1 Kings

By Mary Jane Chaignot

The history of Israel that began with the event of the Exodus continues in the two books of Kings. By the end of these volumes, the kingdoms of Israel (north) and Judah (south) will be gone, marked by the destruction of the temple and the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Originally, of course, these books were one long document. But, like 1 & 2 Samuel, they were divided into two books for ease of handling, probably by the Middle Ages. Most scholars think the division between the first and second book is quite random, coming as it does in the middle of a story about Ahaziah and Elijah. Nonetheless, there are three natural divisions within these two books: the segment describing the reign of Solomon, the divided kingdom, and the southern kingdom of Judah following the destruction of the northern kingdom by the Assyrians.

1 Kings appears at first glance to be nothing but history, a chronological record of kings - both good and bad - and the battles they won or lost. And by today's standards, it wouldn't even be considered good history because there is no critical evaluation of extrabiblical sources to corroborate the many events and details that are described. Despite these shortcomings, 1 Kings claims to be a record of real people and real events interpreted in a particular manner, which is to say, as always, the people's relationship with Yahweh. This relationship is really at the heart of all these "historical" works. (Admittedly, the author(s) would have had little interest in keeping secular records.) As in the previous books, the main character and causative agent is Yahweh. Those reading Kings would have had knowledge of these prior stories, including the saving event of the Exodus, the wilderness experience, the conquest of Canaan, and the previous monarchies. Because the book of Deuteronomy exerts such a powerful influence over all these stories, most scholars have included them as being part of the Deuteronomistic History. Basically, that means they are better read as theological statements rather than historical accounts.

The history of the kings opens with the final days of David's reign and the resultant struggle between his sons over who should succeed to the throne. Solomon prevails over Adonijah, and David gives him words of advice on how to govern. As always, he is to keep the Law of Moses so that the Lord will keep his promises to the house of David and provide an everlasting monarchy. The fact that that kingdom no longer exists should tip the reader off to the fact that something went wrong along the way. Some scholars would argue that it started right at the beginning with Solomon, who initially governed wisely and obediently, but allowed himself to be distracted from following the ways of the Lord and eventually turned towards other gods.

That raises some issues involving the composition of these books. Scholars believe that they (along with the previous books) were given their final shape during the time of the exile. Basically, then, the author(s) knew how things had turned out. They had this in mind as they collected, edited, and arranged the stories that had been circulating for centuries. But now they were in exile - God's people in exile! The unthinkable had happened. As they worked through their history, they tried to understand why it had occurred. No doubt there was a general feeling of despair. Many felt God had abandoned them, punished them unfairly. Granted, the people had not listened to the prophets who spoke for God. Then again, there were many false prophets who had done nothing but reassure them and told them not to worry. Most didn't worry. The few who did, who felt they deserved God's judgment, were weighted down with their own guilt. Obedience and loyalty to God were at an all-time low.

In a sense, then, 1 Kings is not only history, but it's a "preaching history." It was written not just to chronicle their story, but also for the audience to learn from it. They were at a point where they needed to reevaluate themselves before God, to reassess their relationship. It wasn't like they were starting over, but they did need to regroup in light of the events that had occurred. Alongside these cause and effect issues stood the prophetic voice. Although the prophets had played somewhat of a supporting role in the conquest and the settlement period, they became very prominent during the time of the divided kingdom. They came from various walks of life and exhibited a variety of characteristics. But they all claimed to be devout and clear-cut followers of Yahweh. When the socio-political scene was most threatened and precarious, prophecy issued its strongest clarion call. These were men of God, who interpreted the events in terms of God's will for his people. Oftentimes they were in opposition to the kings, but more than likely the kings relied on the men of God to give them advice.

The Israelites had tried to become God's people. They had been chosen by God and been the recipients of His promises. But since they never fully carried out their side of the bargain, it was understandable that they could never fully enjoy the promises. There was so much backsliding and outright disobedience that complete possession of the land would go unfulfilled. Many had a sense of entitlement, believing that they would inherit God's blessings regardless of their behavior. This, of course, is not the way it worked. In conjunction with God's blessings came lessons to be learned. Their sense of history was grounded in these lessons. Despite their many failures, they would come to learn that God was also a faithful, loving, compassionate God. God was willing to and did give them multiple chances. The fact that 1 Kings exists is a testament to its effectiveness. The audience learned from their history, canonized it, and gave it to us. Disobedience leads to judgment; repentance leads to restoration. But none of this is mechanical. God is always sovereign and he is not bound by human expectations.

There are two primary sections in 1 Kings: 1 Kings 1-11 - Solomon's reign; 1 Kings 12 - 22 - the divided kingdom

1:1-11:43 - The reign of Solomon

1:1-53
- David is in decline, dramatic power struggle for his throne
  - 1:1-4
    - David needs special care
  - 1:5-10
    - David's eldest son, Adonijah, contends for the throne
    - Invites officials to celebratory meal (not Solomon or Nathan)
  - 1:11-27
    - Nathan and Bathsheba go to David
    - They tell him about Adonijah, ask if that's what he wanted
    - They tell him that Solomon has been excluded
  - 1:28-31
    - David keeps his oath to Bathsheba about Solomon
  - 1:32-40
    - David tells them he wants Solomon to follow him
    - David tells Nathan to anoint Solomon
    - There is much rejoicing in the land
  - 1:41-48
    - Adonijah hears the news
  - 1:49-53
    - Adonijah's guests flee in fear
    - Adonijah takes refuge at the altar
    - Solomon promises clemency for good behavior
    - Trouble is averted
2:1-9
- David's charge to Solomon
- David tells him to follow God's ways
- Wrongs have to be righted
- Solomon is to rid the country of two men who might challenge him
- Joab and Shimei are to be killed
2:10-11
- David dies
2:12-46
- Solomon sits on the throne
  - 2:13-18
    - Adonijah asks Bathsheba to ask Solomon for David's nurse as wife
  - 2:19-25
    - Solomon decrees the death of Adonijah Benaiah carries it out
  - 2:26-27
    - Solomon banishes Abiathar the priest, who supported Adonijah
  - 2:28-35
    - Joab (David's general and supporter of Adonijah) flees to altar
    - Solomon tells Benaiah to kill him anyway
    - Benaiah hesitates, asks twice, but then kills him
    - Solomon puts Benaiah in charge of army
    - Azariah, the son of Zadok, is new high priest
  - 2:36-46
    - Shimei is told to stay in Jerusalem
    - After three years, he crosses the Kidron
    - When Solomon hears, he has Shimei killed
    - Solomon has now fulfilled all of David's deathbed requests
3:1:2
- Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
- People worship at high places - no house has been built for God
3:3-12
- The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream
- Solomon has to decide what kind of king he will be - worldly or Deuteronomic. Will he follow trappings of glory or the Law?
- Solomon asks for "an understanding heart", "to discern between good and evil"
- The Lord grants him a wise and discerning mind
3:13-28
- Solomon settles dispute between two harlots
- Both claim to be mother of one living child
- Solomon says child should be divided
- Real mother is discovered
- Solomon's wisdom is renowned throughout Israel
4:1-28
- Solomon's administration
- Solomon reorganizes government - cabinet members and tax program
- Good old days of Solomon
4:29-34
- Solomon is wealthy and wise
- People come from all over to hear the wisdom of Solomon
5:1-18
- Solomon's treaty with the King Hiram of Tyre
- Solomon proposes that the king send timber and craftsmen
- Solomon wants to build temple
- King is happy to oblige in return for food for his household
- Agreement is blessed by the Lord
- Combined workforce of Israelites and Phoenicians work on temple
6:1-7:51
- The building of the Temple - meant to instill awe with sheer grandeur
- Program begins in Solomon's fourth year (would work on it for 7½ years)
- Temple is roughly 90 ft long, 30 ft wide, 45 ft high, plus side chambers
- Outside courts are in addition to this
- Solomon has them build a palace (takes 13 years!)
- Adds several more buildings - hall of judgment, house for wives
- Temple is proper place for worship
8:1-9:28
- Dedication of the temple - Temple and prayers are vital to nation
  - 8:1-13
    - Ark is installed in Holy of Holies
    - Big ceremony, much suspense culminates in cloud descending over temple
    - God accepts new home
    - Solomon formally offers temple to the Lord
  - 8:14-51
    - Solomon's prayers
    - Solomon declares God's promises to David are fulfilled
    - Solomon prays for continual rule over Israel
    - Solomon consecrates temple as place of prayer
    - Describes prayers that might be needed (7 in all)
    - Oaths, battle, famine, drought, foreigners, victory, exile
    - Realizes such needs arise as consequence of sin
  - 8:52- 61
    - Asks for God's attentiveness
    - Blesses the people, asks God for continued faithfulness
    - Prays that God will remain with them and the people will be obedient
  - 8:62-66
    - Festival begins with sacrifices
  - 9:1-28
    - Solomon's second vision - Carrot and stick
    - God says, "If you will walk before me….I will establish your house forever"
    - If not….there will be dire consequences
    - Predicts destruction of temple and exile
    - Solomon has many other building projects
    - Solomon sells 20 "worthless" cities to Hiram for lots of gold
    - Building projects are made possible by forced labor
    - Canaanite people are subject to Solomon
    - Solomon celebrates festivals at the temple
10:1-13
- Queen of Sheba visits Solomon
- Queen of Sheba "tests" Solomon with hard questions
- Solomon meets her every expectation
- Queen understands that Solomon governs with righteousness
- Queen and Solomon exchange gifts
10:14-29
- Solomon's trade exploits
- Solomon receives 666 talents of gold (Between $10 - 30 million per year)
- Principal revenue is from trades, navy, taxation
- Solomon has achieved prosperity, splendor, and security
11:1-43
- Opposition to Solomon from Edom and Syria
  - 11:1-8
    - Solomon has 700 wives (mostly foreign), 300 concubines
    - Israelites have been forbidden to marry them (Deut 7:1-5)
    - Solomon "loves" them, probably marries them for political reasons
    - Marrying foreign women opens Solomon's heart to their gods
    - Solomon violates First Commandment
  - 11:9-13
    - God is angry with Solomon
    - God tells Solomon he will tear the kingdom away from Solomon
    - Judgment is mitigated because of David
    - His son will have half; won't happen until
    - Solomon is gone Solomon will lose the kingdom because he disobeyed the Law
    - In his haste to cement relations with foreigners,
    - Solomon forgets relationship with God - big consequences
    - Things look good on outside; inside corrupt
  - 11:14-22
    - Hadad, an Edomite, is raised up against Solomon
  - 11:23-25
    - Rezon, king of Damascus, is raised up against Solomon
  - 11:26-40
    - Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, sees the prophet Ahijah
    - The promise made to David is essentially given to Jeroboam
    - He can become like David, if only he will obey God
    - Ahijah tells him he will be the ruler of 10 tribes
    - God has spoken
    - Solomon's son will have one tribe so the "lamp" of David will remain
    - Solomon seeks to kill Jeroboam, but he flees to safety in Egypt
  - 11:41-43
    - Solomon reigns for 40 years, dies

12:1-22:52 - The divided Kingdom

12:1-15
- The revolt of the Northern Tribes
- Rehoboam (Solomon's son) goes to Shechem to be anointed king
- Jeroboam returns from Egypt, asks whether king will "lighten their load"
- The northern tribes felt they were unjustly bearing the greater burden of Solomon's building projects
- Rehoboam asks for time to think it over
- Gets advice from elders: serve them and speak good words
- Gets advice from peers: lord it over them
- Chooses advice from peers
12:16-20
- Jeroboam leads revolt of 10 northern tribes, is made king
12:21-24
- Rehoboam gathers 180,000 warriors to fight them
- God tells him not to fight his kinsmen; the split is God's plan
- Rehoboam returns home - war is averted, but the kingdom is divided
12:25-33
- Jeroboam builds altars at Bethel and Dan
- Doesn't want people from north to have to go to Jerusalem to worship
- Jeroboam puts golden calves on altars, celebrates feasts, sacrifices
- Motives might have been good, but this is the beginning of Israel's sin
13:1-10
- Man of God comes from Judah
- Predicts collapse of altar
- Jeroboam stretches out his hand to condemn him to death
- Hand is frozen; asks prophet to restore it, which he does
- Jeroboam invites him to his house; man of God refuses
- Man of God begins journey back home
13:11-32
- On the way, an old man from Bethel invites man of God to his home
- Man of God accepts because man from Bethel says he is also a prophet
- During the meal, God tells man from Bethel that man of God will die because he disobeyed God's command not to eat with them
- Man of God is killed by lion on way home
- Man of Bethel knows, then, this truly is a prophet and his words will be true
- Gets the body, brings it back, buries it
13:33-34
- Jeroboam continues to "do evil in the eyes of the Lord"
- The Lord disapproves of altar at Bethel
- Jeroboam and northern tribes continue to worship at high places
14:1-31
- Reigns of Jeroboam and Rehoboam
  - 14:1-20
    - End of Jeroboam
    - Jeroboam's son falls ill
    - Wife goes to prophet,
    - Ahijah, to find out child's fate Ahijah prophesies that child will die
    - Because Jeroboam was not faithful, he will also die, lose his kingdom
    - Jeroboam reigns 22 years; oracles come to pass
  - 14:21-31
    - End of Rehoboam
    - Rehoboam "did evil in the eyes of the Lord"
    - He also builds high places, has cult prostitutes
    - In the fifth year of his reign, king of Egypt wars against him
    - Steals many treasures
    - Rehoboam reigns 17 years, then "slept with his fathers"
    - There was war between Jeroboam and Rehoboam all the days
15:1-16:34
- History of nine kings
- Rehoboam's successors are Abijam and Asa who together rule for
- 50 years, thereby bringing great stability to the southern kingdom
- Neither are that great - Asa starts out well, then declines
- Things seem to be going better in Judah than Israel (northern kingdom)
- The two kingdoms are usually at war
- Asa gains great victory against Israel during his reign
- Also makes treaty with Syria
- Syria plays both kingdoms against each other
- During this same time, Israel has 6 kings, considerably less stability
- Plagued by various civil wars
- Omri, commander of the army, takes over, brings stability to region
- Builds palace, headquarters in Samaria
- Forms alliance with Phoenicia
- Great military leader, but "did evil in the eyes of the Lord"
- God insured political stability in Judah; succession is orderly
- Temple is in Jerusalem (including God's presence in the Ark)
- Instability of north lends itself to exploitation by other nations (Phoenicia and Syria)
- Ahab, son of Omri, begins to reign in Israel
- Takes Jezebel for wife, serves Baal, builds house for Baal in Samaria
- Building a house for Baal is considered the worst sin of any king
17:1-19:18
- Elijah is introduced - right after Ahab's abomination!
  - 17:1-7
    - Elijah tells Ahab there will be a drought for three years
    - Ravens feed Elijah
  - 17:8-16
    - Lord tells Elijah to go to a widow in Zerephath
    - Asks the widow to make him a cake from her limited amount
    - She does; supply does not wane
    - She feeds herself, her son, and Elijah for many days
  - 17:17-24
    - Widow's son falls ill and dies
    - Elijah prays, child is restored
    - Widow now knows "that you are a man of God"
  - 18:1-19
    - Elijah and Ahab
    - Ahab and his servant, Obadiah, are out looking for grass for cattle
    - Elijah meets Obadiah, tells him to go tell Ahab to meet Elijah
    - Obadiah thinks Elijah will hide, then Ahab will kill Obadiah
    - Elijah promises to meet with Ahab
    - They do meet; Elijah makes a date to meet at Mount Carmel with all of Baal's and Asherah's prophets (450 and 400 respectively)
  - 18:20-46
    - Contest on Mount Carmel
    - Elijah speaks to the people; tells them they must choose - God or Baal
    - People do not respond, which indicates their choice (not God)
    - Sacrifices are prepared, but no fire is started
    - Prophets are to pray to Baal
    - Baal's prophets pray all day, even cut themselves - still no response
    - Elijah ridicules Baal - thus indicating he is no god; he's a joke
    - Elijah pours water over his whole setup
    - Prays to the Lord; fire consumes the sacrifice and the table
    - People confess that the Lord is God alone
    - Baal's prophets are killed
    - Drought is over; credit can only be given to God
    - They head back quickly to Jezreel with Elijah running ahead of Ahab
  - 19:1-18
    - Elijah at Mount Horeb
    - Ahab tells Jezebel what happened
    - She is furious at the loss of all the prophets
    - Threatens Elijah, who runs for his life back to Judah
    - Elijah is spiritually exhausted, is ready to die
    - Angels give him food and drink (twice)
    - Elijah goes to a cave at Mount Horeb
    - Elijah is bitter; feels as though he's failed
    - God appears to Elijah - not in the wind, earthquake, or fire
    - God is in the "still, small voice", utter stillness
    - His presence is so real; Elijah gets new assignment
    - He is to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; Jehu over Israel;
    - Elisha as his successor (Elijah only does this last one)
19:19-21
- Elijah anoints Elisha as his successor
20:1-43
- War with Syria
  - 20:1-12
    - Siege of Samaria
    - Ben-hadad, king of Syria, besieges Samaria
    - He demands tribute from Ahab
    - Ahab agrees, but king increases demands
    - Ahab is advised to resist by the elders and the people (not God)
  - 20:13-30
    - Man of God comes to Ahab's aid, tells him to attack midday
    - Ben-hadad and his men are drunk; Ahab routs them
    - In the spring, Ben-hadad tries again
    - Man of God comes to Ahab's aid again; Ben-hadad loses again
  - 20:31-34
    - Ben-hadad surrenders; Ahab shows mercy to him, lets him live
  - 20:35-43
    - Encounter between Prophet and Ahab
    - Ahab invites judgment against himself for allowing Ben-hadad to live
    - God gives the victory; Ahab allows the enemy to live - not good
    - Violates principles of "holy war"
    - Shows continued disloyalty to Yahweh
21:1-29
- Naboth's vineyard
- Ahab wants Naboth's vineyard, but it's not for sale
- Complains to Jezebel
- Jezebel arranges for two witnesses to bring charges against Naboth
- Naboth is found guilty and is stoned
- Ahab takes vineyard
- Elijah goes to Ahab, accuses Ahab of murder and theft
- Tells him his house is cursed
- Ahab repents; curse is stayed until Ahab's death
22:1-50
- War against the Syrians to recover the city of Ramoth-Gilead
  - 22:1-4
    - Israel and Judah plan to join forces to go against the Syrians
  - 22:5-28
    - Consultation with prophets
    - Jehoshaphat (Judah's king) wants prophetic approval
    - Ahab brings his prophets - all "yes" men
    - Jehoshaphat isn't convinced, asks for another
    - Micaiah comes, but Ahab hates him (he always speaks evil of Ahab)
    - Jehoshaphat insists he speak
    - Micaiah agrees with Ahab's 400 prophets, says the words, but lying
    - Ahab knows he's lying, insists he speak the truth
    - Micaiah sees all Israel scattered; Ahab will die if he attacks
  - 22:29-40
    - The death of Ahab
    - Ahab and Jehoshaphat decide to go to war anyway
    - Ahab disguises himself, thinking the Syrians won't be able to find him
    - He's hoping to cheat the prophecy
    - Jehoshaphat is dressed as the king of Israel
    - Jehoshaphat is spared, but a random arrow wounds Ahab
    - He dies that day
  - 22:41-50
    - Recap of the reign of Jehoshaphat
22:51-53
- Ahaziah (son of Ahab) begins to rule over Israel
- He "did evil in the eyes of the Lord"

This first book of Kings ends in the middle of a story about Ahaziah. He has just begun to rule, and the author ominously mentions that he "did evil in the eyes of the Lord." Like his father and many of Israel's kings before him, he worshiped and served Baal. We already know this can only lead to apostasy and adulterated faith. The only question is when and what will be the consequences. This first book, then, is not a self-contained narrative; it ends unfinished, almost like a cliffhanger. But that's not the only unfinished issue. Throughout there has been some very significant movement regarding Yahweh's appearances. In the beginning, he talked with Solomon directly. Now, towards the end, he only talks through prophets. It indicates the growing distance between Yahweh and the kings. Since the second section of 1 Kings focuses on the northern kingdom, we don't know if this same thing is happening in Judah as well. That, too, will have to wait for the next installment. What we do know is that dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. Plenty of warnings have been given, and they have gone unheeded. What will Yahweh do now?

Bibliography

Alter, Robert and Frank Kermode. The Literary Guide to the Bible. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press. 1987.

Auld, A.Graeme. "I & II Kings." The Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1986.

Brueggeman, Walter. "1 & 2 Kings." Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys. 2000.

Mills, Watson and Richard Wilson. Mercer Commentary on the Bible. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1995

Nelson, Richard. "I & II Kings." Interpretation. Atlanta: John Knox Press. 1987.

Provan, Iain. "1 and 2 Kings." New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.

Rice, Gene. "1 Kings, Nations Under God." The International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 1990.

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