Canon Robinson suggests that the editors of 1 Kings compiled their history to teach the Hebrews that their existence as the covenant people of God depended on their continuing loyalty to their traditions.

The subject of this study is the prophetic history of the succession of Solomon to the throne of the dual monarchy established by David over the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the centralization of Israelite religion in the Temple of Jerusalem, the collapse of the dual monarchy after the death of Solomon, the subsequent stories of the numerous kings of Israel and Judah, and especially the severe interactions of the kings of Israel from Jeroboam to Ahab (c. 932c.855 BCE) with the prophets Ahijah, Elijah, and Micaiah, as presented in the Masoretic text of the biblical First Book of Kings. The term prophetic history is employed to describe the subject because prophecy in biblical thought is not fatalistic and does not predict future events. What it does do is assert that the moral course that a society chooses to follow in the present can determine its probable but not inevitable future. The purpose of the biblical book is to inform the reader of the historical consequences of the failure to observe the terms of the divine covenant entered into between God and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai, following the exodus from Egypt. Although the narrative is based on events that were believed to have taken place, the primary focus of prophetic history is on the moral implications of the decisions taken by men rather than the factual accuracy of the details of the events described, which have been studied exhaustively by archaeologists and historians of the ancient world.

F. W. Farrar "The Expositor's Bible: The First Book of Kings" gives a complete exploration of the biblical text, presenting readers with profound insights into the narrative and topics of the First Book of Kings. As a distinguished theologian and scholar, Farrar combines scholarly rigor with a pastoral contact to resolve the historic and theological complexities embedded in the biblical account. In this extent, Farrar delves into the reigns of Solomon and next kings, presenting a detailed exam of political, spiritual, and cultural dynamics in historic Israel. His meticulous remark navigates thru the triumphs and failures of the leaders, losing mild at the non-secular and moral challenges faced by way of the humans. Farrar's exegesis is marked with the aid of a deep appreciation for the literary and theological nuances of the biblical narrative. He not most effective elucidates ancient events but additionally attracts out undying instructions and moral packages for contemporary readers. Through his work, Farrar contributes now not handiest to biblical scholarship but additionally to the non-secular enrichment of his audience, making "The Expositor's Bible: The First Book of Kings" a valuable aid for the ones seeking a profound expertise of the Old Testament narrative.

This volume in the popular Ignatius Catholic Study Bible series leads readers through a penetrating study of the First and Second Books of Kings using the biblical text itself and the Church's own guidelines for understanding the Bible. Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights by renowned Bible teachers Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch as well as time-tested interpretations from the Fathers of the Church. These helpful study notes provide rich historical, cultural, geographical, and theological information pertinent to the Old Testament book—information that bridges the distance between the biblical world and our own. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible also includes Topical Essays, Word Studies, and Charts. The Topical Essays explore the major themes of 1 & 2 Kings, often relating them to the teachings of the Church. The Word Studies explain the background of important biblical terms, while the Charts summarize crucial biblical information "at a glance".