Good morning 365 Bible Challenge Readers! I hope you have enjoyed the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David in the books of 1 & 2 Samuel… I always enjoy the passion and transparency we see in King David’s life. Our reading plan starts 1 & 2 Kings today (4/8). If you’re behind, try to catch up this weekend, or just start fresh in 1 Kings!
1 & 2 Kings were originally one long book – the story of Israel after King David, through the reign of Solomon (Israel’s glory days!), and then civil war, destruction, and exile (an ancient Game of Thrones!).
As you read about Solomon, ask yourself: “How did the liveliest, wealthiest, most contented nation of its day slide so disastrously in one generation?” What character lessons can we learn from Solomon? What character lessons can we learn from the other kings?
As you read of Elijah and Elisha (some of my favorites!), ask yourself what we can learn about God from their stories?
Kings is laid out documentary style, but after the kingdom divides it cuts back and forth between Israel/Northern Kingdom and Judah/Southern Kingdom quite a bit… and can become very confusing. I am attaching a map of the divided kingdom with two capitols (Samaria in Israel/North and Jerusalem in Judah/South). I am also attaching a list of the Kings, which I recommend you print out and keep handy so you don’t get lost. It’s important to work at understanding the historical framework, as you’ll need it when we get to reading the various prophets later.
Keep reading! There are some colorful and tragic characters in the coming chapters!
Mindy Clemons 