Historical Books PDF

The Story of the Historical Books Beginning with the book of Joshua, the Historical Books record the events of Israel’s history. The book of Joshua starts with the nation’s entry into the Promised Land (Canaan), proceeds through the time of its return from exile and ends with the rebuilding of Jerus...

The Story of the Historical Books Beginning with the book of Joshua, the Historical Books record the events of Israel’s history. The book of Joshua starts with the nation’s entry into the Promised Land (Canaan), proceeds through the time of its return from exile and ends with the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple some 1,000 years later. After the book of Joshua, the narrative describes Israel’s struggles with its enemies and obedience to God under the judges, its transition to a monarchy, the division of the nation into two rival kingdoms (Israel and Judah), the moral decline and exile of both kingdoms, the period of captivity, and the nation’s eventual return from exile. ✓ The Historical books are Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees ✓ Shophetim is a Hebrew title which means “judges, rulers, deliverers, or saviors.” Shophet not only carries the idea of maintaining justice and settling disputes, but it is also used to mean ‘liberating and delivering.” First the judges deliver the people; then they rule and administer justice. ✓ These books talk about the life of the people of Israel, from their experiences in the Promised Land of Canaan to subsequent exiles due to their unbelief and disobedience. They also tell us about the reigns of the judges, the establishment of kings, and the division of Israel into the northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. After Joshua, the historical books take us through Israel's ups and downs under Judges, its transition to kingship, the division of the nation and its life as two rival kingdoms (Israel and Judah), the moral decline and exile of both kingdoms, the period of captivity, and finally, the nation's return from exile. The Historical Books cover almost an entire millennium of Israel's history. ✓ The descriptions of events in these books are more often concerned with an important religious teaching about God, as well as God’s relationship with Israel, than they are about the historical facts of the events ✓ In the Bible, monarchies were the common system of governance for nations. These monarchies were ruled by Kings, ranging in notoriety and moral actions. Some of the most well- known kings in the Bible include Saul, David, and Solomon. The word “king” in the scripture used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. ✓ In these periods, we can discover the cycle of events: Self-centeredness – Sin – Repentance –Deliverance/Restoration – Freedom and Prosperity The Historical Books As these books prepare us for the coming of Christ, the Messiah, they can be seen as follows: Title: JOSHUA Theme: Possession and Conquest of Promise Land Author: Joshua Date: 1400-1370 B.C. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Name of the Book: Unlike the first five books of the Old Testament, this book appropriately takes its name from the chief human personality of the book, Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ servant. Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (Num. 13:8; Deut. 32:44) which means “salvation.” But during the wilderness wanderings Moses changed his name to Yehoshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “Save, Yahweh” (Num. 13:16). Joshua is a contracted form of Yehoshua. This amounted to a prophetic anticipation and reminder to Joshua, to the spies, and the people that victory over the enemies and possession of the land would be by the power of the Lord rather than by human skill or wisdom or power. This book is given the name Joshua because, though Joshua was one of the world’s greatest military strategist of history, his wisdom and military achievements came from the Lord who alone is our Salvation. It was the Lord Himself who brought about victory for Israel and vanquished Israel’s enemies giving them possession of the land. Theme and Purpose: Possessing, conquering, and dividing of the promised land is the theme and purpose of Joshua. The book of Joshua is designed to show God’s faithfulness to His promises, doing for Israel exactly as He had promised (cf. Gen. 15:18 with Josh. 1:2-6 and 21:43-45). The events recorded in Joshua are selective to set forth God’s special intervention on behalf of His people against all kinds of tremendous odds. The fulfillment of God’s promises, as so evident in the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah and in possessing the land with its fortified cities, is the work of God and that which man could never do no matter how hard he might try (see Rom. 4). Title: JUDGES Theme: Seven Cycles of Apostasy, Judgment, and Deliverance Author: Samuel (Traditional Author) Date: 1050-1000 B.C. Title of the Book: The book gets its name from the number of leaders called judges whom God raised up to deliver Israel from their oppressors. The title for the book is best expressed in 2:16, “Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them.” Ultimately, however, God was Israel’s Judge and Deliverer because it was God Himself who would first allow the times of oppression as divine discipline for Israel’s repeated apostasy, and then raise up judges to bring deliverance after the nation repented and cried out for help (cf. 11:27 and 8:23). Theme and Purpose: The contrast between the moods of Joshua and Judges is striking. Israel goes from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, from freedom to oppression, and from advancement to retrogression. So why the book? Historically, Judges bridges the gap from the time of Joshua to the time of the prophet Samuel and the beginning of the monarchy under Saul and David. It records the history of seven cycles of decline, oppression, supplication, and deliverance. In doing so, it becomes an explanation and reason for the need of a monarchy in Israel. With every man doing that which was right in his own eyes (21:25), the nation needed the leadership of a righteous king. Doctrinally, Judges draws our attention to a number of important truths. As God had warned in Deuteronomy, obedience brings blessing, but disobedience results in God’s discipline and oppression. But Judges also reminds us that when people will turn to the Lord, cry out to Him and RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA repent, God, who is long-suffering and gracious, responds in deliverance. Judges unfolds its theme by describing cycles of apostasy followed by oppression as a form of divine discipline followed by supplication and repentance by the people followed by judges whom God raised up to deliver the nation. Title: RUTH (An Addendum to Judges) Author: Samuel (Traditional Author) Date: 1000 B.C. Name of the Book: The book of Ruth gets its name from one of its main characters, a young woman of Moab, the great-grandmother of David and one who is in the genealogical line of the Savior (Matt 1:5). Another book of the Bible named after a woman is Esther. Theme and Purpose: Ruth is the story of a couple in Israel who, during a time of famine, moved to Moab. There the husband and his two sons died, leaving the mother (Naomi) alone with her two daughters-in-law (Orpah and Ruth). Naomi decided to move back to Israel and Ruth insisted on returning with her. Once in Israel, they turned to a relative by the name of Boaz for help. Eventually, Ruth married Boaz. Like a brilliant diamond against black velvet, Ruth sparkles against the dark days of the book of Judges. Ruth is the story of loyalty, purity, and love in a day when anarchy, selfishness, and depravity was generally the rule. As such, Ruth serves as a positive picture of faith and obedience in the midst of apostasy and shows how such faith brings blessing. Ruth also serves as an important link in the ancestry of King David and, as mentioned, is found in the line of Messiah. Other purposes of Ruth are seen in the way it illustrates the truths of the Kinsman-Redeemer, the presence of a godly remnant even in times of great apostasy, and God’s faithfulness to those who will walk with Him by faith. Since Ruth was a Gentile, the book illustrates God’s desire to bring the Gentile world into the family of God. It may seem surprising that one who reflects God’s love so clearly is a Moabites. Yet her complete loyalty to the Israelite family into which she has been received by marriage and her total devotion to her desolate mother-in-law mark her as a true daughter of Israel and a worthy ancestress of David. She strikingly exemplifies the truth that participation in the coming kingdom of God is decided, not by blood and birth, but by the conformity of one’s life to the will of God through the “obedience that comes from faith” (Rom. 1:5). Her place in the ancestry of David signifies that all nations will be represented in the kingdom of David’s greater Son. Title: FIRST SAMUEL (Transition from Judges to Kingship) Author: Samuel. Date: 930 B.C. and later. Name of the Book: Originally, the books of 1 and 2 Samuel were placed together as one book in the Hebrew Bible. These two books give the history of the monarchs of Israel in the early period of the monarchy. Fundamentally, 1 Samuel is about king Saul and 2 Samuel is about king David. Both 1 and 2 Samuel get their names from the prophet Samuel whom God used in the transition from using judges to the establishment of the monarchy. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Though originally one book, 1 and 2 Samuel were divided into two books by the translators of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT). This division was later followed by Jerome (the Latin Vulgate) and by modern versions. The title of the book has varied from time to time, having been designated “The First and Second Books of Kingdoms” (Septuagint), “First and Second Kings” (Vulgate) and “First and Second Samuel” (Hebrew tradition and most modern versions). Theme and Purpose: Beginning with the birth of Samuel and his training in the temple, 1 Samuel describes how this great man of God led Israel as prophet, priest, and the last judge. During Samuel’s leadership, the people of Israel, wanting to be like the nations, demanded a king. Under God’s direction, Samuel then anointed Saul to be the first king. But Saul was rejected by God because of his disobedience. To replace Saul, again under God’s directions, Samuel anointed David, a man after God’s own heart to become the king of Israel. The rest of the book describes the struggles between jealous and demented Saul and godly David. First Samuel picks up the history of Israel where Judges left off with Samuel following Samson (cf. Judges 16:31). This book traces the transition of leadership in the nation from judges to kings, from a theocracy to a monarchy. Because the people of Israel would not allow Yahweh to rule their lives, with every man doing that which was right in his own eyes, the monarchy brought stability because the people were more willing to follow an earthly king. “And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them” (8:7). The clamor for an earthly king in First Samuel was a natural outcome of this practical rejection (8:7). God had intended to give Israel a king (see Gen. 49:10; Deut. 17:14-20), but the people insisted on the king of their choice instead of waiting for God’s king. … Saul was rejected by the Lord because he failed to learn the truth that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (15:22). He became characterized by mental imbalance, raging jealousy, foolishness, and immorality. David illustrated the principle that, “the Lord does not see as man sees” (16:7). The Lord established the Davidic dynasty because of David’s obedience, wisdom, and dependence on God. Historically, one of the key purposes of 1 Samuel is to record the divine origin of the Davidic dynasty. Title: SECOND SAMUEL (David’s Reign; Expansion of the Nation) Name of the Book: See comments under 1 Samuel. Author: Samuel Date: 930 B.C. and later. Theme and Purpose: With no real break in the story of Israel’s kingdom, 2 Samuel continues the narrative of the beginning of Israel’s kingdom beginning with Saul’s death and continuing with the reign of David. It is distinctively about the forty-year reign of David (5:4-5) and traces his reign through his triumphs and tragedies, which include his sins of adultery, murder, and their consequences on his family and the nation. The theme, as 2 Samuel recounts David’s reign, could be summarized as “how sin turns triumphs into troubles.” Whereas the kingdom was established under Saul, it is expanded by David. Saul’s kingdom gave stabilization to Israel from the time of RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA the judges, but David’s reign brought growth or expansion. In the typical fashion of the Bible which candidly tells the story of its leaders with warts and all, 2 Samuel portrays the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the life of King David. Title: FIRST KINGS (David’s Death; Disruption of the Kingdom) Author: The author is unknown, though the Jews credit its writing to Jeremiah. Date: About 550 B.C. The release of Jehoiachim from prison is the last event recorded in 2 Kings. This took place in the 37th year of his imprisonment (560 B.C.). Therefore 1 and 2 Kings could not have been written before that event. It seems unlikely that the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity in 538 B.C. had taken place when 1 and 2 Kings were written; had it occurred, the author would probably have referred to it. Probably 1 and 2 Kings were completed in their final form between 560 and 538 B.C.9 Name of the Book: First and Second Kings, originally one book (like 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Chronicles) and simply called “Kings” in the Hebrew tradition (Melechim), are appropriately titled since they trace the history of the kings of Israel and Judah from the time of Solomon to the Babylonian captivity. First Kings abruptly ends with the beginning of the reign of Ahaziah in 853 B.C. Theme and Purpose: After David’s death (chaps. 1-2), his son Solomon became king. Chapters 1-11 trace the life and reign of Solomon, including Israel’s rise to the peak of her glory, the spread of the nation’s kingdom, and the construction of the temple and palace in Jerusalem. But in Solomon’s later years, he drifted from the Lord because of his pagan wives who wrongly influenced him and turned his heart away from the worship of God in the temple. As a result, the king with the divided heart leaves behind a divided kingdom. For the next century, the book of First Kings traces the twin histories of two sets of kings and two nations of disobedient people who are growing indifferent to God’s prophets and precepts. The next king was Rehoboam, who lost the northern part of the kingdom. After this the Northern Kingdom, which included 10 tribes, was known as Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, was called Judah. In the last chapters of 1 Kings, the focus is on the evil of King Ahab and righteous prophet Elijah who condemned Ahab’s wickedness and Israel’s disobedience. The central theme, therefore, is to show how disobedience led to the disruption of the kingdom. The welfare of the nation depended on the faithfulness of its leadership and people to the covenants of God with Israel. First Kings not only gives a record of the history of these kings, but it demonstrates the success of any king (and of the nation as a whole) depends on the measure of the king’s allegiance to God’s law or truth. The book truly illustrates how “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Unfaithfulness to God’s covenant resulted in decline and captivity. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Title: SECOND KINGS (Dispersion—Willful Sin Has a Woeful End) Author: See the previous discussion regarding the author in the 1 Kings overview. Date: About 550 B.C. See the discussion on the date in 1 Kings. Name of the Book: See 1 Kings. Theme and Purpose: Second Kings continues the history of Elijah and his successor, Elisha, but it also continues what might be termed, the “Tale of the Two Kingdoms.” As such, it continues to trace the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah until they are finally conquered and taken into captivity. Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C. and Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. In both kingdoms the prophets continued to warn the people that God would punish them unless they repented. Second Kings teaches that willful sin in a nation has a woeful end. In 1 and 2 Samuel, the nation is born, in 1 Kings it is divided, and in 2 Kings it is dispersed. After years of pleading with His people through the prophets, God’s patience finally turns to discipline just as He promised. Because both books were originally one, 1 and 2 Kings share the same theme and goal. They teach us how unfaithfulness (disobedience to God’s law and rebellion) must lead to God’s discipline and the overthrow of the monarchy. The two kingdoms collapsed because of the failure of the kings to rule righteously and give heed to God’s truth. Title: FIRST CHRONICLES (Preparation of the Temple) Author: Ezra (Jewish Traditional Author) Date: 450-425 B.C. Name of the Book: Though the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover the same period of Jewish history, the perspective is very different. So, while the content is similar, it is not a mere repetition, but more of a spiritual editorial of the history of the people of Israel. The Kings give man’s viewpoint while the Chronicles give God’s perspective. Originally one book with 2 Chronicles (until 180 B.C.), the book’s Hebrew title means “the words (affairs) of the days,” i.e., the annals of Israel from Adam to the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus’s decree allowing the exiled Jews to return. In a sense it is a “miniature Old Testament,” tracing in capsule form the flow of Old Testament history. When producing the Septuagint, the translators divided Chronicles into two sections. At that time it was given the title, “Of Things Omitted,” referring to the things omitted from Samuel and Kings. The name “Chronicles” comes from Jerome in his Latin Vulgate Bible (A.D. 385-405): Chronicorum Liber. He meant his title in the sense of “The Chronicles of the Whole of Sacred History.” Theme and Purpose: First Chronicles begins with an outline of history from Adam through the death of King Saul. The rest of the book is about the reign of King David. The books of Chronicles seem like a repeat of Samuel and Kings, but they were written for the returned exiles to remind them that they came from the royal line of David and that they were God’s chosen people. The genealogies point out that the Davidic promises had their source in those pledged to Abraham that He would make him the father of a great nation, one through which He would bless the nations. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA The main theme is that God is faithful to His covenant. Chronicles emphasizes the role of the Law, the priesthood, and the temple. Although Solomon’s temple was gone, the second temple could be regarded as the Remnant’s link to the first. This book also taught that the past was pregnant with lessons for their present. Apostasy, idolatry, intermarriage with Gentiles, and lack of unity were the reasons for their recent ruin. It is significant that after the Exile, Israel never again worshiped foreign gods. Title: SECOND CHRONICLES (Destruction of the Temple) Author: Ezra (Jewish Traditional Author) Date: 450-425 B.C. Title of the Book: See under 1 Chronicles. Theme and Purpose: While 1 Chronicles parallels 1 and 2 Samuel, 2 Chronicles continues the history of David’s line and parallels 1 and 2 Kings. But for all practical purposes, it ignores the Northern Kingdom because of apostasy and total absence of any godly kings who patterned their life after David. By contrast, 2 Chronicles focuses on those kings who did walk after the lifestyle of David. Chapters 1-9 describe the building of the temple during Solomon’s reign. Chapters 10- 36 trace the history of the Southern Kingdom of Judah to the final destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon. Therefore, it devotes extended sections to the lives of those kings who brought revival and reform to the nation like Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah. As mentioned, Chronicles goes over some of the same history as Samuel and Kings, but from a different perspective in order to emphasize certain things: In 1 Chronicles, David is the subject while in 2 Chronicles the house of David is central. In Kings the history of the nation is given from the throne whereas in Chronicles it is given from the altar (the temple). In Kings the palace is central, but in Chronicles the temple is prominent. In Kings the focus is on the political history while in Chronicles the focus is on the religious or spiritual element of Israel’s history. Chronicles is more than simply an historical record. It is God’s commentary on the spiritual characteristics of David’s dynasty. Because of this, the focus is on the kingdom of Judah, the Southern Kingdom where there were revival and godly kings in David’s line and why the Northern Kingdom, with no godly kings, is basically ignored. Title: EZRA (Reconstruction of the Temple and Restoration of the People) Author: Ezra Date: 457 B.C. and 444 B.C. Name of the Book: In the ancient Hebrew Bible, Ezra and Nehemiah were treated as one book and called “The Book of Ezra.” Modern Hebrew Bibles designate the two-fold arrangement of Ezra and Nehemiah as in our English versions. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Further, Josephus (Against Apion 1. 8) and Jerome (Preface to the Commentary on Galatians) also considered the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as one. But not all agree. There is evidence that the two books were originally separate. The lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 are basically the same. This would militate against the idea that the two books were originally one, for it would seem strange to repeat the same list in one volume. The name Ezra for the title of the first work comes from the major person in the second half of the book, who also appears in chapters 8 and 12 of the Book of Nehemiah. Theme and Purpose: From an historical standpoint, Ezra continues the narrative where 2 Chronicles ends and traces the history of the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple. From a spiritual and doctrinal standpoint, Ezra demonstrates how God fulfilled His promise to return His people to the land of promise after seventy years of exile as announced by the prophets. As in Chronicles, Ezra, as a priest, shows the centrality of the temple and its worship to the life of the nation as God’s people. It begins with the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, which allowed a remnant of the people to return. The people enthusiastically began rebuilding the temple, but were delayed for 18 years by enemies from the north. Finally, a decree from Darius let them finish (see Ezra 1- 6). Chapters 7-10 talk about the return of the priest Ezra who taught the people the law and reformed the nation’s spiritual life. The theme can be summarized as the spiritual, moral, and social restoration of the Remnant who returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Ezra. Title: NEHEMIAH (Reconstruction of the City) Author: Nehemiah Date: 445 B.C. to 425 B.C. Name of the Book: Though originally one book, the last half of that book draws its name from the prominence of Nehemiah, contemporary of Ezra and cupbearer to the king of Persia. Nehemiah’s name means “Yahweh consoles or comforts.” Theme and Purpose: The book of Nehemiah continues the history of the Jews who returned from exile. Nehemiah gave up his position as cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the Persian king, to become governor of Jerusalem and lead the people in repairing the city walls. Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries (see Neh. 8:2, 9), were both men of God but served Yahweh in different capacities. While Ezra was a priest and involved more with the religious restoration of returning Remnant, Nehemiah was a layman and served in a political capacity as governor in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was also written to show the obvious hand of God in the establishment of His people in their homeland in the years after their exile. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, they accomplished in fifty-two days what had not been done in the ninety-four years since the first return under Zerubbabel. By obedient faith they were able to overcome what appeared to be insurmountable opposition. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Title: ESTHER (Protection of God’s People) Author: The book gives no hint of who wrote it. But whoever it was knew the Persian culture well. The account has all the marks of a person who was there for he described the events as an eyewitness. And he was probably a Jew. Some have suggested that Ezra or Nehemiah wrote the account but no specific evidence supports that view. Date: 470 and 465, during the latter years of Xerxes’ reign (see 10:2-3), or in the reign of his son Artaxerxes (464-424). Name of the Book: The book takes its name from the chief character, whose Hebrew name Hadassah (Myrtle) was changed to the Persian named Ester, which probably means “star.” Theme and Purpose: Esther tells the story of a beautiful Jewish girl whom King Xerxes of Persia chose to be his queen. When Haman plotted to murder all the Jews, Queen Esther’s cousin Mordecai persuaded Esther to try to save her people. Risking her own life, she appealed to the king and rescued the Jews. Although the name of God does not appear in this book, the theme and purpose of the book is to show God’s providential care of His people in their trials and persecutions. REFERENCE: https://bible.org/seriespage/4-historical-books THE JUDGES AND KINGS After the death of Joshua, the period of the judges followed. The Judges of Israel – served as military leaders appointed by Yahweh to defend Israel from their enemies and to uphold obedience to Yahweh and fidelity to the covenant – not as legal administrators and experts. We can generally observe the following recurrent patterns in the stories of most judges. Israel turned to worship the Canaanite gods, the Baals and the Asherah. (Judges 3:7) Anger of the Lord was kindled (3:8) and as punishment, Israel became their enemy’s subject/possession. Israel cried out to God (3:9) Yahweh raised a deliverer (judge) God rescued the people through his appointed judge (3:9) Israel returned to its sin of infidelity and idolatry (3:12) The above pattern recurred in the life and story of the judges. Constantly, the theme of Yahweh’s intervention and deliverance prevailed over the sinfulness of Israel, highlighting the short-lived repentance of a stubborn people and the endless offer of Yahweh’s pardon. Before the rise of the judges, there was already an attempt to establish monarchy. Abimelech desired to be king, and was named a king. But due to his selfish end and unacceptable crime, RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA Yahweh was displeased and avenged him for the lost lives that Abimelech was responsible, which led to his death. The idea of monarchy then was stained with negative impression in the past and cast an attitude of hesitation or even doubt. But in a time when people simply turned to their own ways and wishes – without due regard to the greater good – leadership then is imperative. But as to what kind and how it will be realized remained as points of difficulty. To prepare the people in embracing the need of a new leadership, and welcoming a monarchy, the person of Samuel was introduced as an emerging prophet who will eventually prophesy and anoint kings, and effect a lasting legacy on the survival and relevance of Israel to all nations. Before the institution of monarchy, Israel adhered to Theocracy (from Gk. Theos, God) wherein Yahweh was held as the only king over all the earth, and worthy of obedience and worship by the people of Israel; then came the time of tribal elders and their leaders and judges. Samuel stood in a time of transition. With the disappearance of divinely appointed warrior-leaders among the people, the increasing power of the Philistines and the growing insecurity of the people, Samuel just came to be the right person at the right moment. WHO IS SAMUEL? Born to a formerly barren woman who begged before Yahweh for a child and promised to offer that male child as an offering to God. Samuel grew up under the watchful guide and training of Eli, a priest in Shiloh The turning point in the life of Samuel was when God appeared to him in a vision and informed him of the punishment that awaits the family of Eli due to the perversion and injustice that his sons committed and of his vocation as Yahweh’s messenger to the people of Israel. The people demanded from Samuel to give them a king so that they would become like their neighbour. So, Samuel anointed the first Israelitic king from among the tribes of Israel (Saul). During the reign of Saul, Samuel constantly reminded Saul of Yahweh’s commandment which Saul violated by making unlawful burnt offering. He was also instrumental for the anointing of David as the next king of Israel. The life of Samuel was a true testimony of being God’s instrument. He served as a priest at Shiloh offering sacrifices and worship, prophet who communicated Yahweh’s word to the people and a judge by defending Israel from the Philistines. SAUL Came from the tribe of Benjamin. Fulfilled the peoples demand for a king and responded to the divine calling delivered through Samuel. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA  At first, enjoyed divine assistance, was blessed by God’s favour in his war against Israel’s enemies His downfall started when he made a series of violations that were contrary to Yahweh’s will When he made burnt offerings contrary to Samuel’s prescription When he spared the Amalekite king and kept the valuable properties of the defeated Amalekites When he grew jealous and eventually paranoid of the rising popularity of David to the point that he carried few attempts of killing him As a consequence to Saul’s violations, Yahweh departed from him and he became more obsessed in pursuing David. Worse, Saul lost his sons – Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua – who were killed by the Philistines. Saul ended his own life in Mt. Gilboa, preferring not to hand himself upon his enemies. DAVID From a humble shepherd to a destined king of Israel, David rose to greater prominence because Yahweh was with him. He was a musician who played the lyre the freed Saul’s heart from evil. An emerging young war hero who killed the gigantic Philistine champion – Goliath. He spared the life of Saul (his assassin) and took no revenge. He truly showed a pleasing character before Samuel and Yahweh. While he was installed as king of Judah, Saul’s son was made king (by Saul’s army commander) over all the other tribes. After Ishbaal’s death, all the tribes of Israel came to Hebron to make David their king and leader. With David as the king and leader, it was agreed by scholars that David’s reign was the “golden age of Jewish history” because of the ff. reasons: He united the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah after generations of tribal conflict and war. He took Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and established it as the capital of Judah and Israel and renamed it as the “city of David” He transferred the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem with great rejoicing and celebration among all the people, establishing the city of David as the center of worship to God. He received God’s assurance for the continuity of his kingdom He subdued greater number of enemies, especially the Philistines, and expanded the territory of his empire, which was a feat unmatched by his predecessor. All these achievements were made possible because Yahweh was with David for he always sought what God desired for him and for all of Israel. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA  His downfall was brought about by his personal sinfulness. He instructed his general to put Uriah his soldier at the forefront of the battle in order for him to take Bathsheba as his wife. His selfishness displeased the Lord who sent prophet Nathan to warn him of a punishment greater than what he did. His selfishness became like fire that lit up misfortunes to his family and to Israel. The death of David’s firstborn to Bath-sheba The rape of Tamar by his brother Amnon, David’s well -loved firstborn The killing of Amnon by Absalom, Tamar’s brother The rebellion of Absalom with his army against his father David which made the king to escape from Jerusalem David mourned for the death of his son Absalom In the end, David was still forgiven by Yahweh though his sinfulness cast a lasting consequence on his family and his people. SOLOMON Son of Bathsheba and David Was distinguished by his wisdom, his great skill in administration, trade and international relations, and most popular of all, his building projects, especially the legendary beautiful temple. In the later part, He changed his ways and displeased Yahweh and his people in several ways. He imposed forced labor in building the temple His love for foreign women ended his marriages to them despite Yahweh’s stern warning of marrying them for they inclined his heart of worshipping pagan gods. He built pagan altars for his foreign wives and allowed them to practice their scandalous worship. Schism: The divided monarchy From one king and one nation, the chosen people of God were divided into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel ruled by separate lineages of kings for generations. CONCLUSION: Without failure, Yahweh delivered his promise to the descendants of Abraham, the pledge of a land flowing with milk and honey. In an endless, unconditional commitment, he raised and appointed leaders, judges, priests and prophets to guide Israel and remind them of their reciprocal duty in view of the covenant they made. However, the graces of Yahweh still remained unrecognized, and the duty to worship in reverence and gratitude neglected and even violated. From the kings to ordinary citizens, the pattern of sin and violation of Israel characterized their response to Yahweh’s gratuity. RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA The punishment for Israel was so severe. At the end of the day however, it was Yahweh’s forgiveness that prevailed even in the midst of all these chaos and tragedy. And the prophets of Israel stood as a witness to this unwavering divine love and mercy for his broken people. Perhaps, we are then invited to reflect in our moments of grace and blessing. Points for Reflection: 1. How many times have we asked for God’s favour and received his blessings? 2. In what ways have we reciprocated his gratuity and goodness? 3. Are we like the ungrateful and stubborn Israelites who seek for Divine assistance then blessed by God but ended up forgetting the giver once the grace was already enjoyed? 4. Are we the ones who have the joy of gratitude in our hearts to our ever-loving generous God? References Catechism for Filipino Catholics: Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (1997). Manila, Philippines: ECCCE World and Life Publications. Flannery, A. (2006). Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents. Catholic Church Doctrines. Pasay City: Paulines. Hill, Andrew E. & John H. Walton. Introduction to the Historical Books. In a survey of the Old Testament. 2nd Edition. Zondervan, 2000. Electronic Sources Historical Books Lessons https://tellibrary.org/lessons/historical-books/ retrieved May 27, 2020 Introduction to the Old Testament Books RE111Lessons 9-10_HistoricalBooks/VEGA