How to Read 1 Kings

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First and Second Kings were originally one book: The same Hebrew scroll contained both. Hebrew, having no vowels, is a very compact language, and when the book of Kings was translated into the wordier Greek and Latin, more space was needed. Translators arbitrarily split Kings. The two books, however, should be read as one.

First Kings divides neatly almost in half, with mostly good news in the first half. It tells of Israel’s Golden Age, when King Solomon brought peace and prosperity to the nation. But he also sowed the seed o the calamities to follow. Chapter 12 marks the beginning of a civil war that ruptured Israel into two nations: Is real in the North and Judah in the South. The rest of 1, 2 Kings describes, ruler by ruler the signs of 19 kingsin the North and 19 kings and one queen in the South.

Another book, 2 Chronicles, covers the exact same historical period as 1, 2 Kings. In some cases, 2 Chronicles adds ore details, so if the story interests you, read the parallel account there. These books of history form the background for 17 other books of the Bible: the Prophets, Famous prophets such as Isaiah Jeremiah, Hosea, and Amos preached during the time of the Kings. 

Keeping 39 rulers straight can seem hopeless, especially since the book jump back and forth between two countries. Remember:

Israel was the Northern Kingdom, with its capital in Samaria. Its kings were all. unfaithful to God.
 Judah was the Southern Kingdom, with its capital in Jerusalem. Almost half of its rulers remained somewhat faithful to God; the others proved disobedient.

People You’ll Meet in 1Kings

Solomon
Abiathar
Jeroboam
Elijah
 Ahab

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