The historical books of the Bible provide an account of God’s dealings with the nation of Israel, spanning from their conquest of Canaan under Joshua to the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. These books tell the history of Israel, providing an inspired record of how God worked among His people over many centuries.
The historical books can be divided into three main sections:
The Books of Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy)
The first five books of the Bible are sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Books of Moses. They provide the foundation for the rest of Scripture by recounting God’s creation of the world, the fall of humanity into sin, and God’s promise to eventually send a Savior. Beginning with the call of Abraham, they trace the origins of the nation of Israel and their special relationship with God. Exodus details Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt under Moses. Leviticus contains laws and regulations for worship and everyday life. Numbers chronicles Israel’s 40 years of wilderness wanderings after the Exodus. Deuteronomy records Moses’ final speeches to Israel before they entered the Promised Land.
The Historical Books of the Old Testament
After Moses’ death, the historical books of the Old Testament continue recounting God’s work in Israel’s history. Joshua tells of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. Judges shows how Israel fell into a cycle of rebellion, punishment, and deliverance by judges when they failed to drive out the Canaanites. Ruth gives a short story of faith and redemption during the judges period. 1 & 2 Samuel detail the rise of Israel’s monarchy under Saul and David. 1 & 2 Kings record the reigns of subsequent kings over Israel and Judah, culminating in the exile of both kingdoms. 1 & 2 Chronicles retell some of Israel’s history from a priestly perspective, emphasizing the temple and proper worship. Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under Nehemiah’s leadership.
Extra-Biblical Historical Books
In addition to the canonical historical books, some Bibles include extra-biblical writings that shed further light on Israel’s history between the Old and New Testaments. These include books like 1 and 2 Maccabees, which recount the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucids and the rededication of the temple. Tobit, Judith, and Esther also contain historical narratives. While not regarded as inspired Scripture, these books provide valuable historical context for understanding the world of the New Testament.
Characteristics of the Historical Books
As a whole, the historical books are narrative in style and selective in their content. They do not try to provide comprehensive records of every event, but rather highlight key moments in Israel’s history, especially as they relate to God’s covenant with His people. While focused on Israel, the narratives also provide glimpses of the cultures and empires that surrounded God’s people, from Egypt and Canaan to Assyria, Babylon and Persia.
Fundamentally, these books show how God was at work in history to bring about His sovereign plans. They demonstrate how He blessed Israel’s obedience and disciplined their disobedience. Despite their frequent failures, God remained faithful to His promises. The stage is set for the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel and all humanity.
The Book of Joshua
The book of Joshua continues the story of the Israelites after the death of Moses. It gets its name from the main character, Joshua, who leads the people into the promised land of Canaan. Some key events include:
- God commissions Joshua to lead Israel into Canaan and promises divine help (Joshua 1).
- Joshua sends two spies into Jericho, where Rahab hides them and asks for mercy (Joshua 2).
- The Israelites miraculously cross the Jordan River on dry ground (Joshua 3).
- The walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites march around them for seven days (Joshua 6).
- The sun stands still as Joshua defeats the Amorites at Gibeon (Joshua 10).
- The land is divided among the 12 tribes of Israel (Joshua 13-22).
- Joshua’s farewell speech and death at age 110 (Joshua 23-24).
Joshua highlights God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to give Israel the land. The book also demonstrates the need for total obedience to God’s commands.
The Book of Judges
Judges recounts Israel’s history after the death of Joshua spanning several centuries. The title refers to the leaders God raised up to deliver Israel during this turbulent time. Key features include:
- A recurring cycle of Israel’s apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance (Judges 2:10-23).
- Heroes like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson who rescue Israel from enemy peoples (Judges 4-16).
- Immorality and religious perversion in the story of Micah and the Danites (Judges 17-18).
- The depravity of Benjamin as seen in the account of the Levite’s concubine (Judges 19-21).
Judges shows the sad results of Israel’s incomplete conquest of Canaan. Their failure to drive out the inhabitants fully leads to moral and spiritual corruption through foreign influences. Despite their repeated sins, God mercifully raises up judges to rescue His people when they repent.
The Book of Ruth
Named after its principal character, Ruth relates a short story set in the time of the judges. As a Moabite widow, Ruth remains devoted to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi, declaring “Where you go I will go” (Ruth 1:16). She follows Naomi back to Bethlehem and eventually marries a kinsman named Boaz. Their son Obed becomes the grandfather of King David.
In just four chapters, Ruth demonstrates the value of faith, loyalty, and integrity. It also shows how God’s providence included Gentiles within His redemptive plan, foreshadowing the expansion of salvation to all nations.
The Books of 1 & 2 Samuel
First and Second Samuel form one continuous history covering the transition to monarchy in Israel. Major events include:
- The birth and calling of Samuel as Judge and prophet (1 Samuel 1-3).
- Israel demands a king. Saul is anointed and reigns over Israel (1 Samuel 8-15).
- David is anointed, defeats Goliath, and later becomes king (1 Samuel 16-31).
- David’s reign, his sins, and family troubles (2 Samuel 1-20).
- David’s psalm of deliverance and last words (2 Samuel 22-23).
These books trace the history of Israel’s first two kings. They highlight the importance of obedience over ritual. David is presented as a model king, yet one who repents when confronted with his sins.
The Books of 1 & 2 Kings
First and Second Kings carry Israel’s history forward from the death of David to the Babylonian captivity. Key elements include:
- Solomon’s reign in all its splendor and his building of the temple (1 Kings 1-11).
- The divided kingdom: apostasy in Israel and occasional reform in Judah (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17).
- Elijah and Elisha’s prophetic ministries (1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 13).
- The fall of Israel to Assyria and later Judah to Babylon (2 Kings 17-25).
Kings demonstrates the disastrous consequences of forsaking God and His laws. Both Israel and Judah are exiled due to their sin and idolatry. Yet prophets like Elijah and Josiah’s reforms reveal God’s mercy toward those who repent.
The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles
First and Second Chronicles cover much of the same history as Samuel and Kings, but from a priestly perspective. Features include:
- Extensive genealogies from Adam to the Babylonian exile (1 Chronicles 1-9).
- David’s reign and preparations for the temple (1 Chronicles 10-29).
- Solomon’s temple construction and dedication (2 Chronicles 1-7).
- The kingdom’s history with a focus on Judah and righteous kings (2 Chronicles 10-36).
Chronicles emphasizes the importance of the temple and proper worship. Omitted are many of Israel’s sins, highlighting instead the reforms of kings like Hezekiah and Josiah who led religious revivals.
The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of Jewish exiles allowed to return from Babylon to Judah in three stages. Key events include:
- Zerubbabel leads the first group back and rebuilds the temple (Ezra 1-6).
- Ezra returns with a second group, instituting religious reforms (Ezra 7-10).
- Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-7).
- Ezra reads the Law, the people repent, and renew the covenant (Nehemiah 8-13).
God faithfully preserves a remnant of His people after the Babylonian exile. Through able leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah, Israel reestablishes temple worship and renews its commitment to obeying God’s Word.
Esther
The book of Esther tells how the Jewish people in exile were saved from extermination. Key events include:
- Esther becomes queen of Persia but keeps her Jewish identity hidden (Esther 1-2).
- Haman plots to destroy the Jews but the king instead executes him (Esther 3-7).
- Mordecai institutes the feast of Purim to commemorate the deliverance (Esther 8-10).
Though God is not directly mentioned, divine providence clearly preserves the Jewish people from destruction. Esther’s courage and Mordecai’s influence result in their rescue and Haman’s downfall.
1 and 2 Maccabees
First and Second Maccabees recount the Jewish struggle for independence from the Seleucids in the 2nd century BC. Highlights include:
- Early persecution of Jews by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1 Maccabees 1-2).
- The Maccabean revolt led by Mattathias and later Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 2-7).
- Cleansing and rededication of the temple in Jerusalem (1 Maccabees 4).
- Later independence struggles under Jonathan and Simon (1 Maccabees 9-14).
- Alliances with Rome and Sparta (1 Maccabees 12-16, 2 Maccabees 11).
First Maccabees approves of the revolt while 2 Maccabees focuses more on the martyrdoms endured. Together they provide important historical context between the Old and New Testaments.
Conclusion
The historical books of the Bible recount God’s dealings with Israel from their earliest origins to the restoration after exile. These books reveal God shaping His people, guiding them through ups and downs in obedience, apostasy, punishment, redemption and restoration. While focused on Israel, God’s wider plan of redemption for all peoples is already evident. The stage is set for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.