Overview of 1st and 2nd Kings
Originally one book, the books of 1st and 2nd Kings encompass over 400 years from the end of David’s reign to the Israelite’s exile to Babylon. They cover King David’s final days and describe Solomon’s reign and his building of the Temple. Additionally, they include the long line of kings who reigned after David. These books’ general theme is that kings who reigned under God’s authority and remained faithful to the Law experienced God’s blessings. But, those kings who deviated from the Law experienced God’s curses.
The Books of Kings introduce us to three characters who are types of the coming Christ: Solomon, Elijah, and Elisha. A shadow is not the perfect image of the thing to come but an imperfect representation. Imperfection allows us to see the perfect more clearly.
Solomon as a Type of Christ
Solomon was King David’s son, the third king of Israel, known for his wealth, wisdom, and writings. He authored Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Solomon’s reign was known as the “golden” days of Israel because peace and wealth prevailed throughout the land.
Jesus, when speaking of Solomon, said that He was greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). Jesus is always greater than the type. When Jesus compares himself to a man, it is clear proof that the Holy Spirit originally intended a likeness to draw our attention to Jesus.
There are five ways Solomon was a type of Christ. First, Solomon possessed great wisdom given to Him by God. Solomon had more wisdom than any king before Jesus (1st Kings 3:5-15, 2 Chronicles 9:22-23). Solomon was able to resolve complex problems (1st Kings 3:16-28).
Jesus is the wisdom of God. In Corinthians, Paul tells us, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1st Corinthians 1:30). No other person was wiser than Solomon except for Jesus, who IS Wisdom. In Christ are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3). When you come to Jesus and ask for wisdom, He will teach you all you need to know. No problem is too difficult for Him to resolve!
Second, Zadok, the priest, and Nathan, the prophet, anointed Solomon with oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit (1 Kings 1:34-39). Jesus wasn’t just anointed by oil; He was anointed with the actual Spirit.
Thirdly, Solomon’s reign began with judgment. When Solomon began to reign, men that had gotten away with crimes during the reign of David were “executed” (1 Kings 2:25-26, 1 Kings 2:32-34, 1 Kings 2:44-46). Jesus’ reign on earth will begin with Judgment. He will gather the nations before Him and separate the faithful from the unfaithful (Matthew 25:31-32). He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the heart’s motives (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Fourthly, Solomon’s reign was one of peace (1 Chronicles 22:6-9). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-8). He gives us a supernatural peace that can come only from God (Philippians 4:7).
Lastly, Solomon built a great work, a Temple, one of the world’s seven most extraordinary wonders. Man destroyed the Temple. Jesus also built a Temple, that is, the church, and He says that even the gates of Hades will not destroy the church (Matthew 16:18).
Elijah as a Type of Christ
Elijah was a prophet during the time of King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel. His name means “Yahweh is my God.” He was a mighty prayer warrior who was not afraid to confront the enemies of God. There are many similarities between Elijah and Jesus.
Elijah rebuked Israel and called the nation to turn from idolatry and follow the God of Israel. He asked the people, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” ( 1 Kings 18:21) Likewise, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for leading the people away from God and having outward righteousness while their hearts were far from God (Matthew 23:13-28).
Elijah prophesied it would stop raining for years (1 Kings 17:1) and then predicted when it would return ( 1Kings 18:41-45). Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41).
Elijah multiplied oil and meal for a hungry widow and her son (1 Kings 17:14). Jesus multiplied loaves of bread and fish to feed a hungry crowd (John 6:1-15).
Elijah raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22). When the widow saw her son was alive, she proclaimed, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24). Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead, causing the people to exclaim, “God has visited his people” (Luke 7:14-15)
Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit—a seemingly double portion of miracles—and Elijah agreed on the condition that Elisha remained with him and saw him when he left the earth (2 Kings 2:9-10). Jesus promised that His followers who believe in Him would do greater works than He did (John 14:12) and that these greater works would be possible once He went to the Father.
A chariot of fire took Elijah, then caught up to heaven in a whirlwind while his apprentice, Elisha, watched (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus ascended to heaven in the clouds as his disciples watched (Acts 1:9-11).
Elisha as a Type of Christ
Elisha was a disciple of Elijah and Elijah’s successor. Like with his predecessor Elijah, there are many similarities between Elisha and Jesus. Even their names have similar meanings: Elisha means “God is Salvation.” Jesus means “Yahweh will save”
Both Elisha and Jesus’ ministries got underway on the Jordan River. Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle at the River Jordan and starts his ministry there (2 Kings 2:11-14). Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan and begins his ministry there as well. Matthew 3:13-17
Both Elisha and Jesus raise a woman’s adult son from the dead. Elisha raises the son of the ‘Shunammite woman’ from the dead ( 2 Kings 4:8-37). Similarly, Jesus raises the son of the ‘widow of Nain’ from the dead (Luke 11:7-17).
Both Elisha and Jesus feed a large number of people with a small quantity of food. Elisha feeds 100 men with a few barley loaves, and there are leftovers (2 Kings 4:42-44). On two occasions, Jesus provides 5,000 and then 4,000 with a few loaves and fishes, and there is food left over. (Matthew 14:13-21) (Matthew 15:32-39)
Both Elisha and Jesus turn a small amount of liquid into more than enough. Elisha turns a little bit of oil into enough oil to fill every vessel in the village (2 Kings 4:1-7). Jesus turns water into a huge quantity of wine (John 2:1-11).
Both Elisha and Jesus heal lepers. Elisha heals Naaman, the Syrian commander of leprosy. (2 Kings 5:1-19) and Jesus heals many lepers. (Matthew 8:1-4)
Both were betrayed by those close to them in the name of money. Elisha is betrayed by his servant Gehazi because Gehazi sees an opportunity to make money if he betrays Elisha (2 Kings 5:20-27). Jesus is handed over by his disciple Judas because Judas sees a chance to make money from betraying Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16)
For both Elisha and Jesus, death brings new life. Elisha’s tomb was a place of resurrection. Moabite raiders interrupted a burial, and the body was thrown hurriedly into Elisha’s tomb. On touching Elisha’s bones, the dead person came back to life (2 Kings 13:20-21). Jesus’ tomb was a place of resurrection. He was raised to life and brought the promise of a new life to all.
Solomon, Elijah, and Elisha all give us a taste of the coming Savior. The similarities between them and Christ are striking and hint at who to look for in the future. They are imperfect representations of the coming King: imperfections that allow us to see Jesus more clearly.
