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The authorship of 1 Kings is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, though this is uncertain. The book draws on multiple sources including 'the book of the annals of Solomon' (11:41) and 'the book of the annals of the kings of Israel/Judah.' It was likely compiled during or shortly after the Babylonian exile around 560 BC.

1 Kings contains 22 chapters covering Solomon's reign (chapters 1-11), the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah (chapter 12), and the parallel histories of both kingdoms through the reign of Ahab and the ministry of Elijah (chapters 12-22).

The main theme of 1 Kings is the blessings of obedience and the consequences of idolatry. Solomon's wisdom and the Temple's glory represent the height of Israel's blessing, while his later idolatry leads to the kingdom's division. The book evaluates each king by their faithfulness to the Lord and the covenant.

Key events include: Solomon's request for wisdom (chapter 3), the building and dedication of the Temple (chapters 5-8), the visit of the Queen of Sheba (chapter 10), Solomon's idolatry (chapter 11), the kingdom's division under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (chapter 12), Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (chapter 18), and the still small voice at Horeb (chapter 19).

1 Kings establishes the theological framework for understanding Israel's history as a story of covenant faithfulness and failure. Solomon's Temple represents God dwelling among His people — a theme culminating in Christ (John 2:19-21). Elijah's ministry on Mount Carmel demonstrates the exclusivity of true worship and prefigures the prophetic tradition that ultimately points to Christ.