Tredtri Report

Group 2
Members: Abigail Lorico, Czyrone Galang, Fulge Revalde, Ivy Sanchez, Pauline Sy

Historical Books

These books cover the life of the nation from their possession of the land down to the two
deportations and loss of the land because of unbelief and disobedience. Covering about 800
years of Israels history, these twelve books tell about the conquering and possession of
Canaan, the reigns of the judges, the establishment of kings, the division of Israel into the
northern and Southern Kingdoms, the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria, the exile of the
Southern Kingdom into Babylon, and the return to Jerusalem under the leadership of men like
Nehemiah and Ezra.

Historical Books: The Preparation for Christ

Joshua
Judges-Ruth
the possession of the land by the nation
the oppression of the nation
The Theocracy: These books cover the
period
when Israel was ruled by God
(1405-1043 B.C.).
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings 1-10
1 Kings 11-22
2 Kings 1-17
2 Kings 18-25
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
the stabilization of the nation
the expansion of the nation
the glorification of the nation
the division of the nation
the deterioration of the Northern
Kingdom
the deportation of the Southern
Kingdom
the preparation of the Temple
the destruction of the Temple
The Monarchy: These books trace the
history
of Israels monarchy from its establishment
to its destruction in 586 B.C.


Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
the restoration of the Temple
the reconstruction of the city
the protection of the nations people
The Restoration: These books describe the
return of a remnant to the land after 70
years
of captivity (605-536 B.C.).

1-2 Samuel

I.
The first book of Samuel is presumably put together after the death of David and Solomon (971
B.C.E. and 931 B.C.E., respectively), but happened around 1120 B.C.E in Israel, when Samuel
was born, through the death of Saul around 1011 B.C.E. The second book was written during
Davids reign over Israel, which according to 1 Kings 2:11, was for forty years (ca. 1011-971
B.C.E.). The two books dont necessarily revolve around Samuel, but the way God is present in
the making of history. The author of the books are not specified, though it is found in the 1
Samuel 10:25 that Samuel wrote it in a book, when Saul was proclaimed king of Israel.
However, Samuel is not the author of the two books, since he died in chapter 25 of the first
book. Moreover, it is suggested in 1 Chronicles 29:29 that Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer
had written the second book and the last few chapters of the first book after Samuels death.
The first book recounts how Israel moved from separate tribes to a stable and united nation,
with the anointment of the first two kings, Saul and David. The second book is the story of
Davids reign in Israel.

II.
The first book of Samuel starts with Hannah, Samuels mother who could not conceive a child.
Her prayer towards the Lord gave way to her miraculous birth to Samuel, whom she promised
to dedicate to the Lord. Samuels up-bringing in the temple with the priest Eli brings him to his
first prophecy, which is punishment towards the priest Eli and his corrupt sons. This prophecy
is fulfilled during Israels war with the Philistines, where Elis sons die from battle and the ark of
God is captured. Upon hearing the news, Eli also dies.

The ark of God was in the territory of the Philistines. God strikes the Philistine men with
tumors, and the Philistines return the ark. Samuel then asks the Israelites to repent and remove
their idols and to serve the Lord only. This brings them victory over the Philistines, recovering
territories from their enemies. Around this time, however, the tribes of Israel wanted a King to
rule over them, even after Samuels warning of how a king will be. Even with the rejection of
Gods reign, God heeds the voices of the people, and Samuel anoints Saul as king. Saul initially
becomes successful in his reign, but begins lose sight of the Lord. God removes his blessings
from Saul, and chooses another young man named David to be king.



David, through his victory in the battle with Goliath, becomes more popular than King Saul.
Because of this, Saul becomes jealous and is determined to kill David, who manages to escape
with the protection of the Lord and through his friendship with Sauls children Jonathan and
Michal, who is also Davids wife. During this time, Samuel had passed away. The Philistines
have allied with David. Saul has been rejected by God and asks a medium for counseling, where
he asks for Samuel to be brought up. Samuels spirit is raised from the dead and gives his last
prophecy of Sauls death in the battle. On the eve of the battle, the prophecy is fulfilled and
Sauls three sons were killed, and Saul commits suicide, at which point the first book ends.

The second book starts with Davids mourning for the death of Saul and his sons. David is
anointed as king of Judah in Hebron, while Sauls son Ishbosheth becomes king of Israel. Judah
and Israel were at war during this time, but Ishbosheth is murdered by the brothers Rechab and
Banaah, who bought Ishbosheths head to David. David commanded them to be executed for
this act, and had Ishbosheths head buried. The Israelites ask David to rule over them, and he
reigned over Judah and Israel in Jerusalem.

David moves the ark of God to Jerusalem, and plans to build a temple, which God rejects.
However, God promises David that He will give him an heir to the throne who will build Him a
temple, His mercy will not depart from David, and that his throne will be established forever.
David after this gives thanks to God. Under his reign, Israel wins many wars. Aside from his
many victories, he also takes in the crippled son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth.

Like Saul, however, David also sinned against God. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, then
murder by plotting the death of Bathshebas husband Uriah. Nathan the prophet confronts him
with his sin and David confesses, and is forgiven by God but with a warning of trouble. Davids
son with Bathsheba dies, but soon after, Solomon is born. More trouble came when Davids son
Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. Absalom, Tamars brother, kills Amnon for revenge and
escapes. Absalom is forgiven by David, but Absalom still lead a revolt against David, which
forces him to escape from Jerusalem. Davids men are able to overthrow Absalom, who is killed
without Davids consent. During the last of Davids reign there was turbulence, as said by the
Lord.

III.

Both books of Samuel conveyed the presence of God in the history of Israel. In the life of Saul
and David, we learn that Gods presence is with us as long as we follow and obey his
commandments. If we do not stray away from the teachings of the Gods Word, God promises
great things for us. However, if we divert ourselves from His teachings, we will be judged
accordingly, like Saul and David. Furthermore, the two books of Samuel can also serve as a
lesson that sin can bring us to our downfall. Eli, Saul, and David were punished accordingly
because of their sins that gave them unrest during their lives. Yet we see in Davids life that God
graciously forgives sinner, as he forgave David for committing adultery and murder during his
reign.



I-2 Kings

Author: Unknown
Date Written: 560-538 B.C.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is to show how disobedience led to the disruption of the
kingdom. The welfare of the nation depended on the faithfulness of its leadership and people
to the covenants of God with Israel. First Kings not only gives a record of the history of these
kings, but it demonstrates the success of any king (and of the nation as a whole) depends on
the measure of the kings allegiance to Gods law or truth. The book truly illustrates how
righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Prov. 14:34). Unfaithfulness
to Gods covenant resulted in decline and captivity.
Second Kings teaches that willful sin in a nation has a woeful end. After years of pleading with
His people through the prophets, Gods patience finally turns to discipline just as He promised.
Because both books were originally one, 1 and 2 Kings share the same theme and goal. They
teach us how unfaithfulness (disobedience to Gods law and rebellion) must lead to Gods
discipline and the overthrow of the monarchy. The two kingdoms collapsed because of the
failure of the kings to rule righteously and give heed to Gods truth.
Summary:
In 1 Kings chapters 1-11, Solomon becomes the king, in a violent method, after his father David
dies. David instructs Solomon to walk in His (Gods) ways. Solomon asks God for wisdom and
God is pleased at this request and approves. Solomon begins a building production, which
included the temple that his father David desired and prepared for him to do. He began
building the temple 480 years after the Exodus from Egypt. Seven years later, the Ark was
brought to the temple, the glory of the Lord descended on it, Solomon prays a powerful prayer,
and then sacrifices were offered. Solomon although the wisest king ever, does not so wise
things and begins to worship the gods of his wives and is subdued by his lust for women. His
downfall was looming and he died shortly thereafter.
Chapters 12-22 show the beginning of the end of the united kingdom of Israel. The nation, with
tough decisions to make chooses a wrong one. In 931 B.C., the kingdom splits in two: North and
South. Rehoboam inherits the kingdom and is persistent about enforcing high taxes. The
Northern tribes begin a revolt and Jeroboam is crowned king of Israel. Ten tribes became the
Northern Kingdom of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the Southern
Kingdom of Judah. God raises up his prophet Elijah to warn evil king Ahab to turn from idol
worship and to return to the YHWH.
In 2 Kings, chapters 1-17, we read of the rulers of the divided kingdoms who lead them to their
fate in exile. The prophet Elijah concludes his ministry and hands over the reins to another up
and coming prophet who God will use named Elisha. Elisha is an apprentice of sorts, and follows


Elijah as he follows Gods lead. God took Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven and the apprentice asks
for a double portion of Elijahs spirit, and it was granted to him (2:9). In Elishas ministry, he
carries out twice as many miracles, as Elijah, as God does His will through his prophet. We also
find in these chapters, details about kings and dynasties, which ultimately disobey and ignore
Gods orders and provisions. Finally, during the reign of the last evil king, Hoshea, the Assyrians
take the Northern Kingdom into captivity. They have neglected the warning and coming
judgment announced by the prophet Hosea. It is fitting that the more evil of the two kingdoms
(Northern Kingdom) is the kingdom that goes into permanent captivity. There is no record or
evidence of these 10 tribes of Israel ever returning from exile.
In chapters 18-25, it is apparent that the Southern Kingdom is not doing much better, and soon
would also face Gods judgment. Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His
prophets and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My
statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you
through My servants the prophets. However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like
their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God (17:13-14).
Gods Message:
Gods message in 1-2 Kings is he wants us to know that we are to obey Him only, we should not
do things that are against His will, or else he will punish us Throughout the history of these
kings there is a correlation shown that when the kings obeyed God there was peace and
blessings. When the kings disobeyed God, or worshiped other gods, then there were wars and
punishment.
Book of Chronicles 1
Author: The Book of 1 Chronicles does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that 1
and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra.
Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Chronicles was likely written between 450 and 425 B.C.
Purpose of Writing: The Book of 1 Chronicles was written after the exile, to help those returning
to Israel, understand how to worship God.
Place of Writing: Babylon and Jerusalem

Summary
Geneologies: (1 Chronicles 1-9) The first nine chapters of the book are dedicated to various
genealogies. They are not a complete listing of genealogical information for the nation.
Death of Saul: (1 Chronicles 10) Philistines fight against Israel at Mount Gilboa. Israel fleesm and
Sauls sons die. Saul falls on his sword, after unsuccessfully asking his armourbearer to kill him.
The Philistines invade Israel. Sauls armour and head are placed in the temple of Dagon. Sauls
body is rescued by the men of Jabesh Gilead, and buried. Saul dies because he does not keep
the word of the Lord, and consults a medium.

Reign of David (1 Chronicles 11-21) David was anointed king in Hebron and attempted to bring
the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem from the Philistines as one of his first acts as king. David


recounts his victory over the Philistines. He was finally able to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. King
David desired to build a house for God. He records Davids plan and request to God to be
allowed to build a permanent dwelling for the Lord. Even though the Tabernacle was still used
in daily worship, David wanted to build the Temple. God told him that he would not be the man
to build the Temple. The Davidic Covenant, which is the promise from God that Davids son,
Solomon, would build the Temple.

Preparation for the Temple (1 Chronicles 22-29) Even though he would not be allowed to build
the Temple, he was allowed to prepare the materials. David gathered the items necessary for
the building of the House of the Lord. He arranged all of the workers and others who were
involved in the later construction of the Temple.The book closes in chapter 29 with the death of
David and the crowning of Solomon as the next king of Israel.

Gods Message:
In this book, genealogies are introduced to us to remind us that God knows his children
personally. We can be assured that we are who we are and what we do is written in Gods
mind. God is faithful to His people and keeps his promises. We must place our trust and faith
unto him in keeping his promises and keep in mind that God love us.

Book of Chronicles 2
Author: The Book of 2 Chronicles does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that 1
and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra.
Date of Writing: The Book of 2 Chronicles was likely written between 450 and 425 B.C.
Purpose of Writing: The Book of 2 Chronicles was written after the exile, to help those returning
to Israel, understand how to worship God.
Place of Writing: Babylon and Jerusalem

Summary
Preparing the Temple of God (2 Chronicles 1-7) Solomon, like his father David, reigned 40 years.
In his lifetime he was given a choice of great riches or wisdom.he book opens with Solomon
preparing to build the Temple in Jerusalem.

Kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 8-14) The rest of the book is dedicated to the divided kingdom with
various stories about the kings in Judah. There were utterly wicked kings such as Jehoram,
Ahaziah and Ahaz. There were some good kings like Jotham, Hezekiah and Josiah. Still there
were other kings who started well, but who failed towards the end of their life. Examples are
Asa and Uzziah
Restoration of the Kingdom (2 Chronicles 15-20) Under King Asa there was repentance and
restoration in the kingdom (chapter 15). This is brought on because the prophet Azariah spoke
up for the Lord. King Jehoshaphat saw revival a couple of times during his reign (chapters 17-
20). Even though he allied himself with wicked King Ahab, he came back to the Lord and
brought the nation with him. This cycle of repentance and restoration is seen several times in
the book of 2 Chronicles after the people returned to their wickedness.


Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (2 Chronicles 20-34) The book concludes with the
destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Judah is carried away by the Babylonians into
captivity for 70 years. They are allowed to return to their homeland by King Cyrus.

Gods message
The lesson for us is that God has given each of us a commission to fulfill and the greatest
blessing we can seek from God is the ability to carry out His will for our lives. For that, we need
the wisdom from above (James 3:17) to discern His will, as well as the understanding and
intimate knowledge of Him in order to motivate us to Christlikeness in both deed and attitude
(James 3:13).

Ezra
Author: Ezra
Date Written: 538 515 B.C. and 458-450 B.C. (Recorded two separate time periods)
Setting: Jerusalem
Purpose:
The book was to record the history of the Israelite people from the Babylonian exile to the
struggle of survival and rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The book was written to give
emphasis on the theological continuity between the pre-exilic and post exilic Israel through the
new temple, the officers of ministry, and the implementation of the Law of Moses. The authors
narrative affirmed that the Israelites were Gods people and God fulfils His promise that is why
the Jews were able to return to Jerusalem from their exile. Israel then renewed its covenant
with God and obeyed Him.
Summary:
The primary challenges faced by the Israelites were (1) restoration or rebuilding of the temple
led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 1:1-6:22) and (2) spiritual reformation of the people led by Ezra (Ezra
7:1-10:44).
Cyrus, King of Persia who defeated the Babylonians, ordered to rebuild the temple of God in
Jerusalem (Chapter 1). Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem bring along over 40,000 Jewish
servants, maids and musicians to start the construction of the temple (Chapter 2). The
construction goes through chapter 3 and 6 but in chapter 4, a Samaritan opposition occurred
that caused the Jewish people to stop for two years. Those Samaritans wrote letters consisting
of false accusations against the people who returned to Jerusalem. Ezra mentioned in the book
that it were prophets Haggai and Zechariah who hearten the people to continue the rebuilding
of the temple after two years (chapter 5). During the reign of King Darius, Median King, he
found the decree of King Cyrus to build a temple in Jerusalem and he supported it through
addressing to whatever the need of the Jews to finish the construction. The temple, which was
formerly named as Solomons Temple, was called Zerubbabels temple.
The time distance between chapter 6 and 7 is 57 years. As a result of the time gap most of the
Jews who re-inhibited Jerusalem had died. When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, he came with a new


group of Israelites and founded the installment of temple officers (chapter 7 and 8). Ezra prayed
to God representing the people. Then together, the people renewed faith and trust to the Lord
for they have returned to Jerusalem as He had promised (chapter 9 and 10).

Gods Message:
God keeps His promises. He may use uncanny and unexpected ways to fulfil it but He truly
never forgets His people. This book encourages to carry out Gods work because nothing can
stop us when we do things of Gods will.

And we know that God causes everything to work together

for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28).

Nehemiah

Author: The Book of Nehemiah does not specifically name its author, but both Jewish and
Christian traditions recognize Ezra as the author. This is based on the fact that the Books of Ezra
and Nehemiah were originally one.

Date of Writing: The Book of Nehemiah was likely written between 445 and 420 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Nehemiah, one of the history books of the Bible, continues the
story of Israels return from the Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of the temple in
Jerusalem.
Place of Writing: Babylon and Jerusalem

Book of Nehemiah Summary
Commission of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-6): Nehemiah, a Jewish cup-bearer at the Persian royal
court, is tasked by king Artaxerxes II to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. Nehemiah returns
to Jerusalem with both more Jews and a Persian military force. He starts rebuilding in the face
of opposition from Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistines then rules as the Persian
governor.
Restoration of the Covenant (Nehemiah 7-10): As Persian governor, Nehemiah sets up an
administrative structure for the people that will be compatible with the requirements of their
Persian masters. Ezra brings out the Torah and reads to the people the laws handed down to
them from Yahweh. He convinces the people to repent their sins, ask Yahweh for help, and
separate themselves from foreigners. In Nehemiah 8, Ezra returns and Nehemiah is absent;
that, combined with the structure of the text, suggests that this chapter at least belongs in the
Book of Ezra and was misplaced.


Breaking the Covenant (Nehemiah 11-13): Jerusalem is repopulated and Nehemiah leaves.
Upon his return after 12 years, he discovers that the people have again fallen into sin by
breaking Yahweh's laws. So once again he enforces those laws and asks for forgiveness.
Gods Message:
The book of Nehemiah shows us the kind of significant impact one individual can have on a
nation. Nehemiah served in secular offices, using his position to bring back to the Jews order,
stability, and proper focus on God.
God uses all manner of people in all manner of places doing all manner of work. Do you feel you
must be in ministry in order to serve God? Be encouraged; He is not limited by your vocation.
In fact, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Have this attitude about your work:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through
Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17).

References:
Charles R. Swindoll.Ezra. Retrieved from
http://www.insight.org/resources/bible/ezra.html#sthash.K9wzCI12.dpuf
David Malick (June 2004). An Introduction to the Books of Ezra-Nehemiah. Retrieved from
https://bible.org/article/introduction-books-ezra-nehemiah
(July 2011). Bible Study: Ezra Summary of the Book. Retrieved from
http://www.genuineleatherbible.net/2011/bible-study-ezra
Jay Smith. Ezra Summary. Retrieved from: http://biblehub.com/summary/ezra/1.htm
Got Questions Ministries (2002). Book of Nehemiah. Got Questions Ministries. Retrieved from:
http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Nehemiah.html
Swindoll, C. (2014). Nehemiah. Insights for Living Ministries. Retrieved from:
http://www.insight.org/resources/bible/nehemiah.html