The Book of 1 Kings
1 and 2 Kings (like 1,2 Samuel and 1,2 Chronicles) are actually one literary work, called in Hebrew tradition simply "Kings." Together Samuel and Kings relate the whole history of the monarchy, from its rise under the ministry of Samuel to its destruction at the hands of the Babylonians. Beginning with Solomon's reign, 1 Kings records the history of Israel through the divided kingdom of the death of Ahab. No explicit statement of purpose or theme is found in 1 or 2 Kings. In general, they described the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the light of God's covenants. The author was primarily concerned with Israel's faithfulness to the covenants, so he recorded the activities of each ruler as to his/her obedience to the covenant. Obedience to God brought peace and prosperity; disobedience and idol worship resulted in war and disaster.
In chapters 1-11, Solomon becomes the king, in a violent method, after his father David dies. David instructs Solomon to “walk in His (God’s)
ways” (2:3). Solomon asks God for wisdom and God is pleased at
this request and approves. Solomon begins a building production,
which included the temple that his father David desired and prepared for him to do. He began building the temple 480 years after the Exodus from
Egypt. Seven years later, the Ark was brought to the temple, the glory
of the Lord descended on it, Solomon prays a powerful prayer and then sacrifices were offered. Solomon although the wisest king ever, does not so wise things and begins to worship the gods of his wives and is subdued by his lust for women. His downfall was looming and he died shortly
thereafter.
Chapters 12-22 show the beginning of the end of the united kingdom of
Israel. The nation, with tough decisions to make makes a wrong one. In 931 B.C., the kingdom splits in two: North and South. Rehoboam inherits the kingdom and is persistent about enforcing high taxes. The Northern tribes begin a revolt and Jeroboam is crowned king of Israel. Ten tribes became the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the Southern Kingdom of Judah. God raises up his prophet Elijah to warn evil king Ahab to turn from idol worship and to return to the YHWH (Yahweh meaning "I am" Lord).
In chapters 1-11, Solomon becomes the king, in a violent method, after his father David dies. David instructs Solomon to “walk in His (God’s)
ways” (2:3). Solomon asks God for wisdom and God is pleased at
this request and approves. Solomon begins a building production,
which included the temple that his father David desired and prepared for him to do. He began building the temple 480 years after the Exodus from
Egypt. Seven years later, the Ark was brought to the temple, the glory
of the Lord descended on it, Solomon prays a powerful prayer and then sacrifices were offered. Solomon although the wisest king ever, does not so wise things and begins to worship the gods of his wives and is subdued by his lust for women. His downfall was looming and he died shortly
thereafter.
Chapters 12-22 show the beginning of the end of the united kingdom of
Israel. The nation, with tough decisions to make makes a wrong one. In 931 B.C., the kingdom splits in two: North and South. Rehoboam inherits the kingdom and is persistent about enforcing high taxes. The Northern tribes begin a revolt and Jeroboam is crowned king of Israel. Ten tribes became the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the Southern Kingdom of Judah. God raises up his prophet Elijah to warn evil king Ahab to turn from idol worship and to return to the YHWH (Yahweh meaning "I am" Lord).
Foreshadowing of Jesus
The Temple in Jerusalem, where God’s Spirit would dwell in the Holy of Holies, foreshadows believers in Christ in whom the Holy Spirit resides from the moment of our salvation. Just as the Israelites were to forsake idolatry, so are we to
put away anything that separates us from God. We are His people, the very temple of the living God. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul tells us, “What
agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’"
Elijah the prophet was the forerunner of Christ and the Apostles of the New Testament. God enabled Elijah to do miraculous things in order to prove that he was truly a man of God. He raised from the dead the son of the widow of Zarephath, causing her to exclaim, “"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." In the same way, men of God who spoke His words through His power are evident in the New Testament. Not only did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, but He also raised the son of the widow of Nain
(Luke 7:14-15) and Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:52-56). The Apostle Peter raised Dorcas (Acts 9:40) and Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12).
continue to 2 Kings...
put away anything that separates us from God. We are His people, the very temple of the living God. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul tells us, “What
agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’"
Elijah the prophet was the forerunner of Christ and the Apostles of the New Testament. God enabled Elijah to do miraculous things in order to prove that he was truly a man of God. He raised from the dead the son of the widow of Zarephath, causing her to exclaim, “"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." In the same way, men of God who spoke His words through His power are evident in the New Testament. Not only did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, but He also raised the son of the widow of Nain
(Luke 7:14-15) and Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:52-56). The Apostle Peter raised Dorcas (Acts 9:40) and Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12).
continue to 2 Kings...
