INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF
HISTORY
These twelve books of Israel’s history extend from Joshua (c. 1405 B.C.) to Nehemiah (c. 424 B.C.)—almost 1,000 years. They begin with Israel’s entrance into and possession of the Promised Land after a 430-year period of slavery in Egypt and a 40-year wandering in the wilderness; they conclude with Israel’s return to residency in the Promised Land (but not possession of it). Prominent world empires during these centuries included: (1) Assyria (c. 880–612 B.C.); Babylon (c. 612–539 B.C.); and (3) Medo-Persia (c. 539–331 B.C.).
This period of history can be outlined using the following two themes—Kingship and Exile.
| Pre-Kingship | Kingship | Post-Kingship |
| Joshua | 1, 2 Samuel | Ezra |
| Judges | 1, 2 Kings | Nehemiah |
| Ruth | 1, 2 Chr. | Esther |
| Pre-Exile | Exile | Post-Exile |
| Joshua | Esther | Ezra |
| Judges | Nehemiah | |
| Ruth | ||
| 1, 2 Samuel | ||
| 1, 2 Kings | ||
| 1, 2 Chronicles |
This was also a prophetic era that included all of the major and minor prophets of the OT. Apart from those seers who wrote to/about Edom (Obadiah) and Nineveh (Jonah; Nahum) or from Babylon (Ezekiel; Daniel), the historical books relate to the prophets as follows:
1. 1 Kings 12–2 Kings 17—Amos; Hosea (prophets to Israel)
2. 1 Kings 12–2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 10–36—Joel; Isaiah; Micah; Zephaniah; Jeremiah; Habbakuk (prophets to Judah)
3. Ezra 1–6—Haggai; Zechariah
4. Ezra 7–10; Nehemiah—Malachi
The books of history begin with the rise of Israel in conquering and possessing the Promised Land (Joshua; Judges; Ruth). Transitioning to the apex of Israel’s history, 1, 2 Samuel; 1 Kings 1–11; 1 Chronicles; and 2 Chronicles 1–9 record the history of the united kingdom. Israel in decline with a divided kingdom is reported in 1 Kings 12–22; 2 Kings; and 2 Chronicles 10–36. Esther details a nation in exile. With a note of restoration hope, Ezra and Nehemiah conclude with a people who once again reside in, but do not possess as once before, God’s Promised Land.
Thus, neither the land of promise of the Abraham covenant (Gen. 12; 13; 15; 17) nor the perpetual kingship promise of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7) were fulfilled in history. They must await the future reign of Messiah as foretold by the prophets (Zech. 14).
Chronology of Old Testament Patriarchs and Judges
Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets
