1, 2 Kings— the Kingdom Divided
05.11.22
Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. (1 Kings 2:12)
The titles of these books stem from the fact that they are a record of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were originally on one scroll, thus one book simply called ‘Kings.’ They tell the story of a kingdom at the height of its glory, and also of its sad ending.
We do not know who wrote the books but they were likely written after the events recorded, during or after the Babylonian exile. Ezra and or Ezekiel are possible authors.
Solomon is the key figure in these books. God appeared to him three times. In the first appearance, God offered him a gift, and Solomon chose wisdom above riches, fame or power.
When God appeared to him the second time, just after he completed the construction of the temple. The LORD promised him an eternal kingdom for obedience, and the dissolution of that kingdom and the destruction of the temple, if he or his sons failed to obey the LORD.
God’s third visit was a sad one, for Solomon had failed to fully follow the LORD. He had many foreign wives who persuaded him to set up idols to their false gods in Jerusalem. God was going to rend the kingdom away from him for his failure to love the LORD will all his heart.
Thus, the kingdom of Israel became divided. During the reign of Solomon the kingdom had risen to its glory. The temple was built and Solomon became very powerful and prosperous. But his wayward heart brought great calamity. His son Rehoboam lost a large part of the kingdom. The part he retained became known as Judah, or the Southern Kingdom: it consisted of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and the priestly tribe of Levi. The other tribes were known as Israel or the Northern Kingdom.
The book of 1 Kings in particular demonstrates the truth that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:14) Ironically, it was Solomon who penned these words.
The book of 2 Kings is a book of tragedy. It could be called ‘the Tale of Two Kingdoms.’ It traces the degradation of the Northern Kingdom until it fell to the Assyrian empire in 722 BC. Judah remained in its place until it fell to Babylon in 586 BC. Both of these books teach us that unfaithfulness leads to God’s discipline.
From the dispersion of the northern tribes there has been no return. Some of the people may have returned with Ezra and Nehemiah, but apart from that there has been no return, and the ten tribes have remained non-existent. But the Lord knows where they are, for during the Tribulation He will call out 12,000 from each of the tribes to make up ‘the 144,000.’
With the deportation of Judah ‘the times of the Gentiles began.’ From that day to this, Jerusalem has been almost entirely under Gentile control. The past more than 70 years have been remarkable as Israel has been in its land again. Does this signal the soon coming of our Lord Jesus? Are you ready for His coming?
Where is Christ seen in these books? Elijah pictures Christ as he naturally anticipates John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ as predicted by Isaiah and Malachi.
Solomon, like David is a type of Christ, portraying the Messiah in his future reign on earth. His reign of fame, glory, honor, peace, wisdom and rest portray the way Christ will one day rule. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!