Sermon Notes
1 Kings (and some 2 Kings)
[5] At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” [6] And
Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in
faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love
and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in
place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. [8] And your servant is in
the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. [9] Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able
to govern this your great people?” [10] It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. [11] And God said to him, “Because
you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself
understanding to discern what is right, [12] behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning
mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. [13] I give you also what you have not
asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. [14] And if you will walk in my ways,
keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” [1Ki 3:5-14 ESV]
1. Contains over ________________ hundred years of Israelite history (970-560).
2. This chronology grouped into four segments, each ending with a major ________________.
A. 970-931 – Division of the twelve tribes.
B. 931-841 – Jehu’s slaughter of all but one of the crown-prince heirs of the throne of David.
C. 841-722 – Fall of Samaria to Assyria
D. 722-586 – Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon
3. Two major themes:
A. The ________________ of Israel as God’s people.
B. The ________________ of prophets who proclaim God’s Word.
4. The overall structure…
A. The united kingdom (1 Kings 1-11)
B. The divided kingdom (1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 17)
C. The captive kingdom (2 Kings 18-25)
5. Covers 39 kings from the united and divided monarchy.
6. Covenant loyalty is the measure of success or downfall for a king.
A. ___________ of the 19 Northern kings followed the Lord.
B. ___________ of the 20 Southern kings followed the Lord.
a. Asa, Jehosophat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hekekiah, Josiah
7. As kings are disloyal, God raises up ________________ like Elijah and Elisha to accomplish His purpose.
Summary:
1. This book was written to show how every king was evaluated based on their faithfulness to God’s covenant and their
willingness to follow the example of King David.
2. The major topics covered are: The history of King Solomon, The History of the Divided Kingdom, and The History of the Final
Years of Judah.
3. The great political and military accomplishments of Solomon are overshadowed by his unfaithfulness to the covenant.
4. When God first appeared to Solomon, Solomon asked for wisdom, and that pleased God because he did not request riches or
long life or victory over enemies.
5. Solomon’s great wisdom is illustrated by how he solved legal disputes, how he administered the nation, and how his building
program was conducted.
6. Through the influence of his foreign wives, Solomon compromised and added the worship of other gods to monotheism.
7. Solomon’s empire was divided into two smaller kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
8. Prophets were introduced in 1 Kings when Elijah became God’s spokesman to warn the nations.
