Page 34 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

The two books of Kings (1 and 2 Kings)
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The two books of Kings are part of the
Old Testament literature body, which
describes the history of Israel. The
events in the books of Kings occurred
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between the 10 and 6 centuries BCE.
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The books contain accounts of the kings
of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and the
Kingdom of Judah and their successes
and failures in good governance. The
books are essentially the religious history
of the people of Israel and explain how
the infidelity of the people of Yahweh
and the monarchy brought about the
downfall of their kingdoms. The books
highlight the failure of the central Israeli Figure 2.6: King Solomon
institutions by the monarchy and the
priesthood to keep the people faithful to Solomon, on the one hand, built his
Yahweh and promote social justice and kingdom on the grounds of good
good governance. governance. He wanted to maintain
peace in his kingdom not by fighting but
Solomon’s Reign (1 Kings 1:5-11:43) by marriage alliance. In such a move, he
Although David was a good king, he did married Pharaoh’s daughter, cemented
not prepare a proper succession order relationships with Egypt, and ensured
due to his struggle for his throne. His the southern border was secure with
the marriage alliance (1 Kings 3:1-2).
son Adonijah unlawfully claimed the Solomon was a man of peace, and his
throne (1 Kings 1:5-10). However, after reign was characterised by peace with
being persuaded by Bathsheba, David his neighbour.
announced Solomon as the next king
(1 Kings 1:28-40). Under the principle Solomon was a good administrator who
of good governance, there should be organised his governance to manage
clear ways of succession to leadership, it easily. He had high officials and
but King David failed in this. Solomon administrators to assist him. Solomon
ruled Israel for forty years, ushering had twelve governors who provided
in an era of peace and prosperity for food for the king and his household;
his people. He is famous for building each one made provision for one month
the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem. His of the year. Solomon had many officials.
story is told primarily in 1 Kings 1-11. Therefore, the kingdom’s people had

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