1 Kings tells of Solomon's wisdom and the building of the temple, then the painful division of the kingdom after his death. The northern kingdom plunges into idolatry under a series of wicked kings until the prophet Elijah is raised up to call Israel back to the LORD.
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.”
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”