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1 & 2 Kings tell of David's death, the golden age of Solomon's reign, how the nation divided into two kingdoms, and their eventual captivity by heathen powers. Solomon, David's son, began his rule with great wealth, glory, and power, but it ended in disgrace. The spiritual condition of Israel was of paramount importance to the writer amidst political changes. The author of Kings holds up the history of Israel and Judah before the captives to teach them that the only way to freedom is to repent of idolatry, return to God, keep the covenant, and trust in the divine promises. He seeks to awaken in them a conviction of the truth of this teaching and to strengthen them in this conviction.
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