The books 1 Kings and 2 Kings belong to the group of books referred to as historical books. The historical books relay the narrative of salvation history.  Together the two works cover the period from approximately 961 B.C. to 587 B.C. The two works are intricately connected and while the character names may change the primary themes coincide. 

Both books are essential in understanding the story of Israel as a nation. The events of the books provide the context for many of the beliefs, attitudes, and circumstances in which Jesus’s life and actions unfold. As such, they form the backdrop of Jesus’s own heritage. 

A General Outline of the History of Israel

As you may recall, the history of Israel begins with the calling of Abraham of whom God will give land and “make a great nation” (Gensis 12:2). Abraham’s grandson, Jacob (Israel) and his family, are forced to migrate to Egypt due to famine and their descendants are eventually enslaved for 400 years. During this time, they grew into a nation which Moses led through the Red Sea. Under Joshua, the Israelites enter the promise land. However, the conquest remains incomplete and the nation is not fully established as a kingdom until David assumes his reign in Jerusalem. 

Unfortunately, the kingdom does not last. In fact, the Kingdom of David remains united for only a single generation. It then divides into two kingdoms, the Kingdom of Judah in Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Israel. The books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings tell the story of this division and its political and spiritual ramifications. 

The Kingdom of Judah springs forth from the line of David. It is comprised of two of the original 12 tribes of Israel, Judah and Benjamin. It is housed in Jerusalem and is thus the seat of true worship in the temple. It is this kingdom which will perpetuate the true faith and from which Jesus, the “lion of the tribe Judah” (Rev. 5:5), and the Jews of His time arise. On the other hand, the Kingdom of Israel is made up of the remaining 10 tribes. Divided politically they cannot remain united spiritually. They thus establish their own houses of worship and fall into pagan idolatry. Israel is eventually conquered and its inhabitants absorbed into the pagan world. They eventually become the Samaritans of Jesus’s day. Several hundred years later, the Kingdom of Judah also falls, and the Jews are sent into exile.

Thus, 1 Kings and 2 Kings provide the context for the bitter hatred between the Jews and Samaritans at the time of Jesus. Understanding this history brings clarity to events within the Gospels, such as Jesus’s conversation with the woman at the well. 

“The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

…The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.

Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”

Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.

God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”

The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.”

Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you.””

(John 4:9-10,19-26)

Likewise, knowing this history helps us understand the shocking nature of Jesus’s parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:29-35). To the Jew of Jesus’ day, the Samaritan was a half-breed traitor. Elevating the Samaritan’s goodness above the priest and Levite would have been unthinkable. 

Major Themes of 1 Kings and 2 Kings

Taken together the two books integrate several complex themes. At the heart of both books is the contrast between faithfulness and unfaithfulness to true worship as seen in the fate of the two kingdoms. Neither kingdom is perfect as reflected by the integrated way the narrative is told. Judah cycles through good kings and bad kings. On the other hand, the Kingdom of Israel cut off from the temple quickly devolves into pagan idolatry. Thus, while true worship did not bring perfect spiritual fidelity and fulfillment of the law, it at least made periods of faithfulness possible. This faithfulness and unfaithfulness are reflected in both the spiritual and political outcomes of the two kingdoms. 

God’s concern for all is His people through revelation is also apparent. The stories of the kings are told in the order in which they ascend to the throne, regardless of which kingdom they rule.  Thus, both kingdoms represent God’s people. Finally, the role of prophets, especially Elijah and his successor Elisha are pivotal and form the central structure of the pair of books as 1 Kings transitions to 2 Kings. Thus, God makes his divine will known to kings and to all people alike.