Hey sis! Welcome to the 1 Kings Companion Library! Your companion resource designed to help you study the book of 1 Kings in context and discover the powerful story of Israel's united kingdom, the glory of Solomon's reign, the building of the temple, and the nation's gradual spiritual decline. Whether you're using the Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, studying on your own, or teaching others, you'll find tools here to help you dig deeper into God's Word with confidence.
This page is filled with carefully selected resources to help you understand not only what 1 Kings says, but why it matters. As you follow Solomon's wisdom, the construction and dedication of the temple, the division of the kingdom, the ministries of Elijah, and the reigns of Israel's and Judah's kings, you'll see the blessings of obedience, the dangers of compromise, and God's unwavering faithfulness despite His people's rebellion. Most importantly, you'll discover how every chapter points forward to Jesus Christ- our greater Solomon, whose wisdom is perfect; our true Temple, where God's presence dwells; and our eternal King, whose kingdom will never be divided or destroyed.
My prayer is that these resources encourage you to slow down, open your Bible, and experience the faithfulness of God in a deeper way. 1 Kings isn't simply the story of kings and kingdoms; it's the story of a holy God who desires wholehearted devotion from His people, faithfully keeps His promises, and continues His plan of redemption even in the midst of human failure.
If you haven't already purchased the printable Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, you can do so by clicking the link below. They're not required to use these resources, but they're filled with thoughtfully organized study tools, historical background, key themes, and beautiful pages that save you time and make a wonderful addition to your Bible study.
But First... Pray
Prayer Before Studying 1 Kings
Heavenly Father,
As I open the book of 1 Kings, I ask You to open my heart and my mind to Your truth. Thank You for preserving Your Word so that I can know You more deeply and understand Your character.
As I read, help me see more than the rise and fall of kings. Show me Your holiness, Your wisdom, Your justice, and Your unwavering faithfulness. Teach me the importance of wholehearted devotion to You, and guard my heart from the compromises that slowly lead people away from Your truth.
Reveal the ways this book points to Jesus- our greater Solomon, whose wisdom is perfect; our true Temple, where God's presence dwells; and our eternal King, whose kingdom will never be divided or destroyed. Give me wisdom to understand the Scriptures in their proper context and a humble heart that is willing to be changed by what I learn.
Help me not to rush through these pages, but to slow down, ask good questions, and delight in discovering the richness of Your Word. May this study deepen my faith, strengthen my obedience, and draw me into a closer relationship with You.
Thank You for Your patience, Your mercy, and Your covenant faithfulness, even when Your people fall short. May everything I learn lead me to worship You alone, trust Your wisdom above my own, and remain faithful to You all the days of my life.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Start Here
Before diving into 1 Kings, I encourage you to watch the Bible Project overview of the book. In just a few minutes, you'll gain a big-picture understanding of 1 Kings- its structure, major themes, historical setting, and its place in God's unfolding plan of redemption. Watching the overview first will help you see that 1 Kings is more than a historical record of Israel's kings. It is the story of God's covenant faithfulness, the blessings of obedience, the dangers of compromise and idolatry, and His continued work through both faithful and unfaithful leaders. As you work through your Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, you'll also discover how the reign of Solomon, the temple, and the ministry of Elijah ultimately point forward to Jesus Christ- the greater Solomon, the true Temple, and the eternal King whose kingdom will never end.
Once you've finished the video, open your Bible and begin reading 1 Kings. Then come back here to explore the companion resources, maps, timelines, character studies, word studies, and bonus study tools designed to help you dig even deeper into God's Word and better understand His faithfulness throughout Israel's history.
Begin Reading
Now that you've watched the overview, it's time to dive into God's Word. Before exploring the additional resources below, we are going to start reading the book of 1 Kings in your Bible. Resist the urge to rush ahead or rely only on study notes. Spend time observing the text for yourself, asking questions, and noticing repeated themes like wisdom, worship, covenant faithfulness, obedience, idolatry, repentance, and God's sovereignty over kings and nations.
Start by opening the free commentary linked below, or use a commentary of your choice. As you read, remember that 1 Kings is more than a record of Israel's rulers. It tells the story of a nation that flourished when its leaders sought God and declined when they turned to idols. Through Solomon's wisdom, the building of the temple, the divided kingdom, and Elijah's bold ministry, you'll see God's faithfulness, His call to wholehearted devotion, and His patience with His people. Most importantly, you'll discover how these events point to Jesus Christ- the greater Solomon, the true Temple, and the eternal King whose perfect kingdom will never be divided.
I personally take notes from the commentary that I feel are important to remember.
Take your time, pray as you read, and allow Scripture to speak before turning to outside resources.
Bible Study Tools
As you continue your study of 1 Kings, I encourage you to explore some of the free Bible study tools available through Blue Letter Bible. From original Hebrew and Greek word studies to maps, timelines, outlines, cross references, commentaries, and more, these resources can help you better understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic context of Scripture.
Remember, these tools are designed to support your study- not replace it. Always read the biblical text carefully, and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. Then use these resources to dig deeper and strengthen your understanding of God's Word as you explore the reign of Solomon, the construction of the temple, the division of the kingdom, the ministries of Elijah and other prophets, and the ongoing faithfulness of God despite His people's repeated disobedience.
Click below to explore Blue Letter Bible's free study tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings
As you study 1 Kings, you're likely to encounter questions you've never considered before- and that's a good thing! Asking thoughtful questions is an important part of studying God's Word. Below you'll find a collection of carefully selected articles from GotQuestions.org that address some of the most common questions people have about the book of 1 Kings.
While these articles can be helpful study tools, I encourage you to always compare what you read with Scripture. Let God's Word be your final authority, and use these resources to deepen your understanding as you continue studying the Bible in its proper context. As you explore topics like Solomon's wisdom, the building of the temple, the division of Israel's kingdom, Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, the dangers of idolatry, and God's covenant faithfulness, my prayer is that you'll grow in your understanding of God's holiness, His patience, and His desire for wholehearted worship. Most importantly, you'll see how these events ultimately point to Jesus Christ- the greater Solomon, the true Temple, and the eternal King whose kingdom will never end.
