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1 Kings

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1 Kings: The Divided Kingdom

In 1 Kings, we witness the transition from the golden age of King Solomon’s united kingdom to the tragic division of Israel into two separate nations: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

​1 Kings: Book Overview

  • ​Total Chapters: 22
  • ​Total Verses: 816
  • ​Author: Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah
  • ​Date Written: Approximately 560–540 BC (during the Babylonian Exile)

​NIV Chapter Pericopes (Sections)

​The Reign of Solomon (Chapters 1–11)

  • ​Chapter 1: Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King; David Makes Solomon King
  • ​Chapter 2: David’s Charge to Solomon; David’s Death; Solomon Establishes His Kingdom
  • ​Chapter 3: Solomon Asks for Wisdom; A Wise Ruling
  • ​Chapter 4: Solomon’s Officials and Governors; Solomon’s Prosperity and Wisdom
  • ​Chapter 5: Preparations for the Temple
  • ​Chapter 6: Solomon Builds the Temple
  • ​Chapter 7: Solomon Builds His Palace; The Temple’s Furnishings
  • ​Chapter 8: The Ark Brought into the Temple; Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication; The Dedication of the Temple
  • ​Chapter 9: The Lord Appears to Solomon; Solomon’s Other Activities
  • ​Chapter 10: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon; Solomon’s Splendor
  • ​Chapter 11: Solomon’s Wives; Solomon’s Adversaries; Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon; Solomon’s Death

​The Kingdom Divides (Chapters 12–16)

  • ​Chapter 12: Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam; Golden Calves at Bethel and Dan
  • ​Chapter 13: The Man of God From Judah
  • ​Chapter 14: Ahijah’s Prophecy Against Jeroboam; Rehoboam King of Judah
  • ​Chapter 15: Abijah King of Judah; Asa King of Judah; Nadab King of Israel; Baasha King of Israel
  • ​Chapter 16: Elah King of Israel; Zimri King of Israel; Omri King of Israel; Ahab Becomes King of Israel

​The Ministry of Elijah (Chapters 17–22)

  • ​Chapter 17: Elijah Fed by Ravens; The Widow at Zarephath
  • ​Chapter 18: Elijah and Obadiah; Elijah on Mount Carmel
  • ​Chapter 19: Elijah Flees to Horeb; The Call of Elisha
  • ​Chapter 20: Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria; Ahab Defeats the Arameans
  • ​Chapter 21: Naboth’s Vineyard
  • ​Chapter 22: Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab; The Death of Ahab; Jehoshaphat King of Judah; Ahaziah King of Israel

The Book of 1 Kings covers roughly 120 years of history. It tracks the height of Israel’s glory under the reign of Solomon and the tragic civil war that split the nation into two: Israel (the North) and Judah (the South).

The book is structured into three main sections:

  1. The United Kingdom: The reign of Solomon (Chapters 1–11).
  2. The Divided Kingdom: The rebellion and the two nations (Chapters 12–16).
  3. The Prophet Elijah: The spiritual battle against Baal (Chapters 17–22).

I. The Reign of Solomon (Chapters 1–11)

After David’s death, his son Solomon takes the throne and ushers in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity.

  • A Request for Wisdom: When God offers Solomon anything he desires, Solomon asks for “an understanding heart” to lead the people. God grants him wisdom, along with riches and honor (1 Kings 3).
  • Building the Temple: Solomon fulfills his father David’s dream by constructing a magnificent Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant (1 Kings 5–8).
  • The Queen of Sheba: Solomon’s fame spreads worldwide, attracting foreign leaders who marvel at his insight and the splendor of Israel (1 Kings 10).
  • Solomon’s Downfall: Despite his wisdom, Solomon disobeys God’s commands by marrying many foreign wives who turn his heart toward idols. Because of this, God declares the kingdom will be torn away from his son (1 Kings 11).

II. The Great Schism (Chapters 12–16)

The kingdom is split in two after the death of Solomon, triggered by his son Rehoboam’s pride and heavy taxation.

  • Rehoboam and Jeroboam: The ten northern tribes revolt and follow Jeroboam, forming the Kingdom of Israel. The two southern tribes remain loyal to the line of David, forming the Kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12).
  • The Golden Calves: To prevent his people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam sets up idol altars in Dan and Bethel, a “sin of Jeroboam” that would haunt the northern kingdom for centuries.
  • A Cycle of Kings: The narrative begins to alternate between the kings of the North (mostly wicked) and the kings of the South (a mix of good and bad).

III. Elijah and the War for the Heart (Chapters 17–22)

As the northern kingdom falls into deep apostasy under King Ahab and his Phoenician queen, Jezebel, God raises up a prophet to challenge them.

  • Elijah’s Provision: God sends a drought to the land and miraculously feeds Elijah via ravens and the bin of a widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17).
  • Showdown on Mount Carmel: Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest. God answers by fire, proving He is the only true God (1 Kings 18).
  • The “Still Small Voice”: Exhausted and fleeing for his life, Elijah encounters God not in the wind or earthquake, but in a gentle whisper at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19).
  • Ahab’s Greed: The story of Naboth’s vineyard illustrates the corruption of the monarchy and leads to the prophecy of the total destruction of Ahab’s house (1 Kings 21).

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