Outline of 1 Kings: The divided heart and the divided kingdom

David establishes Solomon as king, overturning Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne.

Adonijah exalts himself 1:1–10 · Nathan and Bathsheba appeal 1:11–27 · Solomon is anointed 1:28–40 · The rival feast collapses 1:41–53

Solomon receives David's charge and removes threats as his kingdom is established.

David charges his son 2:1–12 · Adonijah renews his claim 2:13–25 · Abiathar and Joab fall 2:26–35 · Shimei breaks his oath 2:36–46

God gives Solomon an understanding heart, demonstrated in justice for two disputing mothers.

A promising yet imperfect beginning 3:1–4 · God grants the request for wisdom 3:5–15 · Wisdom protects the living child 3:16–28

God grants Solomon extraordinary wisdom as Israel enjoys security under an extensive royal administration.

Officials sustain the court 4:1–19 · Prosperity and heavy provision 4:20–28 · Wisdom draws the nations 4:29–34

The LORD gives rest, and Solomon arranges labor and materials to build the house for His Name.

Solomon requests timber 5:1–6 · Hiram and Solomon agree 5:7–12 · Workers prepare the materials 5:13–18

Solomon builds the temple, while the LORD makes obedience central to His dwelling among Israel.

The house takes shape 6:1–10 · The LORD addresses the builder 6:11–14 · The sanctuary is adorned 6:15–30 · Doors and courtyard complete the work 6:31–38

Solomon completes his palace complex and the bronze and gold furnishings for the LORD's house.

The royal complex 7:1–12 · Huram makes the pillars 7:13–22 · The Sea and movable basins 7:23–39 · The work is completed 7:40–51

The LORD fills the temple, and Solomon asks Him to hear repentant Israel and people from the nations.

The ark enters and glory fills the house 8:1–21 · The God whom heaven cannot contain 8:22–30 · Prayer for justice and mercy 8:31–53 · Blessing and dedication 8:54–66

God hears Solomon yet warns that apostasy will bring exile and the temple's destruction.

Promise and warning 9:1–9 · The disputed gift of towns 9:10–14 · Building and worship continue 9:15–25 · A fleet brings gold 9:26–28

Solomon's wisdom astonishes the queen of Sheba, while wealth and military accumulation mark his kingdom.

The queen tests the report 10:1–13 · Royal wealth multiplies 10:14–25 · Horses and chariots accumulate 10:26–29

Solomon turns to other gods, and the LORD announces division while preserving David's lamp.

Solomon's heart turns away 11:1–13 · Adversaries rise 11:14–25 · Ahijah announces the division 11:26–40 · Solomon's reign ends 11:41–43

Rehoboam's harshness divides the kingdom, and Jeroboam builds a sinful worship system to secure his rule.

The king rejects wise counsel 12:1–15 · The kingdom divides 12:16–24 · Jeroboam reshapes worship 12:25–33

God confirms judgment on Bethel's altar and judges a prophet who abandons His command.

The altar is condemned 13:1–10 · A false message persuades him 13:11–19 · The messenger is judged 13:20–32 · Jeroboam refuses to repent 13:33–34

Jeroboam's house is condemned, while Judah's idolatry ends in the loss of royal and temple treasures.

A disguise cannot hide the royal house 14:1–18 · Jeroboam's reign ends 14:19–20 · Judah follows the nations 14:21–31

God preserves David's line through flawed kings while judgment ends Jeroboam's dynasty.

Abijam and the preserved lamp 15:1–8 · Asa reforms Judah 15:9–24 · Nadab and his house fall 15:25–32 · Baasha repeats the sin 15:33–34

Northern dynasties fall under God's word, and Ahab advances Israel's rebellion through Baal worship.

Baasha's house is condemned 16:1–7 · Elah and Zimri fall 16:8–20 · Omri secures the throne 16:21–28 · Ahab promotes Baal 16:29–34

The LORD withholds rain, sustains Elijah and a foreign widow, and restores her son to life.

Drought and provision at Cherith 17:1–7 · A widow receives daily provision 17:8–16 · The widow's son lives again 17:17–24

The LORD answers Elijah by fire and rain, exposing Baal's impotence and calling Israel back to Himself.

Elijah confronts Ahab 18:1–19 · Baal gives no answer 18:20–29 · The LORD answers by fire 18:30–40 · Rain returns 18:41–46

God feeds Elijah, speaks at Horeb and preserves a remnant while appointing the work that follows.

Fear and exhaustion receive provision 19:1–8 · The LORD speaks at Horeb 19:9–14 · God's work continues 19:15–18 · Elisha follows 19:19–21

The LORD defeats Aram, but Ahab releases the condemned king and receives a sentence against himself.

A great army is defeated 20:1–21 · The LORD rules hills and valleys 20:22–30 · Ahab makes his own treaty 20:31–34 · A prophetic scene exposes the king 20:35–43

The LORD condemns Ahab's murder and theft, yet delays judgment on his house when he humbles himself.

Covetousness seeks an inheritance 21:1–7 · False witnesses enable murder 21:8–16 · Elijah announces judgment 21:17–26 · Humbling receives a delay 21:27–29

Ahab rejects Micaiah's warning and dies in battle; royal plans cannot overturn the LORD's judgment.

The kings seek favorable prophecy 22:1–12 · Micaiah speaks the unwelcome truth 22:13–28 · Ahab dies as foretold 22:29–40 · Two reigns are assessed 22:41–53