Key word: Compromise
Like 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings were originally one book split into two for convenience. As the book opens, David is on His death bed and is handing the kingdom over to Solomon. The history found in the book will take us forward 126 years through the division of the kingdom and the reigns of Jehoshaphat in Judah and Ahab in Israel.
As we begin the Kings, it is on a high note. Israel is in the land; the kingdom has been established by David and handed off in good shape economically and spiritually to Solomon, the wisest of men. Israel appears to be on the edge of being the blessing to the nations as it was designed by God to be. But something goes terribly wrong as Solomon compromises with false deities and leads Israel astray with him (11:1-2, 6). Israel was at its high-water mark by 4:20, built the temple in chapter 6, and the Lord’s presence filled it in 8:10. Solomon dedicates the temple in 8:12-66.
After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam, his son ascended to the throne, but soon civil war broke out and Jeroboam took the northern tribes of Israel, while Rehoboam was king over the Southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin, known only as Judah going forward. The division was never mended and the rest of the kings tell the narrative of 20 kings in Judah and 20 kings in Israel. There would be constant war between the two nations (14:30). Israel fully abandons the Lord and none of the 20 kings ever follow Him. Judah, ruled by Davidic descendants will be ruled by a mixture of Jehovah worshipers and apostates.
The most outstanding character during this time was not a king, but a prophet – Elijah (see chapter 17-19). Here was a man who stood against all odds, against kings and queens, against a multitude of idol worshipping prophets and priests, against virtually a whole nation and proclaimed that the Lord alone is God.
There are a few bright lights in 2 Kings, especially Elijah, but the story line is basically one of failure due to initial compromise. 1 Kings begins with Israel worshiping God and ends with a divided nation worshipping false gods. We are always only one generation away from spiritual failure and 1 Kings models this sad truth all too well.
Key verse: 1 Kings 18:21 – “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow Him.”
