Introduction to the First Book of the Kings, commonly called the Third Book of
the Kings.
The First Book of Kings continues the dramatic history of Israel's kings.
It is not just recorded history for the sake of facts, but a history that reveals
the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the kings to the covenant agreements that God
had made with His chosen people.
Obedience to God brought peace and prosperity.
Disobedience and idol worship resulted in war and disaster.
First Kings covers a period of about 125 years, beginning with the death of King
David, and followed by the reign of his son Solomon, who built Israel's first
temple.
After Solomon's death, civil strife tore the nation apart.
The nation was divided into two kingdoms, one in the north called Israel,
and one in the south called Judah.
First and Second Kings record the actions of all of the kings in both the north and
the south.
Being aware that the northern kingdom is called Israel and the southern kingdom is
called Judah helps distinguish the two throughout the rest of the Old Testament story.