III. SURVEY OF 1 KINGS
1. Scan the chapters of 1 Kings, and
record chapter titles on paper.
2. Read 1 Kings 22:37-53 and 2 Kings 1:14 and observe how the narrative of 1 Kings
continues into 2 Kings without any real
break, indicating that the two books are
virtually one unit.
3. Proceed with the usual steps of survey
study, and answer these questions:
a) What impressed you about the book?
b) What appeared to be some of the
highlights?
c) How much does the book contain of
action, description, and conversation?
d) Who are the main characters of the book?
What prophet is the leading servant of
God in the last chapters of the book?
Consult a concordance to see when he


first appears in the story.
e) Where is the book’s critical turning point?
4. Now study the survey Chart 49,
observing the following:
a) The book has twenty-two chapters. How
many concern the united kingdom, and
how many concern the divided
kingdom?
b) Observe where these events are recorded:
David’s death; the Temple chapters;
Solomon’s death; split of the northern

tribes from Judah; the call and ministry
of Elijah.
c) What do you consider to be key chapters
in 1 Kings?
d) Note the title given to 1 Kings, as shown
on the chart: “A Kingdom Divided
Against Itself.”
e) The book of 1 Kings covers about 130


years (971-841 B.C.). The first eleven
chapters cover Solomon’s reign of forty
years. By adding the number of years
that each of the other four kings in
Judah reigned (see 14:21; 15:1-2; 15:810; 22:41-42), one can approximate the
time covered by the entire book.
IV. PROMINENT SUBJECTS OF 1 KINGS
Among the prominent subjects of 1 Kings
are these: King Solomon, the split of the
kingdom, and the prophet Elijah. This is
suggested by the general outline (page 196)
of the book’s contents, around the pivotal
chapter 12.
A. SOLOMON

Make an outline of Solomon’s early life
and reign as recorded in chapters 1-4.


B. SOLOMON’S TEMPLE


Study 5:1—9:9 with this outline in mind:
1. Preparation for building
(5:1-18)