1 Kings

King David, nearing death, appointed Solomon as his successor and instructed him to deal with those who had wronged him. After David's death, Solomon established his rule, had Adonijah killed, and removed Abiathar from the priesthood. Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter and showed his love for the Lord, and God granted him wisdom, riches, and honor. Solomon demonstrated his wisdom by resolving a dispute between two prostitutes and his wisdom was renowned, with people from all nations coming to hear him. Solomon built the temple with the help of Hiram, king of Tyre, and the temple was completed in seven years. After the temple's completion, Solomon gathered the elders of Israel to bring the ark of the Lord's covenant to the temple, and the Lord appeared to Solomon, promising to establish his royal throne over Israel forever if he walked in integrity and uprightness. However, Solomon's many foreign wives led him to worship other gods, and the Lord told him that He would tear the kingdom away from him and give it to one of his subordinates. The kingdom was eventually divided, with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, becoming king of Judah and Jeroboam becoming king of Israel. The rest of the book of 1 Kings tells the story of the kings of Israel and Judah, including Ahab, who did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of the previous kings, and Elijah, who prophesied against Ahab and the prophets of Baal.