Today we begin the study of the Book of 1 Kings. 1 Kings is actually more properly viewed as a part of a single contiguous book that includes 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. Together, these books chronicle the entirety of the first kingdom of Israel and Judah from Samuel’s anointing of Saul to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians.
As with all Bible studies, it is useful to study by using a guide in the form of a written study or a reference to better understand the text. The People’s Bible Study of 1 Kings from the Northwest Publishing House of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a good place to start. Also, BibleGateway.com, the source of the Bible verse links in these posts includes a public domain commentary.
This study is part of an ongoing three-year Bible Study first begun on 1 January 2006 that is also available from the WELS.
    The Kingdom of Israel passed from David to his son Solomon, but not without the kind of strife that was so common to David’s kingdom. In this story, we see one of the enduring stories of sin, which is the story of envy, greed, and pride, the very same sins that led to mankind’s fall in Eden and endure in our own time as well.
    Yet even in the midst of rebellion, God’s will is done. While David’s son Adonijah declared himself king, David’s followers, including the prophet Nathan, remained faithful to the king and to God’s will. It was through their action that Adonijah’s rebellion was ended and Solomon was declared king over Israel.
DLH
