1 Kings: Structure
1 Kings contains stories about the various kings of Israel and Judah.
Organisation
The book can largely be divided into three sections:
- 1 Kings 1–2:12
describes the end of King David’s life. It completes the stories in 2 Samuel. - 1 Kings 2:13–11
give a description of the reign of Solomon. The wisdom of Solomon and the building of the Temple are given particular attention. - The third section (1 Kings 12–22
) concerns the history of Judah and Israel after the division of the kingdom.
Other Sources
1 Kings refers to other historical texts available at the same time:
- the acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41
); - the chronicles of the kings of Judah (e.g. 1 Kings 15:7
); - the chronicles of the kings of Israel (e.g. 1 Kings 14:19
).
Fixed Pattern
The activities of the various kings are always described according to a fixed pattern and the following points are always mentioned:
- the beginning and the length of their reign;
- the city from which a king reigned;
- a theological assessment of the kingship;
- a reference to the chronicles;
- the announcement of the death of the king and the naming of his successor.
Prophets
In 1 Kings great emphasis is laid on the role of the prophets
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