OU TORAH Introduction to Melachim By A Journey Through Nach

The Gemara[1] tells us that Sefer Melachim should be viewed as one large sefer. This sefer was written by the prophet Yirmiya[2] and is full of ups and downs in its recording of an extremely turbulent and eventful approximately 400 year period of Jewish history. Sefer Melachim begins with the reign of Shlomo Hamelech, which was the most tranquil period in our history. The Bnei Yisrael were united, the nations were in awe of Bnei Yisrael, there was no war, and the Beis Hamikdash was built. However, Sefer Melachim then details the splitting of the kingdom into the kingdoms of Yisrael and Yehuda, and also records our incremental exile and the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. It was during the span of Sefer Melachim that the prophets Yeshaya, Yirmiya, Hoshea, and Yechezkel prophesied.