This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish the Historical Books and move into the genre of Wisdom Literature.

The Book of 1 Chronicles: The book of 1 Chronicles provides a history of Israel from a priestly perspective, focusing on David’s kingship through the start of Solomon’s reign.

The Book of 2 Chronicles: The books of 1 & 2 Chronicles were originally one literary unit. What is now known as 2 Chronicles continues recording the history of Israel from a priestly perspective. It documents the history of Judah from Solomon’s construction of the temple in Jerusalem to the Babylonians taking Judah captive and destroying the temple. 

How 1 & 2 Chronicles Fit into the Story: 1 & 2 Chronicles bring together historical events, temple rituals, accounts of sin and judgment, and even some psalms. Together, these books give us the big picture of the Old Testament, capturing the Davidic covenant (2Sm 7:9–16) in light of Israel’s history, while pointing to the eternal continuation of that covenant through the reign of the Messiah.

Reflection Questions: 
1. How does God’s response to Solomon’s prayer and the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7 demonstrate what God values? 
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish the Historical Books and move into the genre of Wisdom Literature.

The Book of 1 Kings: The book of 1 Kings recounts the final days of King David’s rule, King Solomon’s prosperous and relatively peaceful reign, and a civil war that divided the nation into two separate kingdoms, both ruled by kings mostly failed to follow God. 

The Book of 2 Kings: The book of 2 Kings continues where 1 Kings ends, with more stories of the kings in the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah who ignored God and the prophets until both kingdoms fell to other nations. It also chronicles the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha. 

How 1 & 2 Kings Fit Into the Story: The Jewish exiles in Babylon longed for an explanation for what they saw as the failure of the religious system in Israel that led to their captivity. The books of 1 & 2 Kings were written during this period. These two books interpret Hebrew history in light of Old Testament covenant theology, finding the failure was due not to God but to God’s people, who did not uphold their part of the covenant. But God’s gracious and merciful character is displayed throughout Israel’s unfaithful history, emphasizing that He is faithful to His covenant with us, even when we are not. 

Reflection Questions: 
1. How does a faithful recognition of God’s kingship change your view of authority here on earth?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

As we survey the Old Testament, we’re memorizing Acts 13:17–23. This week, we’ll work on verses 18 and 19. To help you commit these verses to memory, write them out three times on a piece of paper or a note card.

17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty arm. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness; 19 and after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 This all took about 450 years. After this, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, “I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.” 23 From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus.
—Acts 13:17–23

The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
—Hebrews 13:6

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This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Pentateuch into the second section of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.

The Book of 2 Samuel: The book of 2 Samuel is a history of David’s reign as king of Israel and his relationship with God. Though flawed and sinful, he was still described as a man after God’s own heart.

How 2 Samuel Fits Into the Story: As God established a king in Israel, He also established a new covenant with him—one that would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Though 2 Samuel displays plenty of examples of leadership failures in Israel, God displayed His mercy and grace through His promise to use this broken nation to bring the Savior into the world.

Reflection Questions:
1. How is God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 fulfilled in Christ? 
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Pentateuch into the second section of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.

The Book of 1 Samuel: The book of 1 Samuel documents the reign of Israel’s first king, Saul. It is also a history of the nation’s pattern of sin and repentance, as well as a history of the prophet Samuel’s spiritual leadership during Israel’s transition from theocracy (governed by God) to monarchy (governed by a king).

How 1 Samuel Fits Into the Story: God raised up Samuel as a final judge to rule over Israel and to call the people back to Himself, speaking on His behalf. As Samuel advanced in age, the people of Israel continued to reject the Lord and demanded a king like those of other nations. God granted their request, and His covenant faithfulness continued to prepare the way for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. 

Reflection Questions: 
1. What does the rebellion and rejection in today’s reading reveal about Israel’s posture toward God? 
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Pentateuch into the second section of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.

The Book of Ruth: The book of Ruth tells the story of a widowed Moabite woman named Ruth whose marriage to Boaz brought hope and a legacy to both herself and her widowed Israelite mother-in-law.

How Ruth Fits Into the Story: Ruth’s covenantal faithfulness to Naomi and to God showed that those who were not born as Israelites could, by faith, still become one of God’s people (Is 56:3–7). The book of Ruth demonstrates how the Lord shows His covenant faithfulness to His people, often in surprising ways. God’s provision for Ruth, an ancestor of David and Jesus, was also a provision for His people’s need for a king. 

Reflection Questions: 
1. How have you seen God meet your needs? How does God’s provision for you equip you to meet the needs of others?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Pentateuch into the second section of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.

The Book of Judges: The book of Judges chronicles the period after Joshua’s death, which was characterized by an ongoing cycle of Israel’s sin, God’s judgment, and His deliverance. This deliverance came through twelve leaders, known as judges. 

How Judges Fits Into the Story: Judges records how the nation of Israel survived the dark days of the judges entirely by the grace of God. In His mercy, God sent oppressors as reminders of their rebellion, responded to His people’s cries, and raised up deliverers. Judges demonstrates the fundamental problem of the human heart—when God’s people forget His saving acts, they go after other gods. In the end, the book of Judges illustrates an eternal truth: In spite of our sin and rebellion, the Lord will continue to build His kingdom.

Reflection Questions: 
1. What does God’s response to the destruction and disobedience described in today’s reading tell you about the nature of His kingdom?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

The Book of Joshua: The book of Joshua records God’s fulfillment of the renewed covenant in Deuteronomy and describes Israel’s entry into the promised land under Joshua’s guidance.

How Joshua Fits Into the Story: Joshua narrates Israel’s journey to the promised land, where the nation received its promised inheritance. Miraculous events, such as the crossing of the Jordan River, marked the Israelites’ journey. God gave Israel victories, but each victory required a step of faith. God’s holiness and provision are evident throughout this book, reminding future generations of His covenant faithfulness to His people. 

Reflection Questions: 
1. In light of Joshua 1, how does the promise of God’s presence change how you live?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?

Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.

As we look at the Old Testament together, we’ll commit Acts 13:17–23 to memory. In this sermon, the apostle Paul gave a short summary of Israel’s history to show how God has always loved and provided for His people. As followers of Jesus, this passage reminds us of God’s grace toward us—that this same love and provision on display in the Old Testament is our story too. 

We’ll memorize this passage one short section at a time, starting this week with verse 17.

17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty arm. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness; 19 and after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 This all took about 450 years. After this, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, “I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.” 23 From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus.
—Acts 13:17–23