Kings

The Old Testament > Kings -- First and Second Kings are two halves of a single book, and this page serves as the introduction to both.

Subpages: 1 Kings 1-11, 1 Kings 12-16a, 1 Kings 16b-2 Kings 1, 2 Kings 2-13, 2 Kings 14-17, 2 Kings 18-25

Subpages 1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 1: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,  1

Subpages 2 Kings 2-13:  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Subpages 2 Kings 14-17: 14, 15, 16, 17

Subpages 2 Kings 18-25: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

                                                                 Next page: 1 Kings 1-11

This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.

Summary

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First and Second Kings are two halves of a single book, and this introduction will therefore serve for both halves of Kings. The book of Kings can be outlined in six major divisions as follows:

A. Solomon reigns over united kingdom (1 Kgs 1-11)

B. Rehoboam and Jeroboam I followed by seven kings (1 Kgs 12-16a)

C. Elijah and Ahab (1 Kgs 16b - 2 Kgs 2)

C. Elisha (2 Kgs 3-13)

B. Jeroboam II followed by seven kings, Northern Kingdom falls (2 Kgs 14-17)

A. Southern Kingdom alone (2 Kgs 18-25)

Each of the major divisions of Kings is discussed separately on the following subpages:

Historical setting

This heading should be brief and explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

A broader treatment of the history of ancient Israel, including Kings, is found at Old Testament: Historical Overview.

Discussion

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Points to ponder

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I have a question

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Relation to other scriptures

This heading is for notes about the relationship of this book to other sections and passages. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Related scriptures

The relationship of Kings to other books of the Old Testament is addressed at Old Testament: Organization. (NEED TO ADD a discussion of Kings versus Chronicles).

Joseph Smith Translation

The Joseph Smith Translation made changes to the following verses in Kings. This list is complete:

• 1 Kgs 3:1-9, 12, 14

• 1 Kgs 11:4, 6, 33-35, 37-39

• 1 Kgs 13:18

• 1 Kgs 14:8

• 1 Kgs 15:3, 5, 11-12

• 1 Kgs 18:37

• 2 Kgs 1:10, 12, 14

• 2 Kgs 8:10

Complete outline and page map

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A. Solomon reigns over united kingdom (1 Kgs 1-11)

a. Prophet intervenes in royal succession (1:1-2:12a)

b. Solomon eliminates threats to his security (2:12b-46)

c. Solomon’s early loyalty and promise (3:1-15)

d. Solomon uses his gifts for the people (3:16-4:34)

e. Preparations for building the temple (5:1-18)

f. Solomon builds the temple (6:1-7:51)

f. Solomon dedicates the temple (8:1-9:10)

e. After building the temple (9:11-25)

d. Solomon uses gifts for himself (9:26-10:29)

c. Solomon’s ultimate disloyalty and punishment (11:1-13)

b. The Lord raises up threats to Solomon’s security (11:14-25)

a. Prophet determines royal succession (11:26-43)

B. Rehoboam and Jeroboam I followed by seven kings (1 Kgs 12-16a)

Rehoboam and Jeroboam I (Chapters 12-14)

• Judah: Rehoboam: arrogance causes ten tribes to secede and select Jeroboam, told not to attack Israel (12:1-24)

• Israel: Jeroboam: golden calves, prophet curses Jeroboam's altar, prophet refuses to eat with king but eats with prophet and killed by lion (12:25-13:34)

• Israel: Jeroboam: prophet Ahijah tells Jeroboam's wife that son will die and house will be destroyed (14:1-20)

• Judah: Rehoboam: invaded by Egypt, constant war with Israel, dies (14:21-31)

Seven kings (Chapters 15-16)

• Judah: Abijam (son of Rehoboam): wicked, war with Israel (15:1-8)

• Judah: Asa (son of Abijam): righteous, war with Israel, hires Syria to attack Israel (15:9-24)

• Israel: Nadab (son of Jeroboam): overthrown by Baasha and entire house destroyed (15:25-32)

• Israel: Baasha: wicked, told house will be destroyed like Jeroboam's (15:33-16:7)

• Israel: Elah (son of Baasha): overthrown by Zimri and entire house destroyed (16:8-14)

• Israel: Zimri: reigns seven days and overthrown by Omri (16:15-20)

• Israel: Omri: selected to succeed Zimri, wicked, builds Samaria (16:21-28)

C. Elijah and Ahab (1 Kgs 16b - 2 Kgs 2)

a. Elijah appears suddenly, seals heavens, and leaves (17)

b. fire from heaven consumes false priests, covenant renewed, rain (18)

c. Elijah assured that Ahab’s house will perish, still small voice (19)

d. Ahab spares Syrian king Ben-Hadad, not assure defense (20)

d. Ahab murders Israelite Naboth for vineyard, false witnesses, not provide justice (21)

c. Ahab dies, lying spirits to false priests (22)

b. fire from heaven devours arresting officers (1)

a. Elijah departs on east side of Jordan, chariot into heaven (2)

C. Elisha (2 Kgs 3-13)

B. Jeroboam II followed by seven kings, Northern Kingdom falls (2 Kgs 14-17)

A. Southern Kingdom alone (2 Kgs 18-25)

Resources

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Translations

• Amplified • The Amplified Bible, 1987 update

• NASB • New American Standard Bible, 1995 update

• NIV • New International Version

• RSV • Revised Standard Version

Cited references

• Wayment, Thomas A., ed. The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Old Testament, p. 136-41. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2009. (ISBN 1606411314) BX8630.A2 2009

Other resources

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Old Testament: First Kings to Malachi (Institute Manual), vol. 2, third ed. (PDF version), ch. 1 (1 Kgs 1-11), ch. 4 (1 Kgs 12-16), ch. 5 (1 Kgs 17 - 2 Kgs 2), ch. 6 (2 Kgs 3-13), ch. 12 (2 Kgs 14-20), ch. 19 (2 Kgs 21-25). Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2003.

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves, such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word. In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources are preferable to footnotes.

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                                                                 Next page: 1 Kings 1-11