Institute
Lesson 29: 1 Kings 1–11

“Lesson 29: 1 Kings 1–11,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 57–58

“1 Kings 1–11,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 57–58

29

1 Kings 1–11

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. 1 Kings 1–2. Solomon Became Israel’s Third King

    1. Adonijah attempted to become king of Israel (see 1 Kings 1:1–10).

    2. With encouragement from Bathsheba and Nathan, David appointed Solomon king (see 1 Kings 1:10–40).

    3. To save his life, Adonijah submitted to Solomon’s rule (see 1 Kings 1:41–53).

    4. Before his death, David charged Solomon to keep the commandments and instructed him about Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei (see 1 Kings 2:1–11).

    5. Adonijah was slain for implying claim to the throne by seeking to marry one of David’s wives (see 1 Kings 2:13–25).

    6. Solomon administered justice to Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei according to the law of Moses (see 1 Kings 2:26–46).

Religion 302 student manual, 1-2 through 1-13.

Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 15–18.

  1. 1 Kings 3–4; 9:10–28; 10. Solomon Reigned in Splendor

    1. Solomon entered a political marriage with the pharaoh’s daughter (see 1 Kings 3:1; JST, 1 Kings 3:1).

    2. Solomon and his people offered sacrifices in high places because there was no temple (see 1 Kings 3:2–4; JST, 1 Kings 3:2–4).

    3. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and blessed him with great wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:5–15; 4:29–34; JST, 1 Kings 3:5–9, 12, 14).

    4. Solomon displayed great wisdom in settling a dispute between two women (see 1 Kings 3:16–28).

    5. Solomon organized the government to support his desires and maintain control of the kingdom (see 1 Kings 4:1–28).

    6. Solomon gave cities to Hiram of Tyre; he also fortified the land and established a navy (see 1 Kings 9:10–28).

    7. The queen of Sheba visited Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:1–10).

    8. Solomon’s wealth and wisdom were vast (see 1 Kings 10:11–29).

Religion 302 student manual, 1-14 through 1-21; 1-39 through 1-43.

Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 19–20, 30.

Jacob 2:17–19. According to Jacob’s teachings, under what circumstances may the Lord bless people with wealth?

D&C 6:7. If we properly seek wisdom above riches, what can be unfolded to us to make us rich?

DS, 2:36. How can we be “bathed in a fulness of truth”?

TPJS, p. 191. What is the best way to obtain wisdom?

DBY, pp. 315–16. What are some of the dangers of wealth?

DBY, p. 261. What is more profitable than gold and silver and other riches of the earth?

  1. 1 Kings 5:1–9:9. Solomon Built a Magnificent Temple to the Lord

    1. Solomon made a league with Hiram of Tyre and conscripted men to build the temple (see 1 Kings 5).

    2. Solomon built the temple and a palace (see 1 Kings 6–7).

    3. Solomon placed the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies and dedicated the temple (see 1 Kings 8).

    4. The Lord appeared a second time to Solomon to accept the temple and give him conditional blessings (see 1 Kings 9:1–9).

Religion 302 student manual, 1-22 through 1-38.

Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 21–29.

1 Chronicles 22:7–10. Why didn’t David build the temple, since he had wanted to?

1 Chronicles 28:12, 19. Where did David get the pattern for the temple?

2 Chronicles 7:1. What miracle did the people witness at the dedication of the temple?

D&C 124:37–39. Why did the Lord command Solomon “to build a house in the land of promise”? (v. 38).

DBY, p. 393. Were endowments to be performed in Solomon’s temple?

  1. 1 Kings 11. Solomon Displeased the Lord and Caused the Downfall of His Own Kingdom

    1. Solomon loved foreign women, who turned his heart to other gods (see 1 Kings 11:1–8; JST, 1 Kings 11:4, 6).

    2. The Lord was angry with Solomon and told him his kingdom would be rent (see 1 Kings 11:9–13).

    3. Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam were stirred up as adversaries to Solomon (see 1 Kings 11:14–27).

    4. The prophet Ahijah prophesied the division of Israel (see 1 Kings 11:28–43; JST, 1 Kings 11:33–35, 38–39).

Religion 302 student manual, 1-44 through 1-50.

Exodus 34:11–16. How did Solomon’s actions show the wisdom of the Lord’s command to the children of Israel to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan rather than entering into covenants with them?

Deuteronomy 7:1–4. What counsel did the Lord give Israel about marriage? (see also Joshua 23:11–13).

D&C 82:3. Will more be required of someone who has entered into covenants with the Lord than of someone who has not? (see also 2 Nephi 9:27).

D&C 132:38. In what way did Solomon sin when he married many wives? (see also Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:214).

Helaman 12:1–8. What is the tendency of people when they are greatly blessed by the Lord? (see also 2 Nephi 9:28–30; Deuteronomy 8:10–14).

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

The Rise and Fall of Solomon (Sections A–D)

Solomon began his reign very humbly and was greatly blessed by the Lord. In his prosperity, however, he did not heed the Lord’s counsel (see 1 Kings 9:1–9). This failure led to his downfall. Discuss Solomon’s rise, prosperity, and fall.

His Rise

1 Kings 1:28–40; 2:1–4, 12; 1 Chronicles 29:20–25. David gave Solomon the throne and wisely counseled him.

1 Kings 3:5–14. The Lord appeared to Solomon and gave him wisdom, riches, and honor; the Lord promised Solomon length of days if he would keep his commandments.

His Prosperity

1 Kings 3:16–28; 4:29–34; 10:1–7, 23–24. Solomon was wiser than all other men.

1 Kings 7:1–12; 4:26–28; 9:26–28; 10:10–29. Solomon had great wealth.

1 Kings 6:1–38; 7:13–9:3. Solomon was privileged to build a magnificent temple to the Lord.

1 Kings 4:21, 24–25; 9:15–23. Solomon enjoyed great peace, and he expanded and fortified his empire.

His Fall

1 Kings 4:7–23; 9:20–22. Solomon’s prosperity resulted from burdening others.

1 Kings 11:1–10. Solomon disregarded important commandments by marrying out of the covenant and turning to false gods.

1 Kings 11:14–26. Adversaries were stirred up against Solomon.

1 Kings 11:11–13; 29–33. The rending of Solomon’s kingdom was prophesied.

Solomon’s Temple (Section C)

Discuss the construction and purpose of Solomon’s temple. Select significant statements from the dedicatory prayer to teach the importance of staying close to the Lord. Discuss the value of temples in all ages of the world and the blessings that can come to Saints who are willing to sacrifice to build temples and remain worthy to participate in the temple ordinances.

Solomon As King of Israel (Sections B, D)

Through Samuel, the Lord denounced Israel’s request for a king, but he allowed them their agency when they rejected him as their king (see 1 Samuel 8:6–22). Moses had prophesied that kings would reign over Israel in the promised land, and he had given some guidelines so that any king of Israel could reign righteously. Compare events of Solomon’s reign with the guidelines Moses gave.

Moses’ Guidelines for a King

Solomon’s Reign

The Lord was to choose the king (see Deuteronomy 17:15).

The king was to rely upon the Lord and not solely upon his own military strength (see Deuteronomy 17:16).

The king was not to seek many wives and great riches (see Deuteronomy 17:17).

The king was to live and rule by the law of the scriptures (see Deuteronomy 17:18–19).

The king was not to consider himself above his subjects (see Deuteronomy 17:20).

Solomon was chosen by God (see 1 Chronicles 22:7–10).

Solomon made alliances with heathen nations and built massive fortifications and armies (see JST, 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 4:26; 9:15–22; 11:26).

Solomon exceeded all kings in riches and married many wives (see 1 Kings 10:14–11:3).

Solomon’s wives turned his heart to other gods (see 1 Kings 11:4–8).

Solomon placed heavy burdens upon his subjects to support his extravagance (see 1 Kings 4:7, 26–28; 12:14).