1 Kings Themes

The schemes and machinations of the royalty in 1st Kings rival any political drama on TV today. Assassinations? Check (see 2:24-25 for starters). Shifting alliances? You betcha (see 15:18-20). Rebe...

When we talk about religion in 1st Kings, we have to talk specifically about ritual. Much of the religious activity here is directly connected to the customs, traditions, rites, and ceremonies of w...

There are lots of sources of power in 1st Kings. Most of them can be found in either Solomon (wealth, wisdom, status, etc.) or Elijah (virtue, honor, spirituality, etc.), but other people—especia...

Spirituality is strongly tied to personal contact with God, a.k.a. "theophany", in 1st Kings. The Lord manifests himself in a dream (3:5; 9:2), in a rush of smoke (8:10-12), as a voice (19:13), thr...

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knoweth himself to be a fool." –Bill Shakespeare, As You Like It Solomon's wisdom is, of course, legendary. You'll find plenty of ooh-ing and ahh...