Reading 1 & 2 Kings

  By: Lauren Thomas 

I’ll admit that in the past, I got confused and bored reading through 1 and 2 Kings in the Bible. Whenever I came to the parts about prophets, however, my interest renewed. The prophetic activity recorded in these books is compelling, and it makes for a nice break in the historical narrative. But 1 and 2 Kings is so much more than history, and the prophetic accounts are more than captivating stories. 

 

If you have struggled through these books, keep reading for some inspiration!

While 1 and 2 Kings are historical, they are also theological. They tell us about who God is. They tell us about his ways – punishing sin, but showing mercy to the those who walk faithfully to Him. Historically, these books show the line of descent from David to exile. But theologically they show partial fulfillment of God’s promise to David, that a descendant would always sit on the throne of Israel. This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. For this reason, 1 and 2 Kings are important to salvation history. 

 

The presence of prophetic accounts within these books shows that even as judgment was imminent on idolatrous Israel, God was always sending men to call his people back to him. And in doing so, he revealed his steadfast love, mercy, and other characteristics, such as his sovereignty. 

 

Let’s look at 1 Kings 17 for an example. In the ESV, this chapter is broken into 3 sections. In the first, Elijah prophesies a drought. In the second, he goes to live with a widow and the Lord miraculously provides. In the third, God raises a dead boy through Elijah’s prayer. Each of these is interesting, but they aren’t just interesting. They each tell us something about God! 

 

1. God sends a drought. This was a direct challenge to Baal, a god worshipped by King Ahab and idolatrous Israel. Baal was supposed to control fertility and agriculture. Healthy crops were believed to be from Baal. They also believed that Baal temporarily succumbed to Mot, the death God. This resulted in a yearly dry season. God sending a drought showed, not only that he is in control of weather and agriculture, but that he is alive and does not submit to death or any other god. 
2. The Lord provides for a widow. When God sent Elijah to live with a widow during the drought, he sent Elijah to a town belonging to the Sidonians who worship Baal. Yet even here, God provided for Elijah and for the widow. In Old Testament times, people believed that gods were regional and only controlled limited areas. In this account, God demonstrated that he can cross national/regional borders and can minister to people other than his chosen people in Israel. 
3. God raises a dead boy through Elijah’s prayer. When the widow’s son died, she brought him to Elijah who prayed that the boy might live again. God answered his prayers and resurrected the boy. This demonstrated God’s power over death!

Not only is 1 Kings 17 an interesting read, it shows us that God is all-powerful, all-sovereign, and has power over death. 

 

Now, do you think you might want to read 1 and 2 Kings? If you, like me, have struggled to get through these books, here are some tips:

• Take notes. Specifically, make two columns – one for the southern kingdom and one for the northern kingdom – and list all the kings as you read about them. Maybe color code the evil and good kings. Record any info that might help you keep track of them.
• Read the commentary in a study Bible. Sometimes this is all it takes to help these passages make more sense or to uncover something you didn’t notice before.
• Read while listening. Follow along in a physical Bible as you listen to the audio version on your Bible app. 

 

Reflection:

When was the last time you read through 1 and 2 Kings? How does the truth of who God is, according to 1 Kings 17, impact your life?