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Some Loose But Important Ends
 
 

First and Second Chronicles Overview
 
Like the Books of Samuel and Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles were originally one book, according to Jewish tradition. However, the Chronicles are not simply a repeat of the history already recorded in the books of Samuel and Kings. The book of Chronicles was written to remind the nation of their entire history, and of their position among other nations, emphasizing the history of priestly worship from the death of Saul to the end of the Babylonian captivity. The Chronicles contain more detail on the organization of public worship, of religious ceremonies, of Levites and singers, and of the relationship of kings to the worship of God, than does the book of Kings. The history of the northern kingdom is omitted from the Chronicles because the northern kingdom had no bearing on the development of the true worship of God in Jerusalem.
 

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:20

 
What did David tell his son Solomon, that many of the kings that followed did not remember?
 
Even as the kings and people generally forgot God, God in His mercy sent prophets to remind them that God was still there. The chart below identifies all the kings of both Israel and Judah and the prophets that were active during their respective reign.
 
 

Kings and Prophets of Israel and Judah

Judah

Israel

The Southern Kingdom

The Northern Kingdom

Kings

Prophets

Kings

Prophets

Rehoboam

Shemaiah 

Jeroboam I

Ahijah the Shilonite

.

Iddo the Seer

.

Man of God from Judah

.

.

.

Old Prophet at Bethel

.

.

.

Iddo the Seer

Abijah

Iddo the Seer

Nadab

.

Asa

Azariah

Baasha

Jehu, son of Hanani

.

Hanani

Elah

.

.

.

Zimri

.

.

.

Omri

.

Jehoshaphat

Jehu, son of Hanani

Ahab

Elijah

.

Jahaziel

.

Elisha

.

Eliezer

.

Micaiah, son of Imlah

.

.

.

Unnamed Prophets

Jehoram

Obadiah

Ahaziah

Elijah's Translation

.

Elijah

.

Elisha

.

.

Joram

Elisha

Ahaziah

.

Jehu

Elisha

Queen Athaliah

.

.

.

Joash

Joel

Jehoahaz

Elisha

Amaziah

Unnamed Prophets

Jehoash

Death of Elisha

Uzziah

Isaiah

Jeroboam II

Jonah

.

Zechariah

.

Amos

.

.

.

Hosea

.

.

Zechariah

Hosea

.

.

Shallum

Hosea

Jotham

Isaiah

Menahem

Hosea

.

Micah

Pekahiah

Hosea

Ahaz

Isaiah

Pekah

Hosea

.

Micah

.

Oded the Prophet

Hezekiah

Isaiah

Hoshea

Hosea

.

Micah

Manasseh

Nahum

.

Unnamed Prophets

Amon

.

Josiah

Jeremiah

.

Zephaniah

.

Huldah the Prophetess

Jehoahaz

Jeremiah

Jehoiakim

Jeremiah

.

Habakkuk

.

Daniel

.

Urijah son of Shemaiah

Jehoiachin

Jeremiah

.

Daniel

Zedekiah

Jeremiah

Daniel

Ezekiel

 
First Chronicles Outline
 
A. Genealogies
 
For Detailed Outline of First Chronicles Click Here
Chapter Reference
Subject
1
Patriarchs
2:1 thru 4:23
Judah
4:24 thru 2:43
Simeon
5
Tribes east of the Jordan
6
Levi
7
Six other tribes
8
Descendants of Benjamin
9:1 thru 9:34
Jerusalem's Inhabitants after the exile
9:35 thru 9:44
Descendants of the father of Gibeon.
 
B. The Reign of David
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
10:1 thru 1:14  
Background: the death of Saul
11:1 thru 20  
David's rise to power
21 thru 29
David's latter days
 
Second Chronicles Outline
 
A. The Reign of Solomon, the Temple built and Dedicated
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 
Solomon's Inauguration
2 thru 7
Solomon's Temple
148 thru 9
Solomon's Kingdom
 
B. The Kingdom Of Judah
 
For Detailed Outline of 2 Chronicles Click Here
Chapter Reference
Subject
10 thru 11
Division of the kingdom
12 thru 36
The rulers of Judah
12
Rehoboam
13
Abijah
14 thru 16
Asa
17 thru 20
Jehoshaphat
21
Jehoram
22:1 thru 22:9
Ahaziah
22:10 thru 23:21
Athaliah
24
Joash
25
Amaziah
26
Uzziah
27
Jotham
28
Ahaz
29 thru 32
Hezekiah
33:1 thru 33:20
Manasseh
33:21 thru 33:25
Amon
34 and 35
Josiah
36:1 to 36:16
Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah
36:17 to 36:23
The exile
 
Ezra Overview
 
For the most part, Ezra covers the events of the Jews returning from the Babylonian captivity. The decline of Babylon and its eventual overthrow by the Persians enable the Jews to return to Jerusalem after seventy years as captives. The Jews are numbered and are allowed to return to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Samaritan assistance is rejected and their opposition is a contributing factor to the slow progress of the Temple construction. Despite the delays, the Temple is completed and dedicated to God during this period.
 
 

And And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11

 
The remnant of a once great nation was still greatly oppressed. It was only with distress that they rebuilt the temple. Why did they rejoice at as time like this in their history?
 
That was then, does GOD regard Israel the same today?
 
Ezra Outline
 
A. the Exiles Return From Babylon
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 :1 thru 1:4
The Decree of Cyrus
1:5 to 1:11
Preparations for the journey
2
Those who returned
 
B. Temple Building Begins
 
For Detailed Outline of Ezra Click Here
Chapter Reference
Subject
3
The altar and the foundation
4
Opposition to the work
 
C. The Building Completed
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
5:1 thru 5:5
Work is resumed
5:6 thru 5:17
Tattenai's letter to Darius
6:1 thru 6:12
Decrees of Cyrus and Darius
6:13 thru 6:22
The Temple finished
 
D. Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
7:1 thru 7:10
Ezra introduced
7:11 thru 7:28
Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra
8
The journey to Jerusalem
 
E. The Great Reformation
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
9
The tragic report and Ezra's prayer
10:1 thru 10:17
The abandonment of mixed marriages
10:18 thru 10:44
List of those with foreign wives
 

Nehemiah Overview
 

The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah returning from Babylon as Governor of Jerusalem appointed by Artaxerxes king of Persia. He plans and oversees the rebuilding of the city walls despite the discouraging opposition and disunity within the Jewish population. The wall is completed and more exiles are returned and registered as Jewish citizens. Nehemiah's dedication to God drives him to make several religious reforms. A public reading of the Law and arrangements for worship are among these reformations. This book is of great encouragement to us to be dedicated to the work of God. Nehemiah shows us how to have a great passion for the truth of God's word, whatever the cost.

 
 
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:14-16
 
What about today.should we be dedicated to the work of the LORD? Why?
 
Nehemiah Outline
 
A. Nehemiah's Arrival in Jerusalem
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 
Tragic news from Jerusalem, and Nehemiah's prayer
2:1 thru 2:8   
The granting of Nehemiah's request
2:9 thru 2:20
Nehemiah's survey of the walls, and his report
 
B. The Building of the Wall
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
3
The workmen and their tasks
4
The opposition of enemies
5
Reformations of Nehemiah as Governor
6:1 thru 7:4
The wall finished despite intrigues
 
C. Civil and Religious Reformations in Jerusalem
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
7
List of Jews who returned with Zerubbabel
8
The reading and observance of God's Law
9 thru 10
A public confession and covenant
 
D. Lists of Inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem Chapter 11:1 thru 12:26
 
 
E. Dedication of Walls and Organization of Service Chapter 12:27 thru 12:47
 
 
F. Nehemiah's final Reformations chapter 13
 
 
Ruth Outline
 
The book of Ruth is dated to the period of the Judges. It shows that in a time of national decline and immorality, God preserved a remnant that would serve as the core for a future revival. This would be accomplished in Ruth's descendant, David, from whom the Messiah would come. This story shows us that while the rest of the world may abandon the right ways of the LORD and live in darkness, there are still pockets of people who remain close to GOD, and in whose lives the light of GOD's love shines. While the rest of the world lives in selfishness, there are good men and women who are willing to commit themselves sacrificially to others and, of course, to GOD. It is thought that the book was written after the period of the Judges and describes customs of that time period.
 
 
The book is a love story where Boaz redeems his bride Ruth by paying a price.
 

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Galatians 3:13

 
We as "the bride of Christ" are redeemed as well. How was that accomplished?
 
Ruth Outline
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1
Ruth's noble choice
2
Ruth's faithful service
3
Ruth's virtuous appeal
4
Ruth's blessed reward
 
Esther Overview
 
Esther is an historical book, written during the period of the captivity. It records the plot of Haman, the prime minister to the Persian king, to exterminate the Jewish race. Esther, the queen of Persia, who was a Jewess, foils this plot. Behind this story is the providence of God. He is not working miracles, or speaking through prophets --just working gently, invisibly, quietly, keeping his promises, making all things to work together for good . This book gives us the origin of the Feast of Purim, which celebrates God's goodness in delivering the Jews from Haman.
 
 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 
As believers in Jesus, does GOD work out everything in our lives for good. just like Esther?
 
Esther Outline
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1
Vashti divorced
2
Esther made queen
3
Haman's plot against the Jews
4
Esther's decision
5
Esther's first banquet
6
Haman humiliated before Mordecai
7
Esther's second banquet
8
Mordecai's counter-decree
9 thru 10
The Jews victorious, and Purim instituted
 

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