Bible Verses

Book 21 The Book Of Ecclesiastes

Who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes: Solomon

When was it written: Around the 10th century B.C.

Why was it written: This book is an impassioned reminder that life without God as number one is completely meaningless. Life on earth and life after death is only fully complete with God.

Many see the book of Ecclesiastes as negative and depressing. They feel it is full of ‘woe is me’ and self-pity. But the truth of the matter is that nothing could be farther from the truth. Instead, the book of Ecclesiastes has several valuable life lessons we all need to hear and follow.

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The Message That Material And Monetary Wealth Are Only Temporary

Solomon was the wealthiest person in the known world. Few, if any, have surpassed the degree of wealth enjoyed by Solomon, even today.

But by the time Solomon was nearing the end of his lie, he realized just how temporary and unimportant monetary and material wealth are. Solomon realized (and wants us to) that:

• We really cannot take it with us when we die.
• Our life will eventually become of no importance to those who come generations after us.
• Spending life in a quest to accumulate and amass monetary and material wealth is a life wasted in comparison to amassing a ‘fortune’ of close, loving relationships.

The Message Of Balancing Work And Play

Solomon tells us that while work and play should be a part of life, they should be kept in check—that we need to keep them in the proper perspective. Without the proper perspective, he warns, we will live frustrated, unhappy lives.

Solomon also emphasizes that we should work at something we can find joy and take pride in rather than spend our lives working in a career we aren’t suited for or find fulfilling.

The Message Of Time

Ecclesiastes chapter three teaches and reminds us that there is a time and place for everything. From living and dying to keeping and throwing things away, there is a time for it all. There are even times when we should hate and times we should go to war.

The Message Of The Value Of Relationships

Solomon had no trouble surrounding himself with people— especially women. But someone in Solomon’s position would have trouble—lots of trouble-knowing whether the people claiming to be his friends and confidants were sincere. Were they?

Or were they after his money, a position in his court, or simply the status of being in the king’s inner circle?

Solomon undoubtedly experienced more than a few fake-friend incidents.

And underneath all that wealth and wisdom was a human heart that felt the pain of betrayal and insincerity. Solomon’s words, when taken to heart, can spare us from some of these experiences.

The Message Of God’s Sovereignty

This is the ultimate message of Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes. By this point in Solomon’s life, he had come full circle.

He had experienced life in a state of total obedience and faith, and by living a worldly life on his own terms. He knew what worked and what didn’t and he wants us to know the same.

The book of Ecclesiastes ends with his entire message being summed up briefly and adequately:

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Key Verses In Ecclesiastes

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the book of Ecclesiastes has to offer.

“There is a time for everything and a season under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Book 20 The Book of Proverbs

Who wrote the book of Proverbs: Most of the proverbs were written by Solomon. Others, however, were written by ‘the wise’ and a man named Agur. The final chapter of the book of Proverbs is attributed to King Lemuel, who is most likely Solomon (but more on that later).

hen was it written: Most, if not all, were written during the reign of Solomon (10th century BC)—before the division of the Kingdom of Israel.

Why was it written: To give knowledge, wisdom, and advice to everyone.

Like the Psalms, Proverbs is not a book of events or doctrine, per se. The Psalms are a mix of praise, petition, worship, teaching, and warning. Proverbs, on the other hand, focuses on teaching, admonishment, warning, and encouragement (pleas) to grab hold of wisdom and practical knowledge and hang on to it.

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Proverbs could easily have been written by anyone who has ‘been there, done that’ or an older person who has experienced life from all directions. Proverbs is filled with:

• Warnings against making some of the same mistakes the writer has made
• Truths of the results of choosing worldliness (sin) over righteousness (God)
• Instruction on how to acquire real knowledge
• Moral guidance—including how, what, why
• Truths about the rewards that naturally result from making prudent and wise choices
• Plain old common sense

Like the book of Psalms, Proverbs contains far too much to try to squeeze into a chapter of a book. So once again I will provide you with a mini-list of some of my favorite verses, but I also strongly encourage you to read the entire book.

Circle and underline the verses that speak to your heart and address your personal situation and life. Write notes in the margins of your Bible or prayer journal. Impress these words on your heart, soul, and mind. Live by them to be more of the person God made you to be.

Proverbs 4: A collection of verses teaching us the benefits and blessings of seeking wisdom and using it to make life choices.

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 8:10

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

Proverbs 11: This chapter is filled with Godly and sound advice on living a life of integrity. The world would be a much better place if we followed this advice.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs chapters 13, 15, and 16: These three chapters are must-reads for any Christian or anyone seeking to know how to live an upright life of honor and integrity. People whose character reflects these qualities will be respected, successful, and spiritually sound.

“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8-9

Proverbs 31: The second half of this chapter is arguably the most popular and most often quoted from the book. The heading at the beginning of the chapter is this: “Saying of King Lemuel”, which leads us to the comment at the beginning of this chapter regarding the belief that King Lemuel and King Solomon are one and the same.

While there is no hard evidence that King Lemuel is in fact, King Solomon, the probabilities are strong. The reasons for this include:

• There is no other reference to King Lemuel in the Bible other than in Proverbs 31.
• The only historical record of King Lemuel is one who was descended from Ishmael. This fact would remove him from the likelihood of being a contributor to the Bible.
• Solomon’s mother, Queen Bathsheba, would have had every reason to advise her son in this manner (considering the lifestyle choices he made later in life)
• Solomon’s life and other writings are in line with the message of Proverbs 31—the ‘learn from my mistakes’ mentality

Regardless of who Lemuel is, the wisdom of the words is timeless and priceless.

For women, it is an encouragement and reminder that God honors women for using their intellect, heart, and physical strength to be the people he created them to be.

Book 19 The Book Of Psalms

Who wrote the book of Psalms: The Psalms were written by several different people as follows: David (73), Asaph (12), the sons of Korah (10), Moses (1), Solomon (2), unknown (50), Herman the Ezrahite and Ethan the Ezrahite (1 each).

When was it written: Obviously the writers of the Psalms were not all living at the same time, but their writings were put together in a collection by a psalter. A psalter is one who compiles a collection of songs or poems. The compilation of the Psalms was probably written around 300 B.C.

Why was it written: It is a book of prayer and praise; recognizing God’s holiness, awesomeness, power, and glory.

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To try to put the Psalms in some sort of order of relevance would be both impossible and wrong. The Psalms speak to our hearts and minds depending upon the circumstances we are facing or the situations we are in.

The words that bring special meaning today may not be as comforting or empowering as others next month or next year. So rather than try to tell influence your reading of the Psalms, I am simply going to give you a mini-list of those that encompass a variety of emotions and feelings.

Don’t let this list be the extent of your exposure to the Psalms, though. Read the entire book; circling, underlining, and making notes. Let them sing to your heart, soul, and mind.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, what is the man that you are mindful of, the son of man that you care for?” Psalm 8:3

Psalm 15: A psalm reminding us of the blessings that come from being a faithful and obedient child of God.

“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6

Psalm 18: A psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God’s protection and love

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1

“In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me.” Palm 86:7

“LORD, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

“If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O LORD, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.” Psalm 130:3-4

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Psalm 139: A psalm that reminds us of just how personally interested God is in each detail of our lives. He longs to have a genuine and intimate relationship with each and every one of us.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

Psalm 145: A psalm to remind us of God’s faithfulness and his desire to be the LORD of our life. It is also a psalm that reminds us of the blessings we receive in having such a relationship with him.

Book 18 The Book of Job

Who wrote the book of Job: No one knows for sure, other than the writer being an Israelite with access to the discourses of Job and his friends and between Job and God. This is not unusual in the fact that

God spoke to his people regularly at this point in history; telling them what took place and

Writing of events was commonplace for the purpose of historical documentation.

Book Of Job Chapter 18 Summary Explained

When was it written: Most likely between 1,000 and 2,000 B.C.— again God used a messenger to record the events in Job’s life.

Why was it written: To show the holiness of God, the power of God, and the fact that God is just. No one is undeserving of anything we encounter due to the fact that we are not God—we are sinful. But God’s infinite love and wisdom can bring us up and out of those times when we allow him to.

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Who Was Job

The first verses of the book of Job tell us that Job was a very wealthy man and a man who was humble and obedient to God in all things. We also read early on that God and Satan had a couple of conversations about Job.

God was expressing his pride and pleasure with Job, while Satan insisted that Job’s faith was blessing-based. Satan said that if Job lost his wealth, health, and loved ones, he wouldn’t be so eager to please God.

God gave Satan permission to take everything Job had except his life. Satan was told he could do whatever he wanted to Job as long as Job didn’t die.

So to many, the short answer to the question, “Who was Job?” is this: Job was the object or prize to be gained in a challenge between God and Satan.

God And Satan’s Relationship

If you remember from the chapter in the book of Genesis, Satan was one of God’s angels prior to being banished from heaven.

Satan and a few other angels under his influence tried to oust God from his place of holy oneness. To punish Satan for his rebellion, God banished him to earth with the promise to punish Satan for all eternity in hell—a place of unfathomable torment. But until that time, Satan has the power to tempt us to sin and wreak havoc in our lives.

All of this took place prior to the creation of the earth as recorded in Genesis, which explains why Satan tempted Adam and Eve. Satan’s goal is to lure anyone and everyone he can away from God.

While these facts explain who Satan is and what he does, it doesn’t explain why God allowed Satan to live. Why didn’t God just do away with the rebellious being?

Analysis Of Job Chapter 18 Commentary

Job’s Choice Is Our Choice Too

The book of Job answers the question of why God allowed Satan to live and work his evil cunning in our lives. The answers can be found in Job’s circumstances, Job’s attitude and handling of his circumstances, and the end result brought about by God.

The Answers Are:

• Satan exists to show us the difference between good and evil
• Satan exists to give us the option to choose God over sin
• Satan exists to show us just how dark life without the presence of God is
• Satan exists to show the enormity of Jesus’ power over death and the victory that will be eternity with God in heaven

Job had to choose God over riches. God over self. God over anger. God over self-pity. Job had to choose to trust that God’s ways are always perfect, always good, and always right. Job choices were the same as the ones we had to make.

Job’s Test Of Faith

Satan was allowed to destroy all of Job’s wealth, kill his children and children-in-law, and inflict Job with a severe case of boils.

These calamities came in rapid succession; leaving Job to deal with more grief than most of us can imagine, knowing his fortune and livelihood had been yanked out from under him, and suffering a tremendous amount of physical anguish.

All Job had left was a wife (who was also grieving and trying to deal with everything) and friends who tried to help but didn’t know how.

Job questioned God’s reasoning in all of it. Job cried out in pain and frustration. Job had a bit of a pity party for himself. Job became discouraged and depressed; saying he wished he’d never even been born. But Job never questioned God’s right to take everything from him. Job never thought himself too righteous to be ‘messed with’.

And these attributes of his character are what make Job such a great example of how we should look at life.

Key Themes In Job Chapter 18 Breakdown

The Ultimate Message Of Truth In The Book Of Job

Job’s story is heart-wrenching, to say the least, but more than that, Job’s story is one that should serve to remind us that God is the all-knowing creator and master of the universe.

In reading Job, we should realize that we have no reason to doubt his methods, his timing, and his will because they are always perfect. Even when we don’t understand or agree with them, they are perfect and right.

Key Verses In Job

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the Book of Job has to offer.

“He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10

Biblical Perspective On Job Chapter 18

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty, for he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.” Job 5:17-18

“What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?” Job 7:17-18

Job Chapter 18 Bible Study Guide

Book 17 The Book Of Esther

Who wrote the Book of Esther: The author is unknown, but most definitely a Jewish person living during the time of the Persian Empire.

When was it written: 460 BC to 331 B.C.

Why was it written: The purpose of this book is to record the history surrounding the institution of the Jewish Feast of Purim and the account of the Jewish race being saved from massacre and total annihilation by an unassuming Jewish girl who rose to a position of power and prestige because it was her God-given purpose in life.

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Who Was Esther

Esther was a Jewish orphan being raised by her cousin, Mordecai, and his family. We learn early on that Esther was a very beautiful young lady, but that her physical beauty was only a compliment to her inner beauty.

Summary Of The Book Of Esther

Through a course of events that were completely beyond her control, Esther was chosen as the winner of a ‘beauty contest’ with the grand prize being made the Queen of the Persian Empire—the wife of King Xerxes.

Events Leading To The Near-Massacre Of The Entire Jewish Race

During the course of events that led to Esther becoming Queen of the Persian Empire, she had no idea why everything was happening the way it was. What possible reason could there be for her—a Jewish girl —to become the wife of the most influential and powerful man in the world?

God, however, knew exactly why and we see his plan unfolding in the second chapter of Esther. Esther’s cousin/adopted father Mordecai loved Esther as a daughter. His love for her caused him to go to the palace courtyard each day to check on her and often times he was able to visit with her.

Book Of Esther Overview

It was during one of these visits that Mordecai overheard two of the king’s officers planning to assassinate the king.

Mordecai naturally told Esther, who promptly told the king—giving credit to Mordecai for saving the king’s life. Mordecai’s regular presence around the palace, however, became a source of contention for King Xerxes’ number-one man, Haman.

Purim And The Book Of Esther

So when Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, Haman went to the king and tricked him into signing a declaration that all Jews would be killed on a certain day because of their insubordination and disrespect for the king (a total lie).

When Mordecai heard about the law that Haman had tricked the king into making, he went to Esther and convinced her that she was the only one who could save their people from annihilation.

Esther’s Brave Actions Saved An Entire Race

Esther’s Immediate Response Was One Of Hesitancy For The Following- Reasons:

• Her husband, the king, did not know she was Jewish
• Approaching the king when not invited to do so could result in being sentenced to death

Mordecai, however, wasn’t going to let Esther get off that easy. Being the Godly man he was, he convinced Esther that this time was quite possibly the reason she had become queen in the first place.

Esther Bible Story Summary

Mordecai’s words to his adopted daughter when she initially refused his request to go to the king on behalf of the Jewish people are among the most quoted in the Old Testament:

“…Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

Esther musters the courage to go to her husband uninvited and after a series of events, Haman’s deception and prejudices are uncovered, he is put to death for his actions, and Mordecai becomes the king’s right-hand man.

But more importantly, King Xerxes gave the Jews permission to defend themselves against anyone who attacked them —even to the death. This was to counteract the previous decree allowing the Jews to be killed.

The Jews were victorious over all who attacked them and in order to celebrate their victories, the Feast of Purim was instituted and is still being celebrated today.

The Value And Validity Of Esther

The book of Esther has been the subject of much discussion and even controversy by some in the theological community. There are several reasons behind these discussions.

The Most Prevalent Are:

• The fact that God is not mentioned once in the entire book
• The name Esther is not mentioned in history books as being one of Xerxes’ wives, therefore making the account fictional

Both arguments can easily be put to rest, though.

• While God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, his presence in the hearts and minds of the people is definitely not missing.
• Additionally, his protection and influence over the Jewish people in giving them victory over their enemies is obvious considering the fact that they were militarily inferior to just about anyone and everyone at that time in history. Also worth noting is the fact that the book of Song of Songs does not mention God’s name, either.
• The dates, archeological references, cultural references, and other historical data found outside the Bible are consistent with the account given to us in the Book of Esther. While the name Esther is not listed as one of Xerxes’ wives, this is not proof that she did not exist. Why?

Not everything is recorded in the ancient records we have available to us. An incident that painted an unfavorable picture of the king’s ability to select sound leadership would definitely be something secular history would not record.

Kings had multiple wives. Not to mention that some of them are completely normal. The mother of the heir to the throne is usually the only one mentioned.

“The significance of the account of Esther is spiritual and pertinent to the Jewish race. It was not relevant to the success or failure of the Persian Empire.

Key Themes In The Book Of Esther

“As more research has been done and documents unearthed, more tangible evidence of Esther’s existence and role in history. The book of Esther is historical, yes, but it is also a reminder that:

• God’s plans and purposes for each of us might not be blatantly obvious to us or even what we think they should be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It simply means we need to ask God to reveal them to us and then be ready to listen and act.
• We have nothing to fear when God is with us.
• God’s heart is always ready and his arms are always open and waiting to welcome us back to him.

Queen Esther And Mordecai Story

ALL scripture is God-breathed…

 In other words, if Esther was not real and if the events did not take place as they are recorded, it would not be part of God’s Holy Word.

Book 13-14 The Book of 1st Chronicles And 2nd Chronicles

1st Chronicles

Who wrote the books of 1st Chronicles and 2nd Chronicles: Ezra is the assumed writer of Chronicles.

When was it written: Between 400 and 500 B.C.

1st And 2nd Chronicles Study Guide For Personal Growth

Why was it written: Chronicles is a historical record written for the exiles who returned after their exile to Babylon. Their captivity ended with the fall of the Babylonian Empire and the rise of the Persian Empire.

Overview Of 1st And 2nd Chronicles In The Bible

Upon their ‘release’ the Israelites, which now consisted of only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, are wondering whether or not God’s promises and covenant still hold true since they have no king—no Davidic king, that is.

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The book of 1st Chronicles differs, however, by opening with a ‘family tree’ of sorts. The first eight chapters list the names of the son of Jacob for which each of the twelve tribes is named, followed by their descendants and the location of the land given to them when they entered the Promised Land.

This is followed by a reprisal of the events of David’s reign as king, the death of King David, and the events that led to Solomon being recognized as the new king of Israel.

Biblical Perspective On 1st And 2nd Chronicles

2nd Chronicles

The book of 2nd Chronicles begins with the re-telling of Solomon’s reign; beginning with him choosing wisdom when God tells him he can have whatever he asks for and ending with his death.

The remainder of the 2nd Chronicles does just that—chronicles the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah and the events that led to each kingdom’s fall from God’s grace and its demise from power and existence.

Key Themes In 1st And 2nd Chronicles Explained

The primary difference between the 2nd Chronicles and the books of the 1st and 2nd Kings is the fact that the events recorded are from a more spiritual point of view rather than a factual one. The reason for this is likely due to the writer’s (Ezra’s) mindset.

Ezra was a Godly man— one of the few who had not turned his back on God. Ezra was mindful of all God had done for his people from the time they had left Egypt and lived to honor God by obeying The Law of Moses.

Ezra wrote to let us know not only what happened governmentally to the people of Israel and Judah, but also what happened to them spiritually and emotionally. He lived it—or at least part of it. His words are to serve as a warning to us all.

1st And 2nd Chronicles Commentary

They warn us of what happens when we take God out of the equation of anything and everything we do. Ezra’s warning can best be summed up by remembering (and taking to heart) the words he recorded that were spoken by God to Solomon shortly after the completion and dedication of The Temple Solomon built:

Books 15 and 16

The Book Of Ezra

Who wrote the book of Ezra: Ezra When was it written: 440 B.C.

Why was it written: The book of Ezra is a history of Judah’s return from Babylonian exile. The Persian Empire had become the dominant world power, but King Cyrus had no problem letting the Jewish people return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

It is during this time that Ezra reminds the Judean people (Israelites) of the law, brings religious reform to them, and reminds the Jewish people that they are God’s chosen people.

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After opening the book by telling us how God moved in the heart of the Persian king, King Cyrus, to allow the people to return to Jerusalem to live AND to rebuild their temple, we discover that Ezra is quite fond of lists.

In Ten Short Chapters, Ezra Includes Three Rather Lengthy Lists:

• A list of exiles who returned to Jerusalem
• A list of the heads of each family who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra
• A list of members of the priests who had sinned by marrying foreign women

These lists may seem irrelevant to most people, but they are proof of God’s promise to not completely wipe out those he called his children. It is also proof that at least some of the Levites were part of the kingdom of Judah and had survived the exile.

Other Historical Events Recorded In The Book Of Ezra Include:

• The delay in the rebuilding of The Temple was due to a decree by King Artaxerxes, followed by a decree by King Darius to allow the reconstruction to resume.
• The completion and rededication of The Temple
• The celebration of the Passover
• Ezra’s return to Jerusalem with all those who had not been part of the rebuilding process.
• Ezra’s ‘sermon’ to the people prompts them to confess their sins and turn back to God.

We also learn from reading the book of Ezra that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries of Ezra—part of the group of people that returned to Jerusalem following the 70-year exile of Judah.

The overall message or theme of the book of Ezra, however, is that as God’s chosen people, the Judean people were to worship only God and to keep themselves pure by living according to The Law.

The Book of Nehemiah

Who wrote the book of Nehemiah: Nehemiah When was it written: 430 B.C.

Why was it written: Regardless of who wrote the book of Nehemiah, the undeniable truth is that Nehemiah is conveying the message God gave him about the importance of prayer. The book also continues the history of the Judean people during and after the rebuilding of the temple.

Given Nehemiah’s devotion to the spiritual discipline of prayer, it is only fitting that the book opens with Nehemiah’s prayer on behalf of the exiles returning to Jerusalem. In his prayer, Nehemiah asks God to remember his promises to Moses.

Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in 445 BC to take charge of rebuilding the walls of the city. The primary message in the book of Nehemiah is to remind us of the importance of prayer.

Following Nehemiah’s prayer we find that Nehemiah, who was serving as King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer, asked the king if he could return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of The Temple.

Nehemiah was allowed to go on the condition he provided a set time for his return. The king also provided Nehemiah with letters to other kings stating that he should be allowed to purchase materials to be used for the reconstruction.

Beginning in the second half of the second chapter of Nehemiah and continuing through the twelfth chapter we read about some of the events surrounding.

The Temple’s reconstruction. Many of the same events we read in Ezra are also recorded in Nehemiah, including Ezra’s reading of the Law, the people’s confession of their sins, and the lists of the people who returned to Jerusalem, a list of the Levites serving as priests, and a list of those who signed an agreement to follow the Law.

Things we see in this book that aren’t in the book of Ezra but are still part of the account of the people’s return to Jerusalem include:

• The people are now called Jews instead of Israelites
• Nehemiah’s going to the defense and assistance of the poor. He chastised those who had money for their practicing usury. He reminded them that they were a family—and that family should stick together and treat each other with love and respect.

The book of Nehemiah closes with his personal account of the reforms Nehemiah brought about in the lives of the Jewish people upon his second return to Jerusalem (he had returned to King Artaxerxes as promised after his first trip).

Nehemiah’s sense of responsibility in being a spiritual leader to his people is admirable and one we should seek to develop in our own selves today.

Books 11 And 12 The Book of 1st Kings And 2nd Kings

1st Kings

Who wrote the books of 1st King and 2nd Kings: The author is unknown

When was it written: Between 562 and 538 B.C.

Why was it written: These two begin by providing us with the spiritual and physical history of the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Solomon—the son of David and Bathsheba. Following Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel became divided into two separate kingdoms—Israel and Judah.

Beginning in the twelfth chapter of 1st Kings all the way through the end of 2nd Kings we are provided with a listing of sorts of the kings, but more importantly, we are given a glimpse into the hearts of the Israelite people during these tumultuous years.

1st Kings And 2nd Kings Bible Summary

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2nd Kings ends with the fall of both kingdoms—both being taken captive by great empires in history. But it wasn’t the strength of the Babylonians or Assyrians that ultimately caused the kingdoms to fall. It was God’s plan of discipline and yes, even punishment for Israel’s unrelenting faithless disobedience that ultimately led to their fall.

As we look deeper into these two books of the Old Testament, our primary focus will not be on the kings themselves, but rather the people of Israel under their leadership.

Solomon As king

Solomon did not come into power without a struggle. A half-brother, Adonijah, tried to put himself on the throne. But this was not God’s plan, so after a series of events Adonijah’s plans were thwarted and Solomon took the throne.

Early into his reign as king, the LORD appeared to Solomon; telling Solomon he could have whatever he asked for. Solomon, who was obviously already somewhat astute, asked for wisdom. With wisdom, he told God, he would be able to lead Israel victoriously, attain wealth, and establish himself as a man of honor. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that he gave Solomon an abundance of everything.

It was also during the early years of Solomon’s reign—the 4th year, to be exact—that Solomon began construction of The Temple. The details given about the building of The Temple are interesting and humbling.

They are interesting in the fact that it is fascinating to read and think about the degree of skill and manual labor that went into such a massive undertaking. The details are humbling because they serve as a reminder that if God is that concerned about the details of a building, how much more is his interest in each of us—the children created in his image?

The pomp and circumstance and the assembly of worship that took place in dedicating The Temple included bringing the Ark of the Covenant to its place of honor in this building consecrated to the LORD.

Because of Solomon’s sin, God came to Solomon and told him the kingdom would not remain in the hands of his family—that it would be ripped from the hands of his son.

True to his promise, near the end of Solomon’s life, one of Solomon’s officials, whose name was Jeroboam, rebelled against Solomon. Following Solomon’s death Jeroboam led the revolt against Israel’s new king, Rehoboam (Solomon’s son).

The Book Of 1 Kings And 2 Kings KJV/NIV/ESV

The revolt resulted in the division of Israel. Ten tribes followed Jeroboam to form the kingdom of Israel, while two remained with Rehoboam to form the kingdom of Judah.

ISRAEL: Asher, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Naphtali, Ephriam/Manesseh, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun

JUDAH: Judah, Benjamin

You might be wondering why the tribe of Levi is not mentioned. Because the tribe of Levi was not part of Israel’s fighting forces or labor forces, they are not mentioned. From all indications, the loyalties of the Levites—the priestly tribe—were split. Some went with the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and some with the Southern Kingdom (Judah).

Elijah

Elijah was a prophet and faithful man of God who lived in Israel. God used Elijah in some extraordinary and miraculous ways—primarily during the reign of King Ahab, the most evil king to ever lead Israel. Elijah’s primary purpose was to bring God’s message of hope and redemption to Israel.

God prepared Elijah for ministry by putting him in a situation that required Elijah to put his complete trust in God. Elijah had to trust God to provide for him during the severe famine by using Ravens to bring him food and to supply water from an otherwise dry creek bed. Elijah ‘passed the test’ and went on to serve God in mighty ways that included:

• Ringing the blessing of God’s miraculous blessings into the home of a poor widow and her son, and later bringing the son back to life
• Humiliating the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel by allowing God to show himself in mighty, mighty ways in order to prove he is the One True God
• Acting as a mentor to Elisha, who would serve as God’s prophet and spiritual leader after Elijah
• Elijah was taken up to heaven by God while he was still living. He and Enoch are the only two people in the history of mankind to enter eternity in this way.

Elisha

Elijah’s life and ministry were similar to that of Elijah’s in the fact that God used Elisha to display his (God’s) power in miraculous ways.

What Is The Purpose Of 1st And 2nd Kings?

• Elisha also brought a widow’s son back to life
• Elisha saved men from eating stew containing poisonous plants by adding flour to the pot
• Elisha healed a man named Naaman from leprosy
• Elisha was able to make an axe head made of metal float on top of the water

2nd Kings

The ‘tales’ of the kings in the 1st and 2nd Kings generally read like a ‘who’s who’ of horrendous leadership. Of the nineteen kings Israel had from the time the kingdom split until the Assyrians took them into captivity, none of them were good. All of them did evil in the eyes of the LORD. Only one, Jehu, was said to be somewhat decent.

Judah had twenty kings during from the time of the split until they were taken into captivity by the Babylonian Empire. Out of twenty, six were Godly men who led the people in the ways of the LORD, two started out on a positive note but like Solomon, were led astray. The other twelve were evil and cared nothing about God.

Three kings that are deserving of special mention are Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah. All three were kings of Judah. Two were Godly kings and one was so evil that his actions took God’s anger at Judah to the breaking point. Because of this king God decided to wipe Judah out and turn them over to the hands of their enemies.

The first of the three was Hezekiah. King Hezekiah’s life is interesting in the fact that he begged God for more time on earth and got it. It happened like this…

Hezekiah became very ill and the prophet Isaiah was sent by God to tell Hezekiah that the illness he was suffering from was one he wouldn’t recover from. Hezekiah was going to die. King Hezekiah wasn’t ready to die, though.

Bible Verses From 1 Kings And 2 Kings

God granted Hezekiah the desire of his heart by telling him he would add fifteen years to his life. At the end of the fifteen years, Hezekiah died and his son Manasseh became king.
Manasseh was the most evil of all the kings of Judah.

He rebuilt all the idols his father had ordered torn down. He placed an Asherah pole (an idol of the fertility goddess) in The Temple. He ‘filled’ Jerusalem with the blood of innocent people and his depraved heart, soul, and mind committed all sorts of terrible sins against himself and others (and of course, against God).

Manasseh’s sins were so great that God’s anger could no longer be contained and his patience with Judah was gone. Because of Manasseh’s sin, God decided that when the time was right he would destroy them by handing them over to the Babylonians.

The third Judean king we want to look at is Josiah. Josiah was the grandson of Manasseh and came to power a little more than two years after Manasseh’s death and his own father’s death (who ruled after Manasseh did).

Josiah was just an eight-year-old little boy when he took the throne. He was the youngest king to lead Judah and one of the longest-serving kings (thirty-one years). King Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of his life.

Historical Context Of 1 Kings And 2 Kings

He was faithfully obedient in all things. How Josiah came to know and love the LORD so intently is mind-boggling since he had no positive spiritual fraternal influence. But God had a plan and a purpose for the small king—a plan and a purpose stronger than all the sin and evil in the world.

During the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, he ordered and oversaw some major repairs of The Temple. In the process of getting the work done, the Book of the Law (the Mosaic Law) was found and read by Josiah’s secretary, Shaphan, to King Josiah.

When Josiah heard the Law being read, he was even more committed than ever to bringing the people’s hearts back to God… where they belonged. Josiah’s actions and heart did not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the LORD. Because of Josiah’s faithfulness, God allowed Judah to remain intact until after Josiah died.

The Fall Of Israel And The Fall Of Judah

Israel was the first of the two kingdoms to fall. While King Hoshea was king of Israel, Assyria captured the capital city of Israel, which was Samaria, and took the people captive. From there the exile took in the entire kingdom. This took place around 721-722 BC. The ten

tribes were scattered throughout the land and to this day have not been ‘found’. While there are undoubtedly scores of descendants from these ten tribes, they are not recognized

Historical Context Of 1 Kings And 2 Kings

In 605 BC Judah fell to the Babylonian Empire which was under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar.

The exile lasted seventy years— just as God said it would. Unlike the ten tribes of Israel, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin would survive, because from them would eventually come our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Book 9 The Book of 1st Samuel

When was it written: Sometime after the division of the kingdom of Israel in 930 B.C.

Why was it written: The book of 1st Samuel was written to take us through the end of the period of judges and to introduce us to the establishment of kingship in Israel with the anointing of King Saul. The book of 1st Samuel also tells of the struggles that made up Saul and David’s relationship.

The Book Of 1st Samuel Carries Several Important Messages We Should All Take To Heart (In No Particular Order Of Chronology Or Importance):

• God blesses those who are obedient to him
• God uses extreme and implausible measures to accomplish his goals and purposes
• Sin and weakness don’t have to define us—we can change
• God sees beyond the surface of our exterior appearance to see our hearts, and that is what he is most concerned about

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Obedience to God results in an abundance of blessings The book of 1st Samuel is one of intrigue, excitement, drama, acts of compassion, joy, sadness, and miraculous works of God. As we look at several of the events written about in the pages of this book of the Old Testament, remember this: nothing is too big for God and with God all things are possible.

The Miracle Named Samuel

The book of 1st Samuel begins by introducing us to a couple whose names are Elkanah and Hannah. Elkanah was descended from the tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, who Jacob gave a special blessing to.

Elkanah and Hannah loved one another very much, but Hannah was miserable because she was not been able to have children. She prayed diligently and desperately for a child, but her prayers went unanswered until the priest (who also served as Israel’s judge) saw Hannah sobbing and praying at the temple in Shiloh.

When Eli saw Hannah praying from a distance, he thought she was drunk and approached her for the purpose of chastising her for her actions. But when he saw Hannah up close and listened to the sincerity in her voice, he assured her that whatever it was she was praying for, God would give her.

Less than a year later Hannah gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, which means, “Because I asked the LORD for him”.

Hannah’s faithfulness and obedience to God were demonstrated on an even greater level when she took Samuel to the temple while he was still a little boy (probably about 3 years old) and left him there to live with Eli and to be raised up to become Israel’s final judge.

Each year Hannah would visit her son and bring him gifts and things he needed. And each year Eli would pronounce a blessing on Hannah and Elkanah for their faithful and selfless deed—pronouncements that resulted in being blessed with three more sons and two daughters.

God Calls Samuel

Eli was already an old man by the time Samuel came to him to be raised in the temple. But knowing he didn’t have many years left and knowing his own two sons were evil and had no business taking on the role of priest, gave Eli the strength and desire to pour all he could into Samuel. He wanted very much to prepare Samuel to be God’s willing servant.

God called Samuel directly late one night while Samuel was in bed. Samuel thought it was Eli calling him, but after going to Eli a third time after thinking he heard Eli calling for him, Eli realized it was God’s voice Samuel was hearing.

Eli told Samuel to answer, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening”. Samuel did what Eli told him to do and from that day on the LORD was with Samuel.

Samuel lived the rest of his life leading Israel in the ways of the LORD.

The Ark Of The Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant which God had instructed the craftsmen to build had stayed with the Israelites since the day it was placed in the Tabernacle. It had been carried over the Jordan River before the Israelites crossed over to enter the Promised Land and during the time Samuel was living under Eli’s tutelage, the Ark of the Covenant resided in the temple at Shiloh.

It was during this time that the Philistines and Israel went to battle and the Philistines defeated Israel. This led to the Israelite’s decision to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. This proved to be a grave mistake because the Philistines stole the Ark of the Covenant and killed several Israelites—including Eli’s two sons.

When Eli heard of his sons’ deaths, he surely felt some sense of grief, but when Eli learned that the Ark of the Covenant had been stolen, he fell out of his chair, broke his neck, and died (at the age of ninety-eight). The forty-year leadership of Eli had come to an end and Samuel was now the leader of all of Israel.

Samuel’s ‘official’ role as leader of Israel didn’t start out on a very positive note, due to the loss of the Ark of the Covenant, but it didn’t stay gone for long. God’s anger had been riled and his hand was raised against the Philistines.

God destroyed the idols of their gods and caused the people to be afflicted with tumors. The people panicked and were terrified of the God of the Israelites and returned the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites so that it could be put back in its rightful place.

Israel Wants A King

When Samuel got old and realized he didn’t have many years left here on earth, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to take over his role as judge and leader of the Israelites. But Joel and Abijah were not as resolute or sincere in their faith as their father was and the people were not willing to accept them as their leaders. Instead, they wanted a king.

Samuel was against the idea and felt it would take them even farther away from their faith and dependency on God, but they would settle for nothing other than a king, so after Samuel consulted God on the matter, he appointed Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, to be the first king of Israel.

Saul As King

God chose Saul to be king of Israel with the intention of establishing Saul’s family as the royal family of Israel for generations to come. There was nothing especially special about

Saul from a human point of view. He wasn’t skilled in military leadership. He wasn’t exceedingly wealthy. He didn’t possess above-average intelligence. He was a Benjamite—the smallest of the tribes of Israel.

Saul did not remain in God’s favor for very long, however, because Saul chose to do things his way instead of God’s way. But because God had promised Saul he would be king, he allowed Saul to sit on the throne of Israel for his lifetime (from the age of 30 to the age of 72).

Both his reign and his personal life, however, were filled with strife, paranoia, sadness, and general dysfunction.

As you read through the book of 1st Samuel you will see Saul as a man who is insecure, mentally unstable, deceptive, arrogant, and cynical. His actions and attitudes are, in part, due to the fact that God took his Spirit from Saul and replaced it with an evil one.

God doesn’t force himself on anyone. When someone rejects him like Saul did, he removes himself from their life; leaving the door wide open for Satan’s evil spirit to take over. And this is exactly what happened in Saul’s life.

The primary source of Saul’s problems was nothing more than Saul’s sinful heart and mind. Saul, however, didn’t see things that way. In Saul’s mind, the primary source of all his problems was David.

After God took the kingdom away from Saul’s family, he began his ‘search’ for a new king—someone who truly would be a man after his (God’s) own heart. That ‘man’ was Jesse’s youngest son—an adolescent shepherd boy named David.

God selected David as king early on in Saul’s reign and while Samuel was still living. He even gave Samuel the honor of anointing David as the next king of Israel.

Shortly after that David entered the service of King Saul. His job was to soothe Saul’s violent behavior by playing the harp. Saul did not know at this point that David was to be his successor, but David did.

This didn’t affect David’s attitude of humility or respect for Saul, though. David never once lorded it over Saul that he would one day be sitting on the throne.

David went back and forth between serving the king and tending his father’s sheep. And it was while he was tending sheep that the real trouble between David and Saul started…

David’s father sent David to the battlefield where his older brothers were fighting the Philistines with other members of Saul’s army. He sent him to take food to his brothers and to bring news of how things were going.

This day ended up being a life-changing day for mankind. It was the day David killed Goliath.

When he did, the people of Israel unofficially selected David as the most popular guy in the kingdom. This sent Saul into a jealous rage that resulted in a lifelong grudge against his successor.

Knowing these facts is essential in understanding the reasons behind Saul’s actions and his legacy of kingship—a kingship that was spent:

• Trying to kill David
• Resorting to witchcraft to try to discern God’s will

It was also a kingship that ended when Saul took his own life rather than die at the hands of the Philistines.

The Early Life Of David

Following David’s miraculous victory over Goliath, he spent the next years of his life either running from Saul or trying to convince Saul he had no intention of trying to take the throne from him. David was perfectly willing to wait for God’s timing.

In Reading 1st Samuel We Read About:

• David’s marriage to Saul’s daughter, Michal
• David’s deep and genuine friendship with his best friend, Jonathan…the son of King Saul
• David’s humility and respect when he spared Saul’s life (on more than one occasion)
• David’s wise and strategic abilities on the battlefield and in leadership capacities

While it is fair to say the book of 1st Samuel is highly historical in nature with strong elements of adventure and drama, one should not read the book without taking away the undeniable spiritual lessons God wants us to learn:

• We are to obey God without exception
• God blesses those who obey him
• God’s timing is perfect and when we wait on God’s timing we will never be disappointed
• God expects and accepts nothing less than our whole heart and our best
• If we reject God we have to right to expect his protection and provision
• If we reject God evil will take up residence in our hearts and minds

Key Verses In 1st Samuel

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the book of 1st Samuel has to offer.

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1st Samuel 2:2

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with the sword and the spear and the javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1st Samuel 17:45

Book 8 The Book Of Ruth

Who wrote the book of Ruth: The author of Ruth is unknown. It was, however, written by someone with knowledge of the Israelite people and their history.

When was it written: Because King David is mentioned, the book was most likely written during or soon after the reign of King David. Most people believe the book was written around 1,000 B.C.

Why was it written: To illustrate God’s plan of redemption and salvation and to demonstrate selfless love.

The book of Ruth reads like a memoir. It tells of a famine that drives an Israelite by the name of Elimelech, his wife, Naomi, and their two sons (Mahlon and Kilion) from their home in Bethlehem, Judah, to the land of Moab. While living there, both sons marry Moabite women, and later Elimelech and both sons die.

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Years pass and the famine ends so Naomi decides to return to her homeland to live out the rest of her life with her own people. It is at that point that this family’s history takes a turn down a road that ultimately leads to Calvary.

Who Was Ruth

Ruth was the widow of one of Elimelech and Naomi’s sons. She was also, as you have already read, a Moabite.

Ruth’s ethnicity is somewhat interesting due to the fact that in the Mosaic Law God had forbidden the Israelites from marrying anyone who wasn’t an Israelite.

But we knew even before the book of Ruth that the Israelites had not listened, which is why God said that Moabites who did marry Israelites were not allowed in the assembly to worship God until after the tenth generation.

We also know from previous books in the Old Testament (and some that follow) that the relationship between Israel and Moab was somewhat complicated. At times they were at war with each other, but at other times they were on much friendlier terms.

The famine that drove Naomi and her family away from Bethlehem and into Moabite territory must have taken place during a time of peace between the two nations.

Ruth, the Moabite widow of an Israelite, was also a woman of integrity and as you will soon see, a woman of faith.

Who Were The Moabites

The Moabites were the descendants of Lot—Abraham’s nephew who along with his daughters, escaped Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Moabites lived in what is now the country of Jordan. In the time of the Old Testament, the land of Moab was bordered by the land of Canaan.

Moses was refused by the kings of Moab when he asked to pass through their land on the way to the Promised Land. This, combined with a number of other incidents (both good and bad) is the reason the relationship between Israel and Moab had so many ups and downs.

Ruth And Naomi Travel To Bethlehem

Once Naomi decided to return to her people in Bethlehem, she told her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpha, that they should go back to their own families because she had nothing to offer them in the way of a home and a future.

She herself would have to rely on the good graces of extended family members for her survival.

Orpha agreed and bid the other two women a tearful goodbye—giving credence to the likelihood that Naomi and her family shared a close and loving bond. Ruth, on the other hand, refused to go.

Did she not have a family to return to or was she simply that devoted? We don’t know for sure, but her words to Naomi are proof that devotion definitely played a role in her decision.

And so they left; traveling to Bethlehem with an unknown future waiting for them there.

Ruth And Boaz

Boaz was the son of Salmon, whose mother was Rahab the prostitute whose life was spared because she hid the spies sent by Joshua right before the Israelites took over the city of Jericho.

Boaz was also a relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. And it was Boaz who came to Naomi and Ruth’s rescue. He took the two women into his care; fell in love with Ruth and she was with him.

Their marriage resulted in the birth of a son they named Obed. Obed in turn became the father of Jesse and Jesse the father of David.

The Road To Calvary

Do you see how Ruth and Naomi’s journey to Bethlehem leads to Calvary? Because of the union of Rahab to Nahshon, Ruth found love with Boaz.

And their love resulted in their great-grandson sitting on the throne of Israel and in the direct lineage of Jesus our Savior who gave his life for our sins on the cross at Calvary.