April 7, 2025

David's son takes the lead

1 Kings 1-3

Teresa Krejci
Monday's Devo

April 7, 2025

Monday's Devo

April 7, 2025

Big Book Idea

There were eight good kings in Judah but zero good kings in Israel.

Key Verse | 1 Kings 3:9

"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

1 Kings 1-3

Chapter 1

David in His Old Age

Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, 1 1:2 Or in your bosom that my lord the king may be warm.” So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.

Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King

Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom. He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah.

Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, 10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.

Nathan and Bathsheba Before David

11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? 12 Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ 14 Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm 2 1:14 Or expand on your words.”

15 So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king). 16 Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” 17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the LORD your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited. 20 And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.”

22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 And they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the commanders 3 1:25 Hebrew; Septuagint Joab the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Solomon Anointed King

28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king swore, saying, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, 30 as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” 36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. 37 As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “What does this uproar in the city mean?” 42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.” 43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king, 44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king's mule. 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. 46 Solomon sits on the royal throne. 47 Moreover, the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 And the king also said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted someone 4 1:48 Septuagint one of my offspring to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.’”

49 Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. 50 And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51 Then it was told Solomon, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’” 52 And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” 53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Chapter 2

David's Instructions to Solomon

When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack 5 2:4 Hebrew there shall not be cut off for you a man on the throne of Israel.’

Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging 6 2:5 Septuagint; Hebrew placing in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war 7 2:5 Septuagint innocent blood on the belt around his 8 2:5 Septuagint my; twice in this verse waist and on the sandals on his feet. Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty 9 2:7 Or steadfast love they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.”

The Death of David

10 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Solomon's Reign Established

13 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, “Do you come peacefully?” He said, “Peacefully.” 14 Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” She said, “Speak.” 15 He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother's, for it was his from the LORD. 16 And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said to him, “Speak.” 17 And he said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” 18 Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak for you to the king.”

19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. 20 Then she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” 21 She said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife.” 22 King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar 10 2:22 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew and for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 23 Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! 24 Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today.” 25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.

26 And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord God before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction.” 27 So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

28 When the news came to Joab—for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom—Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and caught hold of the horns of the altar. 29 And when it was told King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD, and behold, he is beside the altar,” Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.” 30 So Benaiah came to the tent of the LORD and said to him, “The king commands, ‘Come out.’” But he said, “No, I will die here.” Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, “Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.” 31 The king replied to him, “Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. 32 The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. 33 So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore.” 34 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. 35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

36 Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. 37 For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.” 38 And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

39 But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” 40 Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, 42 the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the commandment with which I commanded you?” 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the LORD will bring back your harm on your own head. 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died.

So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Chapter 3

Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.

Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Solomon's Wisdom

16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

Footnotes

[1] 1:2 Or in your bosom
[2] 1:14 Or expand on
[3] 1:25 Hebrew; Septuagint Joab the commander
[4] 1:48 Septuagint one of my offspring
[5] 2:4 Hebrew there shall not be cut off for you
[6] 2:5 Septuagint; Hebrew placing
[7] 2:5 Septuagint innocent blood
[8] 2:5 Septuagint my; twice in this verse
[9] 2:7 Or steadfast love
[10] 2:22 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew and for him and for Abiathar
Table of Contents
The Global Message of 1 Kings

The Global Message of 1 Kings

The books of 1 and 2 Kings record Israel’s prolonged struggle between true and false worship. From the reign of King Solomon until the exile to Babylon—a period of nearly 400 years—the prophets of God clash with the kings of Israel and Judah regarding their idolatrous behavior. Since God’s predictions about exile are eventually fulfilled, the prophets prove to have the last word over those kings who follow other gods. In this way the Lord shows himself superior over all other spiritual powers, including the false gods that so many of Israel’s faithless kings follow.

Amid the chorus of idols beckoning for the attention of God’s people both in ancient times and today, only the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ reigns supreme and deserves our trust.

Spiritual Warfare on Mount Carmel

In 1 Kings, the sovereignty of the Lord over other powers is expressed most powerfully in the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). This story is frequently cited as an example of a “power encounter”—that is, a procedure for triumphing over the powers of darkness. Advocates of such approaches to spiritual warfare typically claim that power encounters are necessary to bring breakthroughs for the gospel, especially in animistic and tribal contexts. But the broader context of 1 Kings 17–18 indicates that “truth encounters” and “power encounters” always work together in proving that the Lord is superior to all false gods.

God Usurps Baal’s Power in Sidon

God’s fickle people. The prophet Elijah appears on the scene (1 Kings 17:1) shortly after we read that King Ahab has built a temple in Israel for Baal, the Canaanite god of fertility (16:32). This happens only a few decades after Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem and confessed, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath” (8:23). Yet Israel’s king now chooses to worship a pagan deity who must die every year in the autumn season and be resurrected to life in the spring so that the rains may come. Since the land of Israel lacked a constant water supply, each planting season brought the annual temptation for God’s people to put their hope in fertility gods like Baal.

God’s powerful word. Elijah’s opening words to Ahab pose a direct challenge to Baal and his supposed power: “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah declares that his God, not Baal, always lives and controls the rain. This truth will be proven through the powerful “word” that Elijah receives from God. This divine word tells Elijah to hide east of the Jordan, where he will receive miraculous sustenance from ravens by a brook (17:3–4). Once this brook dries up from drought, the “word” tells Elijah to go and stay in Zarephath, a town in Sidon (17:7–9).

God’s surprising ways. The land of Sidon is Baal’s home territory. But God does not call Elijah to confront Baal directly at this point, choosing instead to send him to the most unlikely person to give him food in a famine—a widow whose own supplies are about to run out. When Elijah asks her for food and water, her reply is an implicit challenge to see whether the Lord can do better than Baal: “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die” (1 Kings 17:12). Elijah reassures her that the Lord will be faithful to his “word” in providing for her (17:14–16), and later he raises her son from the dead—something Baal cannot do (17:17–24). It is amazing that Elijah’s ministry begins here in a destitute widow’s home, far from Israel, but it is in such surprising places that God’s word is proven faithful. By first defeating Baal in Sidon, the God of Israel proves that he rules over the whole earth.

God Defeats Baal’s Prophets in Israel

Elijah’s proposal. In chapter 18, Elijah’s return to Israel begins with the now-familiar refrain, “the word of the LORD came to Elijah,” telling him to go to King Ahab (1 Kings 18:1). Ahab resents Elijah’s return and refuses to acknowledge the prophet by name (18:17) since pronouncing his name in Hebrew would undermine Ahab’s loyalty to Baal (in Hebrew, “Elijah” means “the LORD is my God”). So Elijah suggests having a contest to settle this theological dispute once and for all: “Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table” (18:19). A single prophet of the Lord will confront 850 pagan prophets! Yet Elijah’s concern is more for the faith of the people, whom he challenges to make up their minds: “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (18:21). Elijah declares that the god who answers by fire is the true God (18:24).

God’s victory. The people soon learn that their loyalty to Baal is misguided. After preparing the bull to be consumed by Baal’s fire from heaven, the prophets repeatedly call out, “O Baal, answer us!” (1 Kings 18:26). Nobody responds, so Elijah taunts the people (18:27). Baal’s prophets respond by trying harder, shouting louder, and slashing themselves in an effort to compel Baal to answer (18:28). But Baal is not there: “There was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention” (18:29). Baal is silent and nowhere to be found because the Lord alone is supreme over all pagan powers.

Prayer in Spiritual Warfare

Dignified faith. Many people think that prayer in spiritual warfare must be aggressive and loud. Though Elijah has mocked the prophets of Baal, his final prayer to the Lord is simple and dignified rather than obnoxious: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word” (1 Kings 18:36). No gyrating and ritual are found here, just Elijah’s straightforward request that God would show his power. This is the quiet trust in the Lord that is called for as God’s people today all around the world engage in battling “the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12).

Confidence in God’s word. Such trust is generated as we hold fast to God’s word. The divine word that sustained Elijah in chapter 17 accomplished its victory in chapter 18. The Lord answered Elijah with fire, and the people confessed, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God” (1 Kings 18:39). A steady downpour then began to fall in response to Elijah’s silent prayers for rain (18:42). In 1 Kings 17–18, confronting and subduing pagan powers is more about faithful prayer than frenetic ritual. Spiritual warfare according to the Bible is not a confrontation of escalating, frantic chaos but rather a firm trust in the Lord who is sovereign over all the powers. His divine word is our anchor and confidence. Indeed, he “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).

Introduction to 1–2 Kings

Introduction to 1–2 Kings

Timeline

Author and Date

The author or authors of these two books is unknown. As the titles of the books indicate, 1–2 Kings describe the period of the monarchy in ancient Israel (970–586 B.C.), concentrating on the kings who ruled after David.

Theme

The books show that Israel suffers again and again because of its great sinfulness (2 Kings 17:7–23; 24:1–4). Yet there is still hope for the nation, because God’s chosen family of kings has not come to an end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remains ready to forgive those who repent (1 Kings 8:22–61).

Purpose, Occasion, and Background

The fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 B.C. raised several questions: Was Israel’s God not in fact in control of history, as Moses had claimed? If the God of Moses did exist, and was good and all-powerful, how was it that God’s chosen city and temple had been destroyed, and his chosen royal family had all but come to its end?

The books of Kings respond to such questions, explaining why Israel was defeated. Israel’s God is indeed in control of nature and history. There are no other true gods anywhere. It is this good and all-powerful God who has overseen the destruction of his chosen city and his temple, and Israel’s exile to Babylon. Israel’s sin has caused these punishments.

After the division of the kingdom, the northern kingdom of Israel lasted slightly more than 200 years (931–722 B.C.), with 19 different kings, all of whom were wicked. The southern kingdom of Judah had the same number of kings, but many of them were good, and Judah lasted almost 150 years longer (931–586 B.C.). Toward the end of Judah’s monarchy came two of its best kings: Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1–20:21) and Josiah (2 Kings 22:1–23:30). Yet the people still rebelled against the Lord, and Judah, like Israel, eventually went into exile as punishment for its sin. But hope remained, for God’s chosen royal line had not come to a complete end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remained ready to forgive those who repented.

Key Themes

  1. Yahweh is the only true God, and he controls nature. There is only one living God, and he is the Lord. He alone controls the natural order (1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 1:2–17; 4:8–37; 5:1–18; 6:1–7, 27).
  2. Yahweh controls history. The Lord rules over the past, present, and future. He alone controls the historical process (1 Kings 11:14, 23; 14:1–18; 22:1–38; 2 Kings 5:1–18; 10:32–33; 18:17–19:37).
  3. Yahweh demands exclusive worship. As the only God, the Lord demands exclusive worship. He alone will be worshiped, by Israelite and foreigner alike (1 Kings 8:41–43, 60; 2 Kings 5:15–18; 17:24–41).
  4. The content and place of true worship. Much of 1–2 Kings is concerned with exposing false religion. It speaks out against the content of false worship (1 Kings 11:1–40; 12:25–13:34; 14:22–24; 16:29–33; 2 Kings 16:1–4; 17:7–23; 21:1–9). It also exposes the wrongful place of such false worship (1 Kings 3:2; 5:1–9:9; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Kings 18:4; 23:1–20).
  5. The consequences of false worship. True worship of God includes obedience to the law of God. The worship of something other than God always leads to mistreating other people.
  6. Yahweh is the just and gracious Lawgiver. The Lord gave the law, which defines true worship, right thinking, and correct behavior. The Lord is also the one who punishes wrongdoers.
  7. Yahweh is the promise-giver. Israel’s God is a promise-giver. The divine promises given to the patriarchs and to David are an important theme in 1–2 Kings.

1 Kings Outline

  1. The Reign of King Solomon (1:1–11:43)
  2. The Kingdom Is Divided (12:1–14:31)
  3. Abijam and Asa (15:1–24)
  4. From Nadab to Ahab (15:25–16:34)
  5. Elijah and Ahab (17:1–22:40)
  6. Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah (22:41–53)

2 Kings Outline

  1. The Death of Ahaziah (1:1–18)
  2. Elisha and Israel (2:1–10:36)
  3. Joash (11:1–12:21)
  4. Jehoahaz and Jehoash (13:1–25)
  5. Amaziah, Jeroboam II, and Azariah (14:1–15:7)
  6. Israel’s Last Days (15:8–31)
  7. Jotham and Ahaz (15:32–16:20)
  8. The End of Israel (17:1–41)
  9. Hezekiah (18:1–20:21)
  10. Manasseh and Amon (21:1–26)
  11. Josiah (22:1–23:30)
  12. The End of Judah (23:31–25:30)

The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom

c. 971–931 B.C.

Solomon’s reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and wealth in biblical times. Solomon’s father, David, had given him a kingdom that included Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Solomon would later rule over the kingdom of Hamath as well, and his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter resulted in an alliance with Egypt. Solomon controlled important trade routes between several major world powers, including Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia (Asia Minor).

The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom

Israel and Judah in 2 Kings

c. 853 B.C.

The book of 2 Kings tells of events in Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the exile of Israel and Judah. The story involves Israel, Judah, Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, as well as Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond Israel’s borders.

Israel and Judah in 2 Kings

1 Kings Fact #1: Forever

Fact: Forever

God promised to establish David’s kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17). Although Adonijah was David’s eldest living son, Nathan and Bathsheba’s actions ensured that Solomon’s claim to the throne was stronger (ch. 1). Solomon became king at David’s death.

2 Kings Fact #1: Israel and Judah’s sins continue

Fact: Israel and Judah’s sins continue

Israel and Judah’s sins continue. Picking up where 1 Kings left off, Israel and Judah continued to decline through false worship and disobedience. They were led into sin by their kings, most of whom failed to follow the Lord.

1 Kings Fact #2: Horns of the altar

Fact: Horns of the altar

Horns of the altar. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures regarded shrines and temples as places where a person could seek safety and refuge. In Hebrew culture, a person accused of a crime might grasp the horns of the altar (1:50) to indicate that he was seeking protection from the Lord.

1 Kings Fact #3: Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag?

Fact: Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag?

Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag? Marrying David’s concubine (2:17) would have given Adonijah a claim to the throne.

1 Kings Fact #4: No witnesses

Fact: No witnesses

No witnesses. Under normal circumstances, priests and judges would have presided over the case between the two prostitutes (3:16–28). However, because there were no witnesses to the case, the law required them to go before Solomon. The king was considered to be the highest court of appeal.

Jeremiah Fact #28: Geruth Chimham

Fact: Geruth Chimham

The town of Geruth Chimham (41:17) may have been named after the Chimham mentioned in 2 Sam. 19:37–40 (see also “sons of Barzillai,” 1 Kings 2:7), who apparently served King David in a time of great need. It was common for members of the royal court to be paid for their services in land rather than money.

Solomon’s Tainted Glory in 1 Kings

Solomon’s Tainted Glory in 1 Kings

Positives Negatives
David’s chosen heir (ch. 1) Gained power in bloody coup (ch. 2)
Nathan’s early support (ch. 1) Prophetic voice disappears
Prayer for wisdom to rule righteously (chs. 3–4) Rules with forced labor; accumulates wealth unjustly (9:15–22; 10:26–29)
Completion and dedication of temple (chs. 5–8) Foreign wives lead him to idolatry (11:1–8)
The Lord supports Solomon (9:1–9) The Lord rejects Solomon (11:9–12)
The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Judah (all dates B.C.)

The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Judah (all dates B.C.)

King Years of Reign Total Years Accession Year* Possible Co-Reigns References in 1–2 Kings** Notes
Rehoboam 931/930–915/914 17     1 Kings 12:1–24; 14:21–31  
Abijah/Abijam 915/914–912/911 3 18 of Jeroboam I 1 Kings 15:1–8
Asa 912/911–871/870 41 20 of Jeroboam I 1 Kings 15:9–24
Jehoshaphat 871/870–849/848 25 4 of Ahab with Asa from 873 1 Kings 22:41–50
Jehoram/Joram 849/848–842 7 (8) 5 of Joram with Jehoshaphat from 853 2 Kings 8:16–24 Married Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab (Israel)
Ahaziah 842–841 1 (2) 11 of Joram 2 Kings 8:25–29; 9:21–28 Killed by Jehu (Israel) in 841
Athaliah (Q.) 841–835 6 2 Kings 11:1–20 Killed by Jehoiada the priest
Joash/Jehoash 835–796/795 39 (40) 7 of Jehu 2 Kings 12:1–21 Hidden from Athaliah for 6 years (841–835) by Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah; protected by Jehoiada the priest
Amaziah 796/795–767 29 2 of Joash/Jehoash 2 Kings 14:1–22
Uzziah/Azariah 767–740/739 52 27 of Jeroboam II with Amaziah from 791 2 Kings 15:1–7
Jotham 750–735/730 16 (20) 2 of Pekah Uzziah is alive in 750 but inactive in rule (see 2 Kings 15:5) 2 Kings 15:32–38
Ahaz 735/730–715 16 (20) 17 of Pekah 2 Kings 16:1–20
Hezekiah 715–687/686 29 3 of Hoshea with Ahaz from 728 2 Kings 18:1–20:21
Manasseh 687/686–642 55 No further accession dates after fall of Israel in 722 with Hezekiah from 697/696 2 Kings 21:1–18
Amon 642–640 2 2 Kings 21:19–26
Josiah 640–609 31 2 Kings 22:1–23:30 Killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt
Jehoahaz 609 3 months 2 Kings 23:31–34 Taken by Pharaoh Neco to Egypt
Jehoiakim 609–598 11 2 Kings 23:35–24:7 Set on the throne by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt
Jehoiachin/Jeconiah 598–597 3 months 2 Kings 24:8–17; 25:27–30 Exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597; released and honored by Evil-merodach of Babylon in 562
Zedekiah 597–586 11 2 Kings 24:18–20 Zedekiah is Jehoiachin’s uncle; Jerusalem and Judah fall to Babylon in 586

*This chart follows the dating method found in both Kings and Chronicles: For Judah, accession to the throne is marked by a year within the reign of a king of Israel. Parentheses—e.g., 39 (40)—indicate non-accession year dating (year of accession is counted in the totals of both the predecessor and the new king). The actual number of years in a reign can be determined by subtracting 1 from the number given (40 – 1 = 39 actual years).

**The verses cited in 1–2 Kings do not include the initial mention of a ruler, which occurs in reference to the death of his father (e.g., Abijam in 1 Kings 14:31).

Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings

Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings

1 Chronicles 2 Samuel
Genealogies 1:1–9:44
Death of Saul and sons 10:1–14 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16
Lament for Saul 1:17–27
David king of Judah 2:1–7
War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king 2:8–3:1
David’s sons in Hebron 3:2–5
Abner helps David 3:6–21
Joab kills Abner 3:22–39
Ish-bosheth killed 4:1–12
David king of Judah and Israel 11:1–3 5:1–5
Conquest of Jerusalem 11:4–9 5:6–10
David’s mighty men 11:10–47 23:8–39
David’s men at Ziklag 12:1–22
Celebration at Hebron 12:23–40
Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah 13:1–14 6:1–11
David’s house built 14:1–2 5:11–12
David’s children in Jerusalem 14:3–7 5:13–16
David defeats Philistines 14:8–17 5:17–25
Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return 15:1–24
Ark brought to Jerusalem 15:25–16:6 6:12–19
David and Michal 6:20–23
David’s psalm of praise 16:7–43
David’s desire to build the temple 17:1–2 7:1–3
Davidic covenant 17:3–15 7:4–17
David’s prayer of praise 17:16–27 7:18–29
David’s victories 18:1–13 8:1–14
David’s officials 18:14–17 8:15–18
David helps Mephibosheth 9:1–13
Ammonites defeated 19:1–15 10:1–14
Syrians defeated 19:16–19 10:15–19
Ammonites defeated 20:1–3 11:1; 12:26–31
David and Bathsheba 11:2–12:25
Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom 13:1–14:33
Absalom’s rebellion 15:1–19:43
Sheba’s rebellion 20:1–26
Famine; death of Saul’s sons 21:1–14
War with Philistines; the Philistine giants 20:4–8 21:15–22
David’s psalm of deliverance 22:1–51
David’s last words 23:1–7
David’s census 21:1–27 24:1–25
David plans for the temple 21:28–22:5
David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders 22:6–19
David organizes temple personnel 23:1–26:32
Israel’s military 27:1–15
Israel’s leaders 27:16–34
David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon 28:1–10
Pattern for the temple 28:11–21
Offerings for the temple 29:1–9
David’s prayer of thanks for the temple 29:10–19
1 Kings
David and Abishag 1:1–4
Adonijah claims the throne 1:5–27
Solomon’s coronation 29:20–25 1:28–40
David instructs Solomon 2:1–9
Death of David 29:26–30 2:10–11
Solomon establishes his kingdom 2:12–46
2 Chronicles
Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter 3:1–3
Solomon at Gibeon 1:1–6 3:4
God gives Solomon wisdom 1:7–12 3:5–14
Solomon’s wise judgment 3:16–28
Solomon’s prosperity 1:14–17 4:20–34
Preparations for the temple 2:1–18 5:1–18
Temple built 3:1–5:1 6:1–38;7:13–51
Solomon’s palace 7:1–12
Ark brought to the temple 5:2–12 8:1–9
God’s glory fills the temple 5:13–14 8:10–11
Solomon blesses the people 6:1–11 8:12–21
Solomon consecrates the temple 6:12–42 8:22–61
Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices 7:1–3
Solomon and the people offer sacrifices 7:4–7 8:62–64
Feast of Tabernacles 7:8–10 8:65–66
The covenant confirmed 7:11–22 9:1–9
Solomon’s territory increases 8:1–6 9:10–19
Solomon’s enemies defeated 8:7–10 9:20–23
Solomon’s religious practices 8:11–16 9:24–25
Solomon’s economic operations 8:17–18 9:26–28
Queen of Sheba visits 9:1–12 10:1–13
Solomon’s wealth 9:13–28 10:14–29
Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries 11:1–40
Death of Solomon 9:29–31 11:41–43
Division of the kingdom 10:1–11:23 12:1–33
Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) 13:1–34
Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam 14:1–18
Death of Jeroboam 14:19–20
Shishak invades Judah 12:1–12 14:25–28
Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) 12:13–16 14:21–24,29–31
War between Judah and Israel 13:1–22 15:1–8
Evaluation of Asa (Judah) 14:1–8 15:9–12
Ethiopians defeated 14:9–15
Azariah the prophet 15:1–7
Asa’s reforms 15:8–19 15:13–15
Asa defeats Syria 16:1–10 15:16–22
Death of Asa 16:11–14 15:23–24
Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) 15:25–16:28
Ahab becomes king (Israel) 16:29–34
Elijah 17:1–19:18;21:17–29
Call of Elisha 19:19–21
Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard 20:1–21:29
Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) 17:1–9
Expansion of Judah 17:10–19
Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab 18:1–34 22:1–40
Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance 19:1–20:30
Reign of Jehoshaphat 20:31–37 22:41–50
Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) 22:51–53
2 Kings
Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy 1:1–18
Elijah and Elisha 2:1–25
Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) 3:1–3
Moab rebels 3:4–27
The widow’s oil 4:1–7
The Shunammite woman 4:8–37
Miracles for the prophets 4:38–44
Naaman healed 5:1–27
The axe head recovered 6:1–7
Chariots of fire 6:8–23
Siege of Samaria 6:24–7:20
Shunammite’s land restored 8:1–6
Hazael kills Ben-hadad 8:7–15
Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) 21:1–7 8:16–19
Edom and Libnah rebel 21:8–11 8:20–22
Warning of Elijah 21:12–15
Invasion of Philistia and Arabia 21:16–17
Death of Jehoram 21:18–20 8:23–24
Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) 22:1–9 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14
Reign of Jehu (Israel) 22:7–9 9:1–10:36
Reign of Athaliah (Judah) 22:10–23:15 11:1–16
Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) 23:16–21 11:17–20
Evaluation of Joash (Judah) 24:1–3 11:21–12:3
Joash repairs the temple 24:4–14 12:4–16
Death of Jehoiada 24:15–16
Jehoiada’s son killed 24:17–22
Syria invades Judah 24:23–24 12:17–18
Death of Joash 24:25–27 12:19–21
Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) 13:1–9
Reign of Jehoash (Israel) 13:10–13
Elisha’s final prophecy and death 13:14–25
Reign of Amaziah (Judah) 25:1–16 14:1–20
Israel defeats Judah 25:17–24 14:8–14
Death of Amaziah 25:25–28 14:17–20
Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) 26:1–5 14:21–22; 15:1–5
Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) 14:23–29
Victories of Uzziah 26:6–15
Sinful offering of Uzziah 26:16–21
Death of Uzziah 26:22–23 15:6–7
Reign of Zechariah (Israel) 15:8–12
Reign of Shallum (Israel) 15:13–16
Reign of Menahem (Israel) 15:17–22
Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) 15:23–26
Reign of Pekah (Israel) 15:27–31
Reign of Jotham (Judah) 27:1–9 15:32–38
Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) 28:1–4 16:1–4
Israel defeats Judah 28:5–21 16:5–9
Ahaz’s idolatry and death 28:22–27 16:10–12
Fall of Israel 17:1–23
Resettlement of Israel 17:24–41
Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) 29:1–2 18:1–8
Hezekiah cleanses the temple 29:3–19
Hezekiah restores temple worship 29:20–36
Hezekiah restores Passover 30:1–27
Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests 31:1–21
Fall of Israel (restated) 18:9–12
Assyria invades Judah 32:1–23 18:13–19:37
Hezekiah’s illness and restoration 32:24–26 20:1–11
Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride 32:27–31 20:12–19
Death of Hezekiah 32:32–33 20:20–21
Reign of Manasseh (Judah) 33:1–9 21:1–18
Manasseh’s repentance 33:10–20
Reign of Amon (Judah) 33:21–25 21:19–26
Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) 34:1–2 22:1–2
Josiah’s early reforms 34:3–7
Josiah repairs the temple 34:8–13 22:3–7
Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms 34:14–33 22:8–23:20
Passover celebrated 35:1–19 23:21–27
Death of Josiah 35:20–27 23:28–30
Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) 36:1–3 23:31–33
Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) 36:4–8 23:34–24:7
Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity 36:9–10 24:8–17
Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) 36:11–12 24:18–20
Destruction of Jerusalem 36:13–21 25:1–21
Remnant flees to Egypt 25:22–26
Jehoiachin released 25:27–30
Proclamation by Cyrus 36:22–23
Bathsheba

Bathsheba

Bathsheba was the beautiful wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s warriors. While walking on his roof one afternoon, David saw Bathsheba bathing. He sent messengers to take her and bring her to him, and he committed adultery with her. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David desperately attempted to cover his sin. He first tried to make it appear that the child was Uriah’s, but when that failed, he plotted the murder of his faithful soldier. After Uriah’s death, David married Bathsheba. His sin brought evil upon his household, including the death of his and Bathsheba’s first child. God had mercy on David, who repented of his sin. Bathsheba bore him four sons, including Solomon. (1 Kings 1:15–21)

Solomon

Solomon

The son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon succeeded his father as king of Israel. Rather than ask God for riches or power, Solomon asked for wisdom. His request pleased God, who granted him not only what he asked for but also what he did not ask—riches and honor such as the world had never known. Among the king’s most significant building projects were the first temple in Jerusalem and a magnificent palace. But riches and wisdom were not the only things Solomon had in abundance—he also had over 700 wives! He was a great king when he obeyed God, but sadly his marriages to women outside the people of God proved to be his downfall. Solomon’s reign ended in tragedy when “his wives turned away his heart” (11:3) by influencing him to worship pagan gods. (1 Kings 3:10–14)

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:2–4 let her wait on the king and be in his service. . . . lie in your arms. The Hebrew words used here imply that David could have had sexual relations with Abishag. The fact that he did not do so (knew her not) probably led Adonijah to believe that the king was near death and could be easily overthrown.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:5–6 Adonijah was David’s oldest surviving son. David had the right, with God’s guidance, to appoint his own successor. But Adonijah exalted himself by trying to make himself king. Apparently Adonijah was used to getting his way, for David had never held him accountable for anything (never asking, “Why have you done thus and so?”). This is also how David had treated Absalom, who also rebelled (see note on 2 Sam. 13:21).

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:7–9 The events of chs. 1–2 are related to tensions between Judah and Israel as already seen in the books of Samuel and soon to reappear in 1 Kings 12 (see 2 Sam. 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16). It was the royal officials of Judah who were invited to Adonijah’s feast, not those of Israel. Shimei was an opponent of David from the house of Saul (2 Sam. 16:5–14). The spring En-rogel was south of Jerusalem, at the juncture of the Hinnom and Kidron Valleys. It provided a water source for the city.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:13 Did you not . . . swear? This oath is not mentioned anywhere else, and Nathan does not mention it to David when he later confronts him (vv. 24–27). Perhaps David had privately promised Bathsheba that her son Solomon would be the next king.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:20–21 Bathsheba is concerned that, if David does not appoint Solomon as the next king, she and her son will be treated as rivals for the throne (counted offenders). Their lives will be at risk.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:31 May my lord King David live forever! Bathsheba uses the conventional language for addressing a king (compare Dan. 3:9). She is reaffirming her loyalty to David.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:33 my own mule. Solomon’s ride on David’s mule marks him as David’s favored son. The mule itself may have been regarded as a symbol of kingship (see Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:1–11).

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:38 Cherethites and . . . Pelethites. These are probably the “servants” of v. 33, apparently David’s own personal troops (see 2 Sam. 20:7, 23).

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:39 The tent might be the tabernacle, that is, “the tent of the LORD” (2:28–30). However, the text distinguishes between David’s tent in Jerusalem (the temporary location of the ark of the covenant) and the tabernacle in Gibeon.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:41–49 Adonijah’s guests, who were in En-rogel (v. 9), were not able to directly observe Solomon’s anointing (vv. 38–40). However, they were close enough that they heard people celebrating. Therefore they trembled and rose (v. 49), knowing that siding with Adonijah could mean being considered rebels.

Study Notes

1 Kings 1:50 horns of the altar. Adonijah believes that the altar, as a holy place, will protect him from Solomon’s revenge. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures allowed people to seek asylum at shrines.

1 Kings Fact #2: Horns of the altar

Fact: Horns of the altar

Horns of the altar. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures regarded shrines and temples as places where a person could seek safety and refuge. In Hebrew culture, a person accused of a crime might grasp the horns of the altar (1:50) to indicate that he was seeking protection from the Lord.

Study Notes
1 Kings Fact #1: Forever

Fact: Forever

God promised to establish David’s kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17). Although Adonijah was David’s eldest living son, Nathan and Bathsheba’s actions ensured that Solomon’s claim to the throne was stronger (ch. 1). Solomon became king at David’s death.

Bathsheba

Bathsheba

Bathsheba was the beautiful wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s warriors. While walking on his roof one afternoon, David saw Bathsheba bathing. He sent messengers to take her and bring her to him, and he committed adultery with her. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David desperately attempted to cover his sin. He first tried to make it appear that the child was Uriah’s, but when that failed, he plotted the murder of his faithful soldier. After Uriah’s death, David married Bathsheba. His sin brought evil upon his household, including the death of his and Bathsheba’s first child. God had mercy on David, who repented of his sin. Bathsheba bore him four sons, including Solomon. (1 Kings 1:15–21)

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:2–3 Be strong, and show yourself a man. David’s parting words to Solomon echo God’s words to Joshua when he became the leader of Israel after Moses’ death (Josh. 1:6–9).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:4 his word that he spoke concerning me. The reference is apparently to 2 Sam. 7:11b–16, although that passage does not mention any conditions attached to the promise (If your sons pay close attention to their way).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:5 what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me. Joab is to be killed to clear David’s house of “the guilt for the blood” that Joab “shed without cause” (v. 31). It is interesting, however, that David himself had apparently not been concerned enough about this previously to take action against someone who had been so useful to him (e.g., 2 Sam. 11:15; 14:1–33).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:6 according to your wisdom. Solomon must find a way to ensure that Joab’s death is not a peaceful and natural death in old age (do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace). For “Sheol,” see note on 1 Sam. 2:6.

Study Notes
Jeremiah Fact #28: Geruth Chimham

Fact: Geruth Chimham

The town of Geruth Chimham (41:17) may have been named after the Chimham mentioned in 2 Sam. 19:37–40 (see also “sons of Barzillai,” 1 Kings 2:7), who apparently served King David in a time of great need. It was common for members of the royal court to be paid for their services in land rather than money.

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:10 David slept with his fathers. The metaphor of sleep hints at the expectation of awakening sometime in the future. “With his fathers” suggests that previous generations also join in this hope, and that David is somehow now with them.

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:11 David reigned over Israel for forty years, and died in 970 B.C.

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:12 his kingdom was firmly established. God has done for Solomon what he had done earlier for David (2 Sam. 5:12), keeping his promise to David (1 Kings 2:24).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:17 give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife. Second Samuel 16:20–22 suggests that sexual relations with the king’s concubines amounted to a claim to the throne. Solomon interprets Adonijah’s request as a revival of his conspiracy (1 Kings 1). It was precisely the “wickedness” against which Solomon had warned Adonijah in 1:52 (compare 2:22).

1 Kings Fact #3: Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag?

Fact: Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag?

Why did Adonijah ask for Abishag? Marrying David’s concubine (2:17) would have given Adonijah a claim to the throne.

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:22 my older brother. At least some Israelites would have believed that the eldest son had a special claim to the throne.

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:26 you deserve death. There is no evidence that Abiathar and Joab had anything to do with Adonijah’s request regarding Abishag, but both are pronounced guilty by association.

Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon (c. 970–930 B.C.)

Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon (c. 970–930 B.C.)

David commanded his son Solomon to build a new temple on Mount Moriah. This work took seven years, followed by 13 years of building a royal complex to the south of the temple (1 Kings 6:38; 7:1). As this quarter was located outside and north of the original city of David, new city walls must have been built to connect the two areas.

Solomon’s temple was Israel’s first permanent sanctuary. The temple was constructed on the top of Mount Moriah (2 Chron. 3:1). The royal complex was built to the immediate south of the temple. It consisted of Solomon’s own palace and a smaller house for his Egyptian wife (1 Kings 7:8), an armory called the “House of the Forest of Lebanon” (vv. 2–5), a Hall of Pillars (v. 6), and a Hall of the Throne (v. 7). A special “Ascent” connected this complex with the temple.

The area between the temple complex and the city of David was called the Ophel.

Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:27 thus fulfilling the word of the LORD . . . concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh. Compare 1 Sam. 2:27–36. Abiathar is identified as a member of Eli’s house in 1 Sam. 22:20, and the “faithful priest” of 1 Sam. 2:35 is now discovered to be Zadok (1 Kings 2:35).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:28–34 Following David’s instructions (see vv. 5–6 and notes), Solomon moves to have Joab killed. horns of the altar. See note on 1:50. Benaiah . . . struck him down. Joab does not think that Solomon will be as ruthless as Joab had shown himself to be, that is, prepared even to have someone killed in the sanctuary. Though this was not strictly in compliance with Ex. 21:12–14 (which states that a murderer is to be taken away from the altar and put to death), taking refuge in the sanctuary applied only to the case of accidental death (Ex. 21:13), not intentional murder. David’s view (see note on 1 Kings 2:5) was that Joab deserved death for the murder of both Abner (2 Sam. 3:27) and Amasa (2 Sam. 20:10).

Study Notes

1 Kings 2:36–46 Solomon moves next to kill Shimei, who had cursed David as he fled from Absalom (see vv. 7–8; 2 Sam. 16:5–13). When Shimei ignores Solomon’s order not to go from Jerusalem to any other place, Solomon orders his execution.

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:1 Israel was warned against a “return to Egypt” (Deut. 17:16). They were also warned not to “intermarry” with the people of other nations, because such marriages would lead to their serving other gods (Deut. 7:3–4). Now, Solomon makes a marriage alliance with Pharaoh, and it will, in fact, lead him to serve other gods (1 Kings 11:3–4).

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:2 the high places. The continued growth of these local places of worship is one of the main concerns in 1–2 Kings (1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 12:3; 14:4). The ideal for God’s people was the one place of worship described in Deuteronomy 12.

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:7–9 I am but a little child. I do not know how. Solomon feels inadequate for the great task of leading Israel.

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:11–14 Solomon’s “wisdom” in ch. 2 was a self-serving kind. To be a good king, he will need a higher kind of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the true beginning of wisdom (Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 15:33). I give you a wise and discerning mind. This wisdom is a supernatural gift from God.

Solomon

Solomon

The son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon succeeded his father as king of Israel. Rather than ask God for riches or power, Solomon asked for wisdom. His request pleased God, who granted him not only what he asked for but also what he did not ask—riches and honor such as the world had never known. Among the king’s most significant building projects were the first temple in Jerusalem and a magnificent palace. But riches and wisdom were not the only things Solomon had in abundance—he also had over 700 wives! He was a great king when he obeyed God, but sadly his marriages to women outside the people of God proved to be his downfall. Solomon’s reign ended in tragedy when “his wives turned away his heart” (11:3) by influencing him to worship pagan gods. (1 Kings 3:10–14)

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:16 two prostitutes . . . stood before him. The Israelite king represented the highest court of appeal.

Study Notes

1 Kings 3:1–28 Although Solomon has displayed a worldly kind of wisdom in his treatment of those who were a threat to him (2:6, 9), he still lacks a truly “wise and discerning mind” (3:12). The gift of wisdom that he now receives from God will allow him to govern more justly, as will be seen in vv. 16–28.

1 Kings 3:27–28 Through Solomon’s understanding of human nature, he identifies the true mother. Israel realizes that the wisdom of God was in him.

1 Kings Fact #4: No witnesses

Fact: No witnesses

No witnesses. Under normal circumstances, priests and judges would have presided over the case between the two prostitutes (3:16–28). However, because there were no witnesses to the case, the law required them to go before Solomon. The king was considered to be the highest court of appeal.

How do we reconcile Solomon's ask for wisdom with the decisions that he makes later on in Scripture?

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | 1 Kings 1-3

King David's life and reign are coming to an end. His God-given reign over Israel was defined by the unconditional covenant the Lord established with him, promising that David's house, kingdom, and throne would be there forever. His reign has been marked by abiding faith, great military successes, servant-leadership over Israel, and significant moral failures. 

David's aging body sets the stage for the new king, not a king of primogeniture, but a king established in line with the Lord's covenant with David, by the Lord's sovereign will. In a sign of kingship that pointed him as a favored son, Solomon rode on David's mule to be anointed to sit on Israel's royal throne. 

David defines Solomon's reign by charging him to walk faithfully in God's ways, to be diligent to obey God's Word with all his heart and all his soul, and to act with God-given wisdom, including being diligent to reign with justice and to lead the people of Israel in a godly way.

Solomon's providential reign is firmly established with the death of David. Solomon loved the Lord and humbly asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment to govern God's people. Solomon demonstrates God's great wisdom and discernment when the prostitutes come before him with their impossible problem, but hairline cracks in Solomon's character and obedience appear as he makes an alliance with Egypt by marrying Pharaoh's daughter and as he continues to allow Israel to sacrifice at the high places.

As the book of Kings unfolds, there are many God-honoring highlights of Solomon's reign, but it also becomes evident that King Solomon is flawed, revealing his divided heart. Solomon is not the Promised King and all subsequent kings of Israel and Judah will prove their own limitations, failures, and sinfulness. A greater King is needed. 

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." (Jeremiah 23:5)

Jesus says of Himself, " . . . [B]ehold, something greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42)

This month's memory verse

"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?" (NLT)

– 2 Samuel 22:31-32

Discussion Questions

1. What lessons can you learn from Adonijah? What lessons can you learn from Nathan?

2. What do you learn from David as he ages, and his life and service to the Lord come to an end? 

3. Do you see the incredible connection between 1 Kings 1:32-40 and Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem in the gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19? 

4. If you are a follower of King Jesus, what is your life defined by? As you live out your faith in Jesus, what is your life marked by?

5. Where are the spiritual cracks in your life? Where do you see spiritual growth in your life? Where do you see a spiritual lack, stagnation, or regression?