Page 58 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

b. 2 Samuel
c. 1 Kings
d. 2 Kings
e. 1 Chronicles
f. 2 Chronicles
B. Post-exilic (3 books) 538 to 400 BC.
a. Ezra
b. Nehemiah
c. Esther.

Following the historical books, the five books of Poetry (except for Job which depicts life during the
patriarchal period) fit into the times of the Kings during the United Kingdom (1050 to 931 BC), under
Saul, David and Solomon. The Poetic books add spiritual, emotional and philosophical commentary to
the United Kingdom period.

The 17 prophetic books fit into the times of the Kings during the divided kingdom (931 to 430 BC) and
the record the spiritual reasons for the Assyrian and the Babylonian captivities. So, the chronological
advancements of the Old Testament essentially end with the historical books.

As we study the historical books, keep in mind God’s covenant with his people Israel under which He
promised blessing for obedience and adversity for disobedience. The historical books show the
consequences of sin in the life of the nation culminating in the 70-year Babylonian captivity (605 to 535
BC). Also watch as God’s continually fulfills every promise he had made to Abraham, for God remained
faithful even though Israel was unfaithful. The post-exilic historical books prove God’s faithfulness to
bring a redeemed remnant to the land after he had judged their sin.

PRE-EXILIC HISTORICAL BOOKS (Time of conquest and judges)

Joshua
The book of Joshua focuses on the conquest of the nation of
Israel.

Author and Date: The author of Joshua is unknown. The date
is also unknown but in Joshua-24:26, the phrase ‘to this day’ is
repeated 15 times. This obviously is referring to a particular
point in time. The real question is, when this time was?

The main themes include: Conquer (1-12) and Divide (13-24) Message.

Problem: God’s command that Israel destroy every creature living in the land poses an ethical question.
“Why did God command the extermination/genocide of the Canaanites, women and children included?
Did not God command us in the 10 Commandments not to KILL?”

In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, God commanded Saul and the Israelites, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will
punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.
Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them;
put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'" God
ordered similar things when the Israelites were invading the promised land (Deuteronomy
2:34; 3:6; 20:16-18). Why would God have the Israelites exterminate an entire group of people, women

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