1 Kings

🏛️ Historical context

After Solomon the kingdom divides (931 BC): Israel in the north, with its capital at Samaria, and Judah in the south, with Jerusalem. Kings are judged by their faithfulness to God.

🔙 Background

David, now old, hands the throne to his son Solomon, to whom God grants wisdom.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1Solomon asks for wisdom to govern (ch. 3)
2. 2Building and dedication of the temple (ch. 6-8)
3. 3The queen of Sheba visits Solomon (ch. 10)
4. 4The kingdom splits into Israel and Judah (ch. 12)
5. 5Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (ch. 18)
6. 6God reveals himself to Elijah in a gentle breeze (ch. 19)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• 1 Kings 3:9Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people, which is so numerous?
• 1 Kings 8:27Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built?
• 1 Kings 17:16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruise of oil was not diminished according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
• 1 Kings 18:21And Elias coming to all the people, said: How long do you halt between two sides? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word.
• 1 Kings 19:12And after the earthquake, a fire: but the Lord is not in the fire. And after the fire, a whistling of a gentle air.

💭 For reflection

• What would I ask for if God offered me something, as he did Solomon?
• Where do I find God in the "gentle breeze" of daily life?

It narrates the reign of Solomon, his wisdom and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem; then the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. It highlights the prophet Elijah, who defends faith in the one God.