Matthew Simmons
1 & 2 KINGS - THE RISE AND FALL OF TWO KINGDOMS!TOUCHSTONE BIBLE COMIC SUMMARYA KINGDOM DIVIDED! PROPHETS OF FIRE! MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN! THE FALL OF JERUSALEM!The books of 1 and 2 Kings tell the powerful and dramatic story of Israel’s kings, beginning with the glorious reign of King Solomon and ending with the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of God’s people.The story begins when Solomon becomes king after his father David. God blesses Solomon with extraordinary wisdom, great riches, and the privilege of building a magnificent temple in Jerusalem. But Solomon eventually turns away from the Lord, allowing idolatry to enter the kingdom.After Solomon’s death, THE KINGDOM IS TORN IN TWO! Ten tribes form the northern kingdom of Israel, while Judah and Benjamin remain under David’s royal line in the southern kingdom of Judah. Wicked kings rise, idols are worshipped, and the people repeatedly turn away from God’s commandments.But GOD DOES NOT REMAIN SILENT!The mighty prophet Elijah confronts wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Fire falls from heaven on Mount Carmel, proving that the Lord alone is God! Elijah is later taken into heaven by a whirlwind, and Elisha continues his ministry with astonishing miracles.THE DEAD ARE RAISED! THE SICK ARE HEALED! AN AXE HEAD FLOATS! HEAVENLY CHARIOTS OF FIRE FILL THE MOUNTAINS! Through these incredible events, God reveals His power, mercy, and faithfulness.Yet the kings and people continue to rebel. The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians, and its people are carried into captivity. In Judah, faithful kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah bring periods of revival, but wickedness eventually returns.Finally, JERUSALEM FALLS! The Babylonian armies destroy the magnificent temple, tear down the city walls, and carry God’s people into exile.But the story does not end in complete darkness. The imprisoned King Jehoiachin is released and treated with honor in Babylon, offering a small but powerful reminder that GOD’S PROMISES HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN!Filled with fierce battles, wicked rulers, courageous prophets, breathtaking miracles, divine judgment, and extraordinary mercy, 1 and 2 Kings reveal what happens when a nation turns away from God-and the blessings that come from trusting and obeying Him.FROM SOLOMON’S GLORIOUS TEMPLE TO JERUSALEM’S BURNING RUINS, ONE TRUTH REMAINS:THE LORD ALONE IS GOD! HIS WORD NEVER FAILS! AND EVEN AFTER JUDGMENT, HOPE REMAINS!
