1 Kings

The aging King David's son Adonijah attempts to seize the throne. Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan intervene, and David confirms Solomon as his chosen successor. Solomon is anointed king at Gihon, and Adonijah's supporters scatter.

David gives Solomon final instructions and dies after 40 years as king. Solomon consolidates power by dealing with Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, establishing his kingdom firmly in accordance with David's counsel.

God appears to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon and offers him anything. Solomon asks for wisdom to govern well. God is pleased and grants him unmatched wisdom plus riches and honor. Solomon's wisdom is demonstrated when he resolves a dispute between two mothers claiming the same baby.

Solomon's administration is described in detail, including his officials and twelve district governors. His wisdom surpasses all others, and he composes 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. People come from all nations to hear his wisdom.

Solomon makes an alliance with King Hiram of Tyre to obtain cedar and cypress timber for the temple. He conscripts laborers and arranges the massive workforce needed for the construction project.

Solomon builds the temple over seven years according to precise specifications. God promises that if Solomon walks in His statutes, He will dwell among Israel and never forsake them. The inner sanctuary is overlaid with pure gold.

Solomon builds his royal palace complex over 13 years. The craftsman Huram creates elaborate bronze furnishings for the temple, including two massive pillars named Jachin and Boaz, a bronze sea, and ten bronze basins.

Solomon dedicates the temple with a magnificent prayer. The glory of the Lord fills the temple as a cloud. Solomon prays for God to hear prayers directed toward this house — from foreigners, in battle, during famine, and in exile.

God appears to Solomon a second time, promising blessing for obedience and warning of judgment for apostasy. Solomon's building projects, trade activities, and the cities he builds are described.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, overwhelmed by his wisdom and wealth. She declares that the reports she heard were less than half the truth. Solomon's immense wealth and trading empire are described.

Solomon's many foreign wives turn his heart to other gods in his old age. God raises adversaries against him and tells Solomon the kingdom will be torn from his son, leaving only one tribe for David's sake. Solomon dies after 40 years.

Rehoboam rejects the elders' counsel and harshly increases the people's burden. Ten northern tribes rebel under Jeroboam, splitting Israel into two kingdoms. Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Dan and Bethel to prevent people from worshiping in Jerusalem.

A man of God from Judah prophesies against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel. He obeys God's command not to eat there, but is deceived by an old prophet and killed by a lion for disobeying. Jeroboam continues in sin regardless.

Jeroboam's son falls ill, and the prophet Ahijah foretells the destruction of Jeroboam's entire dynasty. In Judah, Rehoboam's reign brings spiritual decline and Shishak of Egypt plunders Jerusalem.

Abijam and Asa reign in Judah. Asa does what is right, removing idols and deposing his grandmother for her idol. In Israel, Nadab and Baasha reign, with Baasha destroying Jeroboam's entire family as prophesied.

Rapid succession of wicked kings in Israel: Baasha's dynasty is destroyed by Zimri, who reigns only seven days before Omri takes power. Omri's son Ahab becomes king and marries Jezebel, introducing Baal worship on a massive scale.

The prophet Elijah appears and declares a drought upon Israel. God sends him to the brook Cherith where ravens feed him, then to a widow at Zarephath whose flour and oil never run out. Elijah raises the widow's dead son back to life.

Elijah confronts 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in a dramatic contest. When Baal fails to answer, Elijah prays and God sends fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, the altar, and the water. The people cry: The Lord, He is God! Elijah then prays and the drought-ending rain comes.

After Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatens Elijah's life, and he flees to the wilderness in despair. God ministers to him with food and rest, then speaks to him not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. Elisha is called as Elijah's successor.

Ben-hadad of Aram besieges Samaria twice, but God gives Ahab victory both times to demonstrate His power. However, Ahab foolishly spares Ben-hadad and makes a treaty. A prophet declares that Ahab will pay for releasing Ben-hadad.

Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard. When Naboth refuses to sell his ancestral land, Jezebel orchestrates false charges and has Naboth stoned to death. Elijah confronts Ahab with God's judgment: dogs will lick his blood and devour Jezebel.

Ahab and Jehoshaphat plan to attack Ramoth-gilead. The prophet Micaiah warns of defeat, but Ahab goes anyway. Ahab disguises himself in battle but is struck by a random arrow and bleeds to death in his chariot. Dogs lick his blood, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy.