First Book of Kings

In the Christian Bible, the two Books of Kings (commonly referred to as 1 Kings and 2 Kings, or First Kings and Second Kings) conclude a series of books often referred to as the Deuteronomistic history, running from Joshua through Judges, Samuel and Kings, but not Chronicles, which many scholars believe was written to provide a theological explanation for the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah by Babylon in c. 586 BCE and a foundation for a return from exile.

In the Hebrew Bible, Kings is a single book called the Book of Kings (Hebrew: ספר מלכים‎, Sepher M'lakhim)., the fourth book of Nevi'im, the second division of the Tanakh, in the sub-group called the Former Prophets. In the Septuagint, Samuel and Kings was divided into four books and Kings became III and IV Kings (Greek: Βασιλειῶν, "Kings").

The two Books of Kings presents a history of ancient Israel and Judah from the death of David to the release of Jehoiachin from imprisonment in Babylon, a period of some 400 years (c. 960 – c. 560 BCE).

Solomon comes to the throne after David's death. At the beginning of his reign he assumes God's promises to David and brings splendour to Israel and peace and prosperity to his people. The centrepiece of Solomon's reign is the building of the First Temple: the claim that this took place 480 years after the Exodus from Egypt marks it as a key event in Israel's history. At the end, however, he follows other gods and oppresses Israel.

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