(1015 B.C.?) David, old and thin, unable to remain warm. Young virgin, Abishag, a Shunammite, chosen to lie with him for body heat. She honorably ministers to him. David's son, Adonijah, plots to take throne. David silent. Adonijah assembles following in Enrogel, all David's sons (save Solomon), Joab, and others. David's loyal remain, including all Levites. Adonijah reigns in Enrogel. Nathan advises Bathsheba concerning Solomon's right to the throne. She entreats David. Nathan confirms Solomon as the next king. David agrees, giving instructions for his anointing. Solomon taken to Gihon by the priest, Zadok, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah. Anointed and ascends father's throne. Israel and Judah submit. Royal procession into Jerusalem. Abandoned, Adonijah appeals for mercy from the horns of the Altar. Reconciled to Solomon with a warning.

David's charge to Solomon concerning obedience, Joab, Barzillar, Shimei, and others. David dies, buried in Jerusalem. Reigned 40 years, 7 from Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem. Solomon reigns, 3rd king of Israel. Adonijah petitions Bathsheba, now queen, for Abishag, David's virgin. Bathsheba submits request to Solomon. Solomon outraged. (Seen as a clear threat to the throne.) Benaiah slays Adonijah. Abiathar defrocked for betrayal. Joab seeks sanctuary in Tabernacle. Benaiah slays him there as he suggests. Benaiah promoted to captain over host in Joab's stead. Zadok elevated to high priest. Shimei provided residence in Jerusalem with a warning if he ventures beyond city he will be executed. Three years pass. Shimei retrieves runaway servants from Gath. Solomon orders his execution by Benaiah. Kingdom established.

(1014 B.C.?) Solomon makes treaty with Egypt, taking Pharaoh's daughter. No central place for sacrifices yet. Offers 1,000 burnt offerings on high place in Gibeon, praying for wisdom. God answers in a dream and gives in addition that which he did not ask: riches, honor, and a long life. Returns to Jerusalem. First test of wisdom: two harlots' dispute over a son. Solomon's answer profound to reveal true mother. His fame spreads throughout Israel, resulting in great fear.

(1014 B.C.?) Solomon's princes and offices enumerated (12 officers total). His reign described. Peace prevailed in land all his days. Solomon and people prosper. Fame spreads abroad. Solomon most wise and compassionate in all the Earth. Composes 3,000 Proverbs and 1,005 Psalms. Many come from afar to hear Solomon.

King Hiram of Tyre, lifelong friend of David, sends messengers to Solomon. Solomon requests assistance in building David's house of worship. Temple to be contracted and servants paid. Hiram gladly agrees. Deal for cedars and numbers of men chosen to build Temple and related houses.

(1012 B.C.?) Temple construction begins during the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 480 years after the Exodus. House features described. Parts to be constructed outside city and assembled later. (For quiet and reverence.) Overlaid with pure gold. Pure gold cherub set. Walls described. Completed after 7 years, 6 months.

(1005 B.C.?) Additional personal houses built by Solomon for 13 years. Throne built. House for Pharaoh's daughter. Hiram's work described. Temple pillars constructed and named: right = Jachin; left = Boaz. Houses completed. Furnishings for Temple and houses. Items dedicated by David brought into the Temple by Solomon.

(1004 B.C.?) Solomon assembles elders and tribal heads. Ceremonial Feast. Ark of Covenant brought into Temple and positioned by the priests. Temple sacrifices instituted. God's glory fills the Temple. Solomon's Temple inaugural address and dedication prayer. (Provisions for renewal.) Israel finally at rest. Blessings and Thanksgivings. Many sacrifices by Solomon and Israel. Feast extended 7 days, for a total of 14, and dismissed joyfully on the 15th day, or the 8th day of the second week.

(992 B.C.?) God's second appearance to Solomon in answer to his prayer. Issues many promises with warning against idolatry. 20 years pass. Hiram not pleased with Solomon's gift of cities. Solomon builds additional cities. Inhabitants to be bondmen, except Israel. Solomon's overseers numbered 550. Pharaoh's daughter to house built in Milo. Offerings by Solomon thrice yearly. Commercial fleet established on Red Sea. Commerce also on Mediterranean Sea in contract with Hiram. Much gold and goods obtained annually.

After hearing Solomon's fame, seeing for herself, Queen of Sheba is astounded. Gifts exchanged between Solomon and Queen. Solomon's riches increase. Throne described. Solomon's wisdom universally sought. Solomon established army of chariots and horsemen. Horses and linen imported from Egypt.

Solomon enticed by many foreign women (against God's commandments). 700 wives, princesses; 300 concubines. Solomon led astray into gross idolatry. (Including to Molech for human sacrifice.) God angered, rejects him, pronouncing future judgment, but delays it for David and Jerusalem's sake. Solomon's adversaries stirred up by God: Hadad of Edom; Rezon of Zobah; Jeroboam, the Ephrathite. Division of kingdom into 10 and 2 tribes foretold by prophet Ahijah, the Shilonite, with Jeroboam given the 10. Solomon moved to dispatch Jeroboam. Jeroboam flees to Egypt until Solomon's death. Solomon dies after 40 year reign. Buried in Jerusalem. Son, Rehoboam, reigns in his stead.

(975 B.C.?) Rehoboam crowned in Shechem by all Israel. Jeroboam outlines the conditions for Israel's loyalty. Rehoboam delays three days, seeking counsel of Solomon's older counselors and his newly appointed contemporaries. Olders' counsel of kingly servitude rejected in favor of his contemporaries' harder than Solomon's rule. Jeroboam and Israelites revolt and Jeroboam crowned 1st king over Israel. Kingdom now divided, North and South: Israel = 10 northern tribes; Judah = 2 southern tribes, Judah and Benjamin. Jeroboam prepares for war. God intervenes with Rehoboam, 1st king of Judah, to desist. Rehoboam complies. Jeroboam forbids Temple worship in Jerusalem by Israelites. Builds two calf idols for their worship in northern (Dan) and southern (Bethel) borders of kingdom, thus leading Israel into sin. Non-Levitical priests ordained. Establishes similar seasonal feasts for offerings and sacrifices.

Man of God from Judah condemns Jeroboam burning incense by altar in Bethel. Prophecy of future judgment by one to be born called Josiah. (300 years in future. See II Kin.23:16.) Altar to be used for burning false priests. Altar destroyed as a sign. Jeroboam's hand withers as he attempts to seize him. Hand restored after prophet's prayer. Departs different route home per God's previous commands. Encounters old prophet of Israel. Deceived by him in returning to his house for food and drink against God's orders. Slain by lion upon departure. Buried by old prophet. Charge to his sons concerning his own burial in same tomb. Jeroboam fails to heed prophet's words, continuing in greater evil, making himself a priest-king. God's judgment pronounced upon him.

(956 B.C.?) Jeroboam's son, Abijah, becomes sick. Wife is sent disguised to prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to inquire of son's prognosis. Ahijah informed by God before her arrival of her intent. She is exposed and informed of God's judgment because of Jeroboam's evil. Son dies. Israel mourns. Jeroboam's reign of 22 years ends, dying as first king of northern kingdom of divided kingdom. Son, Nadab, rules as Israel's 2nd king. Rehoboam reigns 17 years in Judah. All Judah steeped in sin as previous Canaanites, including Sodomites. Shishak of Egypt plunders Jerusalem in Rehoboam's 5th year, capturing many of Solomon's riches. Temple stripped. Shields and instruments of gold replaced with brazen metal. Israel and Judah enemies during Jeroboam and Rehoboam's reign. Rehoboam dies. Abijam, his son, now 2nd king of Judah.

(958 B.C.?) Abijam reigns 3 years, committing evil as father. Enemy with Jeroboam of Israel. Dies. Son, Asa, 3rd king of Judah, reigns 41 years, walking upright with God. Renews land. Removes mother as queen because of her idolatry. Jehovah worship restored. Failed to remove high places although his heart was perfect toward God. Wars with Baasha, 3rd king of Israel. League between Asa and Benhadad of Syria. Asa dies. Son, Jehoshaphat, 4th king of Judah. Nadab's reign over Israel, 2 years evil. Baasha slays Nadab. Jeroboam's house slain because of his evil. Evil reign also 24 years.

(930 B.C.?) Prophet Jehu confronts Baasha. Same fate as Jeroboam pronounced. Baasha dies. Son, Elah, 4th king of Israel, reigns 2 years, evil. Zimri conspires against him, slaying him when he is drunk. Zimri, 5th king of Israel, reigns 7 days. Overthrown by Omri, captain of his host, and flees to king's house, burning it down around him. Israel divided, 1/2 wanting Tibni and 1/2 wanting Omri to rule. Omri prevails. Tibni died. Omri, 6th king of Israel, reigns 12 years. Builds Samaria. More evil than predecessors. Dies. Son, Ahab, 7th king of Israel, reigns 22 evil years, provoking God more than all predecessors also. Marries Jezebel of Sidon, an utterly wicked woman. Hiel, a Bethelite, builds Jericho at expense of first born and youngest son's lives. (Fulfillment of God's earlier warning at Jericho's destruction, Jos.6:26.)

(910 B.C.?) Elijah, the Tishbite, appears on scene. Speaks to Ahab. Predicts drought. Instructed by God to abide by brook Cherith and fed bread and meat by ravens twice daily. Brook dries up. Instructed to go to Zarephath where a widow woman would care for him. Upon arriving, requests and receives drink, then bread from her last prepared for her and her son. Now destitute, Elijah promises her provisions during famine. Son becomes sick and dies. Carrying him to loft, reclines over him three times, calling upon God. Son revived, returned to mother. Woman now confident Elijah a man of God.

(906 B.C.?) Elijah instructed to return to Ahab with promise of rain. Third year of famine, severe in Samaria. Ahab's servant, Obadiah, conceals 100 prophets from Jezebel during her purge of God's prophets in favor of Baal's. Ahab and Obadiah search land for suitable grazing for livestock. Obadiah encounters Elijah, informing him of Ahab's international search for him. Obadiah fearful of Elijah's absence upon his return when asked to inform Ahab of his location. After twice asking, Elijah's assurance obtained. Ahab comes to Elijah, rebuking him for Israel's woes. Elijah condemns Ahab's idolatrous ways for Israel's condition. Summons Baal prophets (450) for a challenge of the gods. Israel silent before Elijah. Terms agreed upon. Altar to be prepared and true God to ignite sacrifice. Baal prophets first to pray. Mocked by Elijah. No Heavenly response. (What a scene!) Finally, at evening, Elijah rebuilds altar. Requests sacrifice, wood, and altar to be saturated with water three separate times, with trench under altar filled. Elijah prays. God consumes all, including water-filled trench. Israel fears; confesses. Baal prophets slain by Elijah. Predicts rain. Goes up Mt. Carmel and prays. Servants assist seven times. Cloud appears. Ahab warned to escape to Jezreel in chariot before storm. Elijah divinely assisted to Jezreel before Ahab.

Upon learning from Ahab of her prophets' demise, Jezebel vows revenge upon Elijah within one day. Elijah flees to Beersheba of Judah. Sitting under a juniper one day out, prays to die. Touched in two angelic appearances. Instructions for 40 day journey to Mt. Horeb. Prays again for rescue. God sends wind, earthquake, and fire, but finally appears to him in a "small still voice." Ordered to wilderness of Damascus to anoint Hazael, king over Syria; Nimshi, king over Israel; and Elisha as an assistant to him. Israel's judgment declared. 7,000 faithful left of Israel. Elisha's call.

(901 B.C.?) Benhadad besieges Samaria (built by Omri) with overwhelming force. Ahab, fearing Syria, considers submission and Syrian demand. Negotiates with Benhadad. Ahab rejects conditions. God assures Ahab of victory. Syrians defeated. Benhadad escapes. Prophet warns Ahab of conflict again within the year. Battle plans for both sides. Syrians insult God's capabilities (their undoing). Syrian army large; Israel as "2 little flocks of kids." Israel victorious; 100,000 Syrians slain: 27,000 killed by falling wall. Benhadad flees. Appeals for life, surrendering Syria. Covenant made and dismissed. Ahab confronted by prophet concerning covenant. God's judgment pronounced. Ahab returns home heavy of heart.

(899 B.C.?) Ahab barters for Naboth's vineyard. Naboth refuses. Ahab sulks to Jezebel. Jezebel plots to obtain it. Naboth is slain in Jezebel's evil plot. Ahab goes out to claim vineyard; confronted and condemned by Elijah. Judgment as Jeroboam's. Jezebel's judgment pronounced. Ahab repents. God hears and stays his judgment to sons' time.

(897 B.C.?) Three year peace with Syria. Jehoshaphat and Ahab align for war against Syria. Prophets (false) consulted. (Zedekiah) Victory predicted. True prophet, Micaiah, whom Ahab hates, summoned. Predicts defeat. Ahab expected as much. (What an enlightening consultation!) Micaiah accuses Zedekiah of lying. Zedekiah strikes him. Micaiah sent to prison in Samaria. Ahab afraid, disguises himself, but instructs Jehoshaphat to remain regally attired in battle. Jehoshaphat mistaken for Ahab. Syrians pursue. Identity discovered. Retreat. Ahab amazingly struck by single arrow between armor. Dies in chariot in battle. Buried in Samaria. Chariot and armor washed at pool in Samaria. Dogs lick blood as it runs from chariot (21:9, as promised by God). His son, Ahaziah, 8th king of Israel, reigns. Jehoshaphat reigns 25 years. Walked in ways of father. Made peace with Israel. Renews land. Drives out sodomites. Edom kingless. Jehoshaphat made ships, but wrecked at Eziongeber. (Joint commercial venture requested by Ahaziah with Jehoshaphat but denied.) Jehoshaphat dies, buried in Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, 5th king of Judah, reigns. (Continues at II Ki.8:16) Ahaziah's 2 year evil reign.