I Kings Introduction

Introduction

Like the two books of Samuel, First and Second Kings were originally a single volume. They cover a period of approximately four centuries, 950 to 550 BC. The data in these books was taken from many sources. "Official recorders" for David, Solomon, Hezekiah and Josiah were used. Records from the Hittite and Assyrian cultures were also used. Portions of six books, now lost to us, were used.

1. The Book of the Acts of Solomon.
2. The Book of the Kings of Israel.
3. The Book of the Kings of Judah.
4. Temple Annals.
5. The Stories of Elijah.
6. The Stories of Elisha.

The first half of First Kings concerns the life of one of the most amazing men that ever lived. With the sole exception of Jesus Christ, Solomon was the wisest man in human history. He was called "Jedidiah" (Beloved of Jehovah) by Nathan, the Prophet. He was the third King of the United Kingdom of Israel. He was the son of David and Bathsheba. He was born in 989 BC. when David was 45 years old. He became King by David's decree when he was 24 years old. He reigned until he died at the age of 64. The second half of First Kings covers the divided kingdoms, Judah, on the south, and Israel, on the north.

Solomon specialized in "Wisdom Literature". He wrote atleast 3,000 observations about life and composed a large number of songs (Psalms). He was considered to be an authority on life, trees, animals, birds and fish. His wisdom was constantly being sought after by foreigners as well as his own people. The best known, of course, being the Queen of Sheba who was amazed at his wisdom. Solomon was the father of Hebrew Wisdom Literature.

Solomon inherited from his father David, a kingdom that extended from Mt. Hermon on the north to the Gulf of Aqaba on the south, from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the Euphrates River on the east. This provided Israel with two world renowned sea ports, Tyre on the Mediterranean, the port for riches from Europe and Ezion, and the Gulf of Aqaba, the port of commerce from Arabia, Africa and the Orient.

Under Solomon, horses replaced mules and transportation of goods and people was sped up. Trade routes from the east, south and north were established in Israel. Copper mining came into being with the help of Phoenician craftsman. Solomon became known as the "Copper King".

Solomon used conscription labor to build his vast building projects with as many as 200,000 employed at one time. He became an international business man and politician and maintained this position by the marriage of many foreign wives. He then, built for them, places of worship for their pagan gods. It is believed that the reason that he had only one son was God's judgment for marrying foreign women and for polygamy. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. If there was one weakness in Solomon's wisdom, it had to do with women.

We will divide the book into four parts:

1. Part 1, The Introduction.
2. Part 2, The Fourth Year Reign of Solomon, Chapters 1 thru 11. Here we have an account of Solomon's coronation, wisdom, architectural achievements, fame, wealth and tragic unfaithfulness.
3. Part 3, The Eighty Years of the Two Kingdoms. Chapters 12 thru 16. Here we have an account of poor management and cruel taxation that leads to the revolt of the 10 northern tribes, leaving Judah and Benjamin to the south under Rehoboam, an Ephraimite Chief. There is also an evaluation of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
4. Part 4, The Prophet Elijah, Chapters 17 thru 22. He was a Prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The New Testament speaks of him more than any other prophet. He suddenly appeared at a time of crisis in Israel and just as suddenly disappears in a chariot of fire.

First Samuel established the Kingdom of Israel. Second Samuel consolidated it. First Kings takes it from the height of its glory to the depth of its decline and division. The central message of First Kings is "Division because of disobedience."

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