Joy of Living bible study on the book of 1 & 2 Kings

4. Kings was compiled and edited in two
stages:
600 BC – before the exile of Judah
during the reforms of King Josiah
550 BC - after the release of King
Jehoiachin from prison during the
Babylonian captivity
Kings & Prophets

5. Court Records:
The book of the annals of Solomon
1 Kings 11:41
The book of the annals of the kings of
Israel 1 Kings 14:19
The book of the annals of the kings of
Judah 1 Kings 14:29
Kings & Prophets

6. Prophetic Sources:
 The records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the
prophet, and the records of Gad the seer. 1Chronicles 29:29
 The prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and the visions of Iddo
the seer. 2 Chronicles 9:29
 The records of Shemaiah the prophet 2 Chronicles 12:15
 The annals of Jehu son of Hanai 2 Chronicles 20:34
 The annotations on the book of the Kings 2 Chronicles
24:27
 The events of Uzziah’s reign recorded by the prophet Isaiah
son of Amoz. 2 Chronicles 26:22, 2 Chronicles 32:32)
Kings & Prophets

7. Date:
 Early Between 562 –538 BC –(NIV)
 Late Between Fall of Jerusalem (587/586) and
the decree of King Cyrus of Persia that allowed
the Jews to return to Jerusalem in 539 – Survey
of the OT - Hill & Walton
Kings & Prophets

8. Themes: Kingship and Covenant
A continuation of the History of Israel from
Judges to Kings to the Exile
 Covenant Keeping
 Consequences: Blessings and Curses
Continuation of David’s lineage – Godly Kings
Prophecy and fulfillment
Both Kings and the people are bound to God
through the Covenant
Kings & Prophets

10. Kings & Prophets
Certain Dates:
• 853 can be fixed as the year of Ahab’s death
• 841 the start of Jehu’s reign
• Assyrian records and astronomical calculations
can set an definite date for Ahab’s & Jehu’s
contacts with Shalmaneser III of Assyria
Then:
• 931 – Israel divided into two Kingdoms
• 722-721 - Samaria fell to the Assyrians
• 586 – Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians

11. Kings & Prophets
Israel – Northern Kingdom
• 20 Kings
• 210 Years
• 9 ruling families
Judah – Southern Kingdom
• 20 Kings (19 Kings – 1 Queen)
• 345 Years
• 2 ruling families

12. Kings & Prophets
Outline:
1. The Kingdom of Solomon
2. Civil conflict – divided Kingdoms
3. History of Judah to Babylonian exile

13. “God is the Lord of history, actively
involved in human affairs. When the
nation and its leaders look to him and
obey His laws, peace and prosperity
follow. Political and economic disaster
overtake Israel and Judah as a direct
consequence of the weakening of the
nation’s moral and religious fiber.”
Lion Handbook to the Bible