When Israel left Egypt, they left a nation that had been the most powerful, prosperous, and secure on earth. But God intervened on Israel’s behalf, and Egypt was devastated. Then the Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness because they refused to believe that God could do for them in Canaan what he had already done in bringing them out of Egypt. The disbelieving generation died and a new generation came of age. The new generation believed God’s promises and was ready to invade the land of Canaan.

Joshua recounts part two of God’s grandest work of redemption in the OT period. In part one (the Pentateuch), under the leadership of Moses, the Lord redeemed his people out of bondage in Egypt and formalized his covenantal love for them at Sinai. Now in part two, under the leadership of Joshua, the Lord as divine Warrior brings his people into the Land of Promise and gives them “rest.”

The theme of Judges is the downward spiral of Israel’s national and spiritual life into chaos and apostasy, showing the need for a godly king to lead it (17:6; 21:25).

The events in Judges take place shortly after the conquest of the promised land but before the selection of Saul as Israel’s first king—roughly 1250–1050 BC. The book’s narrative centers on military leaders, whom the narrative calls judges; this relates them to the leaders Moses appointed to arbitrate disputes among the Israelites, but only the judge Deborah clearly serves that role (Exod 18:21, 26; compare Judg 4:4–5). Most of the judges are warriors leading the tribes of Israel against nearby enemies, including Moabites, Canaanites, Ammonites, and Philistines.

This book highlights how God’s people experience his sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. These often come disguised in hard circumstances and are mediated through the kindness of others.

When neighboring nations are hostile, the right leadership can give people a sense of safety. In Samuel’s time, Israel faced external threats and internal discord, and the judges did not satisfy the people’s desire for leadership and security. Israel wanted a king. The book of 1 Samuel records Israel’s transition from a federation of tribes to a centralized kingdom. Israel’s first king, Saul, was not faithful to God. However, God’s plan to save Israel—and the world—began to unfold in the person of King David.

David’s ascension to power over all the tribes of Israel was anything but smooth. Violence, politics, and intrigue lined the way. David was far from a perfect king—2 Samuel records his murder of the noble Uriah to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba and the political chaos that followed. Yet God was eternally committed to David and his dynasty. He protected David during the many challenges to his authority and mercifully forgave and restored him when he sinned.

After Solomon's death, the nation is divided into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah).

First Kings testifies to Yahweh’s presence among Israel, but also shows just how far a nation can fall when Yahweh is ignored. First Kings begins at the end of David’s reign, as his sons Adonijah and Solomon compete for the throne. Solomon is selected, and he builds a temple for Yahweh. But after Solomon, the once-prosperous nation splits into two kingdoms. Most of the kings on both sides fail to follow Yahweh and allow idolatry to flourish. Meanwhile, prophets, most notably Elijah, boldly call unfaithful kings to account.

Second Kings cuts through the complications of politics and warfare to bring clarity via Yahweh’s perspective. There is evil, there is good, and there are those like Elisha who discern between the two. Yet, 2 Kings also shows us how gloomy life without God really is.

As we witness the demise of the nation Yahweh originally chose, we are prompted to decide what kind of people we will be. We must choose between false beliefs—in nations, gods, and ideologies—and belief in the truth of God’s ways.

History always has the advantage of hindsight. The narrative of 1–2 Chronicles is based on history, but leverages it for something greater: theological lessons. These books tell the story of Israel and Judah, starting with Adam and ending with the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon (538 BC). The account begins with a collection of genealogies (1 Chr 1–9) and then shifts to King David (in the remainder of 1 Chronicles) and his descendants (in 2 Chronicles).

Chronicles pairs nicely with Ezra and Nehemiah, as they pick up where Chronicles leaves off (538 BC)—completing the story of God’s people all the way up to the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and the accompanying religious reforms (432 BC). This and other factors suggest 1–2 Chronicles was written in the fifth century BC.

Second Chronicles shows the power and importance of God’s presence. The narrative of 1–2 Chronicles views Israel’s story through the lens of God’s covenant (contract) with David. David desired to build a temple for Yahweh; Yahweh responded by telling David that from his line would come one whose throne would be established forever (1 Chr 17). By showing Judah’s history in relation to the house of David and the house of Yahweh—the temple—the book emphasizes the importance of proper worship and invites God’s people to fully commit to following God’s ways.

A remnant of the Israelites, who had been exiled to Babylonia, return to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild the temple under God's direction.

Ezra recounts God’s marvelous work in bringing many Israelites back to Jerusalem after seventy years of exile in Babylon. The book highlights the restored community’s struggle to resist pagan influences, to rebuild the Temple, and to deal with sin in the lives of those who chose to follow the world’s values rather than God’s. In Ezra we see how God provides for and protects those who trust in him and faithfully obey his word.

Nehemiah was written to the Jewish people who had recently returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding area following seventy years of exile in Babylonian captivity. The book of Ezra emphasizes the spiritual aspects of God's renewal, while the book of Nehemiah focuses more on renewal of the city and civil government. Even in the midst of Jerusalem's renewal, the attention remains on God's sovereign power to provide. He enables Nehemiah to lead people to Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the city's walls, and the ability to withstand opposition during times of difficulty.

The book of Esther shows us that God is present even when He seems distant. In the course of the story, Esther—a Jew living during the time of the exile—becomes the queen of Persia. However, an official named Haman plots to kill the Jews throughout the empire. Esther and Mordecai, her cousin, expose the attempted genocide. Mordecai’s cunning, Esther’s bravery, and God’s unseen hand unite to save the Jewish exiles from destruction.

It also explains how a special festival, called Purim, was established to recall and celebrate the deliverance that the Jews had experienced.