This book is primarily an account of what occurs after the division of the kingdom into Israel (the 10 northern tribes referred to as Israel, Ephraim or Samaria) and the 2 southern tribes, known as Judah. It shows how Israel, under Jeroboam, its first king, endeavored to set up a rival religion to Judaism and how Israel, through a succession of kings, never recovered from that, as shown in the final chapter with the death of Ahab. Elijah plays a prominent role, especially with the conflict on Mt. Carmel with the Baal priests. Judah had a succession of kings during this time, some who followed God and others who didn't. The Davidic line of succession was preserved through these kings and finally resulted in the Messiah (sometimes referred to as "son of David").
