1 Kings

Overview – December 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

First Kings

“There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.” —1 Kings 8:56 NKJV

First Kings introduces the kingdom of Solomon over Israel, a type of the glorious kingdom of the Lord Jesus in its settled state of millennial peace and prosperity – not in its powerful conquests. Its wealth and glory have been unsurpassed in history. Solomon was given the honor of building the temple of God, a building that was both marvelous and magnificent, the center of Israel’s worship and unity.

Sadly, Solomon failed to bear the responsibility of such honor. Though a believer, his personal life degenerated through unholy marriages and other self-indulgences contrary to God’s will for him. When he died, the kingdom was split cruelly in two, with ten tribes, called “Israel,” revolting from the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin who are referred to as “Judah.” This rift has never been healed nor will be until the Lord Jesus takes the throne over all Israel.

The book then deals largely with the history of the succession of the kings who ruled over Israel, the ten tribes, in Samaria. Their kingdom passed from family to family through many conspiracies and rebellions. This was totally contrary to God. Not one of these kings appears to have been even a believer. The kings of Judah (the line of David) are also mentioned, but with much less detail. The prophet Elijah appears in chapter 17, a stern witness against Israel’s wickedness. Other prophets also intimate [suggest, imply] to us the fact of the kings of Israel proving to be failures.

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.
It is available from the publisher:Believer’s Bookshelf USA.