1 & 2 Kings

What happens when you ignore God

The Bible books of 1 & 2 Kings describe the golden age of ancient Israel. David had fought to create a empire; now his son Solomon, and the Israelite nation, enjoyed the fruits.

1 Kings describes David’s death and then focuses on the reign of Solomon:

• his wisdom,
• the building of the Temple,
• his wealth,
• his army,
• his one thousand wives.

Then we begin to see the worm in the apple. Israel has been commanded to worship one God (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). It has been authorized to anoint kings, but they are to be strictly limited in what they do (Deuteronomy 17:16-20). See Tribal Leaders or a King?

Solomon has ignored these instructions – imposing heavy taxes, using forced labor. Now the people pay for it.

The unambiguous message is that tragedy results when Israel turns to other gods.

There is a political and religious schism after Solomon’s death, and Israel splits into two separate kingdoms.

1 & 2 Kings describe the tribulations that follow. The only bright spot on the horizon is that God has promised to send prophets/holy men to guide he people when they are in trouble.

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The books of 1 & 2 Kings are a call to faithfulness, repeated over and over to a mostly deaf population. At the end of these books,

• Jerusalem is sacked by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,
• the glorious Temple is burned, and
• the people deported to far-off, alien Babylon.