1Kings,Third Book of The Kings

Fourth Book of the Former Prophets
[He. Melakim}

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)1kings

Background: Covering 400yrs of Israel’s history. The first 11chs concerns Solomon, third king of Israel. His important centers on his building of the Jerusalem Temple, the focal point of Israel’s worship. His son Rehoboam, inherited a dissatisfied nation and due to his foolishness attitude 10tribes formed themselves into a separate state under a former official of Solomon called Jeroboam(as Israel, Northern Kingdom). The remaining 2 tribes as Judah(Southern Kingdom). Its history is recounted in the remaining chapters of 1,2 Kings. Elijah, an important prophet, dominates the end of 1K. 22Chs

Author: Unknown. Perhaps Jeremiah(see 2K) The author probably use the court records: The Book of Acts of Solomon(11:41), The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel(14:19), and The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah(14:29)



Date: The statement in both 1,2 Kings that a nationwide lack of righteousness had existed “to this day”(12:19;2K17:33,34,41) suggest the most events of these books were recorded in the final yrs of the Southern Kingdom, c630-600BC

Location: Probably Jerusalem, considering the author’s use of court records. The Book of the History of the King of Israel must have been brought to Jerusalem after the fall of the north.

Purpose:
*To remind them of the prophetic viewpoint”: obedience to God brings reward; Disobedience brings punishment. This is illustrated repeatedly through the lives of Solomon and his royal successors.
*The prophetic principle applied to all Israelites as well, with the lives of kings serving as examples
*With its many reports of the fulfillment of specific prophecies 1, 2Kings has reminded believers down through the ages of the power and truth of God’s word (2:26,27;13:1-10;15:25-32;16:8-14,29-34)

Unique Features:
^Solomon Tragedy (4:31; 10:14-11:13)
^Israel’s Temple, which lasted nearly 4centuries (968-586) compare 5-8 with 2Chr2-7
*Expanding Kingdom (4:24; 2S8:1-18)
^17:22 records the first 8 bodily resurrections (besides Christ)

Comparison: See 2Chr

Abbreviations: 1Kin. /Kgs. /Ki. / K.

THE WALKTHROUGH

I and II Kings in 7 Minutes (Part 1)

MV: Testament by Testament by Testaments, He7:22
Bib1Yr: Ez43, 44The House