Summary of the books of kings the story of the bible. Who really wrote the biblical books of kings and the prophets. Jun 11, 2015 a chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of 1 kings taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Books of kings, two books of the hebrew bible or the protestant old testament that, together with deuteronomy, joshua, judges, and 1 and 2 samuel, belong to the group of historical books deuteronomic history written during the babylonian exile c. The tradition is that the prophet jeremiah was the author of both 1 and 2 kings. The books of 1 and 2 kings center around the climax of the great overarching history of a world created by god and of a particular people in it who were handpicked by him. The book of 1 kings does not specifically name its author. Besides that the record of the life of hezekiah or isaiah 36. The tradition is that it was written by the prophet jeremiah. The two books of kings are regarded by many as the last part of a work. These and other miraculous events testify to gods continuing work among his people.
Solomon had once dedicated the temple in jerusalem by declaring that the god of israel is completely unique. It is a history book, from the old testament of the bible. As the titles of the books indicate, 1 2 kings describe the period of the monarchy in ancient israel 970586 b. Israel is united under the godly king david, who appoints his son solomon to rule. The destruction of the messengers he sent to seize the prophet, once and again 2 kings 1.
As the illustrious life of king david draws to a close, only some quick thinking by the prophet nathan and solomons mom bathsheba prevents adonijah from stealing the throne from solomon, the rightful king. The story of the book of kings is one of the lost books of the old testament. Israel is united under the godly king david, who appoints his son solomon. The book of 2 kings, along with 1 kings, was likely written between 560 and 540 b. This navigator bible study follows the chronological events of israels eventual downfall while teaching valuable lessons about gods will and character. In these history books, the bible contains many examples which teach how we should live 2 timothy 3. Chronicles history appears to have been written later than kings. It concludes the deuteronomistic history, a history of israel also comprising the books of joshua and judges and the book of samuel, which biblical commentators believe was written to provide a theological explanation for the destruction of the kingdom of judah by babylon in. The book of 2 kings is a sequel to the book of 1 kings. The guiding thesis of the book is that the welfare of israel and her kings depended on their submission to and reliance on israels covenant god their obedience to the sinaitic covenant regulations and their faithful response to gods prophets. Will gods promised messiah come to pass in spite of israels failures. The message he received from the god of israel 2 kings 1. The waters of the jordan river rolled back twice 2 kings 2.
Adonijah usurps davids throne, but flees after the anointing of solomon. Jack zavada is a writer who covers the bible, theology, and other christianity topics. Jul 31, 20 northern kings struggle for control 1 kgs 14. Use it as a supplemental or standalone study as you dig deeper into gods word with us every day on the first 5 app. A miners to millionaires story copper kings book 2 janelle daniels. The prophet elijah left this earth without dying 2. Watch our overview video on the books of 12 kings, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The fourth book of the former prophets i and ii kings in the septuagint continues. In the hebrew bible the book of kings continued the narrative started in samuel. So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the lord your god requires. It is unclear exactly what these annals were and how the author had access to them, but their use as references infer they were available to jeremiahs audience. An introduction to the books of first and second kings. Book of first kings overview insight for living ministries.
Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the. Now ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in samaria, and was injured. First kings follows the history of this divided kingdom through the year 853 bc. A story of gods grace for a rebellious people is a tenweek study in the first 5 app. Known as kings 1 and 2 in english bibles, the book of kings is originally a single book that recounts the rule of israels kings from davids son solomon up until. These books of history pick up where second samuel left off. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of first kings in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. In offering a theological interpretation of history, 12 kings upholds a double principle.
In a paper written during world war ii, the german biblical scholar martin noth called this work the deuteronomistic history, and this is the term used to this day. If the deuteronomic law is the standard of judgment in 1 and 2 kings, then the priests code is the standard in 1 and 2 chronicles. The books of first and second kings are the story of israels decline. In these history books, the bible contains many important lessons for us today 2 timothy 3. The book of 2nd kings is narrative history and prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided kingdoms. The purpose of 1st kings is to contrast those who obey and disobey god throughout the ruling. Reference is made for example to the book of the acts of solomon 1 kings 11. The books of kings may be arranged with this quick outline. Whereas first and second samuel document israels shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of david, kings shows how israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies these books of history pick up where second samuel left off. God judges ahabs family with elisha, jehu, and hazael 2 kgs 110 more kings of the north and south rule israel and judah 2 kgs 1116 israel falls to assyria 2 kgs 17.
More specifically, it narrates the time from king david to the babylonian captivity of judah, including the years from 930586 bc, and twenty kings of israel, nineteen kings of judah, and one queen of judah. The historical books a good introduction to and overview of the historical books of the old testament joshua, judgesruth, 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings, 1 and 2 chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, esther other resources. Other tha n restudying genesis and exodus our bible study groups most recent old. Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of god, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. Enoch was the only other man in the bible to do so genesis 5. Known as kings 1 and 2 in english bibles, the book of kings is originally a single book that recounts the rule of israels kings from davids son solomon up until the time of israels exile, the final result of israels disobedience. The message which, on that occasion, he sent to the god of ekron 2 kings 1. Moab rebelled against israel after the death of ahab. The jerusalem bible divides the two books of kings into eight sections. The book of 1 kings traces the history of gods covenant people under israels kings, beginning with the reign. Like the books of 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings originally were one book. Solomon has adonijah executed along with the rest of his enemies, and gets to work building an empire. The book of kings is the ninth book of the hebrew bible or the eleventh and twelfth books of the christian old testament.
So he sent messengers, saying to them, go and consult baalzebub, the god of ekron, to see if i will recover from this injury. In these four books the history of the nation is traced from the time of its greatest extent, influence, and prosperity under david and solomon to the division and finally the captivity and exile of both kingdoms. This summary of the book of 1 kings provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 kings. The first two chapters of 1 kings complete the story of david, begun in the. It continues the story of the kings over the divided kingdom israel and judah. Book of second kings overview insight for living ministries. This book is the sequel to 1 and 2 samuel and begins by tracing solomons rise to kingship after the death of. The books of kings continue the story that began in the books of samuel. In general, 1,2 kings describes the history of the kings of israel and judah in the light of gods covenants. The book of 2 kings continues the story of 1 kings, telling how gods people gradually lose their distinct identity in the world due to the faithless kings who lead them. The key personalities are david, solomon, rehoboam, jeroboam, elijah, ahab, and jezebel. There is no god like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath. The author or authors of these two books is unknown.