1 Kings
Eleventh Book of the Holy Bible
The 11th out of 39 Old Testament Books
The 6th of the Historical Books 975 BC to 850 BC
Author: Unknown
Written Around: 550 BC
Written in: The Kingdom United
Notable Verses
Now Elijah the Tish bite, from Tish be in Gilead, said to Ahab, " As the LORD,
the God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the
next few years except at my word; -1 Kings 17:1-
And observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and
keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the
Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you
go. -1 Kings 2:3-
Significance
First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing
Solomon’s divinely given wisdom and wealth. Solomon’s reputation reached
far beyond Israel’s borders to modern-day Yemen, the queen of Sheba’s likely
home. Solomon’s numerous marriages and extensive harem are the stuff of
legends, but they led to his wandering faith in later years. Solomon did,
however, build the temple, God’s permanent dwelling place among His people.
First Kings also introduces the prophet Elijah, who pronounced God’s
judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. In addition to performing other
miracles, Elijah won a dramatic confrontation with false prophets on Mount Carmel.
Popular Stories
Solomon decides which woman is the real mother of the baby. -1 Kings 3-
Solomon builds the Temple. -1 Kings 6-
Elijah confounds the prophets of the false god Baal and gets hundreds of them killed. -1 Kings 18- 14
God of the Kingdom of Israel
2 Kings
Twelfth Book of the Holy Bible
The 12th out of 39 Old Testament Books
The 7th of the Historical Books 975 BC to 850 BC
Author: Unknown
Written Around: 550 BC
Written in: The Kingdom Divided
Notable Verses
Elijah answered the captain, " If I am a man of God, may fire come down from
heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and
consumed the captain and his men. -2 Kings 1:10- The company of the
prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, " Do you know that the LORD
is going to take your master from you today?" " Yes, I know," Elisha replied... -
2 Kings 2:3-
Significance
2 Kings begins where 1 King leaves off. Chapters 2 through 7 cover the
ministry of the prophet Elisha after Elijah is taken up to heaven. Chapter 13
covers the death of Elisha. The book covers the reigns of many kings of Israel
and Judah, telling short stories about some of the most notable, good and evil.
It ends with Chapter 25 and the Babylonian invasion of Judah when Solomon's
temple was destroyed.
Popular Stories
Elijah is swept up to heaven. -2 Kings 2- Elisha raises a boy from the dead. -2
Kings 4:8 -37- Naaman is cured of leprosy by washing in dirty water. -2 Kings
5- Jerusalem is plundered by the Babylonians, and the Great Exile begins. -2
Kings 25- 15
God of the Kingdom of Israel
1 Chronicle
Thirteenth Book of the Holy Bible
The 13th out of 39 Old Testament Books
The 8th of the Historical Books 4000 BC to 975 BC
Author: Unknown
Written Around: 450 BC
Written in: Hebrew as Dibrei Hayyamim
Notable Verses
In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the
brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.
In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six
fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was
descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea,
David's brother, killed him. -1 Chronicle 20:5-7-
Significance
In Chronicles, the history of Israel is told through a priestly perspective. The
chronicler devoted significant attention to proper worship of Yahweh and
adherence to the regulations of His Law. The author included David’s
decisions on the proper manner in which to undertake to move the ark of the
covenant (1 Chronicle 13, 15–16) and detailed descriptions of its return to
Jerusalem. The chronicler even highlighted one of David’s psalms (16:8–36).
We read the story of how David purchased the threshing floor of Ornan the
Jebusite, which he then designated as the future site of the temple (21:15– 30).
Though David desired to build the temple, God revealed to him that David’s
son Solomon would have that honor (17:1–14).
Popular Stories
God tells David not to build a temple for him because he had shed blood as a
warrior. -1 Chronicle 17- 16
God of the Kingdom of Judah
2 Chronicles
Fourteenth Book of the Holy Bible
The 14th out of 39 Old Testament Books
The 9th of the Historical Books 975 BC to 525 BC
Author: Unknown
Written Around: Around 340 BC
Written in: Hebrew as Dibrei Hayyamim
Notable Verses
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14-
In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, " Ask what I shall give
you." -2 Chronicles 1:7- Solomon said to God, " You have dealt with my father
David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place." -2
Chronicles 1:8-
Significance
2 Chronicles starts with the famous story of Solomon asking for wisdom. It
continues with information and stories about Solomon building the Temple
through Chapter 8.
The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon in Chapter 9.2
Chronicles cover the reigns of all the kings of Israel and Judah after the split
of the united kingdom of Kings Saul, David, and Solomon. Like the Kings, this
book gives little snippets about each king and notes whether they grieved or
pleased the Lord. (Only a handful, all from Judah, pleased the Lord.)
The closing chapter, 36, summarizes the 70 years of captivity in the Great Exile and
also summarizes Cyrus, King of Persia, releasing the Jews to go home and his
funding of the rebuilding of the Temple.
Popular Stories
Solomon prays to God for wisdom instead of long life, power, or money, so he
is given all. -2 Chronicles 1- The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon. King Cyrus of
Persia rebuilds the temple after releasing Israel from the Great Exile to
Babylon. -2 Chronicles 9- 17
God of the Kingdom of Judah
