Book Summary:

Kings covers a period of 400 years, it tells us of the reign of Solomon and the succeeding kings of Judah. It shows us the rise and decay of the kingdom. In the reign of Solomon the kingdom was at its height. Solomon’s heart was not devoted to God as his father – God wants our hearts. Solomon was the wisest man in the word until Jesus came who said of Himself – “and now one greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42) After Solomon’s death the kingship ceased to be the medium through which God governed His people. It is now that the period of the prophets is introduced, Elijah focused on it 1 kings and Elisha focused on in 2 kings.

Solomon built the temple of God on the same mountain Abraham offered up his son and 2000 years later God would offer up His son. It was because of this sacrifice for our sin that God could make us His temple – for our bodies are the temple of the living God.

After 200 years the northern tribe was carried away into captivity by the king of Assyria in 722BC – this was a judgment by God for not turning from there idolatry despite warning from the prophets. After another 136 years the southern kingdom of Judah was taken into captivity by the king of Babylon.