Lesson 12
The Book of I Kings
The Book
A. The first half of I Kings traces the life of Solomon. Under his leadership Israel rises to the peak of her size
and glory. Solomon's great accomplishments, including the unsurpassed splendor of the Temple which he constructs in
Jerusalem, brings him world wide fame and respect.  Solomon's zeal for God diminished in his later years as
pagan wives turn his heart away from worship in the Temple of God. As a result, the King with the divided heart
leaves behind a divided Kingdom. For the next century the Book of I King traces the twin histories of two sets of
Kings and two Nations, disobedient people who grow indifferent to God's Prophets and precepts.
B. The author is I & II Kings in unknown, but evidence supports the tradition that the Book of Kings was written
by the prophet Jeremiah.
C. I Kings covers the 120 years from the beginning of Solomon's reign in 971 B.C. through Ahaziah's reign ending
in 851 B.C. The key date is 931 B.C., the year the Kingdom was divided into the Northern Nation of Israel and
the Southern Nation of Judah.
D. Solomon pictures Christ in a number of ways. His fame, glory, wealth and honor foreshadow Christ in His Kingdom.
Matt. 12:42_______________________________________________
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E. Our Key Word: Division of the Kingdom. This is the
result of disobedience and is clearly seen in 11:11_______
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Survey of I Kings
United Kingdom 1-11
Divided Kingdom 12-22
Part 1
The United Kingdom 1-11
Part 1 will cover King Solomon's 40 year reign of the United Kingdom. This is viewed in three distinct periods of his
life.
1. The establishment of Solomon as King
2. The rise of Solomon as King
3. The decline of Solomon as King
1. Chapters 1-2 deal with Solomon being established as King over Israel. After Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon
(v. 34) and David dies, Solomon begins to purge the  Kingdom by having Abiathar removed and Adonijah, Joab and
Shimel executed.
2. Solomon's rise begins with the request for wisdom and understanding. Chapter 3:5-13. Note verse 5_____________
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Compare this with Matt. 7:7_______________________________
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Solomon's request 3:9_____________________________________
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Compare with James 1:5____________________________________
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The wisdom of Solomon is displayed in 3:16. Explain_______
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His wisdom recognized in 4:34_____________________________
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In Chapters 5-8 The Temple and Solomon's house are constructed.

6:1__________________________________________
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7:1_______________________________________________________
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In Chapter 8 we read of the dedication of the Temple. Solomon spoke to the people and prayed to the Lord.
Ver. 66___________________________________________________
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3. The Decline of Solomon as King
Chapter 9 - The Covenant made to David is repeated to Solomon in verses 1-9. From verse 9 through Chapter 11
Solomon is disobedient.  6 Items that contributed to his downfall.
1. The Sale of the Cities in Israel
2. Enslavement of the Canaanites
3. Multiplication of Wealth
4. Multiplication of Horses
5. Intermarriage with foreign women
6. The Worship of Idols

The result of Solomon's transgression: The Lord says the Kingdom shall be divided after his death. 11:31__________
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11:41-43__________________________________________________
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Gal. 6:7__________________________________________________
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Part 2
The Divided Kingdom Chapters 12-22
Upon Solomon's death, God's word comes to pass. Solomon's son Rehoboam chooses the foolish course of promising more
severe taxation. Jeroboam, an officer in Solomon's army, leads the ten Northern tribes in revolt. They make him
their king, leaving only Judah and Benjamin in the South under Rehoboam. In Chapter 12:25-33, Jeroboam built false
centers of worship at Dan and Bethel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship. He also made "Priests
of the lowest people, not of the son's of Levi." Again we see the judgment of God. 14:14-16_________________________
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There are two lines of Kings and during this 80 year period of I Kings, Judah had four Kings and Israel had
eight. Each of the eight Kings of Israel were evil. Two of the Kings of Judah (these two reigned 66 years, Asa &
Jehoshaphat) were good Kings. (Chapters 15 & 16)
The Prophet Elijah - Chapters 17-22
The last six Chapters of I Kings gives the ministry of Elijah the Prophet, in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (the ten
tribes). The New Testament speaks of him more than any other Prophet. It was Elijah who appeared with Moses at our Lord's
Transfiguration. (Matt. 17:1-5) Ahab brings a measure of cooperation between the Northern and
Southern Kingdoms, yet he reaches new depths of wickedness as a King. Note a pulling together, yet pulling away from God.
16:30________________________________________________________
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He is the man who introduces Jezebel's Baal worship to Israel. The Prophet Elijah ministers during this low period
in Israel's history.
Note the Deeds of Elijah:
1. Chapter 17 Miracle of the Drought
2. Miracle of the Resurrection of the Gentile Son.
3. Chapter 18 Miracle of Fire on Mt. Carmel and the
Miracle of Rain.
Chapter 19 Elijah flees from Jezebel, desires to die, and has some self-pity. This chapter should be classified as his
failures. After God sets him straight, he goes back and anoints two Kings, then finds Elisha and begins training him
to succeed him.
Chapter 20 The Wars with Syria
Chapter 21 The murder of Naboth to acquire his land (act of envy) and the words of Micaiah, another Prophet of God
predicting Ahab's death.
Chapter 22 Israel is defeated by Syria and Ahab dies. This chapter also records the reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah and
Ahaziah in Israel. Note that Sameria is the Capital of Israel. Jerusalem is the Capital of Judah.
Questions

1. What were Solomon's major accomplishments?

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2. Explain the condition of the Kingdom under his reign.

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3. What brought about Solomon's decline?

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4. Explain the condition of the Kingdom after Solomon's
death.

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5. Name the Prophet most spoken of in I Kings and his deeds.

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6. Describe the character of Ahab.

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7. Explain Elijah's accomplishments.

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