a. Samuel’s birth and infancy (1 Sam. 1:1-2:11)
b. Samuel at Shiloh (1 Sam. 2:12-4:1a)
2. The Period of National Disaster (1 Sam. 4:1b–7:2)
a. Israel’s defeat and loss of the ark (1 Sam. 4:1b-11a)
b. Fall of the house of Eli (1 Sam. 4:11b-22)
c. The ark of God (1 Sam. 5:1-7:2)
3. Samuel, the Last of the Judges (1 Sam. 7:3–17)
II. THE KINGSHIP OF SAUL (1 Sam. 8:1-31:13; 1 Chr. 10:1-14)
A. Establishment of Saul as First King of Israel (1 Sam. 8:1-10:27)
B. Saul’s Reign until His Rejection (1 Sam. 11:1-15:35)
C. The Decline of Saul and the Rise of David (1 Sam. 16:1-31:13)
1. David’s Early History (1 Sam. 16:1–23)
2. David’s Advancement and Saul’s Growing Jealousy (1 Sam. 17:1—20:42)
a. David and Goliath (1 Sam. 17:1-51)
b. David at the court of Saul (1 Sam. 18:1-20:42)
3. David’s Life of Exile (1 Sam. 21:1—28:2)
a. David’s flight (1 Sam. 21:1-22:5)
b. Saul’s vengeance on the priests of Nob (1 Sam. 22:6-23)
c. David’s rescue of Keilah (1 Sam. 23:1-13)
d. David’s last meeting with Jonathan (1 Sam. 23:14-18)
e. David’s betrayal by the Ziphites (1 Sam. 23:19-24a)
f. David’s escape from Saul in the Wilderness of Maon (1 Sam. 23:24b-28)
g. David’s flight from Saul; David’s mercy on Saul’s life in the cave (1 Sam. 23:29-24:22)
h. Samuel’s death (1 Sam. 25:1)
i. David’s wedding to Abigail (1 Sam. 25:2-44)
j. David’s mercy on Saul’s life again (1 Sam. 26:1-25)
k. David’s joining with the Philistines (1 Sam. 27:1-28:2)
4. Saul’s Downfall in War with the Philistines (1 Sam. 28:3—31:13; 1 Chr. 10:1–14)
a. Saul’s fear of the Philistines (1 Sam. 28:3-6)
b. Saul’s visit to the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:7-25)
c. David leaves the Philistines; defeats the Amalekites (1 Sam. 29:1-30:31)
d. Saul and his sons slain (1 Sam. 31:1-13; 1 Chr. 10:1-14)
III. THE KINGSHIP OF DAVID (2 Sam. 1:1-24:25; 1 Kin. 1:1-2:11; 1 Chr. 10:14-29:30)
A. David’s Victories (2 Sam. 1:1-10:19; 1 Chr. 10:14-20:8)
1. The Political Triumphs of David (2 Sam. 1:1—5:25; 1 Chr. 10:14–12:40)
a. David is king of Judah (2 Sam. 1:1-4:12; 1 Chr. 10:14-12:40)
b. David is king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:1-5:25)
2. The Spiritual Triumphs of David (2 Sam. 6:1—7:29; 1 Chr. 13:1–17:27)
a. The ark of the covenant (2 Sam. 6:1-23; 1 Chr. 13:1-16:43)
b. The temple and the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:1-29; 1 Chr. 17:1-27)
3. The Military Triumphs of David (2 Sam. 8:1—10:19; 1 Chr. 18:1–20:8)
B. David’s Sins (2 Sam. 11:1-27)
1. David’s Adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:1–5)
2. David’s Murder of Uriah the Hitite (2 Sam. 11:6–27)
C. David’s Problems (2 Sam. 12:1-24:25; 1 Chr. 21:1-27:34)
1. David’s House Suffers (2 Sam. 12:1—13:36)
a. Nathan’s prophecy against David (2 Sam. 12:1-14)
b. David’s son dies (2 Sam. 12:15-25)
c. Joab’s loyalty to David (2 Sam. 12:26-31)
d. Amnon’s incest (2 Sam. 13:1-20)
e. Amnon’s murder (2 Sam. 13:21-36)
2. David’s Kingdom Suffers (2 Sam. 13:37—24:25; 1 Chr. 21:1–27:34)
a. Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 13:37-17:29)
b. Absalom’s murder (2 Sam. 18:1-33)
c. David’s restoration as king (2 Sam. 19:1-20:26)
d. David’s kingship evaluated (2 Sam. 21:1-23:39)
e. David’s numbering of the people (2 Sam. 24:1-24:25; 1 Chr. 21:1-30)
D. David’s Preparation and Organization for the Temple (1 Chr. 22:1-27:34)
E. David’s Last Days (1 Kin. 1:1-2:11; 1 Chr. 28:1-29:30)
1. David’s Failing Health: Abishag the Shunammite (1 Kin. 1:1–4)
2. Adonijah’s Attempt to Seize the Kingdom (1 Kin. 1:5–9)
3. Solomon’s Anointing as King (1 Kin. 1:10–40; 1 Chr. 29:20–25)
4. Adonijah’s Submission (1 Kin. 1:41–53)
5. David’s Last Words (1 Kin. 2:1–9; 1 Chr. 28:1—29:25)
a. David’s words for Israel (1 Chr. 28:1-8)
b. David’s words for Solomon (1 Kin. 2:1-9; 1 Chr. 28:9-29:19)
c. David’s dedication to the temple (1 Chr. 29:1-20)
6. David’s Death (1 Kin. 2:10, 11; 1 Chr. 29:26–30)
IV. THE KINGSHIP OF SOLOMON (1 Kin. 2:12-11:43; 1 Chr. 29:21-2 Chr. 9:31)
A. Solomon’s Kingship Begins (1 Kin. 2:12-4:34; 1 Chr. 29:21-2 Chr. 1:17)
1. Solomon’s Kingship Established (1 Kin. 2:12; 1 Chr. 29:21–2 Chr. 1:1)
2. Solomon’s Adversaries Removed (1 Kin. 2:13–46)
3. Solomon’s Wedding to Pharaoh’s Daughter (1 Kin. 3:1)
4. Solomon’s Spiritual Condition (1 Kin. 3:2, 3)
5. Solomon’s Sacrifice at Gibeon (1 Kin. 3:4; 2 Chr. 1:2–6)
6. Solomon’s Dream and Prayer for Wisdom (1 Kin. 3:5–15; 2 Chr. 1:7–12)
7. Solomon’s Judging of the Harlots with God’s Wisdom (1 Kin. 3:16–28)
8. Solomon’s Officers, His Power, Wealth, and Wisdom (1 Kin. 4:1–34; 2 Chr. 1:13–17)
B. Solomon’s Splendor (1 Kin. 5:1-8:66; 2 Chr. 2:1-7:22)
1. Preparations for the Building of the Temple (1 Kin. 5:1–18; 2 Chr. 2:1–18)
2. The Building of the Temple (1 Kin. 6:1–38; 2 Chr. 3:1–14)
3. The Building of the Royal Palace (1 Kin. 7:1–12)
4. The Making of the Vessels for the Temple (1 Kin. 7:13–51; 2 Chr. 3:15—5:1)
5. The Dedication and Completion of the Temple (1 Kin. 8:1–66; 2 Chr. 5:2—7:22)
C. Solomon’s Demise (1 Kin. 9:1-11:43; 2 Chr. 8:1-9:31)
1. Davidic Covenant Repeated (1 Kin. 9:1–9)
2. Solomon’s Disobedience to the Covenant (1 Kin. 9:10—11:8; 2 Chr. 8:1–9:28)
3. Solomon’s Chastening for Breaking the Covenant (1 Kin. 11:9–40)
4. Solomon’s Death (1 Kin. 11:41–43; 2 Chr. 9:29–31)
V. THE KINGDOM DIVIDED (1 Kin. 12:1-22:53; 2 Kin. 1:1-17:41; 2 Chr. 10:1-28:27)
A. The Kingdom Divides (1 Kin. 12:1-14:31)
1. The Division’s Cause (1 Kin. 12:1–24)
2. Jeroboam, King of Israel (1 Kin. 12:25—14:20)
3. Rehoboam, King of Judah (1 Kin. 14:21–31; 2 Chr. 10:1—12:16)
B. Judah’s Two Kings (1 Kin. 15:1-24; 2 Chr. 13:1-16:14)
1. Abijam, a.k.a. Joram, King of Judah (1 Kin. 15:1–8; 2 Chr. 13:1–22)
2. Asa, King of Judah (1 Kin. 15:9–24; 2 Chr. 14:1—16:14)
C. Israel’s Five Kings (1 Kin. 15:25-16:28)
1. Nadab, King of Israel (1 Kin. 15:25–31)
2. Baasha, King of Israel (1 Kin. 15:32—16:7)
3. Elah, King of Israel (1 Kin. 16:8–14)
4. Zimri, King of Israel (1 Kin. 16:15–20)
5. Omri, King of Israel (1 Kin. 16:21–28)
D. Ahab, King of Israel (1 Kin. 16:29-22:40)
1. Ahab’s Sin (1 Kin. 16:29–34)
2. Elijah the Prophet (1 Kin. 17:1—19:21)
3. Wars with Syria (1 Kin. 20:1–43)
4. Naboth Swindled and Killed (1 Kin. 21:1–16)
5. Ahab’s Death (1 Kin. 21:17—22:40)
E. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah (1 Kin. 22:41-50; 2 Chr. 17:1-21:3)
F. Ahaziah, King of Israel (1 Kin. 22:51-53; 2 Kin. 1:1-18)
G. Jehoram, a.k.a. Joram, King of Israel (2 Kin. 3:1-8:15)
H. Jehoram, King of Judah (2 Kin. 8:16-24; 2 Chr. 21:4-20)
I. Ahaziah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 8:25-9:29; 2 Chr. 22:1-9)
J. Jehu, King of Israel (2 Kin. 9:30-10:36)
K. Athaliah, Queen of Judah (2 Kin. 11:1-16; 2 Chr. 22:10-23:21)
L. Joash, King of Judah (2 Kin. 11:17-12:21; 2 Chr. 24:1-27)
M. Jehoahaz, King of Israel (2 Kin. 13:1-9)
N. Jehoash, a.k.a. Joash, King of Israel (2 Kin. 13:10-25)
O. Amaziah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 14:1-22; 2 Chr. 25:1-28)
P. Jeroboam II, King of Israel (2 Kin. 14:23-29)
Q. Uzziah, a.k.a., Azariah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 15:1-7; 2 Chr. 26:1-23)
R. Zechariah, King of Israel (2 Kin. 15:8-12)
S. Shallum, King of Israel (2 Kin. 15:13-15)
T. Menahem, King of Israel (2 Kin. 15:16-22)
U. Pekahiah, King of Israel (2 Kin. 15:23-26)
V. Pekah, King of Israel (2 Kin. 15:27-31)
W. Jotham, King of Judah (2 Kin. 15:32-38; 2 Chr. 27:1-9)
X. Ahaz, King of Judah (2 Kin. 16:1-20; 2 Chr. 28:1-27)
Y. Hoshea, King of Israel (2 Kin. 17:1-41)
VI. THE SURVIVING KINGDOM OF JUDAH (2 Kin. 18:1-25:30; 2 Chr. 29:1-36:23)
A. Hezekiah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 18:1-20:21; 2 Chr. 29:1-32:33)
B. Manasseh, King of Judah (2 Kin. 21:1-18; 2 Chr. 33:1-20)
C. Amon, King of Judah (2 Kin. 21:19-26; 2 Chr. 33:21-25)
D. Josiah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 22:1-23:30; 2 Chr. 34:1-35:27)
E. Jehoahaz, King of Judah (2 Kin. 23:31-34; 2 Chr. 36:1-3)
F. Jehoiakim, King of Judah (2 Kin. 23:35-24:7; 2 Chr. 36:4-8)
G. Jehoiachin, King of Judah (2 Kin. 24:8-16; 2 Chr. 36:9, 10)
H. Zedekiah, King of Judah (2 Kin. 24:17-25:21; 2 Chr. 36:11-21)
I. Gedaliah, Governor of Judah (2 Kin. 25:22-26)
J. Jehoiachin Released in Babylon (2 Kin. 25:27-30)
K. Cyrus Decrees Rebuilding in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 36:22, 23)
Introduction to the Prophets
The writing prophets of the OT fall into two groups: the 4 major prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel—and the 12 minor prophets—Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Lamentations falls into the major-prophet grouping because of its connection with Jeremiah.
Besides these, the OT regarded others as prophets. Such prophets as Gad, Nathan, Elijah, and Elisha were typical of the nonwriting prophets. In a sense, John the Baptist as a forerunner of Jesus was a prophet who belonged to the OT era.
The following table gives the sequence and approximate dates and direction of ministry for the writing prophets, with “Israel” designating the northern kingdom and “Judah” the southern:
Prophets Organized by Date and Direction of Ministry
Prophet: Obadiah
Ministered To: Edom
In the Years: 850-840 B.C.
Prophet: Joel
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 835-796 B.C.
Prophet: Jonah
Ministered To: Nineveh
In the Years: 784-760 B.C.
Prophet: Amos
Ministered To: Israel
In the Years: 763-755 B.C.
Prophet: Hosea
Ministered To: Israel
In the Years: 755-710 B.C.
Prophet: Isaiah
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 739-680 B.C.
Prophet: Micah
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 735-710 B.C.
Prophet: Nahum
Ministered To: Nineveh
In the Years: 650-630 B.C.
Prophet: Zephaniah
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 635-625 B.C.
Prophet: Jeremiah
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 627-570 B.C.
Prophet: Habakkuk
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 620-605 B.C.
Prophet: Daniel
Ministered To: Babylon
In the Years: 605-536 B.C.
Prophet: Ezekiel
Ministered To: Babylon
In the Years: 593-570 B.C.
Prophet: Haggai
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 520-505 B.C.
Prophet: Zechariah
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 520-470 B.C.
Prophet: Malachi
Ministered To: Judah
In the Years: 437-417 B.C.
Another way of categorizing the writing prophets relates them chronologically to the captivities of Israel (ca. 722 B.C.) and Judah (ca. 586 B.C.):
Prophets Organized by Writing Date and Captivity
Pre-Exilic
Obadiah
Joel
Jonah
Amos
Hosea
Isaiah
Micah
Nahum
Zephaniah
Jeremiah
Habakkuk
Exilic
Daniel
Ezekiel
Post-Exilic
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets
Messages of the writing prophets sometimes related to the prophets’ immediate future (e.g., Is. 7:1-11) and sometimes to the distant future (e.g., Is. 7:12-14). In their frequent predictions about the coming Messiah, they saw Him in two roles: that of a suffering Messiah (e.g., Is. 53) and that of a reigning Messiah (e.g., Is. 11). The prophets themselves were unable to comprehend completely how these two aspects of the Messiah’s future ministry would fit together (1 Pet. 1:10-12).
God’s dealings with Israel dominated the pages of the major and minor prophets, but several books—Daniel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Nahum—have as their subjects God’s working in Gentile world history. The other prophetic books look beyond Israel from time to time to note how God’s chosen nation will impact the rest of the nations (e.g., Is. 52:10, 15) or how God will judge the nations.
As seen from the chronological listing on the previous page, the period of the writing prophets ended about 400 years before the coming of Christ. No official declaration marked the end of OT prophecy, but the people of Israel came gradually to the realization that no prophet had appeared in Israel for a considerable period of time (cf. 1 Macc. 9:27). From the perspective of later times, it became obvious to all that the great prophetic movement of the OT terminated and thus commenced the 400 “silent years,” after which comparable written ministries of NT apostles and prophets began.
Introduction to Genesis
Title
The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX) meaning “origins”; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible’s very first word, translated “in the beginning.” Genesis serves to introduce the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the OT) and the entire Bible. The influence of Genesis in Scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the NT and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation which begins in Gen. 3 is not completed until Rev. 21, 22 where the eternal kingdom of redeemed believers is gloriously pictured.
Author and Date
While 1) the author does not identify himself in Genesis and 2) Genesis ends almost 3 centuries before Moses was born, both the OT (Ex. 17:14; Num. 33:2; Josh. 8:31; 1 Kin. 2:3; 2 Kin. 14:6; Ezra 6:18; Neh. 13:1; Dan. 9:11, 13; Mal. 4:4) and the NT (Matt. 8:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; 24:27, 44; John 5:46; 7:22; Acts 15:1; Rom. 10:19; 1 Cor. 9:9; 2 Cor. 3:15) ascribe this composition to Moses, who is the fitting author in light of his educational background (cf. Acts 7:22). No compelling reasons have been forthcoming to challenge Mosaic authorship. Genesis was written after the Exodus (ca. 1445 B.C.), but before Moses’ death (ca. 1405 B.C.). For a brief biographical sketch of Moses read Ex. 1–6.
Background and Setting
The initial setting for Genesis is eternity past. God then, by willful act and divine Word, spoke all creation into existence, furnished it, and finally breathed life into a lump of dirt which He fashioned in His image to become Adam. God made mankind the crowning point of His creation,
i.e., His companions who would enjoy fellowship with Him and bring glory to His name.
The historical background for the early events in Genesis is clearly Mesopotamian. While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely the historical moment for which this book was written, Israel first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land (ca. 1405 B.C.).
Genesis has 3 distinct, sequential geographical settings: 1) Mesopotamia (chaps. 1–11); 2) the Promised Land (chaps. 12–36); and 3) Egypt (chaps. 37–50). The time frames of these 3 segments are: 1) Creation to ca. 2090 B.C.; 2) 2090–1897 B.C.; and 3) 1897–1804 B.C. Genesis covers more time than the remaining books of the Bible combined.
Historical and Theological Themes
In this book of beginnings, God revealed Himself and a worldview to Israel which contrasted, at times sharply, with the worldview of Israel’s neighbors. The author made no attempt to defend the existence of God or to present a systematic discussion of His person and works. Rather, Israel’s God distinguished Himself clearly from the alleged gods of her neighbors. Theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, man, sin, redemption, covenant, promise, Satan and angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel, judgment, and blessing.
Genesis 1-11 (primeval history) reveals the origins of the universe, i.e., the beginnings of time and space and many of the firsts in human experience, such as marriage, family, the Fall, sin, redemption, judgment, and nations. Genesis 12-50 (patriarchal history) explained to Israel how they came into existence as a family whose ancestry could be traced to Eber (hence the “Hebrews”; Gen. 10:24, 25) and even more remotely to Shem, the son of Noah (hence the “Semites”; Gen. 10:21). God’s people came to understand not only their ancestry and family history, but also the origins of their institutions, customs, languages, and different cultures, especially basic human experiences such as sin and death.
Because they were preparing to enter Canaan and dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of their homes and properties, God revealed their enemies’ background. In addition, they needed to understand the actual basis of the war they were about to declare in light of the immorality of killing, consistent with the other 4 books that Moses was writing (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Ultimately, the Jewish nation would understand a selected portion of preceding world history and the inaugural background of Israel as a basis by which they would live in their new beginnings under Joshua’s leadership in the land which had previously been promised to their original patriarchal forefather, Abraham.
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 8
