1 Kings opens with the death of King David and his heir, King Solomon taking the throne. Though the nation will prosper under Solomon, their prosperity won’t last, and 2 Kings will close with destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The narrative, however, is more than a political chronicle—it’s a theological interpretation of Israel’s history through the lens of covenant faithfulness. It evaluates each king, not by political success, but by their loyalty to God and showcases what happens to a society that abandons their moral code.1-2 Kings lay the groundwork for prophetic hope during exile and set the stage for the prophetic literature and the eventual hope of restoration.