Old Testament Survey – 1 Kings
Theme:
In the book of Kings, we see the life of Israel under the Government of the King’s rule.
God granted Israel a King in Saul, then David, Solomon.
God upheld his promises to bless Israel when they followed him
God also cursed Israel when the rejected him
Author:
Is Unknown (believed to have been written by Jeremiah from the records of the prophets Nathan and Gad)
Time Frame:
1 Kings covers from the death of David to the reign of Jehoram over Israel (118) years
From 1015-897 BC. Mostly written to the two divided tribes of Israel Northern kingdom and Judah the southern Kingdom. This occurs after the death of Solomon.
Out-Line:
Establishment of Solomon’s Kingdom (Chpt 1-2)
Solomon’s Reign as King (Chpt 3-11)
Decline and distribution of the kingdom (Chpt 12-22)
Overview: chpt 1-11
Adonijah’s Plot to over through Solomon (David) – 1:1-38
David quickly appoints Solomon as king
David Dies and Solomon begins to rule
Solomon Kills Joab, adonijah,
Solomon’s Reign
Solomon ask for wisdom from God – provoked by a dream– (Chpt 3-4)
Solomon builds the temple over 13 years– (chpt 5-7)
Solomon dedicates the temple The glory comes were men cannot stand– (chpt 8)
Solomon’s Glory and fame peaks out- queen of Sheba– (chpt 9-10)
Solomon’s fall; he had 700 wives, 300 concubines. ( chpt 11)
Solomon reigned in peace through out his reign, built the temple, Great political success with surrounding countries to provide trade and resources for Israel.
Solomon’s temple is estimated to have cost twice the debt of WW1. He averaged about 15-20 million a year in revenue. (Solomon was about 58 when he died)
Overview Chpt 12-22
(Discus’s the life of Israel’s two kingdoms after Solomon’s death.)
Solomon dies and son Rehoboam is anointed as king (chpt 12)
( Rehoboam taxes the people heavily causes a revolt)
The 10 northern tribes split under jeroboam and create Israel
These tribes became idol worshipers in Dan & Bethel (made golden calves)
Two areas are covered in the kings. The morality of the kings & ministry of the Prophets of the day.
All the Northern Kings of Israel were wicked The southern kings of Judah were also wicked but did allow influence from the prophets ( jehu & Elijah)
The kings of Israel were made up of 4 dynasties but the kings of Judah were all of one dynasty (David’s).
All the kings were wicked accept 2 in Judah (Asa & Jehoshaphat).
The most famous prophet of I kings is Elijah
Elijah’s famine on king Ahab
Elijah kills the prophets of Baal
Elijah’s hiding from Jezebel
Elijah’s war with Jezebel and her death
The kings of the two kingdoms (in 1kings)
Israel Judah
Jeroboam Rehoboam
Nadab Abijim
Baasha Asa
Elah Jehoshaphat
Zimri
Tibni
Omri
Ahab