Book 11 of 39 in the Old Testament — Solomon & the divided kingdom.
1 Kings opens with Solomon succeeding his father David and building the temple in Jerusalem, a high point of wisdom, wealth, and national unity. Solomon's later compromises with foreign wives and their gods sow the seeds of decline, and after his death the kingdom splits in two — Israel in the north, Judah in the south. The rest of the book tracks a succession of kings in both kingdoms, most of them unfaithful, alongside the ministry of the prophet Elijah, who confronts idolatry head-on.
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”King James Version
Solomon asks God for a wise and discerning heart to govern well.
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”King James Version
Solomon marvels that even heaven cannot contain God, much less the temple.
“So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.”King James Version
Israel splits from Judah after Rehoboam's harsh response, dividing the kingdom.
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”King James Version
Elijah challenges Israel to stop wavering between the Lord and Baal.
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”King James Version
Elijah hears God not in the wind or fire but in a gentle whisper.