Historical Books
Joshua
The story of the Conquest of Canaan; distribution of the land; locating tabernacle at Shiloh; and death of Joshua.
Judges
The story of Israel's political and religious decline after Joshua's death. "There was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes." A history of the Judges from death of Joshua.
Ruth
The link connecting the period of the Judges with the Monarchy, giving David's genealogy, and furnishing many instances of faith, and of the bringing of good out of evil.
1 and 2 Samuel
A continuation of the history of the Judges, telling of Eli and Samuel, and the story of Saul's anointing and reign, and the rise and reign of David.
1 and 2 Kings
The history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah from the death of David to the captivity. The story of the conflict between Jehovah and Baal. The life-stories of Elijah and Elisha.
1 and 2 Chronicles
Giving matter supplementary to the preceding books; the temple ritual under David and Solomon; restoration of church and nation after captivity.
Ezra
The return of the captives under Zerubbabel; the rebuilding of the temple; the second return of captives in time of Artaxerxes Longimanus and Ezra's reformation of the people.
Nehemiah
The rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah; reforms, civil and religious; restoration of Temple services; re-enacting of Mosaic law.
Esther
An episode in the history of the Israelites who remained in captivity, showing the overruling power of Providence.