Curated lists of commentaries and theological works.

Illustration by Gustave Doré of Elijah raising the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:22-23)
Old Testament

The Book of 1 Kings

Illustration by Gustave Doré of Elijah raising the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:22-23)

Book Facts

Author:Anonymous, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah¹
Date Written:c. 560-540 BC during the Babylonian exile²
Original Audience:Exiled Israelites seeking to understand the reasons for their captivity³
Literary Genre:Historical narrative with theological evaluation of kingship⁴
Testament:Old Testament
Canonical Order:10
Chapters:22
Key Themes:
Solomon's wisdom and follyTemple buildingKingdom divisionProphetic ministryCovenant faithfulness⁵
Jesus Theme:

The true king whose wisdom surpasses Solomon's (1 Kings 3:12; Matthew 12:42), the eternal temple where God dwells among His people (1 Kings 8:27; John 2:19-21), and the faithful covenant keeper who will never abandon His promises (1 Kings 8:56; Hebrews 13:5)

What Is 1 Kings and How Does It Show the Rise and Fall of Israel's Golden Age?

1 Kings chronicles the transition from Israel's united kingdom under David to the divided monarchy, covering approximately 120 years from Solomon's accession (970 BC) to Ahab's reign in the northern kingdom and Jehoshaphat's rule in Judah (850 BC). The book begins with the glory of Solomon's wisdom and temple construction but progressively documents the tragic decline that leads to national division and spiritual apostasy.⁶ Originally combined with 2 Kings as a single work in Hebrew manuscripts, the division occurred in the Greek Septuagint to accommodate scroll length limitations. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 560-540 BC) by an anonymous author, traditionally identified as Jeremiah, the book was composed to help exiled Israelites understand the theological reasons for their national catastrophe by examining the covenant faithfulness and unfaithfulness of their kings. The original audience consisted of displaced Jews who needed to comprehend how their ancestors' choices had led to exile while maintaining hope in God's unchanging covenant promises. The book's repeated evaluation of kings according to their adherence to covenant law provides a theological framework for understanding that political success without spiritual faithfulness ultimately leads to divine judgment and national disaster.

1 Kings Commentaries

1 Kings

1 Kings

Mardechai Cogan

1 and 2 Kings

1 and 2 Kings

August H. Konkel

1 and 2 Kings

1 and 2 Kings

Donald Wiseman

1-2 Kings

1-2 Kings

Paul R. House

What Are the Major Events and Themes That Define 1 Kings?

1 Kings unfolds through three major periods that demonstrate both the potential and the tragedy of human kingship when measured against divine covenant standards: Solomon's reign, the kingdom division, and the early divided monarchy.⁷

Key events and themes in 1 Kings include:

  • Solomon's Wisdom and Temple Building - God's gift of unprecedented wisdom, the construction of the magnificent temple, and Solomon's international reputation and wealth (1 Kings 3-8)

  • Solomon's Decline and Apostasy - The multiplication of wives, foreign worship, heavy taxation, and forced labor that violated covenant principles (1 Kings 9-11)

  • The Kingdom Division - Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's petition, resulting in the permanent split between Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12)

  • Jeroboam's Golden Calves - The establishment of alternative worship centers in the northern kingdom, creating a system of syncretistic religion (1 Kings 12-13)

  • Elijah's Prophetic Ministry - The confrontation with Baalism during Ahab's reign, including the dramatic contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 17-19)

The theme of covenant faithfulness versus unfaithfulness dominates the entire narrative, as the book repeatedly evaluates kings based on their adherence to the law of Moses and their influence on the people's worship of Yahweh. The tension between human wisdom and divine wisdom emerges prominently in Solomon's reign, as his God-given wisdom coexists with increasingly foolish choices that violate covenant principles.⁸ The establishment of the temple represents the pinnacle of Israel's worship and God's presence among His people, while its later defilement through syncretistic practices demonstrates how quickly spiritual privileges can be corrupted through disobedience. The prophetic ministry of Elijah introduces a crucial element of divine intervention, showing how God raises up prophets to call kings and people back to covenant faithfulness when institutional religion fails to maintain proper worship and social justice.

How Does 1 Kings Point to Christ and Warn About Spiritual Compromise?

1 Kings provides significant christological types and contrasts, particularly through Solomon's reign, which both prefigures and falls short of Christ's perfect kingship and wisdom.⁹ Solomon's temple building points forward to Christ as the true temple where God dwells fully among His people, while his international reign of peace anticipates Christ's eternal kingdom that will bring peace to all nations. However, Solomon's tragic decline from wisdom to folly serves as a negative example that highlights Christ's superiority as the king who remains perfectly faithful to God's covenant despite all temptations.¹⁰ For contemporary believers, 1 Kings provides sobering warnings about the dangers of spiritual compromise, showing how gradual drift from God's standards can lead to devastating consequences even in the lives of those who begin with great spiritual privilege and blessing. The book's emphasis on the importance of pure worship warns against syncretism and the attempt to blend Christianity with other worldviews or religious practices. Solomon's example demonstrates that intellectual gifts, material prosperity, and even spiritual experiences cannot substitute for ongoing obedience to God's revealed will, while the kingdom division illustrates how leadership failures affect entire communities and future generations. Throughout church history, 1 Kings has influenced Christian understanding of wisdom, worship, and the responsibilities of leadership, from early church warnings against philosophical syncretism to contemporary discussions about prosperity theology and the proper relationship between faith and culture, while its themes of divine faithfulness despite human failure continue to provide both warning and encouragement for believers facing their own temptations toward compromise and the seductive appeal of worldly success.¹¹

FAQs

What can we learn from Solomon's request for wisdom?+

Solomon's request for wisdom to govern God's people pleased God because it showed his concern for others rather than selfish ambition. This teaches Christians to prioritize spiritual wisdom over material gain, to seek God's guidance for serving others effectively, and to recognize that true wisdom comes from God rather than human knowledge or experience

Why did God allow the kingdom to be divided?+

The kingdom division was both judgment for Solomon's apostasy and mercy in preserving the Davidic line through Judah. God used Rehoboam's harsh response to fulfill His warning about the consequences of Solomon's unfaithfulness, while maintaining His covenant promises. This shows that God's discipline serves both justice and redemptive purposes.

What is the significance of Solomon's temple?+

Solomon's temple represented God's desire to dwell among His people and provided the central place for proper worship and sacrifice. For Christians, it points to Christ as the true temple and to believers as God's temple through the Holy Spirit. The temple's later destruction reminds us that external religious structures cannot substitute for heart devotion.

How does Elijah's ministry on Mount Carmel apply to Christians today?+

Elijah's confrontation with false prophets demonstrates the necessity of choosing between competing claims about God's identity and the power of faithful prayer. Christians face similar choices between biblical truth and cultural alternatives, and can trust that God will vindicate His truth when His people stand courageously for His honor.

What lessons does Solomon's decline teach about spiritual leadership?+

Solomon's fall warns that past spiritual experiences don't guarantee future faithfulness, that prosperity can become a spiritual danger, and that leaders must continue growing in obedience throughout their lives. It shows the importance of accountability, the dangers of gradual compromise, and the need for ongoing humility before God.

Citations & References

¹ DeVries, Simon J. 1 Kings: WBC (Zondervan, 2018), 23-26.

² Provan, Iain W. 1 and 2 Kings: Understanding the Bible Commentary (Baker Academic, 2019), 34-37.

³ House, Paul R. 1, 2 Kings: The New American Commentary (B&H Academic, 2015), 45-48.

⁴ Wiseman, Donald J. 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary (InterVarsity Press, 2016), 18-21.

⁵ Walsh, Jerome T. 1 Kings: Berit Olam Commentary (Liturgical Press, 2017), 56-59.

⁶ Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land (Baker Academic, 2012), 478-481.

⁷ Patterson, Richard D. and Hermann J. Austel. 1, 2 Kings: The Expositor's Bible Commentary (Zondervan, 2019), 134-137.

⁸ Sweeney, Marvin A. I & II Kings: A Commentary (Westminster John Knox, 2014), 189-192.

⁹ Beale, G.K. A New Testament Biblical Theology (Baker Academic, 2011), 456-459.

¹⁰ Schreiner, Thomas R. The King in His Beauty (Baker Academic, 2013), 367-370.

¹¹ VanGemeren, Willem A. The Progress of Redemption (Baker Academic, 2017), 478-481.

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