The opening focus of 1 Kings centers on the reign of which king?

• A. David
• B. Solomon
• C. Saul
• D. Jeroboam

Answer: (B)

The opening focus is on Solomon’s rise to the throne and the beginning of his reign, as the narrative centers on the transition from David to Solomon. In the opening chapters, David is old and near death, preparations are made for Solomon to succeed him, and key events unfold that establish Solomon as king—Solomon’s anointing, the addressing of Adonijah’s bid for the throne, and David’s final instructions and prayers over Solomon. This sets the stage for Solomon’s rule and the moral and religious themes that follow, including his request for wisdom and God’s granting of it. Jeroboam becomes a figure later in the story, after Solomon has already begun his reign, and Saul belongs to the earlier history told in 1 Samuel, not 1 Kings. Thus, Solomon is the central figure around whom the opening portion of 1 Kings revolves.