The period covered by the book of 1 Kings is approximately 120 years. There are two main figures that dominate the story. The first is a King, Solomon. The second is a prophet, Elijah. In the middle of the book, there is the sad account of the division of the kingdom.

Reign of Solomon

The first chapter deals with the issue of succession. David has neglected this and one of his sons, Adonijah, attempts to seize his throne. However, with the help of the prophet Nathan, it is Solomon who becomes king. He establishes his rule and, because he asks God for wisdom, is also granted great wealth. He gives himself to what God had purposed for him to do – to construct the temple where the Ark of the Covenant was to be placed. In Solomon’s prayer of dedication, he speaks of the temple as the house of the Lord, the dwelling place of God. This points to the vital truth that God is looking for a dwelling place among people. Sadly, Solomon eventually becomes compromised in his faith. He spends more time and money on building his own palace than he does on the temple. He accumulates many wives and concubines. He also amasses many horses and chariots, something which had been specifically forbidden by the Law. Eventually, he gives way to religious compromise and idolatry. Inevitably, God’s judgement comes in the division of the kingdom.

Division of the Kingdom

On one level, the kingdom was divided as a result of the harshness of Solomon, and then his son Rehoboam, in forcing the people into forced labour. However, it was also clearly God’s judgement because Solomon had compromised on the terms of the covenant. God was keeping his part of the covenant by allowing curse and trouble on them. The kingdom was to stay divided for the next 253 years.

We are introduced to the first of the kings – of the ten northern tribes of Israel, and the two southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah (though the kingdom is referred to simply as Judah).  Although there are a few good kings, most are evil, especially in Israel. A number of them are assassinated. Significantly, they are designated as good or evil in relation to two things. The first is their obedience, or lack of, to the terms of the covenant. The second is the condition of their hearts. God is looking for obedience that comes from the heart, as he had found in David.

Elijah’s Prophetic ministry

At the time of these kings, there were also a number of prophets around. They are often referred to simply as ‘men of God’, although we are shown them as fallible men with all their weaknesses. The role of the prophet seems to be to confront the king with where he is going astray from God’s covenant. The major prophet that emerges in the second part of 1 Kings is Elijah. There is a strong miraculous element to Elijah’s prophetic ministry. His prophecies stop the rain and bring drought. He then later brings the rain again, at the time of the amazing confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. In that central event, he is calling God’s people back into their covenant relationship with the Lord. Elijah is a formidable and powerful figure. But we also see him with human frailty. He falls into depression after the heights of Mount Carmel, when the king’s wicked wife, Jezebel, is pursuing him. God helps and challenges him, and then sends him back to fulfil God’s purpose. For example, he calls Elisha to become his assistant and subsequently his successor. Although Elijah dominates the book, it is clear that there are many other prophets around. Some are called the ‘sons of the prophets’ or the ‘companies of the prophets.’ It is these two important roles of king and prophet that dominate the book of 1 Kings and that ultimately point to Jesus who is both a King and Prophet.