1 Kings
First Kings begins in golden splendor and ends in fracture and drought. Solomon inherits David's throne, asks God for wisdom, and builds the temple where God's glory descends, yet his many wives turn his heart, and after his death the kingdom tears in two. The narrative then tracks parallel lines of northern and southern kings, most of them failures measured against David. Into the darkest reign, Ahab's, strides Elijah, calling down fire on Carmel and hearing God in a low whisper at Horeb. The book asks of every ruler and reader: whom will you worship?
Anonymous; tradition suggests Jeremiah, drawing on royal and prophetic annals.
Events c. 970–850 BC; final form during the exile.
Judeans, especially exiles, pondering why the kingdom fell apart.
To evaluate Israel's kings by covenant faithfulness, explaining the kingdom's division and decline through idolatry.