1 Kings, with an Introduction to Historical Literature is Volume IX of The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, a series that aims to present a form-critical analysis of every book and each unit in the Hebrew Bible. Fundamentally exegetical, the FOTL volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question. They also study the history behind the form-critical discussion of the material, attempt to bring consistency to the terminology for the genres and formulas of the biblical literature, and expose the exegetical process so as to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of the Old Testament texts.

Long begins this volume with a discussion of the nature of historical literature and a survey of its important genres: list, report, story, and history. He then focuses on 1 Kings as an example of historical literature, first analyzing the book as a whole and then unit-by-unit, discussing structure, genre, setting, and intention. The work is enhanced by extensive bibliographies and a glossary of genres and formulas which offers clear, thorough definitions with examples.