1Kg1 Kings
The book of 1 Kings is one of the most decisive narratives in the Old Testament—not only because it records Israel’s political and religious peak under Solomon, but because it explains, with theological depth and historical insight, the reasons for the crisis that culminates in the division of the kingdom. Placed among the historical books, 1 Kings continues the account begun in Samuel: the established monarchy, the promises made to the house of David, and the constant challenge of governing in faithfulness to the covenant.
As it follows the transition from David’s reign to Solomon’s, the text describes the construction of the temple—a central marker of national identity and worship—and then presents the movement of decline that gains strength through political decisions, alliances, religious syncretism, and leaders who repeatedly drift from God’s purpose. The narrative also offers a vivid portrait of prophetic ministry, especially in the figure of Elijah, whose confrontation with idolatry reveals that Israel’s history is not merely a succession of rulers, but a field of spiritual and moral conflict.
To read the book of 1 Kings is to see how the choices of kings and people affect generations: faithfulness produces stability; unfaithfulness opens the way for fragmentation. For that reason, the text does not function as a neutral chronicle; it interprets events in light of the covenant, emphasizing responsibility, justice, and exclusive worship. In this sense, the work becomes essential for understanding the development of biblical history, the function of the temple, the importance of the prophetic word, and the roots of religious and political conflicts that mark the rest of the Old Testament.
Beyond its historical value, 1 Kings remains current because it addresses universal themes: leadership, integrity, power, worship, corruption, courage, and spiritual discernment—issues that cross cultures and eras.
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Testament | Old Testament |
| Category | Historical Books |
| Author (tradition) | Anonymous; ancient Jewish-Christian tradition sometimes associates the final composition with Jeremiah |
| Writing period (estimated) | c. 550–530 BC, during the Babylonian exile (using earlier sources) |
| Chapters | 22 |
| Original language | Hebrew |
| Central theme | The history of Israel’s monarchy is evaluated by faithfulness to the covenant, showing how idolatry and disobedience lead to rupture and judgment, while the prophetic word calls for repentance. |
| Key verse | 1 Kings 18:21 — “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.” |
The book of 1 Kings covers a crucial period: from the end of David’s life to the reign of Ahab in the Northern Kingdom. Its focus is not merely to recount events, but to interpret them: each reign is evaluated by spiritual criteria, especially exclusive worship of the LORD and obedience to the covenant.
The final composition is commonly understood as addressed to a people experiencing national rupture and, possibly, exile. The underlying question is: how did we get here? The book’s answer insists that it is not merely geopolitics, but faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the covenant. The text functions as:
The text is anonymous. In ancient traditions, it is sometimes attributed to Jeremiah, but the book does not present itself with an author’s signature. In academic study, it is more common to speak of editors/compilers who gathered earlier materials.
The book mentions records and royal chronicles as sources consulted, suggesting editorial work:
The estimated date for the final form (c. 550–530 BC) fits well with a setting in which:
It is common to read Kings as part of a larger historical work running from Deuteronomy to 2 Kings, often called the “Deuteronomistic History” in biblical studies. In this perspective:
The book of 1 Kings describes approximately:
Below is a clear way to visualize the organization of the book of 1 Kings:
The book begins with the succession question. There is a struggle for the throne, palace alliances, and decisions that consolidate Solomon. David gives final instructions, and Solomon establishes his rule with actions that remove internal threats and structure the stability of the reign.
Theological emphasis: the Davidic throne is viewed under the responsibility of faithfulness and justice, not merely political inheritance.
Solomon asks for wisdom to govern. The text highlights discernment and the ability to judge, illustrated by episodes of justice. It also describes the organization of the kingdom, officials, and provisions.
Central meaning: power must be guided by moral and spiritual discernment, not vanity.
Solomon organizes materials and labor, makes agreements, and builds the temple in Jerusalem. Then comes the dedication: there is public prayer and reflection on the temple as a meeting point between God and his people, including openness for foreigners who seek the LORD to be heard.
Core of the block: the temple is not God’s “containment,” but a sign of covenant, worship, and responsibility.
The text records expansions, projects, wealth, and fame—including the visit of the queen of Sheba. At the same time, the narrative suggests that prosperity can become a trap when disconnected from the covenant.
Solomon accumulates alliances and becomes involved with religious practices foreign to the covenant. The result is instability: adversaries arise and the unity of the kingdom weakens. The text presents the transfer of the kingdom as a consequence of unfaithfulness.
Rehoboam adopts a harsh policy, and the northern tribes separate, establishing Jeroboam as king. Jeroboam creates alternative religious structures, consolidating a form of worship that will become a standard pattern of deviation in the North.
Decisive point of the book: the division is presented as a political tragedy and also a spiritual problem.
The text alternates between Israel and Judah, evaluating kings. In the North, dynastic instability appears strongly, and idolatry intensifies. In Judah, there are kings with differing evaluations, but the overall picture points to progressive deterioration.
In this setting, Ahab emerges as an emblematic figure of worsening conditions, associated with Jezebel and Baal worship.
Elijah appears, announcing drought and living through striking experiences:
This block shows that the prophetic word is not religious ornament: it interprets history and calls for repentance.
The narrative includes military conflicts and Ahab’s political decisions. It also contains one of the strongest episodes on abuse of power and justice: Naboth’s case, where royal interests trample rights and life. The book moves toward dark outcomes, reinforcing that unfaithful leadership reaps consequences.
The book evaluates kings and people by loyalty to the LORD. Idolatry is not “just” another devotion: it is covenant breaking and ethical corrosion.
Solomon begins with discernment and ends by showing the danger of power without faithfulness. Later kings show how political and religious decisions shape collective destiny.
The construction and dedication of the temple reinforce:
Elijah and other prophets represent the voice that confronts the state when it departs from the covenant. The prophet is not merely a “forecaster,” but a moral interpreter of history.
Mixed worship and the importation of foreign religious practices appear linked to:
Naboth’s episode shows that the book sees corruption as religious and social sin at the same time: when the king violates justice, the whole community sickens.
1 Kings 3:9 — “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Context: Solomon’s request at the beginning of his reign. Meaning: just leadership depends on moral discernment.
1 Kings 6:12 — “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you…”
Context: construction of the temple. Meaning: religious work does not replace obedience.
1 Kings 8:27 — “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”
Context: dedication of the temple. Meaning: God is not reduced to buildings; the temple points to him but does not limit him.
1 Kings 8:33–34 — “When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you… then hear in heaven… and bring them again…”
Context: Solomon’s prayer. Meaning: repentance and return are paths to restoration.
1 Kings 9:4–5 — “And as for you, if you will walk before me… with integrity of heart… then I will establish your royal throne over Israel…”
Context: divine exhortation after the temple. Meaning: promise and condition walk together in the king’s responsibility.
1 Kings 11:4 — “For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God…”
Context: Solomon’s decline. Meaning: emotional and political commitments can dissolve faithfulness.
1 Kings 12:28 — “So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold…”
Context: Jeroboam creates alternative religious structures to consolidate power. Meaning: religion can be instrumentalized as political technology.
1 Kings 18:21 — “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.”
Context: confrontation on Carmel. Meaning: spiritual neutrality is presented as destructive indecision.
1 Kings 19:12 — “And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
Context: Elijah’s crisis and reorientation. Meaning: divine guidance may come with sobriety and depth, not only spectacle.
1 Kings 21:19 — “Thus says the LORD, ‘Have you killed and also taken possession?’… ‘In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.’”
Context: prophetic denunciation after injustice against Naboth. Meaning: abuse of power is confronted with moral accountability.
The book of 1 Kings remains relevant because it exposes mechanisms that are still present in societies and institutions:
An effective approach is to divide the reading into units:
As you study, note:
Make a simple table with:
Use maps to:
What is the main theme of 1 Kings?
The evaluation of Israel’s and Judah’s monarchy in light of faithfulness to the covenant, showing how obedience and idolatry produce opposite paths in the people’s history.
Who wrote the book of 1 Kings?
The book is anonymous. Ancient tradition sometimes associates it with Jeremiah, but the most common view is that it was compiled and given its final form by editors during the exile, using earlier sources.
When was 1 Kings written?
The final form is often dated around 550–530 BC, during the Babylonian exile, incorporating older materials.
How many chapters does 1 Kings have?
The book of 1 Kings has 22 chapters.
Is 1 Kings in the Old or New Testament?
It is in the Old Testament, within the Historical Books.
What is the key verse of 1 Kings?
1 Kings 18:21, when Elijah calls the people to decide between the LORD and Baal.
What does 1 Kings teach about Solomon?
It teaches both his early reign marked by wisdom and the building of the temple and his spiritual decline, emphasizing that political greatness does not replace faithfulness.
Why was the kingdom divided into Israel and Judah?
The book connects the division to internal tensions and political decisions (especially under Rehoboam), interpreted theologically as a consequence of unfaithfulness and progressive rupture with the covenant.
Who was Jeroboam and why is he mentioned so often?
Jeroboam was the first king of the North. He established alternative religious practices that became a repeated negative reference point in the evaluation of later Northern kings.
Who was Elijah in 1 Kings?
Elijah is the book’s central prophet, known for confronting idolatry, calling the people to decision, and challenging religious and political abuse associated with Baal worship.
What happens on Mount Carmel?
Elijah confronts Baal worship and calls the people to abandon spiritual indecision, highlighting the demand for exclusive faithfulness to the LORD (1 Kings 18).
What is the importance of the temple in 1 Kings?
The temple is presented as a landmark of identity and worship, but the narrative insists that its existence does not guarantee faithfulness: obedience to the covenant is the decisive criterion.
What does Naboth’s episode teach?
It teaches that injustice and abuse of power are serious offenses, prophetically denounced; the text links institutional corruption to spiritual unfaithfulness (1 Kings 21).
What is 1 Kings’ message for leadership today?
Leadership requires discernment, integrity, and responsibility; when power and religion are used for self-preservation, the result is moral decline and communal rupture.
How can I do a consistent Bible study of 1 Kings?
By reading in blocks, noting the evaluation of the kings, comparing Israel and Judah, following the geography, and observing how the prophetic word interprets political and religious events.