1 Kings Chapter Summaries

1 Kings 1

• Adonijah attempts to claim kingship over Israel.
• David affirms Solomon as his rightful successor.

1 Kings 2

• David advises Solomon on leadership and loyalty, referencing God's promises.
• Solomon executes Adonijah, exiles Abiathar, and kills Joab and Shimei.

1 Kings 3

• Solomon prays for wisdom to govern the Israelites.
• God grants him unparalleled wisdom and wealth, demonstrated in a judgment between two women.

1 Kings 4

• Solomon's reign is marked by prosperity and divine wisdom, fulfilling God's covenant.

1 Kings 5

• Solomon partners with Hiram of Tyre for temple construction, invoking the Davidic covenant.
• Solomon's wisdom and wealth continue to grow.

1 Kings 6

• Construction of the Lord's Temple led by Solomon is completed.

1 Kings 7

• Solomon's additional royal projects are detailed, including temple furnishings and implements.

1 Kings 8

• The Lord's glory fills the temple as Solomon dedicates it.
• Solomon prays for God’s blessings aligned with the covenant with David.

1 Kings 9

• God reaffirms His covenant with Solomon, urging loyalty amid the completion of building projects.

1 Kings 10

• The Queen of Sheba is awed by Solomon's wisdom and praises his God.
• Solomon builds wealth and power.

1 Kings 11

• Solomon strays from the covenant, marrying foreign women and worshipping their gods.
• Prophetic judgment is declared, portending the kingdom's division.

1 Kings 12

• The kingdom splits under Rehoboam, influenced by poor counsel.
• Jeroboam creates two golden calves for worship, leading to apostasy.

1 Kings 13

• A prophet foretells Josiah’s destruction of Jeroboam's altar but faces consequences for disobedience.

1 Kings 14

• Ahijah delivers God's judgment against Jeroboam's house.
• Jeroboam meets his end, and Rehoboam continues to reign in Judah.

1 Kings 15

• Reigns of Abijam and Asa in Judah; Nadab is killed by Baasha, who takes the throne in Israel.
• God's covenant with Judah remains intact.

1 Kings 16

• Baasha's dynasty faces judgment from God.
• Zimri kills Baasha's son Elah, with Omri seizing control, later passing the reign to Ahab.

1 Kings 17

• Elijah announces a drought in Israel and performs miracles, including reviving a widow's son.

1 Kings 18

• Elijah demonstrates the Lord’s power by defeating the prophets of Baal.
• The drought is ended through prayer.

1 Kings 19

• Elijah flees from Jezebel’s threats, feeling isolated as the last prophet.
• He appoints Elisha as his prophetic successor.

1 Kings 20

• Ahab defeats the Assyrian army but faces divine wrath for allying with Ben-Hadad.

1 Kings 21

• Jezebel orchestrates Naboth's murder for his vineyard, resulting in God's judgment upon Ahab.
• Ahab humbles himself, leading to a postponement of punishment.

1 Kings 22

• Micaiah warns Ahab against fighting the Syrians after a prophetic vision reveals deceit.
• Ahab dies in battle, and Jehoshaphat assumes the rule in Judah.