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1 Kings Research Paper

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1 Kings
1 Kings is a narrative and chronological history of Israel. Its author is unknown, although it is commonly believed to be either the Prophet Jeremiah, or another prophet working at the same time as Jeremiah. The book was written between 971 BC – 848 BC. 1 Kings can be divided into two sections; A united kingdom, 1 Kings 1:1 – 11:43, a divided kingdom (1 Kings 12:1 – 22:53). 1 Kings appears as a continuation of the books of Samuel until the narrative takes a unique turn at the death of Solomon and a major event occurs. The once united kingdom divides into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. At this point, the narrative becomes a parallel accounting of monarchs from both kingdoms. The author selects …show more content…

His place of birth and tribal affiliation is unknown. His father was Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. He was the general in an army at Ramoth-Gilead. When Elisha’s assistant arrived and anointed Jehu king of Israel while he was still under the command of King Joram, son of King Ahab. Under Jehu’s hand and direction, King Joram, who was King of Northern Israel and King Ahaziah, who was ruler of the Kingdom of Judah and were both killed. Jezebel, the rest of the house of Ahab, and King Ahaziah’s 42 brothers were also wiped out by order of Jehu. Under Jehu’s rule, the Kingdom of Israel was so thoroughly purged and destroyed that it’s temple site remains “a refuse dump to this day” (2 Kings 10:27). King Jehu established and maintained the longest dynasty the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Although God promised Jehu that because “you have done well in doing what is right…your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation” (2 Kings 10:30). Jehu did not follow God with all of his heart, and did not fully purge the kingdom of idols, as a result, the next four generations of kings under the line of Jehu “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 13:2, 11; 14:24;

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