Cue the Confetti!  It’s time to begin!!!  I am so excited to begin the Book of 1 Kings with you!

{If you don’t have your Journal yet – it’s available on Amazon .}

Let’s Dive In & Take a Look at the Background of 1 Kings

As we study 1 Kings together, we will see the rise and fall of both good and bad kings, starting with David.

One of the well-known stories from this book is when God offers Solomon anything he desires, and he asks for wisdom.  Solomon is given the gift of wisdom and he builds a magnificent temple for the Lord.  Following this great project, Solomon falls into sin and does not end as well as he started.

Once the kingdom is divided, we will read about the rise and fall of the kings  as they go from bad to worse and commit idolatry and other evil acts. The bright lights in the midst of these dark days are the great prophets of Elijah and Elisha, who were faithful to God in all they did.

Originally, the books of 1^st and 2^nd Kings were one book. These books cover almost 500 years of the kingship of Israel and Judah.  

The Purpose:

1 Kings gives the history of the kings and prophets of Israel and Judah.

The Author: Although the author is anonymous, tradition holds that 1 Kings was written by Jeremiah.

Time Period: This book was written around 550 B.C.

Key Verse: 1 Kings 8:23

O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.

The Outline:

The Reign of Solomon

• David dies and Solomon’s throne is established. (1-4)
• Solomon builds the temple and his royal palace. (5-10)
• Solomon’s spiritual decline. (11)

The Kingdoms Divide

• Jeroboam’s reign of Israel (11:26-14:20)
• Rehoboam’s reign of Judah (14:21-31)
• Abijam’s reign of Judah (15:1-8)
• Asa’s reign of Judah (15:9-24)
• Nadab’s reign of Israel (15:25-32)
• Baasha’s reign of Israel (15:33-16:7)
• Elah’s reign of Israel (16:8-14)
• Zimri’s reign of Israel (16:15-20)
• Omri’s reign of Israel (16:21-28)
• Ahab’s reign of Israel (16:29-34)

Prophets and Kings

• Ahab and Elijah (17)
• Elijah against the Caananite Prophets (18)
• God speaks to Elijah (19:1-18)
• The call of Elisha (19:19-21)
• Ahab’s Misconduct (20)
• Ahab and Jezebel’s evil deeds (21)
• Micaiah’s judgement against Ahab (22:1-40)
• Johoshaphat’s reign of Judah (22:41-50)
• Ahaziah’s reign of Israel (22:51-53)

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For an even more in-depth Introduction to this week’s reading, watch this video. It is so good!

Now let’s get started!

This Week’s Bible Reading Plan:

(Facebook Leaders:  You can use this as your Facebook Header this week. Just right click and “save as” or screen shot it.)

This week’s Reflection & Discussion Questions

(Leaders: Copy and paste these into your groups.  If you do not have a group, use these for a personal time of reflection.)

Chapter 1

King David’s son Adonijah exalted himself to King status.  Instead of waiting to be chosen as the next king, he announced his kingship and then created the image of a king with chariots and horsemen.  In the midst of his celebration feast, an announcement was made that King David had chosen Solomon as King.  Terror struck the guests at the feast and suddenly Adonijah was fearing for his life.

God says many times in scripture that we are not to exalt ourselves but rather let God exalt us.  Adonijah broke this principle and did not seek God’s will for his life.  Instead he recklessly went after what he wanted.  Is there something in your life right now that you really want and are working hard to get?  Stop and talk to God about this and write a prayer below asking God for guidance.

Chapter 2

David’s final instructions to Solomon was a defining moment.  David knew that great challenges were ahead for Solomon. He would need to be obedient to all that God told him to do, in order to prosper as King.  Solomon did not always obey God but at the end of his life he said in Ecclesiastes 12:13: ^“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Solomon had learned, at the end of his life, that man must fear God and obey his commands.  We must obey the Lord.  When we do not obey, it leads to extra sorrows.  Our prosperity from obedience is not necessarily material but rather spiritual and eternal.  In what ways have you prospered because of your obedience to God?

Chapter 3

God offered Solomon whatever he wanted and rather than asking for riches and honor and power and fame, he asked for wisdom and discernment.  Solomon didn’t just want knowledge in his head – he wanted understanding in his heart.  God was pleased!

God cares more about our character than our possessions and popularity.  If God offered to give you whatever you asked for – what would you ask for?  Would God be pleased with this desire?

Chapter 4

God gave Solomon wisdom. In 1 Kings 4:32 it says that Solomon spoke 3,000 Proverbs and 1,005 songs!  Many of these Songs and Proverbs are found in the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs.

God is still giving his people wisdom today!  First, we can find it right in his Word.  And then secondly, in James 1:5, it says that God gives wisdom to those who ask him for it.  Is there something in your life that you need to pray and ask God to give you wisdom for?  Write that prayer below.

Chapter 5

David faced endless warfare during his reign, but God gave Solomon rest from his enemies and rest from misfortunes.  With that rest, Solomon resolved to build a temple for the Lord.

Are you in a season of rest or turmoil?  Perhaps the Lord is calling you to do something great for his name or perhaps he is simply calling you to stand your ground and fight the battles that are before you.  What do you feel God is calling you to do in this season of life?

To print the 22 Discussion Questions for 1 Kings – Click Here.

This Week’s Verses of the Day:

(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shot them.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Click HERE to print the Verses of the Day for 1 Kings 1-5.

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Here’s the Printable Bible Bookmark for the Book of 1 Kings.

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Here’s another explanation of the SOAK Bible Study Method and Bible Coloring Chart if you need more guidance:

Here is the SOAK method I refer to in the video:

And the Bible Coloring  Bookmark:Click HERE to Print the full page Coloring Chart
or here for the Bookmark Coloring Chart

Here are the highlighters, pens and pencils I refer to in the video:

Highlighters – Bible Hi-Gliders

Fine Line Non-bleeding Pens – Multi-Colored Gel Pens 

Colored Pencils – Crayola Twistables and Crayola Colored Pencils

I use the ESV Inductive Study Bible and the ESV Journaling Bible as my personal study Bible.

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1 Kings does not just record history, it gives us lessons from history.  We are going to learn many spiritual truths through the study of the kings and prophets.

Some of the chapters are quite long, so be sure to leave at least 20 minutes for your reading each day. I can’t wait to see how God reveals himself personally to each of us, as we read the book of 1 Kings together, chapter by chapter.

It’s time!!!!  Let’s get started!  Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite drink) and open your Bible and SOAK it in!!!

I am in prayer for you all and asking God to help us understand his word clearly.

Have a wonderful week in God’s Word – I’ll see you back here on the blog this Friday as we go deeper into God’s Word together! (Don’t forget to visit me Monday through Friday over on Facebook  and Instagram.  )

Keep walking with the King,

Courtney 

It’s not too late!
If you’d like to purchase the companion journal to 1 Kings it’s still available on Amazon!

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