Book Introduction
1 Kings
Written by Unknown (traditionally Jeremiah)
The Author
Unknown (traditionally Jeremiah) — An anonymous royal historian tracking Israel's descent from golden age to a fractured nation of squabbling kings — with one consistent pattern: follow God, thrive; abandon Him, collapse
The author is unknown. Jewish tradition credits . The book draws from official court records ('the book of the acts of Solomon,' 'the chronicles of the kings'). Originally one book with 2 Kings.
600s–500s BC
The people of , especially those in exile trying to understand how they got there
To trace the history of Israel's monarchy from golden age through the kingdom's division and spiritual decline
What's It About?
1 Kings opens with building the — the pinnacle of Israelite civilization. But Solomon's later years bring compromise: foreign wives, foreign gods, heavy taxation. After his death, the kingdom splits in two. The northern kingdom () immediately goes off the rails with golden calves, while the southern kingdom () has a mixed record. emerges as a fiery prophet confronting the wicked king and queen .
Key Themes
Life Topics
Related Books
Chapters coming soon
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