The Books of Kings

The two Books of Kings were originally, like 1 and 2 Samuel, a single historical work. In
conjunction with the Books of Samuel, they extend the consecutive history of Israel from the birth of
Samuel to the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. This combined work is designed as a religious
history; hence in Kings the temple, which is the chosen site for the worship of Yahweh, occupies the
center of attention.
The Books of Kings show clearly the theological bent of a Deuteronomic editor. In them, as
already in Judges, material from various sources, such as the book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kgs 11,
41) and the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel (1 Kgs 14,19), is forged into structural unity by
an editor whose principal interest is in the fidelity to Yahweh of rulers and people. The reigns of
individual kings are adapted to an editorial framework consisting of a presentation and an obituary
notice for each, in stereotyped formulas. In between, the achievements of the king are reported above
all, his fidelity or lack of fidelity to Yahweh. The faithful prosper; the unfaithful pay for their defections.
Since this is basically a narrative of sin and retribution, it would not be inappropriate to entitle the Books
of Kings The Rise and Fall of Israelite Monarchy.
Without minimizing the complexity of the process by which this material was transmitted for
many centuries, one may speak of two editions of the Books: the first at some time between 621 B.C. and
597 B.C., and the second, final edition during the Exile; probably shortly after Jehoiachin was released
from his Babylonian prison (561 B.C.).
1 Kings carries the history of Israel from the last days and death of David to the accession in
Samaria of Ahaziah, son of Ahab, near the end of the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Judgment is
passed on Ahaziahs reign but the details are given only later, in 2 Kings. We should note the two large
cycles of traditions which grew up around the great prophetic figures of Elijah and Elisha, the former in 1
Kings and the latter chiefly in 2 Kings. These cycles, which interrupt the sequence of regnal chronicles,
were very probably preserved and transmitted by the prophetic communities to which there are references
in the same traditions. The Elijah cycle is the more important since it dramatically underscores Israels
critical struggle with the religion of Canaan.
Principal Division of the Books of Kings:
I: The Reign of Solomon (1 Kgs 1, 1-11, 43)
II: Judah and Israel to the Time of Ahab (I Kgs 12, 1-16, 34)
III: Stories of the Prophets (I Kgs 17, 1-22, 54)
IV: The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2 Kgs 1, 1-17, 41)
V: The Kingdoms of Judah after 721 B.C. (2 Kgs 18, 1-25, 30)
Notes:
I Kings
Adonijah, son of Haggith, began to display his ambition to be king. Although Nathan the prophet,
and Shimei and his companions, the pick of Davids army, did not side with him.
Nathan the prophet told Bathsheba about Adonijahs assertion of the throne. She then told it to
David.
Davids last instructions I am going the way of all mankind. Take courage and be a man. Keep
the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands and
ordinances, and decrees. He rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
The length of Davids reign over Israel was forty years.

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night which Solomon asked for wisdom.
Solomons judgment was put to test when two harlots came to him. When all Israel heard the
judgment the king had given, they were in awe of him, because they saw that the king had in him
the wisdom of God.
In the 4th year of Solomons reign over Israel, the construction of the temple of the Lord was
begun.
King Solomon loved many foreign women from nations with which the Lord had forbidden the
Israelites to intermarry. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. When he was old, his wives had
turned his heart to strange gods.
Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead:
o Drought predicted by Elijah
o Elijah and the Widow
o Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
o Elijahs call to Elisha, son of Shaphat

II Kings

Elijah and Elisha: When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and
Elisha where on their way from Gilgal. Stay here, please, Elijah said to Elisha Elisha
replied, I will not leave you. The guild prophets went out to Elisha and asked him, Do you
know that the Lord will take your master from over you today? Yes, I know it, he replied.
Keep still.
Elijah then said to him. Stay here, please, Elisha, for the Lord Elisha replied, I will not
leave you.
As Elijah and Elisha walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between
them and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha could no longer see him, Elisha
gripped his own garment and tore it in two then he picked up Elijahs mantle which had fallen
from him. When he struck the water it divided and crossed over. The spirits of Elijah rests on
Elisha
Elisha, son of Shaphat
o Healing of the Water
o The Prophets Curse
o The Widows Oil
o Elisha and the Shunammite
o The Poisoned Stew
o Multiplication of Loaves
o Cure of Naaman
o Recovery of the Lost Axe