Did You Know?

After Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel split into two separate kingdoms.

This division into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah is recorded in 1 Kings 12, resulting largely from Solomon's son Rehoboam's harsh policies. This division persisted for centuries, with the two kingdoms sometimes allied and sometimes at war.

[Kings & Kingdom]

The prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal in a dramatic contest on Mount Carmel.

This confrontation, recorded in 1 Kings 18:20-40, involved calling down fire from heaven to prove God's power over the Canaanite deity Baal. Elijah's victory led to the execution of the false prophets and a temporary religious reform.

[Kings & Kingdom]

Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot and horses of fire.

This dramatic departure is recorded in 2 Kings 2:11, witnessed by his successor Elisha, who received a double portion of Elijah's prophetic spirit (2 Kings 2:9-10). Elijah is one of only a couple of biblical figures traditionally believed not to have died a normal death.

[Kings & Kingdom]

Elisha succeeded Elijah as a prophet in Israel and performed numerous miracles.

His ministry, recorded throughout 2 Kings, includes miracles such as purifying poisoned water (2 Kings 2:19-22) and multiplying a widow's small amount of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7). Elisha's ministry spanned several decades and multiple Israelite kings.

[Kings & Kingdom]

Naaman, a Syrian military commander, was healed of leprosy after washing in the Jordan River at Elisha's instruction.

Naaman initially resisted this seemingly simple remedy, expecting something more dramatic, before finally complying and being healed (2 Kings 5:1-14). This story is often cited as illustrating the importance of humility and obedience.

[Kings & Kingdom]

The Kingdom of Israel, the northern kingdom, was eventually conquered by the Assyrian Empire.

This conquest occurred around 722 BCE, as recorded in 2 Kings 17:6, resulting in the deportation of much of the population. The dispersed northern tribes are sometimes referred to as the 'Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.'

[Kings & Kingdom]

The Kingdom of Judah, the southern kingdom, was eventually conquered by the Babylonian Empire.

This conquest culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple around 586 BCE, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:8-10. Many of Judah's inhabitants were subsequently exiled to Babylon, an event known as the Babylonian Exile.

[Kings & Kingdom]

King Josiah of Judah led a significant religious reform after the rediscovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple.

This discovery and subsequent reform are recorded in 2 Kings 22-23, leading to a renewed national commitment to covenant faithfulness. Josiah is generally regarded as one of the most righteous kings in Judah's history.

[Kings & Kingdom]

King Hezekiah of Judah is noted for his faithfulness and for a miraculous extension of his life.

After Hezekiah's prayer during a serious illness, God extended his life by 15 years and provided a sign involving the shadow on a sundial moving backward (2 Kings 20:1-11). Hezekiah is also credited with significant religious reforms during his reign.

[Kings & Kingdom]

David is described as being from the town of Bethlehem, later also recognized as the birthplace of Jesus.

David's origins in Bethlehem are noted in 1 Samuel 16:1, and this connection is later theologically significant, since the prophet Micah foretold that the promised ruler would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Jesus' birth in Bethlehem is recorded in Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-7.

[Kings & Kingdom]