Historical Books Overview of Israel

Possession, conquest, and division of the Promised Land.

Yehoshua means "Yahweh is salvation"; Joshua is a contracted form.

Seven cycles of apostasy, judgment, and deliverance in Israel.

God raising up judges to deliver Israel from oppressors.

Books in the Old Testament that prepare for Christ (Messiah).

Display of God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises for Israel, despite the obstacles.

Joshua the leader written by the person.

Judges are the leadership figures in the book.

The Israelite kingdom split into two parts: Israel (north) and Judah (south).

The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE.

The southern kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.

The success of Israelite kings and the nation depended on their adherence to God's law.

Disobedience to God's law and covenants resulted in decline and discipline.

Second Kings continued the story of the divided Israelite kingdoms until their conquest and exile.

Throughout both kingdoms, prophets warned of God's potential punishments for disobedience.

Willful sin and disobedience within a nation leads to its eventual downfall.

How sin turns triumphs into trouble during David's reign.

Forty-year period of David's rule characterized by triumphs and tragedies, including significant sins.

Between the 37th year of Jehoiachim's imprisonment (560 BC) and the return of Jews from Babylonian captivity in 538BC. Likely written between these dates (560-538BC).

Israel's apex, kingdom growth, and temple/palace construction, followed by decline due to pagan wives' influence.

The dual histories of kings, nations, and their growing indifference to prophets/precepts.

Provided stability and foundation for Israel prior to David's reign.

David's reign expanded the kingdom beyond Saul's beginnings.

Originally one book called 'Kings' in Hebrew tradition, covering Israel and Judah's kings from Solomon to the Babylonian captivity.

Ezra focuses on the spiritual, moral, and social restoration of the returning Jewish remnant after the Babylonian exile.

Ezra demonstrates God's faithfulness in returning His people to the Promised Land after 70 years of exile and rebuilding His temple.

Nehemiah emphasizes the rebuilding of Jerusalem, driven by God's hand, under Nehemiah's leadership.

This book showcases how God enabled the swift rebuilding of Jerusalem, highlighting His leadership and the return from exile.

Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries, both men of God, but Ezra was a priest involved in religious restoration, while Nehemiah was a governor focused on political and physical restoration.

Ezra, a priest, focused on religious reform, while Nehemiah, a layman, focused on political and physical restoration.

Cyrus, king of Persia, authorized a return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah, serving a Persian King, devoted himself to leading the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls.

David's personal sinfulness, specifically his actions involving Uriah and Bathsheba, led to misfortunes for his family and Israel.

Solomon was known for his wisdom, administration skills, trade expertise, and international relations, particularly in building projects, such as the temple.

Later in his reign, Solomon displeased God and his people by imposing forced labor for temple construction, marrying foreign wives, and building pagan altars.

The united kingdom of Israel was divided into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel ruled by different lineages.

From kings to ordinary citizens, the people of Israel repeatedly disobeyed God's teachings and blessings.

God made promises to Abraham and kept those promises to Israel even despite their failures.

Though David committed serious sins, he was still forgiven by God; however, those sins had lasting consequences for his family and Israel.

Solomon was the son of Bathsheba and David, a prominent figure noted for his wisdom.

1 Samuel describes Israel's transition from judges to kings, detailing Samuel's leadership, Saul's rejection, and David's anointment.

Saul, the first king of Israel, was rejected by God due to disobedience and his failure to follow God's commands.

God chose David to be the next king of Israel, a man after God's own heart.

Israel's people desired a king, rejecting God's direct rule as a theocracy.

God established the line of kings through David, highlighting obedience and trust in God's plan.

The shift in Israel's governance from being ruled directly by God (theocracy) to being ruled by kings (monarchy).

Saul's failure to obey God's commands led to his rejection and downfall.

2 Samuel continues David's story, from his struggles to his reign, and it shows how his actions had big consequences.