1 and 2 Kings chronicle over 400 years of Israel's history, from its golden age to its tragic downfall. The story starts with Solomon's impressive reign and the building of the temple, but concludes with both kingdoms destroyed, the temple in ruins, and the people in exile.
As theological history within the former prophets, these books answer a crucial question: Why did God's chosen nation collapse? They provide a focused narrative from David's final days through Jerusalem's Babylonian conquest.
God had promised both a perpetual Davidic dynasty and his presence in Jerusalem. Following exile, it seemed that these promises had been shattered. Kings explains that the catastrophe resulted not from divine failure but from covenant violations. The warnings of Moses and the prophets were fulfilled, demonstrating that:
- God's word remains undefeatable.
- Ignoring divine instruction leads to judgment.
- Trusting God leads to salvation.
The author assumes readers' familiarity with Deuteronomy 28:36-46, which predicted exile as punishment for disobedience.
In the biblical understanding, kings played an important role as representatives of their people. Their actions directly impacted the nation's fate. This underscores humanity's need for a better king.
The united kingdom under Solomon quickly fractured:
- Israel (northern kingdom) survived independently for some 250 years with consistently corrupt leadership.
- Judah (southern kingdom) endured for some 350 years with mixed leadership—some righteous kings amid many wicked rulers.
Despite the decline, hope remains. The prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha demonstrate God's continued provision. Even in 2 Kings' darkest moments, a glimmer of hope suggests God remains faithful to his covenant promises.
These books highlight our inherent sinfulness, our need for a greater king, and our trustworthy hope in God's unbreakable promises.
The Big Idea of 1 and 2 Kings
S: Why did God's people fail?
C: Not because God's promises failed, but because of their disobedience.
BI: Disobedience leads to destruction, but God remains faithful to his promises.
The United Kingdom under Solomon (1 Kings 1–11)
1 Kings 1-2
S: How does God establish Solomon's rule?
C: By working through and triumphing over David and Solomon's frailty, sins, and mistakes.
BI: God works through our frailty, sins, and mistakes to accomplish his purposes.
1 Kings 3
S: What do we need most?
C: Wisdom from the Lord.
BI: What we need most is wisdom from the Lord.
1 Kings 4-5
S: What does God give to his people?
C: Peace and rest through his promised king.
BI: God gives peace and rest to his people through his promised king.
1 Kings 6-7
S: With whom does God dwell?
C: With those who keep his covenant.
BI: God dwells with those who keep his covenant.
1 Kings 8:1-9:9
S: How can God's people continue to enjoy his presence?
C: By living in obedience and repentance.
BI: God's people can enjoy his presence as they live in obedience and repentance.
1 Kings 9:10-10:29
S: What do we learn about wealth, power, riches, wisdom, and influence?
C: They're both gifts from God and possible temptations.
BI: God's gifts can also become temptations.
1 Kings 11
S: What is the result of a divided heart?
C: A divided and broken kingdom.
BI: A divided heart leads to division and brokenness.
(adapted from Big Idea Companion)
The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17)
1 Kings 12
S: What happens when God's people embrace foolishness and sin?
C: They forfeit God's promises and set themselves on the path to destruction.
BI: When we embrace sin, we set ourselves on the path to destruction.
1 Kings 13-14
S: What is the result of sin?
C: Judgment, no matter who we are.
BI: The result of sin is judgment no matter who we are.
(adapted from Big Idea Companion)
1 Kings 15-16
S: What happens among God's people when leaders aren't fully committed to the Lord?
C: They experience instability.
BI: God's people experience instability when their leaders aren't fully committed to the Lord.
Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 8)
1 Kings 17
S: What does God reveal through Elijah?
C/BI: God delivers those who trust him, but judges those who reject his word.
1 Kings 18
S: Why does the Lord deserve our loyalty?
C: Because he alone is the all-powerful God.
BI: The Lord deserves our loyalty because he alone is God.
(adapted from Big Idea Companion)
1 Kings 19
S: What do discouraged leaders need?
C: A vision of God who's at work in people and ways that we don't always notice.
BI: Discouraged leaders: God is at work in people and ways that you don't always notice.
1 Kings 20
S: How does God show his glory?
C: Through his power and his judgment.
BI: God reveals his glory through his power and his judgment.
1 Kings 21
S: How does God respond to evil?
C/BI: God judges evil, but gives grace to the repentant.
1 Kings 22
S: What do we learn about God's word?
C: It always comes true.
BI: Despite our best efforts, God's word always comes true.
2 Kings 1
S: Why is it wrong to trust anyone but God?
C: Because he is God and he will judge.
BI: Don’t trust anyone but the Lord because he is God and he will judge.
2 Kings 2
S: What happens when things unravel and leaders move on?
C: God’s plan continues and has consequences for us all.
BI: God’s plan continues, even in challenging times of transition, and has consequences for us all.
2 Kings 3
S: What happens when we trust God in a limited way?
C: We experience limited victory.
BI: Limited obedience leads to limited victory.
(Adapted from Big Idea Companion)
2 Kings 4:1-6:23
S: What will God do for his people even in the worst of times?
C/BI: God will glorify his name and save his people even in the worst of times.
2 Kings 6:24-7:20
S. How does God save?
C/BI: God saves the desperate by his power.
2 Kings 8
S: Who influences the course of individuals and nations?
C: God, by his providence.
BI: God, by his providence, rules over both individuals and nations.
The Decline of Israel and Judah (2 Kings 9-17)
2 Kings 9-10
S: How and when does God execute his judgment against the wicked?
C: Surely, in time, and with imperfect instruments.
BI: It may take time, but God will judge the wicked, sometimes using imperfect instruments.
2 Kings 11
S: What happens when evil tries to thwart God’s redemptive plan?
C: God’s purposes prevail.
BI: God’s redemptive plan will survive all evil attacks.
2 Kings 12
S: What happens when we serve God with a divided heart?
C: Our legacy is tainted.
BI: When we serve God with a divided heart, our legacy is tainted.
2 Kings 13
S: Why does God show grace and mercy to people who don’t deserve it?
C: Because of his covenant love.
BI: God shows grace and mercy to the undeserving because of his covenant love.
2 Kings 14:1-22
S: What should we guard against?
C: Beginning well but finishing poorly.
BI: Guard against beginning well and finishing poorly.
2 Kings 14:23-29
S: What is God’s evaluation of someone who is successful but ungodly?
C/BI: Ugodly success amounts to nothing.
2 Kings 15
S: How does God respond to godly and ungodly leaders?
C/BI: God judges the wicked but is faithful to those who are faithful to him.
2 Kings 16
S: What effect can one bad leader have?
C/BI: One bad leader can make a disastrous difference.
2 Kings 17
S: How does God respond when his people disobey him?
C: He patiently warns them, but will judge them if they don’t obey.
BI: God’s patience has its limits.
The Last Days of Judah (2 Kings 18–25)
2 Kings 18-19
S: Whom should we trust when facing an overwhelming threat?
C: The Lord, who's more powerful than any threat and always faithful to his promises.
BI: Trust God when facing threats because his power is great and his promises unbroken.
2 Kings 20
S: What can God do for both individuals and his entire people?
C: Extend life and render judgment.
BI: God can extend life and render judgment for both individuals and his people as a whole.
2 Kings 21
S: What's the ultimate measure of our lives?
C: Not power or accomplishments, but where we stand with God.
BI: The ultimate measure of our lives is not power or accomplishments, but where we stand with God.
2 Kings 22:1-22:30
S: What can one righteous person do in the middle of great wickedness?
C: He or she can bring great blessing, even if it doesn't change everything.
BI: Even when things are bad, one righteous person can make a big difference, even if they can't change everything.
2 Kings 23:31-25:30
S: What are the consequences of persistent unfaithfulness?
C: Tragic ruin, but even then, God is faithful to his promises.
BI: Unfaithfulness leads to ruin, but God remains faithful despite our failures.
