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53 verses. A tale of power-grab, aging, politics, and a smooth transition of power. The book of kings starts with David being very old. He got himself a young woman to warm him up, but he was too weak for sexual performance. Apparently while still the king, he lost the reigns of power, or at least loosened them. One of his many sons, Adoniau, a self promoter, agitator, and manipulator eyed the kingdom. He lobbied some high placed individuals to join him in a celebration that was thinly veiled as the "throning" up event. The prophet Nathan was alert to this plot and countered by sending Bat-Sheva to the aging king, reminding him of his promise to pass the kingdom to her son Solomon followed by his own intimation that Adonia is about to steal the kingdom. Aged as he was David remembers his oath, gives order to anoint young Solomon while he is still alive, and thereby the kingdom is secured in the hands of Solomon who then forgives Adonia for his transgression.
46 verses. The King dies, bidding his son to use his wisdom, to follow God, to revenge David's enemies. The new king moves boldly, orders the death of several people who offended King David in his long life. Adoniyahu, his former rival to the throne, approaches Bat-Sheva, the mother of the young king, imploring her to convince King Shlomo to give him his father's former mistress, Avishag as wife. The mother relays his request, but the king is flared with anger and orders Adoniyahu killed. Same for the venerable general Yoav - killed for him killing his rivals Amasa and Avner Ben-Ner. The kingdom is then stable under Shlomo (Salomon) governance.
28 verses. The fresh king, Solomon, builds bridges to his neighbor, Egypt, marrying Pharoh's daughter. He dreams that God asks him for his requestt, and he asks for wisdom to rule and judge Israel justly. God is pleased with the request that it is not for wealth and victory, no longevity, and satisfies it, adding honor, wealth etc. Soon after the endowed wisdom is clearly demonstrated when two women come to be judged over one surviving baby from the two, they gave birth to. The king pretends to plan to disect the baby to two and divide him. The lying mother says: yes!, and true mother cries: give the baby to her, but don't kill him! And so the king decides.
20 verses, describing how the king imposes a good sense of order, and management. Divides his territory to 12 parts, and his ruling results in a happy and satisfied populace.
32 verses describing a remarkable period in the pained history of the people of Israel. God endowed Shlomo with wisdom and comprehesion, and with broadness of heart and spirit. His reputation spread internationally. He is an effective manager of state, levies taxes, and uses them for plentiful supply of his court. He enters into a major deal with Hiram the king of Tsor: Hiram supplies the excellent cedars of Lebanon, and some quality stone, and receives wheat and oil supplies for his people. The cedars are floated down to the tel-aviv area where they are lifted up to Jerusalem -- an enormous project: the constructiion of the House of God, that David was prevented from building since his hands had too much blood on them.
38 verses of detailed material and form description of the House of God built by King Shlomo over a period of seven years. God promised to 'reside' there and be within his people, if the people will keep their end of the bargain and worship God Almighty.
51 verses of minute details of the Temple's architecture.
66 verses. The King showed a great flare for dramatic events, gathering the distinguished people of Israel to Jerusalem to witness the migration of the ark with Moses' tablets from the City of David to the new Temple. King Shlomo then surveyed the entire history of the people of Israel, affirming the pact with God. The people warship him and God protects. It was a seven days event, and then all returned home deeply impressed.
28 verses. God promises to King Shlomo to uphold his legacy and keep his descendandts rulers of Israel provided the king and the people keep warshipping God. Alas, the house and the palace will be destroyed if the king of the people turn to man-made Gods. The king deals with Hiram the king of Zor, with Pharoh in Egypt and extends his reach to the read sea via modern day Eilat to Africa.
29 verses. The African queen of Sheba loads up with gold, precious stones, expensive craftwork, and convoys up to the king she heard so much about. She challenges king Shlomo with questions and riddles, and emerges impressed and overwhelmed by his wisdom. She says to the king that all his servants are fortunate to enjoy his wisdom daily. She leaves with plenty of counter gifts from the king. King Shlomo keeps decorating Jerusalem with gold and precious artifacts, exacting the admiration of neighboring rulers. Shlomo was wise enough to also fund a strong military force, just in case.
43 verses. Drawn to foreign women and through them to idol worshiping, aging King Shlomo triggers God's ire. Old enemies raise their heads to trouble the kingdom -- children escaped the wrath of King David and his war minister Yoav, now return for revenge. A competent young man, Yorovam is charged by Ahia from Shilon, the resident prophet, to take over the ten tribes (all except Yehuda, and part of Levi), and constitute a kingdom parallel to Yehduda Kingdom to be ruled on by Rehavam, the son of king Solomon.