First Kings begins with the transition from David to Solomon and follows the responsibilities, promises, and difficult choices of Israel’s kings. These studies explore a listening heart, faithful worship, wise preparation, and the care of people affected by power.
This chapter-by-chapter study invites us to follow Jesus Christ through thoughtful reflection and practical choices. We will consider both examples of faithfulness and warnings about ambition, divided loyalties, and the harm caused when influence is separated from truth and accountability.
Chapter Index
All 22 chapters are available. Select a chapter number below or explore the chapter previews.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22
Explore the Chapters
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1 Kings 1 — Choosing Faithful Leadership When Ambition Takes Control
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings begins with David elderly and physically weakened. His attendants seek someone to care for him and bring Abishag the Shunammite into his household. She attends him, and the narrator explicitly states that David does not have sexual relations with her. Although her role is described briefly, she is a person…
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1 Kings 2 — Finishing Faithfully and Establishing a Just Foundation
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 2 records David’s final instructions to Solomon and the difficult beginning of Solomon’s reign. As David approaches death, he urges his son to be strong, act with maturity, and remain faithful to the Lord. Solomon is to walk in God’s ways and keep His commandments so that his leadership rests…
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1 Kings 3 — Asking God for a Listening and Discerning Heart
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 3 begins with Solomon forming a marriage alliance with Pharaoh by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. He brings her to Jerusalem while construction continues on his palace, the temple, and the city wall. The chapter records this politically significant marriage without presenting every royal decision as an example to follow.
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1 Kings 4 — Wisdom That Brings Order, Provision, and Peace
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 4 describes the organization, prosperity, and growing reputation of Solomon’s kingdom. The chapter begins by naming the officials entrusted with responsibilities such as recordkeeping, military leadership, household management, taxation, and regional administration. Solomon does not attempt to govern the nation alone. A broad network of people carries the daily work…
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1 Kings 5 — Preparing Faithfully for a Sacred Work
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 5 records Solomon’s preparations to build a temple for the Lord. Hiram, king of Tyre, had been a friend of David and sends representatives to Solomon after hearing that he has become king. Solomon responds by explaining that David desired to build a house for the Lord’s name but could…
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1 Kings 6 — Building a Life Where God Is Welcomed
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 6 describes the construction of Solomon’s temple. Building begins in the fourth year of his reign, connecting this new place of worship with Israel’s long history since the exodus from Egypt.
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1 Kings 7 — Offering Our Skills and Keeping Our Priorities Faithful
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 7 describes Solomon’s royal buildings and the craftsmanship used to furnish the temple. The chapter begins by stating that Solomon’s own house takes thirteen years to complete. His building complex includes the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a hall of pillars, a hall where he judges, his residence, and…
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1 Kings 8 — Turning Our Hearts Toward the God Who Hears
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 8 records the arrival of the ark of the covenant at the temple and Solomon’s prayer of dedication. Solomon gathers Israel’s elders and tribal leaders in Jerusalem. The priests carry the ark into the inner sanctuary beneath the wings of the cherubim. Inside the ark are the two stone tablets…
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1 Kings 9 — Remaining Faithful After the Work Is Finished
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 9 begins after Solomon has completed the temple and his royal house. The Lord appears to him a second time, answering the prayer Solomon offered at the temple’s dedication. God declares that He has consecrated the house and placed His name there, with His eyes and heart directed toward it.
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1 Kings 10 — Receiving Blessings with Wisdom and Humility
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 10 begins with the queen of Sheba coming to Jerusalem after hearing of Solomon’s reputation concerning the name of the Lord. She arrives with a large company and gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones. Her purpose is to test Solomon with difficult questions, and she speaks with him about…
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1 Kings 11 — Guarding the Heart and Returning to Faithfulness
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 11 reveals a painful change in Solomon’s relationship with God. Although he has received wisdom, extraordinary opportunities, and direct instruction from the Lord, his heart becomes divided.
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1 Kings 12 — Choosing Humility When Fear Pushes Us Toward Control
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 12 begins with Rehoboam traveling to Shechem, where Israel gathers to make him king. Jeroboam returns from Egypt, and he joins the assembly in asking Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor and heavy burden imposed by Solomon. They offer to serve Rehoboam if he responds to their concern.
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1 Kings 13 — Holding Fast to Truth When Voices Conflict
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 13 begins with a man of God traveling from Judah to Bethel by the Lord’s command. Jeroboam is standing at the altar to burn incense when the messenger announces judgment against it. He names a future king, Josiah, in the prophecy and gives an immediate sign: the altar will split…
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1 Kings 14 — Living Honestly Before the God Who Sees
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 14 begins with a family crisis: Jeroboam’s son Abijah becomes ill. Jeroboam sends his wife to the prophet Ahijah to learn what will happen to the child. He tells her to disguise herself so that she will not be recognized as the king’s wife.
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1 Kings 15 — Choosing Faithfulness in the Patterns We Inherit
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 15 moves between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, describing leaders whose choices either continue inherited wrongdoing or begin to challenge it.
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1 Kings 16 — Breaking the Cycle Before It Becomes Our Legacy
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 16 follows a rapid series of rulers in Israel. Kings rise through succession, conspiracy, military support, and violence, yet the same spiritual problems continue beneath the changing leadership.
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1 Kings 17 — Trusting God Through Provision, Uncertainty, and Grief
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 17 introduces Elijah, who announces to Ahab that there will be neither dew nor rain except according to his word. Elijah speaks in the name of the living Lord, the God of Israel, placing God’s authority before a king who has embraced Baal worship.
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1 Kings 18 — Turning Our Hearts Fully Toward God
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 18 begins during the third year of the drought. The Lord tells Elijah to present himself to Ahab and promises to send rain. The famine is severe, and Ahab and his household official, Obadiah, are searching for grass to keep their animals alive.
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1 Kings 19 — Meeting God in Exhaustion and Finding the Next Step
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 19 begins with Elijah facing a threat against his life. After Ahab tells Jezebel what has happened, she sends a message promising to kill Elijah. He leaves for Beersheba, leaves his servant there, and travels a day’s journey into the wilderness.
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1 Kings 20 — Receiving God’s Help and Responding with Faithfulness
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 20 describes two conflicts between Ahab and Ben-hadad, king of Syria. Ben-hadad gathers a large coalition and besieges Samaria. He demands Ahab’s silver, gold, wives, and children. Ahab initially agrees, but Ben-hadad then announces that his servants will search the city and take whatever they desire.
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1 Kings 21 — Standing for Truth When Power Causes Harm
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 21 centers on Naboth’s vineyard, which lies beside Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. Ahab wants the land for a vegetable garden and offers Naboth another vineyard or payment.
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1 Kings 22 — Listening to Truth When It Challenges What We Want
Understanding the Scriptures First Kings 22 begins after three years without war between Israel and Syria. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, visits Ahab, and Ahab asks him to join a campaign to recover Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat agrees but first asks that they seek the Lord’s word.