What are some good and bad characteristics of Solomon?
What caused the split between the two parts of the nation?
Why did the northern and southern kingdoms fall—was it the same reason or different ones?
What sources were used for this story? See 1 Kings 11:41, 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 14:29. Is it useful for a historian to use multiple sources? Explain.
Note the information on all kings discussed. Is it fair? Is it selective? For example, see how long Solomon and Joash ruled and then note how much space is devoted to each. Also note that Omri was important on the international scene, but how is he covered in 1 Kings 16:23-28?
Based on your answers to question #5, how were the kings judged—on their political success, their battlefield victories, or . . .? Do modern historians follow this same patter of selecting and interpreting as well as reporting on their subjects?
Look at the section of Kings dealing with the two separate kingdoms(1 Kings 12—2 Kings 17). Explain what each of the following portions covers—1 Kings 12:1-16:28, 1 Kings 16:29-2 Kings 10:36, and 2 Kings 11-17.
Why is more space devoted to Israel than Judah in the history of the divided kingdom(1 Kings 12—2 Kings 17)?
Why do you suppose Judah survived longer than its sister kingdom Israel?
See the origin of Samaria in 2 Kings 17. How do they Jews appear to feel toward this part of the country and its people?
Compare and contrast the two great prophets Elijah and Elisha.
There is a persistent story of ten lost tribes of Israel. Read 2 Kings 18 to see if you can see the origin of the story.
How does the story here fit the famous statement that “history is the biography of famous men”?
Is this a history without hope? Explain.
The writer uses dialogue effectively here to explain the characters, to move the story ahead, and to relate theme. Find some places where this happens.
Plot conflicts abound in 1 and 2 Kings. One conflict is king vs. prophet. Find examples. Another is Baal vs. God. Find examples of this conflict.
