The Historical Books Dr. Rich Denning .

OT “Historical” Books Hebrew Bible classifications: Joshua Judges Ruth 1, 2 Samuel 1, 2 Kings 1, 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Hebrew Bible classifications: Red=“former prophets” Black=“writings” Dr. Rich Denning

“Conquest of the Land and Allotting to the Tribes” Joshua (24 chapters) “Conquest of the Land and Allotting to the Tribes” Dr. Rich Denning

Mediterranean Sea Moab Succoth Edom Sinai Ezion Geber Mt. Sinai Midian Mt. Sinai Dr. Rich Denning Red Sea

About Joshua Son of Nun Minister and associate of Moses A spy (Joshua and Caleb) Farewell address Ch. 24 Dr. Rich Denning

Conquest of Canaan Crossing the Jordan River into the land (“Get your feet wet”) Jericho: The key base of operations The Central Campaign Ai The Five Kings in the Valley of Aijalon The Southern Campaign Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, etc. The Northern Campaign Hazor, Kedesh, Acshaph Dr. Rich Denning

Division of the Land: The 12 Tribes Note Carefully: Joseph is split into two half-tribes, headed by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. The Levites have no land, for the Lord is their inheritance (Josh. 13:33). Simeon is later absorbed into Judah. Dan later moves north to escape opposition. Dr. Rich Denning

Book about Failure “Cycles” Judges (21 chapters) Book about Failure “Cycles” Dr. Rich Denning

Cycle of Oppression and Redemption Prosperity and Apostasy Oppression Judge/Deliverer Cry Out - Repent Dr. Rich Denning

Major Judges of Israel What they did Oppressor Length of Oppression Length of Peace Served Baal 8 years 40 years Evil 18 years 80 years 20 years 7 years 6 years + Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia Othniel Eglon king of Moab Ehud (left-handed) Jabin king of Canaan, Sisera his general Deborah, Barak, Jael Midianites Gideon Philistines and Ammonites Jephthah Philistines Samson

Ruth (4 chapters) “Kinsmen Redeemer” Dr. Rich Denning

Ruth’s Family Elimelech and Naomi (From Bethlehem in Judah) Moved to Moab during a famine in time of Judges Two sons, Mahlon and Kilion Mahlon and Kilion married Orpah and Ruth, both Moabitesses Ruth married Boaz, from Bethlehem Obed Jesse David and the Messianic line Dr. Rich Denning

1 Samuel (31 chapters) Saul’s Reign Dr. Rich Denning

The End of the Period of Judges Elkanah, Hannah, and Samuel contrasted with Eli’s Sons, Phinehas and Hophni (chs. 1-3) Faithfulness in the midst of the lawlessness of Judges The loss of the ark (ch. 4) God’s judgment on lawlessness (“Ichabod”) The Philistines and the ark (chs. 5-6) The awful seriousness of God’s presence The people’s desire for a king (ch. 8) A longing to be like other nations A rejection of God’s kingship Dr. Rich Denning

Saul and David The People’s King God’s King Looks the part (10:23) Has a semblance of humility (10:22) Oppresses the people (8:10-18) Looks at the situation rather than at God (10:8 and 13:7-12) Is rejected by God (13:13-14; 15:1-29) God’s King The youngest of his family; does not look the part (16:11-12) Values the honor of God (17:45-7) Values his enemy Saul because God has anointed him king (chs. 24, 26) Intensely loyal to his friend Jonathan (18:1, 20) Dr. Rich Denning

2 Samuel (24 chapters) “David’ Reign” Dr. Rich Denning

David’s Family, David’s Downfall Wife Children Michal (Saul’s daughter) ---- Ahinoam Amnon Abigail (Nabal’s widow) Kileab Maacah Absalom, Tamar Haggith Adonijah Abitail Shephatiah Eglah Ithream Bathsheba (Uriah’s widow) “X,” Solomon Dr. Rich Denning

The Kings and Kingdoms Overview Dr. Rich Denning

Overview of the Kingdom(s) United Kingdom (Saul, David, Solomon) Ca. 1050 – 930 B.C. Northern Kingdom (Israel) 930-722 B.C. 20 kings None who did right in the sight of the Lord Southern Kingdom (Judah) 930-586 B.C. 8 who did right in the sight of the Lord Dr. Rich Denning

Overview of the Kings Doing right in the sight of the Lord meant remaining faithful to the covenant. Principally: Hezekiah and Josiah To a lesser degree: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoash, Amaziah, Azariah, and Jotham Doing evil in the sight of the Lord meant… violating the second commandment by making images. (Jeroboam and all of Israel’s kings) violating the first commandment by worshiping Baal. (Ahab, Manasseh, and others) Dr. Rich Denning

Kings of the Divided Kingdom Israel Judah First King Jeroboam (930 B.C.) Rehoboam Last King Hoshea (722 B.C.) Zedekiah (586 B.C.) Best Kings __________ Hezekiah (715), Josiah (640) Least Bad Kings Jehu (841), Jeroboam II (793) Worst King Ahab (874) Manasseh (697) Dr. Rich Denning

Samuel/Kings vs. Chronicles Samuel/ Kings Chronicles More events described More extended speeches Positive and negative por- Positive portrayal of David trait of David/Solomon and Solomon Focus on Israel Focus on Judah Written for exilic commun- Written for the post-exilic com- ity to explain why the munity to explain that God exiles took place was still faithful to covenant Dr. Rich Denning

1 and 2 Kings (22 and 25 chapters) (Meek, pp. 12-13) Dr. Rich Denning

Why did God allow the exiles? The people did not consolidate worship of the one God in the one place commanded (Deut. 12). Notice the prominence of the Temple (1 Kings 8). But the kings did not remove the high places. Jeroboam even set up new centers of worship aside from the Temple, at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12). Dr. Rich Denning

Why did God allow the exiles? The people did not consolidate worship of the one God in the one place commanded (Deut. 12). The kings did not obey God’s law for the king. (Deut. 17:14-20) Not to have dealings with Egypt Not to take many wives Not to seek wealth To revere the Lord and his Law Solomon broke all of these laws (1 Kings 10-11) The crucial book of Deuteronomy was actually lost for several hundred years (2 Kings 22). Dr. Rich Denning

Why did God allow the exiles? The people did not consolidate worship of the one God in the one place commanded (Deut. 12). The kings did not obey God’s law for the king. (Deut. 17:14-20) In fulfillment of prophecy dealing with God’s anger at sin (Deut. 13, 18) Elijah and Elisha (See esp. 1 Kings 18.) Foreigners often recognize the presence of God more than Israel does. (See 2 Kings 5.) Dr. Rich Denning

Why did God allow the exiles? The people did not consolidate worship of the one God in the one place commanded (Deut. 12). The kings did not obey God’s law for the king. (Deut. 17:14-20) In fulfillment of prophecy dealing with God’s anger at sin (Deut. 13, 18) In fulfillment of covenant curses (Deut. 27-8) See 2 Kings 17:7-13. Dr. Rich Denning

Is there hope for the exiles? Yes! The Davidic line continues, even though the Davidic kingship has ended (2 Kings 25:27-30). God did not fail; we did. But we can be faithful to the covenant now. Dr. Rich Denning

1 and 2 Chronicles (29 and 36 chapters) (Meek, p. 14) Dr. Rich Denning

Has God been unfaithful to his covenant people? No! God has given the Ark and the priesthood (1 Chron. 13, 15-16). God has given the Davidic line (1 Chron. 1-9, 17). God has given the Temple (1 Chron. 29, 2 Chron. 2-7). God has given the Law, with blessings and curses (2 Chron. 7:13-22). God has given good kings as types of the coming Davidide, the Messiah. Dr. Rich Denning

Major Empires in the Ancient World Assyria (ca. 900 B.C. – 612 B.C.) Babylon (612 B.C. – 539 B.C.) Defeated Assyrians in 612 B.C. Defeated Egyptians in 605 B.C. Persia (539 B.C. – 331 B.C.) Gained control of Media in 549 B.C. Conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. Allowed nations captured by Babylon to return to their homelands in 538 B.C. Struggled with Greece for control of Asia Minor for most of the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., and finally fell to Greece in 331 B.C.

Tigris Nineveh Euphrates Damascus Susa Babylon Samaria Ur Dr. Rich Denning

Rebuilders after the Exile Zerubbabel rebuilt the Temple. Ezra restored the worship and practice according the the Law. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Dr. Rich Denning

Ezra (10 chapters) (Meek, p. 15) Dr. Rich Denning

The Book of Ezra First Wave Second Wave Cyrus King of Persia Ezra Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua in Haggai) Sons of Asaph Xerxes Darius Ezra Artexerxes The people were intermarrying!!! Divorced their foreign wives Dr. Rich Denning

Nehemiah (13 chapters) (Meek, p. 15) Dr. Rich Denning

The Book of Nehemiah Susa Artexerxes Sanballat the Horonite Tobiah the Ammonite Geshem the Arab Eliashib Dr. Rich Denning

Esther (10 chapters) (Meek, p. 15) Dr. Rich Denning

The Book of Esther Xerxes Vashti Esther Mordecai Haman Purim Dr. Rich Denning