Israel is taken by Assyria (2 Kgs 17:6–23) and Judah falls to Babylon (2 Kgs 25:1–26)-which is just what God promised would happen if they disobeyed His law (Dt 28:36–37). Neither the Northern Kingdom (Israel) nor the Southern Kingdom (Judah) keep the Law of Moses and worship God at Jerusalem, and therefore both are taken captive by enemy nations. Each king is remembered according to whether or not they lead Israel to worship God in Jerusalem or worship idols elsewhere. The northern ten tribes follow Solomon’s former warrior and taskmaster Jeroboam, and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remain loyal to the throne of David. The rest of these books document the way these kings (and those who followed) lead God’s people to worship. Unfortunately, Solomon is unfaithful to God in his later years, and God divides the kingdom after his death. God tells Solomon to remember Him and follow his father David’s example. Solomon is blessed with wisdom, and charged with building a majestic temple to the Lord in Jerusalem.

These books of history pick up where Second Samuel left off: Israel is united under the godly King David, who appoints his son Solomon to rule after him.

Whereas First and Second Samuel document Israel’s shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of David, Kings shows how Israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. The books of First and Second Kings are the story of Israel’s decline.

Gods, Kings & Slaves by R. Venketesh