Fourth Period.—Three kings in all Israel—Saul, David, Solomon (1 Sam. 10 to 1 Kings 12). The divided kingdom.
Fifth Period.—The captivity (2 Kings 25). The return. Ezra and Nehemiah.
Leading Names.—First and Second periods—Adam, Noah; Third period—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel; Fourth period—Saul, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea; Fifth period—Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
TIME.—From an unknown time to about 400 B. C.
LANDS.—Armenia, Chaldea, Palestine, Egypt, Persia.
SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.—The Old Testament begins with a statement of the creation; tells of the introduction of man, "made in the image of God;" records the downfall of man and God's many efforts to redeem him; recites the incidents of God's dealings with chosen individuals, selected families and a particular nation; continues with this nation separated into two parts and held captive by a foreign power, and closes with the return of a part of Judah. With the entrance of sin came the promise of salvation through one who should come out of the chosen (Jewish) nation.
The Old Testament Preview
Note.—The Chronology used throughout is based on
"The Dated Events of the Old Testament,"
by Willis Judson Beecher.
1. Two Great Divisions.—In biblical history here are two great divisions, that of the Old Testament and that of the New Testament. It is well to have clear outlines in our minds with regard to the great outstanding characteristics of these periods. In making these divisions into the periods that follow we have no "Thus saith the Lord" for our guidance, but use the best common sense that we have. Others might make a different division, but we give that below as at the least suggestive.
2. Prelude.—The great prelude of creation. Here we are told that all things find their origin in God. This teaching is in contradistinction to the claim that matter is eternal. It also denies the doctrine that the world was made by chance. It places the beginning of all things seen in the power of One who is from eternity to eternity. This satisfies the cravings of the human heart as no other teaching does.