Solomon's Glory and Fall

1. Biblical Text (Primary Source)

• Holy Bible: The main source for the content of I & II Kings is the Bible itself. The narrative of these chapters is found in various translations of the Bible such as:
  • New International Version (NIV)
  • English Standard Version (ESV)
  • New King James Version (NKJV)
  • King James Version (KJV)

2. Commentaries on I & II Kings

• Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: This classic work provides detailed analysis and insight into the historical and spiritual significance of the events in I & II Kings.
• John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: Another traditional commentary that offers verse-by-verse interpretation, helpful for understanding cultural and historical context.
• The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary: This modern series provides an in-depth look at the historical background and theological implications of I & II Kings.

3. Historical and Archaeological Context

• "Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions" by Roland de Vaux: This book gives detailed insights into the social, political, and religious aspects of Israelite life, providing valuable context for the narrative of I & II Kings.
• "The Archaeology of the Israelite Settlement" by Israel Finkelstein: Finkelstein's work on the archaeology of Israelite sites sheds light on the historical reality behind the biblical stories, particularly in the time of the monarchy.

4. Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

• "The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary": A comprehensive resource that provides background on key figures, events, and places mentioned in I & II Kings.
• "The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia" (ISBE): Offers extensive background information on the historical context, geography, and key themes of I & II Kings.

5. Journals and Scholarly Articles

• Journal of Biblical Literature (JBL): Contains scholarly articles on the historical and theological analysis of the books of Kings.
• Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR): Publishes archaeological findings that often pertain to the events and figures described in the books of Kings, including the reigns of Solomon and the divided monarchy.

6. Study Bibles

• The NIV Study Bible: Provides study notes, background information, and theological commentary on the text of I & II Kings.
• The ESV Study Bible: Contains detailed maps, notes, and timelines to help place the events of I & II Kings within their broader biblical and historical framework.

7. Theological and Historical Books

• "A Survey of Israel's History" by Leon J. Wood: This work gives an academic overview of Israel's monarchy, with a focus on the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, helping to understand the progression of I & II Kings.
• "Israelite Religions: An Archaeological and Biblical Survey" by Richard S. Hess: Offers a comprehensive look at the religious practices during the time of the Kings, helpful for understanding the spiritual issues in Solomon's reign.

These sources provide a blend of biblical, historical, archaeological, and theological insights that help contextualize and interpret the material in I & II Kings.