Historical Books

The Historical Books are twelve Old Testament books that record Israel’s history: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. They show God’s relationship with his people from entering Canaan through the judges, the monarchy, exile, and restoration.

Background of writing

• Author and inspiration — Leaders and writers of the time such as Joshua, Samuel, Ezra, and Nehemiah wrote under God’s inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16). Chronicles retells the story after the return from a priestly and Levitical viewpoint.
• Date — They cover about a thousand years, from the 14th century BC (entering Canaan) to the 5th century BC (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther). Each book was written in its era or compiled after the exile.
• Historical setting — Conquest of the promised land, the judges’ cycle of decline and deliverance, David and Solomon’s kingdom, the divided kingdoms and their fall (722 and 586 BC), Babylonian exile, and return under Persia with temple and wall rebuilt.

Purpose of writing

• God kept his covenant and gave the promised land; he blessed obedience and judged disobedience.
• Through the covenant with David’s house and the Messiah (2 Sam. 7), temple worship, and the prophets, he revealed his providence and rule.
• After exile and ruin he recorded restoring grace through Word, prayer, and obedience (Ezra, Nehemiah) and hidden providence (Esther).
• Israel’s history helps today’s saints rightly understand God’s covenant, providence, and saving work, and to obey the Word and hold hope.

Choose a book below to listen to the exposition sermons in order.