The Historical Books

Question 1

Joshua

Answer 1

•	Author/Purpose: Possibly Joshua (Late 2nd millennium dating)
•	Theme: God’s fulfillment of the land promise and the establishing of his holy nation
•	Outline:
o	The promised land entered (1-5)
o	The promised land conquered (6-12)
	Southern Conquest (6-10)
	Northern Conquest (11-12)
o	The promised land distributed (13-21)
o	The promised land dedicated (22-24)

Question 2

Judges

Answer 2

•	Author/Purpose: Written after the establishment of the monarchy
•	Theme: Israel’s need for a true king
•	Outline:
o	Introduction (1:1-3:6)
o	The Judges (3:7-16:31)
	Deborah (4-5)
	Gideon and his children (6-9)
	Samson (13-16)
o	Narratives (17-21)

Question 3

Ruth

Answer 3

•	Author/Purpose: Samuel (Traditionally)
•	Theme: God’s faithfulness to his people – The Promised King
•	Outline:
o	Act 1: The Setting and Naomi’s Return
o	Act 2: Ruth meets Boaz and Prospers
o	Act 3: Naomi’s plan for Ruth and Boaz
o	Act 4: Naomi’s redemption through Boaz

Question 4

1-2 Samuel

Answer 4

•	Author/Purpose: ~950
•	Theme: The Rise and reign of David, the King after God’s own heart
•	1 Samuel Outline (Rise):
o	The Rise of Samuel (1-7)
o	The Reign of Saul (8-15)
o	The Rise of David (16-31)
•	2 Samuel Outline (Reign):
o	The establishment of David’s reign (1-7)
o	David’s Reign (8-20)
o	Conclusion (21-24)

Question 5

1-2 Kings

Answer 5

•	Author/Purpose: ~950
•	Theme: The History of Israel and Judah
•	Outline:
o	Failure and Hope with Solomon (1-11)
o	Failure and Hope in the Division (12-2K17)
	The Kingdom Divided (12-14)
	Elijah and Ahab (17-22)
	Elisha (2-10)
o	Failure and Hope in Judah’s Final years (18-25)

Question 6

1-2 Chronicles

Answer 6

• Author/Purpose: Chronicler ~ 300-500 BC
• Theme: A Recounting of Israel’s History and Fall to Direct its Future
• Outline:
o Genealogies (1-9)
o The United Kingdom: David and Solomon (1C10-2C9)
 David (1C10-29)
 Solomon (2C1-9)
o The Divided Kingdom (10-28)
o Hezekiah to the End (29-36)

Question 7

Ezra

Answer 7

• Author/Purpose: The Chronicler (Some Ezra)
• Theme: Faithfulness to God in Law keeping and worship; Temple Rebuilding
• Outline:
o A vision for a new community (1)
o Rebuilding (2-6)
o The Law established (7-8)
o The Problem of intermarriage (9-10)

Question 8

Nehemiah

Answer 8

• Author/Purpose: The Chronicler (Some Nehemiah)
• Theme: The Need to be Faithful and God’s protection; Wall Rebuilding
• Outline:
o Rebuilding the Wall (1-7)
o Covenant Renewal (8-10)
o The Dedication of the Walls and further reform (11-13)

Question 9

Esther

Answer 9

• Author/Purpose: Unknown (331-465 BC)
• Theme: God’s Providential protection of his People
• Outline:
o The Feasts of Xerxes: Esther enters (1-2)
o The Feasts of Esters: Haman’s plot foiled (3-7)
o The Feasts of Purim: Victory Celebrated (8-10)