EQUIP BIBLE STUDY SECTION 2

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS (Joshua to Esther)

Historical Books The Theocratic Books The Monarchical Books The Restoration Books Joshua 1 & 2 Samuel Ezra Judges 1 & 2 Kings Nehemiah Ruth 1 & 2 Chronicles Esther

What is Historical Books all about? The 12 Historical Books pick up the story of Israel where it left off at the end of Deuteronomy. These books describe the occupation and settlement of Israel in the Promised Land, the transition from Judges to the Monarchy, the division and decline of the Kingdom, the captivities of the Northern and southern kingdom, and the return of the remnant.

JOSHUA Theme: Conquest Date Written: 1405 – 1385 B.C. Author: Joshua Setting: Canaan, the Promised Land

Joshua Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (Salvation) but Moses changed it to Yehoshua (Yahweh is Salvation). He is also called Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua. This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Iesous (Jesus). His name is a symbolic of the fact that although he is the leader of Israelite nation during the conquest, the Lord is the Conqueror.

Joshua ... Continues When Moses passed the baton of Leadership on to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34), Israel was at the end of its 40 years of wilderness wanderings. Joshua had been Moses’ faithful apprentice for most of that 40 years and was approaching 90 years of age when Moses calls him to become Israel’s new Leader. Joshua’s task is to lead Israel into the land of Canaan, drive out the inhabitants, and divide the land among the 12 tribes.

Joshua ... Continues The Book of Joshua teaches that when it comes to fighting the battles of life and gaining spiritual victory, blessing comes through obedience to God’s commands. Active Faith does not require that you understand all or any of what God is doing in your life. You don’t need to understand. You need only to obey and then reap the blessings of that obedience.

SURVEY OF JOSHUA Chapters 1-5 Preparation for Conquering the Land (Spiritual, Moral, physical, and Military). Chapters 6-12 Conquering the Land. Chapters 13 – 22 Allocation of the Land. Chapters 23 – 24 Last Words of Joshua.

Life Lessons from Joshua Faithfulness is a requirement for service. Serving others prepares you to lead others. Victory occurs when you let God fight your battles. Guidance from God for daily living comes from His Word, the Bible. At times you must make a stand for your beliefs. Living for God requires ongoing obedience.

JUDGES Theme: Deliverance Date Written: about 1043 B.C. Author: Samuel Setting: Canaan

Author: The author of Judges is anonymous, but Samuel or one of his prophetic students may have written it. Jewish tradition contained in the Talmud attributes Judges to Samuel. Talmud is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history.

Judges ... Continues In seven distinct cycles of sin to salvation, Judges shows how Israel had set aside God’s law and in its place substituted “what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). The cycles of apostasy and deliverance cover the whole land: Southern (3: 7-31); Northern (4:1 – 5:31); Central (6:1 – 10:5); Eastern (10:6 – 12:15) Western (13:1 – 16;31).

Series of Cycles in Judges: 1. Israel Departs from God. 2. God Chastises Israel by permitting military defeat and oppression. 3. Israel prays for deliverance. 4. God raises up Judges, either civil or military champions, who lead in the defeat of oppressors 5. Peace.... Then .... (Repeating the Cycle)

Judges .... Continues 7 (13:1- 16:31) Samson CYCLE OPPRESSOR YEARS OF OPPRESSION DELIVERER YEARS OF PEACE 1 (3:7-11) Mesopotamians 8 Othniel 40 2 (3:12-30) Moabites 18 Ehud 80 Parenthesis (3:31) Philistines __ Shagmar ___ 3 (4:1-5:31) Canaanites 20 Deborah/ Barak 4 (6:1 –8:32) Midianites 7 Gideon 5 (8:33-10:5) Abimelech 3 Tola/Jair 45 6 (10:6 – 12:15) Ammonites Jepthah/Ibzan/Elon/Abdon 6, 7, 10, 8 7 (13:1- 16:31) Samson

Life Lessons from Judges Don’t compromise with the world – it leads to defeat. Don’t sin – it results in suffering. Don’t wait until you are without hope to cry out to God. Don’t do what is right in your own eyes—do what’s right in God’s eyes.

Survey of Judges Deterioration (1:1 - 3:4). Deliverances (3:5 – 16:31). Depravity (17:1 – 21:25).

RUTH Theme: Redemption Date Written: 1050 B.C. Author: Unknown/possibly Samuel Setting: Moab and Bethlehem

Introduction... The book of Ruth takes place during the spiritually dark days of the Judges. Ruth is the story of a woman (named Ruth) who lives during this evil period in Israel’s history but does not succumb to its moral decay. Ruth’s story is one of integrity, righteousness and faithfulness. Ruth and Esther are the only women who have books of the Bible named after them.

Contribution to the Bible: Literary Ruth is a book of simplicity and profundity. 2. Historical Ruth provides a bridge between the Judges and the Monarchy (its last word is “David”). 3. Doctrinal Ruth teaches that the Gentiles are not outside the scope of redemption. 4. Moral Ruth communicates high ideals of integrity in relationships and marriage.

A Brief Comparison of Ruth and Esther. A Gentile woman A Jewish woman Lived among the Jews Lived among the Gentiles Married a Jewish man in the royal line of David Married a gentile man who ruled an empire A story of faith and blessing

Spiritual meaning of Ruth’s Story... In this story, Boaz became a kinsman-redeemer, or a close relative who in essence redeems the Gentile Ruth and gives her a home. The book of Ruth gives us an important analogy of the work of Christ. Like Boaz, Jesus is related to us by His physical birth, able to pay the price of redemption, willing to redeem, and able to redeem. And like Ruth, you must choose to accept redemption and leave the transaction to Jesus, who makes the redemption a reality.

Life Lessons from Ruth What you think to be a tragedy is God’s opportunity to show Himself faithful. Your abundance is an opportunity to help the less fortunate. God honours faithfulness. Character is a noble quality that God honours. Adverse circumstances give you the opportunity to exhibit godly character.

Survey of Ruth Ruth’s love is Demonstrated (Chapters 1-2) Ruth’s Love is Rewarded (Chapters 3-4)

FIRST SAMUEL Theme: Transition (Judges to Kings). Date written: 931 – 722BC Author – Unknown (Jewish Talmudic Traditions says that it was written by Samuel). 1 Samuel 25:1 states his death. It could be compiled by one person. Samuel could have written the first part of the book. 1 Chronicle 29:29 – Samuel, Nathan, and Gad could have contributed to write this book. Setting: The struggling nation of Israel.

An Explanation of the date: The Books of Samuel ends in the last days of David; so they must have been complied after 971 BC. The reference in 1Samuel 27:6 to the Divided monarchy in which Judah is separate from Israel indicates a compilation date after Solomon’s death in 931 B.C. However, the silence regarding the Assyrian captivity of Israel in 722 B.C. Probably means that First Samuel was written before this key event.

1 Samuel ... Continues Originally 1 and 2 Samuel were one book in the Hebrew Bible, but later translations separate them into our present two books. First Samuel is named for the first of three prominent personalities—Samuel, Saul and David –interwoven throughout its contents. Historically, First Samuel provides the crucial link from the Judges to the Monarchy.

Life Lessons from 1 Samuel A Close walk with God will help you better handle life’s transitions. Your faithful service will be rewarded, at least in God’s eyes. God wants your inward commitment, not just an outward observance. It’s not how you start that’s important, but how you finish.

Survey of First Samuel The Book is built around three Key Men: Samuel (Chapters 1 to 7) Saul (Chapters 8 to 15) Saul And David (Chapters 16 to 31)

SECOND SAMUEL Theme: Unification Date written: 931 – 722 BC Author: Unknown (see notes of 1 Samuel). Setting: United Kingdom of Israel.

2 Samuel ... Continues Second Samuel picks up where 1Samuel leaves off. Saul is now gone so the people of Judah, David’s ancestral tribe, declare David as their king, while the northern tribe acknowledge Saul’s youngest son as their king. David rules in Hebron for 7 ½ years before all Israel finally acknowledge David as their King. He then reigns in Jerusalem for 33 years. Second Samuel reviews the key events in David’s 40 year reign.

Life lessons from 2 Samuel Blessings comes to you and those around you when you are obedient to God’s commands. Conversely, there are always consequences to your sinful actions. Your role as a parent is a full-time job and must not be neglected or delegated to others. Repentance restores your relationship with God.

Survey of 2 Samuel David’s Success (Chapters 1–10). David’s Sin (Chapters 11). David’s Struggles (Chapter 12 to 24).