1 Kings

Lore & Background

The Davidic succession (1 Kings 1:1–2:46): David is old; attendants find Abishag to care for him. Adonijah claims the throne with support from Joab and Abiathar. Nathan informs Bathsheba; David reaffirms Solomon as successor. Solomon is anointed by Zadok at Gihon Spring and proclaimed king. Adonijah fears for his life but is spared initially. David advises Solomon to punish his enemies. Adonijah asks to marry Abishag; Solomon has him killed. Solomon removes Abiathar from priesthood, fulfilling prophecy to Eli. Joab claims sanctuary but is killed by Benaiah. Solomon replaces Joab with Benaiah and Abiathar with Zadok. Shimei is confined to Jerusalem but leaves to retrieve slaves; Solomon has him killed.

Solomon in all his glory (1 Kings 3:1–11:43): Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter. At Gibeon, God offers him anything; Solomon asks for an understanding heart. God grants wisdom, wealth, and honor. Solomon builds the Temple over seven years with wood from Hiram of Tyre, and his palace over thirteen years. Huram creates furnishings. The Ark is brought in; a cloud fills the Temple. Solomon dedicates it with sacrifices. God reaffirms the Davidic covenant. Solomon gives twenty towns in Galilee to Hiram. He builds a navy. The Queen of Sheba visits, gives 120 talents and spices. Solomon has 666 talents of gold. He amasses 700 wives and 300 concubines, adopts foreign religions, and builds shrines. God says the kingdom will be taken from his son. Enemies arise: Hadad of Edom, Rezon of Syria. Jeroboam is told by Ahijah he will rule ten tribes. Solomon tries to kill Jeroboam, who flees to Egypt. Solomon dies after 40 years; Rehoboam succeeds.

The political and religious schism (1 Kings 12:1–13:34): Rehoboam goes to Shechem to be proclaimed king. Jeroboam returns from Egypt. Rehoboam rejects older advisors' counsel, threatens harsher treatment. Israelites stone Adoniram, proclaim Jeroboam king. Judah and Benjamin remain loyal to Rehoboam. Prophet Shemaiah prevents war. Jeroboam fears return of tribes to loyalty.

Reader's Guide

The Jerusalem Bible divides the two Books of Kings into eight sections: 1 Kings 1:1–2:46 (The Davidic succession); 1 Kings 3:1–11:43 (Solomon in all his glory); 1 Kings 12:1–13:34 (The political and religious schism); 1 Kings 14:1–16:34 (The two kingdoms until Elijah); 1 Kings 17:1 – 2 Kings 1:18 (The Elijah cycle); 2 Kings 2:1–13:25 (The Elisha cycle); 2 Kings 14:1–17:41 (The two kingdoms to the fall of Samaria); 2 Kings 18:1–25:30 (The last years of the kingdom of Judah).

Did You Know?

• The Books of Kings are considered by scholars to have a first edition from the late 7th century BC and a second final edition from the mid-6th century BC.
• The narrative covers approximately 400 years, from the death of King David to the release of Jehoiachin from imprisonment in Babylon.
• The books are largely reliable for determining historical events, despite mixing legends and miracle stories.