1 Kings Allusions & Cultural References

Technically, the Bible is probably the most alluded to work, ever. Let's take a closer look.

Literary and Philosophical References

King Solomon's Mines. H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure novel follows Allan Quatermain (who served as a model for Indiana Jones) on his quest to find the ancient treasures hidden in Solomon's long-lost mines in unexplored Africa. Made into movies in 1950 and 1985, the book is now in the public domain. You can download it for free here.

The Divine Comedy. Solomon appears to Dante in heaven as the supreme example of kingly wisdom in Canto X.

Moby-Dick. There's an Ahab and an Elijah in this classic tale by Herman Melville, and you know he was thinking about 1st Kings when he came up with those two characters.

Pop Culture References

Seinfeld: "The Seven." In this classic episode of Seinfeld, Kramer and Elaine both claim to be the rightful owners of a bike, and they agree to make Newman an arbitrator in their argument. To determine its true owner, Newman plays Solomon, and hilarity ensues. "Newman, you are wise."

Frankie Laine "Jezebel." Can you picture Elijah singing this song with the ravens while he's out in the wilderness? Neither can we.

Jezebel. Bette Davis won an Oscar in 1938 for her role as a fiery Southern belle who knows what she wants and doesn't care who she has to steamroll to get it. Sound familiar?