijahElisha
Places
JerusalemBethelDanSamariaZarephathMount CarmelMount HorebJezreel
On the timeline
Solomon asks for wisdomThe temple is dedicatedThe queen of Sheba visits SolomonThe kingdom dividesJeroboam's golden calves at Bethel and DanElijah announces a droughtElijah on Mount CarmelElijah at Horeb: the still small voice
The New Testament quotes or alludes to 1 Kings 4 times (counted in the site’s Old in the New).
Dating notes
Spans are estimates. The span is an estimate; Scripture doesn’t say when the book was written.