A SHORT INTRODUCTION

TO

THE BOOK OF RUTH to THE BOOK OF EZRA

By-TSW

Meaning:
The Septuagint gives the title for this book in Greek as Routh, which is the Greek equivalent
of Hebrew name ‘Ruth,’ The book portrays a story of love and devotion. It received its title in
honour of Ruth, the Moabitess, a ancestress of David and Jesus, Matt.1:5. The name Ruth
may mean “friendship,” ‘comfort,” or “refreshment.”
Author:
1. Like so many Old Testament books it is anonymous.
2. The Jewish tradition (Talmud) points Samuel as the author. In Ruth 4:17, 22, David’s
name is mentioned and Samuel died before David became king (1Samuel. 25:1). So Samuel
cannot be the author.
3. David’s name is mentioned in the genealogy (Ruth 4:17), which shows that it might have
been put in its final form after David became king in Hebron, in 1011BC, while Solomon’s
name is not mentioned. So an unknown author could have written the book during the reign
of David.
4. The Book of Ruth was attached to the end of the book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible.
Later, the Jews placed Ruth in the third major division of their canon, and it was used in the
liturgy of the feast of Weeks (Penticost), which indicated towards a common authorship of
the two books of Judges and Ruth. The Talmud of the Babylonian supported this connection.
Date of Writing
1. Ruth 1:1 states that the incidents recorded in Ruth occur during a period of Judges (1350
or 1020 B.C).
2. In Ruth 4:1-12, the author explains the customs of that time. The book of Ruth records the
custom of renunciation of right as a formality. This suggests that the incident recorded in
Ruth happened many generations later, most probably in the days of the latter Judges.
3. The two main guess of period of writing are, suggestion suggested by some liberal scholars
that Ruth is post exilic, written in the fourth or fifth century BC, as a protest against the
teaching of Ezra and Nehemiah. While other suggested for Pre-exilic i.e. in the time of Ezra
and Nehemiah.
Purpose
1. It lacked the exact statement of the Biblical author on the purpose of writing the book of
Ruth. Example, the authors of Acts and Luke in the New Testament state the purpose in their
writings.
2. To records the historical record of Israel to illustrate the concern of God for all people, also
to validate David as the true king of Israel.
3. To illustrate a concept of a Kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ.
4. To reveal that racial tolerance and enter-marriage while contradict by stating that it was
written to oppose mixed marriage and proselytes.
Themes
1. Emptiness to Fullness- life to death, bareness to fruitfulness
2. The godly character of a Gentile believer, 1:16-17
3. Deuteronomic themes in Ruth- Provision for the poor (Deut 24).
4. Depiction of faithful love in human relationships among God’s kingdom people.

THE BOOK OF FIRST SAMUEL

The two books of Samuel were originally one book called the Book of Samuel in the Hebrew
Bible. The Greek Septuagint translators divided it into two books, i.e 1 Samuel (Basileion
Alph). Some scholar say the name Samuel was given by Jerome in his Latin translation, the
Vulgate (ca.AD 400). The Latin Vulgate also divided the book of Samuel into two different
Books and named the First Book Samuel as Liber 1 Samuelis. This book describes how
Samuel anointed Saul and David.
Author
1. Writer of the Book Samuel did not identify himself as the sole writer. However, someone
or more than one person, must have written most of it after Samuel’s death (1 Sam. 25- 2
Sam 24).
2. Most conservative scholars and the Jewish tradition points Samuel as the author.
3. Later Jewish scholars also recognised that, like Deuteronomy and Joshua, this book records
the death of its chief character, 1 Sam. 25:1; 28:3, and also records events long after his
death. Therefore, they suggest that:
i). Possibly Seraiah the scribe, 2Sam. 8:17, finished the book
ii). Possibly Abiathar the priest finished the book.
iii). Possibly Zabud, son of Nathan the prophet (NIV), compiled it (cf. 1Kings 4:5).
4. First Chronicles 29:29 also refers to a book written by Samuel. But First Samuel 25:1
records the death of Samuel. So Samuel may have written part of the book and not the whole
book.

Date of writing
1. The events recorded in the Book of Samuel covers period of time from the birth of Samuel,
1105 B.C. (NIV) to the death of Saul about (1011/10 Harrison & NIV; 1013 Young; 1000
Bright).
2. 1Samuel 11:8; 27:6 shows that at least some of the book was written in its present form
after the United Monarchy split in 922 B.C or 930 B.C.

3. 1Samuel did not mention about the captivity of the Assyrian, so it is assumed to be written
before 722 BC.

4. 1Samuel 25:1 records the death of Samuel. Thus, it is assumed that the first chapter 24
might have written by Samuel himself.

Purpose

1. To record the establishment of kingship in Israel and to explain theological significance.

2. To record God’s dealing with His people.

3. To teach Israel to have hope in Davidic line.

4. To instruct the readers to trust God’s anointed leaders.

Themes

1. The transition from theocracy to monarchy in Israel.

Characteristics

1. For the first time, Yahweh is named as Lord of Host in Old Testament (1Sam.1:3).

2. Messiah is use for the first time in the Bible (1Sam. 4:21).

3. Dealt with teaching of Holy Spirit for the first time in the Bible (1Sam. 10: 6,9; 11:6)

THE BOOK OF SECOND SAMUEL

The book of 2Samuel is the continuation of the 1Samuel that dealt with David’s preparation.
2Samuel records David’s reign and depicted David as a true representative of the ideal
theocratic King.
The Hebrew Bible present the two books of 1Samuel and 2Samuel as one volume, which
later was divide by the scholars of Septuagint into two volumes. The Latin Vulgate gives the
name Liber II Samuelis, meaning the second Samuel.

Author

Jewish tradition has always affirmed that Samuel was the author:

i). The book itself states that Samuel wrote it. (1Sam. 10:25)

ii) Later Jewish scholars also recognised that, like Deuteronomy and Joshua, this book
records the death of Samuel, 1Samuel 25:1; 28:3, and also long after his death, the they
suggested that possibly anonymous writers might have written after the death of Samuel.

Date of writing

1. The events recorded in the Book of Samuel covers period of time from the birth of Samuel,
1105 B.C. (NIV) to the death of Saul about (1011/10 Harrison & NIV; 1013 Young; 1000
Bright).
2. 1Samuel 11:8; 27:6 shows that at least some of the book was written in its present form
after the United Monarchy split in 922 B.C or 930 B.C.

3. 1Samuel did not mention about the captivity of the Assyrian, so it is assumed to be written
before 722 BC.

4. 1Samuel 25:1 records the death of Samuel. Thus, it is assumed that the first chapter 24
might have written by Samuel himself.

Purpose

To continue the account of David’s life and his works mentioned in the conclusion part of the
First Samuel; 2Samuel also meant to portray the accomplishment of the preparation of David,
after which David is presented as a true representative of the ideal theocratic King.

Themes

1. God of throne: David’s trust and reliance upon God and define his rise to the throne.

2. Kingship- God’s People are to led by a king.

3. Retribution- Blessings and curses for acts of obedience and disobedience.

4. God’s Presence- God dwelling among his people- The ark of the covenant, Jerusalem, with
his people.

THE BOOK OF FIRST KINGS

The books of First and Second Books of Kings were originally one book in Hebrew Bible,
called “Melakim,” or “ Melechim,” meaning Kings. Later the scholars of Septuagint divided
it into two volumes.

Author

1. The Bible is silent about the authorship of both the First Kings & Second Kings.

2. The tradition Jewish scholars pointed at Jeremiah as the author of Kings, this is possible
because the ending of Second Kings, 24:18-25:30 is very similar, in Hebrew, to Jeremiah 52.

Date of writing

1. The following sources indicates the events of the book cover a time :

From the death of David and the beginning of Solomon’s reign:

i). Bright - 961 BC.

ii). Young - 973 BC.

iii). NIV - 970 BC.

iv). Harrison - 971/970 BC.

2. Some said, First Kings & Second Kings described the period of the monarchy in ancient
Israel (970-586BC).

3. The Book of Second Kings 25:27-30 describes the release of King Jehoiachin from prison
in Babylonian in 561 and the books must be therefore some time after the sixth century BC.
And it shows that the author was familiar with the event in Babylon. But in fact Jeremiah was
never taken to Babylon after the exile; therefore, Jeremiah is unlikely to be the author of the
book.

Propose

1. To record the history after the reign of David in Israel, till the captivity of Babylonian.

2. To teach that Gog judges and His restoration: The nation deserved the exile, but restoration
was possible through full repentance.

Themes

1. The decline and eventual dissolution of the monarchy in Israel.

2. The fateful national consequences of Israel’s disloyalty to God.

3. The role of the prophets in speaking for God’s to his people.

THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS

The books of Second Samuel is the continuation of the First Samuel, where the author
continues the history of Israel and Judah and records the miracles and ministry of Elisha and
the history of Israel till the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem.

Author

1. The Bible is silent about the authorship of both the First Kings & Second Kings.

2. The tradition Jewish scholars pointed at Jeremiah as the author of Kings, this is possible
because the ending of Second Kings, 24:18-25:30 is very similar, in Hebrew, to Jeremiah 52.

Date of writing

1. Some said, First Kings & Second Kings described the period of the monarchy in ancient
Israel (970-586BC). Thus the author could have written before the sixth century BC.

Purpose

1. To continue the record of God’s dealings with His people, Israel.

2. To record event taken place from the First King until the captivity of Babylonian.

Themes

1. To reflect the characters of Good Kings and Evil Kings.

2. To present the role of the prophets speaking to God’s words for His people.

THE FIRST & SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES

The name of the book in Hebrew is the words (events) of the days (years). Jerome, in his
Latin translation, the Vulgate, entitled it “Chronicorum Liber” meaning “Chronicle of the
whole sacred history” because its genealogy goes back to Adam and the companion books of
Ezra/Nehemiah relate to the post exilic-period. Both the First and the Second book of
Chronicles was originally one book in Hebrew entitled as “ Dibere Hayyamim,” which was
later divided into two volumes by the scholars of Septuagint.

Author

1. The Jewish Talmud tradition ascribed the authorship of the book of Chronicles to Ezra and
Nehemiah. Modern studies of the linguistic differences that exist between the Books of Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Chronicles and led some scholars to reject this ancient view.

Date of writing
1. The genealogy recorded in the first nine chapters of First Chronicles is from Adam to
Zerubbabel’s two sons ( 1Chr.3:21). So it covers the history from Adam to about 500 BC

2. If Ezra is considered to be the sole author then the date of writing the First Chronicle is
between 450 and 430 BC.

Purpose

1. To explain and expound the real meaning of many events in Israel’s history.

2. To review the history of Israel from the dawn of human race to the Babylonian captivity
and Cyrus edict or restoration.

3. To unify, warn and encourage the people of God who had returned from Babylon to be
faithful to the covenant relationship with the Lord.

4. To assure the people who were hopeless and faithless after the destruction of temple and
captivity, that there was still hope in God.

Themes

1 To keep an account of history (from Adam to exile) written to direct the restoration of the
kingdom during the post-exilic period.

2. To direct God’s people to take full advantage of the second chance God had given them
and create for themselves a future of celebration and fulfilment.

THE BOOK OF EZRA

The Book of Ezra and Nehemiah are one book in the Hebrew Canon. They were probably
combined because the ministry of Ezra (Ezra 7-10) is continued in Nehemiah 8-10. The
Hebrew name for Ezra is ezer, meaning Yahweh helps.

Author.

The Jewish Talmud tradition says that the book of Ezra was written by Ezra. He was an
educated scribe (Ezra 7:1-12). He also studied Law of the Lord and prepared himself to teach
it diligently (Ezra 7:10).

Date of writing

1. Ezra was a priest of Zadok (7:2) and a scribe in the reign of Alexerxes I ( 465-424 BC):

i). Ezra came to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Alexerxes I, 458 BC., with a third wave of
returning Jewish exiles.
 ii). The Persian King Cyrus overthrew Babylon in 539 BC. When Cyrus came to power, he
issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This edict was given in 538 BC
Ezra 1:1-4 records this proclamation.

Purpose

1. To defend the legitimacy of the Ezra Nehemiah program of renewal and the need to
continue it.

2. To direct God’s people to re-establish their identity in God and give them the wisdom to
nurture and protect that identity.

3. To record the history of Israel after exile, the building of the temple and the spiritual
transformation.

Bibliography

Dr. Bob Utley, “ Old Testament Survey: Genesis to Malachi,” ([n.a.]) 65-94,
https://www.ibiblio.org/freebiblecommentary/pdf/EN/OTSURVEY.pdf (accessed 20
October).

Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, “Summaries of the Books of the Old and New Testaments,”
([n.a.]) 8-12, http://www.christchurchcville.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Bible-summary-
justin-holcomb.pdf(accessed 20 October).

Dr. Thomas L. Constable, “Notes” ([n.a.]) n.p, https://planobiblechapel.org/constable-

notes/(accessed 20 October).

C. Barnabas, Old Testament Survey (Trichy: Paul Printer, 2003), 219-244.