Guide
What Are the Books of Kings?
ca. 6th–4th Century BCE
The books of 1 and 2 Kings record the reign of King Solomon, the building of the Temple, and the division of the United Monarchy into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The history of the monarchs of both kingdoms is presented, until the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel by Assyria (722–720 BCE) and, later, the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians (586 BCE).
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
King Solomon
1 Kings 1–11 (selections)
King David was now old, advanced in years; and though they covered him with bedclothes, he never felt warm. His courtiers said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought…
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The Division of the Kingdom
1 Kings 12
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to acclaim him as king. Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was still in Egypt; for Jeroboam had fled from King Solomon, and had…
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Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah and Elisha
1 Kings 16–22|2 Kings 2–5 (selections)
Ahab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa of Judah, and Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years. Ahab…
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The Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
2 Kings 17
In the twelfth year of King Ahaz of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria—for nine years. He did what was displeasing to the Lord, though not as much as the kings of Israel…
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Hezekiah (Samuel-Kings)
2 Kings 18–19 (selections)
In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah became king. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem…
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Manasseh (Samuel-Kings)
2 Kings 21:1–16
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did what was displeasing to the Lord, following the abhorrent…
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Josiah (Samuel-Kings)
2 Kings 22–23 (selections)
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He…
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The Fall of the Southern Kingdom of Judah
2 Kings 24:8–25:30
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He did what was…
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Solomon’s Temple-Dedication Poem
1 Kings 8:12–13
This biblical poetry fragment narrates the words spoken by King Solomon during the sacred dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
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Solomon's Temple-Dedication Prayer
1 Kings 8:14–53
King Solomon offers a prayer for the dedication of the Temple, contextualized within the narrative of its construction.
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Jehoash’s Fable
2 Kings 14:7–10
He [Amaziah] defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and he captured Sela in battle and renamed it Joktheel, as is still the case. Then Amaziah sent envoys to King Jehoash son of…
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Jezebel’s Letter about Naboth
1 Kings 21:8–10
In this biblical narrative, Queen Jezebel uses royal power to attempt to have Naboth executed following his refusal to sell a vineyard to King Ahab.
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Solomon’s Senior Officials and His District Prefects
1 Kings 4:2–19
According to 1 Kings, a long list of senior officials and district prefects were responsible for the administration of King Solomon's realm.
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The Plundered Treasures of the Temple
2 Kings 25:13–17
This biblical account lists the specific parts and vessels of the Temple plundered by the Babylonians during the fall of Judah in 586 BCE.