1 Kings Summary

by Jay Smith

The book of 1st Kings is Narrative History and Prophecy. The author is anonymous;
however, some suggest the prophet Jeremiah. It was written about 560-538 B.C. The key
personalities are David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel. The
purpose of 1st Kings is to contrast those who obey and disobey God throughout the ruling
kings of Israel and Judah. The book describes the rule of Solomon as the last king of Israel
and then the split of the kingdom after his death. It includes a great prayer to the Lord in
chapter 8. The writer of the books of Kings describes the events of the Northern and
Southern Kingdoms after the division.

In 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 (2:3). 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.

<< 1 Kings 1 >>

New American Standard Bible

David in Old Age

1 Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could
not keep warm. 2 So his servants said to him, Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the
king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my
lord the king may keep warm. 3 So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout all the
territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The girl
was very beautiful; and she became the kings nurse and served him, but the king did not
cohabit with her.
5 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king. So he prepared
for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run before him. 6 His father had never
crossed him at any time by asking, Why have you done so? And he was also a very
handsome man, and he was born after Absalom. 7 He had conferred with Joab the son of
Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and following Adonijah they helped him. 8 But Zadok
the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men
who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside
En-rogel; and he invited all his brothers, the kings sons, and all the men of Judah, the kings
servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon
his brother.

Nathan and Bathsheba

11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Have you not heard
that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not
know it? 12 So now come, please let me give you counsel and save your life and the life of
your son Solomon. 13 Go at once to King David and say to him, Have you not, my lord, O
king, sworn to your maidservant, saying, Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me,
and he shall sit on my throne? Why then has Adonijah become king? 14 Behold, while you
are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.
15 So Bathsheba went in to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag
the Shunammite was ministering to the king. 16 Then Bathsheba bowed and prostrated
herself before the king. And the king said, What do you wish? 17 She said to him, My lord,
you swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God, saying, Surely your son Solomon shall
be king after me and he shall sit on my throne. 18 Now, behold, Adonijah is king; and now,
my lord the king, you do not know it.19 He has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in
abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king and Abiathar the priest and Joab the
commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. 20 As for you now,
my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of
my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come about, as soon as my lord the king
sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered offenders.
22 Behold, while she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 They
told the king, saying, Here is Nathan the prophet. And when he came in before the king, he
prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Then Nathan said, My lord
the king, have you said, Adonijah shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my
throne? 25 For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in
abundance, and has invited all the kings sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar
the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him; and they say, Long live King
Adonijah! 26 But me, even me your servant, and Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada and your servant Solomon, he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been done by my
lord the king, and you have not shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my
lord the king after him?
28 Then King David said, Call Bathsheba to me. And she came into the kings presence and
stood before the king. 29 The king vowed and said, As the LORD lives, who has redeemed
my life from all distress, 30 surely as I vowed to you by the LORD the God of Israel, saying,
Your son Solomon shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place; I will
indeed do so this day. 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and prostrated
herself before the king and said, May my lord King David live forever.
32 Then King David said, Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada. And they came into the kings presence. 33 The king said to them, Take
with you the servants of your lord, and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring
him down to Gihon.34 Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king
over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, Long live King Solomon! 35 Then you shall come
up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne and be king in my place; for I have
appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered
the king and said, Amen! Thus may the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say. 37 As the
LORD has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne
greater than the throne of my lord King David!

Solomon Anointed King

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites,
and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King Davids mule, and brought him
to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon.
Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, Long live King Solomon! 40 All the
people went up after him, and the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy,
so that the earth shook at their noise.
41 Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When
Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Why is the city making such an
uproar? 42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest
came. Then Adonijah said, Come in, for you are a valiant man and bring good news. 43 But
Jonathan replied to Adonijah, No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king
has also sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,
the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the kings
mule. 45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon, and they
have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise which you
have heard.46 Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the
kingdom. 47 Moreover, the kings servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, May
your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your
throne! And the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 The king has also said thus, Blessed be
the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own
eyes see it.
49 Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified; and they arose and each went on his
way. 50 And Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, and he arose, went and took hold of the horns
of the altar. 51 Now it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon,
for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, Let King Solomon swear to
me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword. 52 Solomon said, If he is
a worthy man, not one of his hairs will fall to the ground; but if wickedness is found in him, he
will die. 53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came
and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, Go to your house.
 2 Kings Summary
by Jay Smith

The book of 2nd Kings is Narrative History and Prophecy concerning the affairs of the
divided kingdoms. The author is anonymous; however, some suggest the prophet Jeremiah.
It was written about 560-538 B.C. Key personalities are many; they include Elijah, Elisha,
the woman from Shunem, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah,
Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Nebuchadnezzar. Its purpose was to
demonstrate the value of those who obey God, and the fate of those who refuse to obey
and make Him ultimate ruler.

In this book, God performs amazing miracles through his prophets as He sends these
messengers to herald His messages. The two kingdoms are far from the Lord and lost in
the monotonous confusion of their sins. Gods prophets bring the only hope to this lost yet,
chosen nation.

In 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 prophetsHowever, they did not listen, but
stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God (17:13-14).

<< 2 Kings 1 >>

New American Standard Bible
Ahaziahs Messengers Meet Elijah

1 Now Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 2 And Ahaziah fell through the
lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill. So he sent messengers
and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from
this sickness. 3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet
the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in
Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus
says the LORD, You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you
shall surely die. Then Elijah departed.
5 When the messengers returned to him he said to them, Why have you returned? 6 They
said to him, A man came up to meet us and said to us, Go, return to the king who sent you
and say to him, Thus says the LORD, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are
sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from
the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die. 7 He said to them, What kind of
man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you? 8 They answered
him, He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah
the Tishbite.
9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold,
he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, O man of God, the king says, Come
down. 10 Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from
heaven and consume you and your fifty. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed
him and his fifty.
11 So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he said to him, O man
of God, thus says the king, Come down quickly. 12 Elijah replied to them, If I am a man of
God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. Then the fire of God
came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
13 So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went
up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him,
O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in
your sight. 14 Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of
fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight. 15 The angel of the
LORD said to Elijah, Go down with him; do not be afraid of him. So he arose and went down
with him to the king. 16 Then he said to him, Thus says the LORD, Because you have sent
messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekronis it because there is no God in Israel
to inquire of His word?therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have
gone up, but shall surely die.

Jehoram Reigns over Israel

17 So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And because
he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they
not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Chronicles Summary
by Jay Smith

The book of 1st Chronicles is a book of Narrative History, and Genealogies. The author
appears to be the prophet Ezra who wrote it circa 430 B.C. It covers the events from 1000
to 960 B.C. Key personalities are King David and Solomon.

This book parallels some of 2nd Samuel, and therefore describes similar events. It was
written after the exile, its purpose was to encourage the remnant that had come out of the
Babylonian captivity. It begins with the ancestry of the nations past, but it is not
chronological.

In chapter 1-9, the book begins with Adam and runs through the genealogies of Israel. It
continues through all the 12 tribes of Israel, then King David, and then the Priestly line. The
descendants teach the history of the nation, extending from Gods creation all the way
through the exile in Babylon. Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that You
would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and
that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me! And God granted him what he
requested (4:10).

From chapters 10-29, there is a review from King Sauls death with the Philistines,
through King Davids reign, including the preparation for the building of the new temple,
which Solomon would build, David also told his son Solomon, Be strong and courageous,
and do the work. Don't be afraid or terrified. The LORD God, my God, will be with you. He
will not abandon you before all the work on the LORD's temple is finished (28:20). The
book ends with Solomons reigning as king of Israel.
 2 Chronicles Summary
by Jay Smith

The book of 2nd Chronicles is a Narrative History. The author appears to be the prophet
Ezra who wrote it circa 430 B.C. It covers the events from the beginning from King
Solomons reign in 970 B.C. up to the beginning of the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C. The
key personalities are King Solomon, the queen of Sheba, Rehoboam, Asa, Jehoshaphat,
Jehoram, Joash, Uzziah, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah.

It was written to emphasize the blessings of the righteous kings and to expose the sins of
the wicked kings. It parallels some parts of 1st and 2nd Kings. Like 1st Chronicles, it is written
from the viewpoint of a priest who spoke from spiritual perspectives, including revivals. It
too, was written after the exile and focuses on correct worship to YHWH.

Chapters 1-9 teach the details of the reign of King Solomon. It covers the wisdom of
Solomon, the building and construction of the temple in Jerusalem, which was dedicated to
the Lord God. and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray
and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive
their sin and will heal their land (7:14).

Chapters 10-36 describe the events in the split of the nation of Israel. The nation split
into two kingdoms: North and South. The Northern Kingdom revolted against King
Rehoboam, and took a new king; his name was Jeroboam. 2ndChronicles focuses mainly
from here, on the events of the Southern Kingdom. These include 20 kings and are a
dynasty from King David. These chapters describe the events all the way up through the
Northern Kingdom and its captivity to Babylon. Nevertheless, the mercy of the Lord is seen
in the last two verses of this book. Cyprus, King of Persia declares that the remnant of Israel
may return to Jerusalem, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD (36:22).

<< 2 Chronicles 1 >>

New American Standard Bible

Solomon Worships at Gibeon

1 Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his
God was with him and exalted him greatly.
2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and
to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers households. 3 Then Solomon and all the assembly
with him went to the high place which was at Gibeon, for Gods tent of meeting was there, which Moses
the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 However, David had brought up the ark of God
from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in
Jerusalem. 5 Now the bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, was there
before the tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out.6 Solomon went up
there before the LORD to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand
burnt offerings on it.
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.

Solomons Prayer for Wisdom

8 Solomon said to God, You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made
me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have
made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and
knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of
Yours? 11 God said to Solomon, Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or
honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for
yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you
king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and
honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after
you. 13 So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to
Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

Solomons Wealth

14 Solomon amassed chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he
stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as
plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the
lowland. 16 Solomons horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the kings traders procured
them from Kue for a price. 17 They imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and
horses for 150 apiece, and by the same means they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the
kings of Aram.
 Ezra Summary
by Jay Smith

Ezra is a book of Narrative History and Genealogies. It was written by Ezra at approximately
440 B.C. and records events up to 450 B.C. Key personalities include Cyrus, Ezra, Haggai,
Zechariah, Darius I, Artaxerxes I, and Zerubbabel.

Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the Babylonian exile,
after a seventy-year period and the events that surround the rebuilding of the temple in
Jerusalem. God is faithful in fulfilling His promises and so the Jews return to Jerusalem from
their exile in Babylon.

In Chapters 1-6, a relatively small number of Jews return to the city of Jerusalem and
immediately prepare to construct the new temple. They began the planning, the gathering of
materials, and the beginning of construction. The building drags on because the
surrounding enemies begin oppressing and frightening them. Twenty years later, it is
completed. The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated
themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God
of Israel, ate the Passover. And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days
with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of
Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of
Israel (6:21-22).

From chapters 7-10, the second group of Jews returns to Israel. Ezra is included in this
return. He teaches the Law, but has problems with intermarriage and addresses the pagan
women who brought their religious practices with them.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His
statutes and ordinances in Israel (7:10), what a great example to follow!

<< Ezra 1 >>

New American Standard Bible

Cyruss Proclamation

1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the L ORD by the
mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a
proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:
2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the
kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is
in Judah. 3 Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him
go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel;
He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the
men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a
freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

Holy Vessels Restored

5 Then the heads of fathers households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the
Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of
the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 All those about them encouraged them with articles of
silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle and with valuables, aside from all that was given as
a freewill offering. 7 Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, which
Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods; 8 and
Cyrus, king of Persia, had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and he
counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 9 Now this was their number: 30 gold
dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 duplicates;10 30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls of a second kind
and 1,000 other articles. 11 All the articles of gold and silvernumbered 5,400. Sheshbazzar
brought them all up with the exiles who went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
 Nehemiah Summary
by Jay Smith

The book of Nehemiah is Narrative History. Nehemiah authored it at about 430 B.C.

Key personalities include Nehemiah, Ezra, Sanballat, and Tobiah. Nehemiah wrote it to
records the events of returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the walls in 445 B.C.

Jerusalem had a temple but there was no protection for the city from further attack.
Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem and uses his leadership skill to rally a citywide construction
crew. Within a few weeks, the walls around Jerusalem were built and standing tall and their
enemies lost their confidence.

In chapters 1-7, Nehemiah recounts the events of his temporary return to Jerusalem
from Persia as governor. Nehemiah leads and directs the project; each family built the
section of the wall directly in front of their houses, and with hard work, the wall was
astonishingly completed within 52 days. This method allowed the remnant to feel an identity
and uniqueness in their part of repairing the walls of Jerusalem. So the wall was completed
on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard of it, and
all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this
work had been accomplished with the help of our God (6:15-16).

From Chapters, 8-13 is a time of Israel finding and reestablishing themselves again as a
nation, after the long period of the exile in Babylon. Ezra leads all the Jews in a renewal
ceremony. This incorporated a public teaching of the Law, in which it was read and
explained. For example, the recognition of the Sabbath Day was reinstated. And all the
people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they
asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to
Israel (8:1). They understood that if they were to survive they must remember and obey
Gods Laws. Nehemiah establishes polices and address the issue of mixed marriages then
condemns it. One of the main concerns was that the mixed marriage families were not
teaching their children the Hebrew language, the language of Judah (13:24).

<< Nehemiah 1 >>

New American Standard Bible

Nehemiahs Grief for the Exiles

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the
capitol, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked
them concerning the Jews who had escaped andhad survived the captivity, and about
Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity
are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates
are burned with fire.
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting
and praying before the God of heaven. 5 I said, I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the
great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love
Him and keep His commandments, 6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to
hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf
of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have
sinned against You; I and my fathers house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly
against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances
which You commanded Your servant Moses.8 Remember the word which You commanded
Your servant Moses, saying, If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the
peoples; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those
of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather
them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to
dwell. 10 They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great
power and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the
prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and
make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.
Now I was the cupbearer to the king.
 Esther Summary
by Jay Smith

The genre of the book of Esther is Narrative History. Its author is anonymous however;
some believe Mordecai, (Esthers cousin and guardian), wrote it. It was written
approximately 470 B.C. in Persia. Esther became queen in 479 B.C. The key personalities
are Esther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes), and Haman.

Its purpose is to demonstrate Gods love and sovereignty in all circumstances. It is a post-
exile story about Jews who stayed behind after most returned to Jerusalem after captivity.
Babylon was conquered by Persia and Esther miraculously becomes the queen of the land,
and saves her people.

In chapter 1-2, Esther becomes the queen to Ahasuerus of Persia. She was personally
chosen by the King. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor
and kindness with him (2:17), probably because of her beauty and intelligence.

Chapters 3-4, Mordecai (Esthers guardian) refused to bow down and pay homage to
Haman a high official of the king. Haman becomes infuriated and plots to destroy all the
Jews in the kingdom because of his pride. Mordecai hears of the plot and reports it to his
Esther. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews
from another place and you and your fathers house will perish. And who knows whether
you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? (4:14).

From chapters 5-10, Esther outwits Haman and takes her petition to the king and pleas
for the protection of her Jewish people from Hamans wicked stratagem. The king out of
anger, has Haman hung on the gallows, which he had built to destroy all the Jews. Esthers
faith and courage saves her people.
 Job Summary
by Jay Smith

The book of Job is Narrative History. Its author is unknown yet it is possible that Job himself
wrote it. It is possible that Job is the oldest of any book of the Bible written approximately
2100-1800 B.C. Key personalities of this book include Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the
Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite, and Elihu the Buzite.

In Job, we see a man who God allows to be directly attacked by Satan. He is an example of
faithfulness as he loses everything important to him yet remains faithful to God. Its purpose
is to illustrate Gods sovereignty and faithfulness during a time of great suffering.

In chapters 1-3, God tests Jobs faithfulness through allowing Satan to attack him. God
told Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on
him (1:12). Through Jobs trials, all is lost including his health, his wife even tells him to
curse God and commit suicide, but he remains strong and faithful, Through all this Job did
not sin nor did he blame God. (1:22).

From chapters 4-37, Jobs friends give him plenty of bad advice, in rounds of discussion.
They mistakenly blame his sufferings on his personal sins rather than God testing and
growing Job. One of them was half-correct in that God wanted to humble him, but this was
only a part of Gods test.

In chapters 38-42, God speaks to Job and restores him. God knows that Job has
received incorrect guidance from his friends, Who is this that darkens counsel by words
without knowledge? God fittingly declares that humans do not know everything. Then He
humbles Job by asking a series of questions that could never be answered by anyone other
than Almighty God; for example, Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell Me, if
you know all this. God then brings him to an understanding that believers dont always
know what God is doing in their lives.

In the end, Job answers God by saying, I have declared that which I did not understand.
God then blessed Job with twice as much as he had before his trials began.

<< Job 1 >>

New American Standard Bible

Jobs Character and Wealth

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless,
upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. 2 Seven sons and three daughters were born
to him. 3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500
female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the
east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they
would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When the days of
feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in
the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said,
Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus Job did continually.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the L ORD,
and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, From where do you come?
Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From roaming about on the earth and walking
around on it. 8 The LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job? For there is
no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away
from evil. 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You
not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have
blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put
forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face. 12 Then
the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your
hand on him. So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

13 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their
oldest brothers house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and
the donkeys feeding beside them,15 and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also
slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you. 16 While
he was still speaking, another also came and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and
burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell
you.17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, The Chaldeans formed
three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the
edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you. 18 While he was still speaking,
another also came and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine
in their oldest brothers house, 19 and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness
and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I
alone have escaped to tell you.
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and
worshiped. 21 He said, Naked I came from my mothers womb, And naked I shall return
there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.