Summary of the Storyline of the Bible

(Conquest thru United Kingdom)

People: Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Judges (Othniel to Samson), Ruth, Boaz, Naomi, Samuel,
Saul, David, Solomon, Jonathan, the kings, Job, Eli
Places: Canaan, Moab, Jerusalem, Israel
Events: Jericho, Southern/Northern conquest, division of the land, rule of the judges as
Israel falls in and out of Love of God, Ruth and Boaz love story, capture of the ark, battle
of Mizpah, establishment of the kingdom, the Davidic Covenant, the building of the
temple, united and divided kingdom, Jobs story

Reading Report:
Conquest
The book of Joshua opens up with where Deuteronomy left off, telling the reader
that Moses had died and God was speaking to Joshua, who was now in charge of the
people of Israel. God told Joshua that He would be with him, and not to be afraid
because God would be with him. He would give God all of the lands they could see so
long as Joshua and the people followed the word of the Lord, and follow His word.
Joshua came to the people, and told them to prepare themselves, because they were
getting ready to cross the Jordan River to start taking land, which God had given them.
The people responded that they were willing to follow Joshua as they had followed
Moses, as God commanded them.
Joshua sent out two men to spy out the land of Jericho and the surrounding
country, and the spies hid in a house of a harlot. She, Rahab, lied about the location of
the men and spared them from the guards. The spies then bargained with Rahab, and
declared that her and anyone who were in her house when the city was attacked would be
spared. She told them to hide in the caves for 3 days waiting for the guards to return to
the city, and they told her to make sure she hung a rope out of the window to make sure
her house would be spared.
After three days, the spies returned and reported that all of the land was afraid of
the Israelites. Joshua spoke to the people telling them the rules of following the Ark of
the Covenant. Joshua commanded the priests carrying the Ark that when they come to
the river that they are to stand still so it will be a witness to the Israelites and the enemies
around. When the priests bearing the Ark came into the river, it completely stopped up
and the people passed in front of Jericho on completely dry ground into the land of
Jordan.
When they had crossed, one man from every tribe went to the Jordan, and took a
stone so they could build an alter to the Lord to remind future generations about Gods
work. The alter, is there until this day. That day, 40,000 men were ready for battle, and
Joshua was glorified by God in front of all the people, so that the Israelites feared him as
they had Moses before him for the rest of his life. Once the priests moved from the
middle of the Jordan, the waters returned to its place, and flowed abundantly.
All of the people who had not been born in the wilderness, were circumcised. The
people held a Passover. After the feast, Joshua had gone up, and a man stood before him

shining in a robe. Joshua inquired as to whether the man was on the Israelites side, or
his enemies. The man said neither, but commanded Joshua to take off his shoes for he
was on holy ground. The being told Joshua, Gods commands for the people of Israel to
march around the city. Jericho was afraid, and shut their city; nobody was able to enter,
and nobody was able to leave. The Israelites were to march behind the Ark of the
Covenant around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to circle the city
7 times. The people followed Gods commands. On the seventh day, the people
surrounded the city 7 times, and shouted for the Lord had given them the city.
When they took the city, they were to destroy everything, except Rahab and all
that were in her house because she had hid the spies. All of the treasure of the city was to
become Gods and go into the treasury. Akin disobeyed the Lord however, and took
some of the citys treasure.
Several spies looked upon AI and the camp of the Amorites. The spies suggested
that there were not many people, and that they could take the enemy with only a few
thousand. When Israel attacked, they were beaten back, and were defamed. Joshua
talked with God, and God said they were not under His blessing because they had broken
Gods rule and taken from the city. God pronounced to Joshua the punishment for the
man who had broken Gods commandment. Bringing before Joshua every tribe, Akin
was found, and confessed his sin to God. The people stoned Akin and his family, and
burned all of the belongs and camp of Akin. After the dead was done, God turned his
wrath away and was pleased with the people once again.
God commanded Joshua and all the people to go up against AI, to lie in wait
behind the city in the night. Joshua would lead his people in the front of the city, and
draw out the army of the city. After the army was gone and chasing Joshuas army, the
men lying in wait would take the city and burn it down. Gods plan worked perfectly,
and the men of AI and Bethel were drawn out and conquered the city, setting it on fire.
When Joshua and his men saw the smoke from the city, the men arose and conquered the
pursuers of them. The cattle, and the spoil of the city were kept for the Lord and
themselves. They built God an alter and sacrificed to the Lord.
The inhabitants of Gibeon were afraid, and disguised some of their men to come
to the Israelites to form an alliance, because they were pretending to be from a land afar
off. All of the supplies they had were worn, and looked like they came from afar off.
After Joshua heard from the men, and did not consult God, yet made a pact of peace with
them. When the Israelites arrived at the city of the Gibeon, they would not attack it
because they had made peace with them. Then Joshua said that they would not be killed;
yet they would be made to be the laborers for the Israelites.
The kings of the South, five of them, made an alliance, and rose up against the
Gibeonites because they had made a pact with Israel. So God said that not a man would
stand up against the army, and all came to past as the Lord had said. God sent down hail
the size of stones, wiping out more of the army than the men of Israel had conquered.
And the Lord held the sun in the sky so that it did not go down for almost an entire day,
providing light for the people. The Lord fought for Israel, and the five kings fled and hid
in a cave. The people shut up the cave, Joshua called for the kings, and they were
brought before him, and slew the kings and hung them on trees for the day. Joshua and
the Israelites moved along the land, and conquered city after city.

After conquering the cities in the South, the Israelites started to move and began
to conquer the cities of the North. Every city of the North came against Israel, except for
the Gibeonites because their hearts were hardened towards the Lord. After conquering all
of the land as the Lord commanded, he split the land up and gave it to the tribes of Israel.
Hebron was given to Caleb because he had followed God and gave a righteous report of
Jericho 45 years ago.
The next few chapters tell of the land boundaries, and different cities that were
inside each province. A few chapters are dedicated to the explanation of the cities of
refuge, and those areas that were given to the Levites. All of this was done so that it
fulfilled the promise God had given. At the end of the book, Joshua gives a farewell
address after the Lord had given Israel a long time of peace. He encouraged them to
refrain from interacting with other gods. If they would follow God, they would be safe
and remain in the land, however if they turned against Him, He would as well forget
them. Joshuas famous last words were, but for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord.

Judges
After Joshua died, the people wondered who would go up against the Canaanites
and the Lord said Judah would go up against them. So they arose against them, and
returned victoriously, chasing the king and capturing him, and eliminating the armies
hiding in the mountains. The Jebusites started to dwell with the Benjimanites. Many
other accounts of ites not being driven out are given, and they dwelt with the Israelites.
The angel of the Lord spoke to the Israelites and reprimanded them because they had not
removed all of the people of the land as God had commanded them, and they were told
that the people would be as a thorn in their side because of it.
A new generation arose that did not know the Lord and what He had done for His
people, and they served false gods. Then God, being mad at the people delivered them
into the hand of those who were enemies. God raised up judges to deliver the people
from those who were oppressing them, however the people were slow to respond, and
often times simply did not heed the word of the Lord. There were several enemies left in
the land that God left so that the next generation would be able to see the Lord, and He
could prove Himself to them.
God rose up Deborah to be the judge over the people, and she called for Barak.
She told him to rise up the army and move them to attack, and she would bring a force as
well. Barak went down from the mountain, and they defeated Sisera and God gave them
a victory where not a man was left. Jael took a nail from the tent, drove it into his
temple, and killed Sisera with it. Deborah delivered the people once again, however they
fell back into following any god they felt like. Deborahs song to the Lord is recorded
and we are told the land had rest for 40 years.
Once again, the people of Israel did evil, and they were delivered into the hand of
the Midianites. When the people cried out, God sent a prophet to the people, and he
reminded the people of the past and what God had done for them in the past, yet told
them that they still had to obey Gods voice. Gideon, a man from one of the lowest
families of the land, was threshing wheat in a wine press so that he would not be found
by the Midianites. But Gideon was afraid of the task, and wanted God to be able to prove
Himself, and the Lord agreed. Gideon made a piece of meat on a rock, and the rock

became as fire and burnt up the meat, and Gideon knew he was talking to the angel of the
Lord. Gideon and the men with him obeyed the Lord, and cast down the idol Baal.
When the men of the city saw it, they were angry, however Joash defended Gideon and
put the focus on God.
God came to Gideon again, and told him that he was to lead an army against the
Midianites. Gideon wanted to make sure that it was truly the word of the Lord being
spoken, so he set fleece out and once God made the fleece wet and the ground dry, and
the other time, the fleece dry and the ground wet, so that Gideon knew it was Gods will
for him to lead the army.
So Gideon trusted the Lord, and arose all the men who were able to fight. The
Lord said that there were too many people because if they were to become victorious, the
people would take the credit for it. Everyone who was afraid was allowed to go home.
There were still 10,00 men left and God said it was still too many. Another test was in
hand, so Gideon led the men to a stream and each man took a drink of water. Only 300
men cupped the water in his hand, and the Lord said to select these men to serve God.
Gideon divided his 300 men into 3 groups. Each man was given a trumpet, a pitcher, and
a lamp. Gideon gave them directions to surround the camp and blow the trumpets, and
break the pitchers revealing the lamps. The noise and startling situation caused the
Midianites to rise up and kill among themselves, so that Israel was able to pursue the
Midianites and triumph with the power of God on their side. The country was in
quietness for 40 years during the reign of Gideon.
As soon as Gideon died, the men of Israel forsook the Lord, and turned, each to
his own way. The people went, and make Abimelech a king over Shechem. Abimelech
reigned over Israel for three years, but an evil spirit came over him, and the men of
Shechem rose up against him. Gaal went out with the men of Shechem and fought
against Abimelech. Abimelech defeated them, and he took his men dividing them into
three companies and laid in wait in the field. Then they rose up against the people that
moved into the city, so Abimelech and his men defeated the city. Abimelech took his
men and rose up against a temple strong hold, and sought to burn it. As they were
attacking, a woman threw a large rock that struck him on the head, and as he was drying,
he told his sword bearer to kill him so people would not say that he was killed by a
woman.
After Abimelech had died, once again the Israelites took pagan gods and did not
follow God. Go let the Israelites be taken by the Philistines. After some time, the people
of Israel once again cried out to God, however the Lord told them to cry to the gods they
had chosen. The people would not hear of it though, and they put away their idols, and
worshiped the Lord again. His heart was grieved and felt for His chosen people. God
brought up Jephthah, and the elders of Gilead rose up to ask Jephthah for delivering help.
Jephthah sent messages to the kings that were in the problem areas and requested that the
lands and people would be released, lest military action be taken.
Jephthah was preparing to fight against the people of Amom, and he made a
promise that whatever came out of his tent first he would offer up as a burnt sacrifice to
the Lord. God gave them a great victory, and as he returned, his daughter came out of the
tent to greet him. Then Jephthah tore his clothes and mourned exceedingly. So, he did
unto his daughter as he had promised the Lord.

Jephthah judged Israel for 6 years and died. Then several other judges were
raised up and total, they were reigned 25 years. Once again, the children of Israel did
evil, and they were delivered into the hand of the Philistines. There was a woman of the
Danites who was barren, however the Lord said she would conceive and bear a son. The
child would be a Nazirite. The son was born, and his name was called Sampson.
Then Sampson went to the Philistines, and found a woman that pleased him, and
he requested his parents arrange a marriage for him. As he was traveling to see her, a lion
attacked him, and he rent it like a kid with his bare hands. He did not tell his parents
about it. On his trip home, he found some honey in the mouth of the lion, and he brought
it to his parents, but once again did not mention the location from which he brought it.
Then during the wedding feast, he posed a riddle to the men of her family, and it was one
they were not able to figure out. But the men enticed his wife and said they would burn
down her fathers house if she did not get the answer for them. Finally, she was able to
get the answer and the men provided Sampson with the correct response. Knowing he
had been tricked, he went and killed 30 philistines taking their garments and giving them
as the fulfillment of his challenge.
Sampson rose up and burned fields and vineyards of the Philistines. They
retaliated, and burnt his wife and her father. Sampson was enraged and wanted vengence.
The men of the Philistines bound him up and went to take him to Lehi. On the way, the
spirit of the Lord came upon Sampson, and he ravished the ropes holding him, and
picking up the jawbone of a donkey, slew 1000 men with it. Then Sampson judged Israel
in the days of the Philistines for 20 years.
Sampson went into to a harlot, his enemies closed the city gate to hold him, and
they planned to kill him in the morning. At midnight, Sampson arose and taking the
entire city gate on his shoulders left the city, depositing the gate on a hillside afar off.
Then Sampson fell in love with a certain woman named Delilah, and the Philistines came
to her entreating her to find out his weakness.
Delilah was intrigued by a large reward and inquired what made him weak. He
lied three times different lies about his true strength source. Finally, she pressured him
enough, and he told her his true strength in God and his nazirite vowel. Delilah brought
the Philistines to him, and his hair was cut. So the Philistines captured him, and put him
in the labor prison. During a festival, the Philistines were praising their god for
delivering their enemy into their hands. Sampson got himself positioned between the
main pillars holding up the building, and asked God to remember him and revitalize his
strength one last time. He pushed with all his strength, and the building came crashing
down, and he killed more in his last move than he had his entire life.
Micah took eleven hundred shekels, and bought a graven image, and a molten
image. He also hired his own personal Levite and consecrated him for his personal use.
It is clearly noted in the scripture that there was no king in Israel at the time, which the
author surreptitious suggests is the issue to the moral problems. 600 men were then
appointed to arm themselves and move against Micah for his sin. Then the children of
Dan, took the graven images, and set them up in a new city they established out side of
Laish.
One of the largest examples of Immorality is presented in the book of Judges
chapter 19. We are told of a Levite and his concubine. The two travel to the womens
fathers house and did abide there for six days. On the 6th day, the Levite was ready to

leave and did not want to tarry any more, however men of the town came to the farther
and wanted to sexually use the man who was in the house. The father would not have it,
and insisted they instead take his virgin daughter. They finally consented, raped her all
night, and returned her in the morning. She died on the doorstep of the house, and the
Levite cut her up into 12 parts and sent her to all the areas of the land.
All the tribes of Israel gathered and listened to the Levites story about what
happened at Gibeah. 1/10th of all the men of the tribes were assembled to go into Gibeah
to make retribution. When called upon to go to battle, Benjamin refused but went to
battle against Israel. The first day, Benjamin destroyed Israels army. After talking to
God, He told them to go back again. The second day, Benjamin once again destroyed
them. Then the third day, Israel went up against Benjamin, and this time Israel was able
to draw; the forces apart and Israel prevailed over them, drawing them from the cities to
the highways. Many of Israel was killed, and Benjamin was virtually wiped out. The
people of Israel grieved the loss of one of the tribes of evil. The children of Israel made
plans for taking women to rebuild the tribe of Benjamin.
In the days of the Judges, there was a famine in the land. A family came into the
land of Moab. Then the eldest man died, and the two sons took wives from the women of
Moab. Then the sons died, and Naomi, the eldest woman, was left with her two
daughters in law. Naomi decided to return to Judah, and told her daughters in law to
return to their mothers house. But, Ruth decided to stay with Naomi, so they together
returned to Moab.
Naomi had a wealthy kinsman who had lots of field. So Ruth went out and
collected the fallen sheaves. When she asked permission from the field owner, Boaz, he
not only allowed her to gather grain, but he gave her special favor in many ways. She got
so much, that Naomi noticed, and inquired who had blessed them so much. When Naomi
found out that Boaz was close of kin, she had Ruth go to him. When Boaz was joyful in
the party, he lay down, Ruth lay at his feet, and when he woke up, he was startled. After
talking and realizing, that Ruth wanted to make use of the kinsman redeemer, he declared
that there was another closer in kin.
The next morning, Boaz waited for the closer kin to desire or not the field and
Ruth. Then Boaz bought all that was Naomis husbands, and more over, he took Ruth to
be as his wife. So, Boaz went into Ruth, and she bore a son, to keep the family name
alive. At the end of the book, there is a genealogy leading all the way to David.

United Kingdom
A man named Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Every year when
going to the temple, Hannah would not eat, and wept greatly for a child. She vowed to
God that if she were given a child she would give him up to the temple to serve God.
Finally, God gave her a child and he was named Samuel. So, Hannah nurtured him until
he was old enough to serve in the temple. Hannah praised the Lord for gods gift of a son
to her.
Samuel grew up, and he learned the word and ministered in from of Eli. As
Samuel lay down to sleep, the Lord called him, and so Samuel went to Eli three times.
The final time, Eli perceived that God had been calling him because he had not yet been

empowered by the Lord. Eli told him to answer the Lord and ask Him to speak because
His servant is listening.
Samuel went and laid back down again, and when the Lord called like the other
times, Samuel answered Him. God spoke to Samuel saying that things were going to be
changing, and He would be working against Eli because he had not controlled his sons
like he knew he should. In the morning, he feared to show Eli the vision. All over the
land, people knew that Samuel was a prophet and was respected by all people.
The Philistines, and the Israelites were in battle together, and in the morning,
4000 me were slain by the Philistines. Then the warriors of Israel went and got the Ark
of the Covenant and brought it into the camp. When it was brought in, the army of the
Hebrews cheered so loudly that the ground shook, and the Philistines were afraid. But
they conversed amongst themselves, and determined to stand and fight strong against the
Hebrews, and not become slaves to them.
So the Philistines continued to fight, and slaughtered the Israelites. Elis two sons
had been slain, and the Ark was taken. A messenger came running to the city, and told
the news of the Ark to everyone. There arose a great lament among the people, and Eli
heard the cry and wondered what it was causing the people to mourn so. The messenger
came, and upon telling him, the news, he fell backwards, and died.
The Philistines, took the Ark to the capital, and put it next to their main God,
Dagon. Dagon, the idol, came crashing down both nights. The Philistines moved the Ark
to Gath. Anywhere the Ark moved, the people of the area were cursed, so the Philistines
decided to send it back to whence it came. The leaders inquired of the priests of the land
as to what to do. They informed the men how to properly return the Ark. The Philistines
followed the directions and the Ark was returned safely to the Israelites.
Despite other attempts of border disputes, the people pressed Samuel to not cease
praying for them. Ultimately, the Philistines were driven back and there was peace in
Israel for all the rule of Samuel. When Samuel grew old, he pronounced his sons as
judges, however they did not follow God yet took bribes and did other wrong things.
Because of this, the people asked Samuel to give them a king like the other nations.
Samuel did not want to heed to their request. Samuel went to the people, and explained
what a king really would do trying to dissuade them. The people did not listen to the
voice of Samuel, but continued to cry out for a king to rule over them. Samuel brought
the request unto the Lord, and He told him to honor their request.
A young man in the land of Israel named Saul was the best man in all of Israel.
Saul and his men went looking for some of his fathers lost cattle. When they were ready
to return home, they decided to go to a seer because one of his men reminded him that a
prophet used to be called a seer. God spoke to Samuel and said He would send him a
man to be anointed king. When Saul came into the city, he went to Saul and asked for the
location of the seer, and Samuel made himself known. Then Samuel pronounced his
proclamation that Saul was to be the chosen one of the people of Israel.
Samuel took Saul up on the roof of the house and sent away the servants. Then
Samuel took a vial of oil and anointed him and kissed him. Then Samuel told Saul how
to find his donkeys, and where to go after that. As he followed Samuels direction, the
Spirit of God came upon him, and he began to prophecy. The people then desired to
establish him as king right there. Saul hid, but the people found him and resoundingly
delighted the people.

Then, a band of Ammonites came down upon Jabesh Gilead, and Saul rose a
large group of men and solidly defeated the enemy. Seeing his power, everyone once
again wanted to raise Saul as king. Samuel continued to argue with the people telling
them that having a kind was not a good idea. He warned if they continued to sin, they
would be destroyed.
After raining for 2 years, Saul led and army against some of the Philistines.
Before the battle, Samuel was to come and offer a burnt offering before the Lord on the
Israelites behalf. When it grew late, and the people started to mutter, Saul went on his
own accord, and built an alter, then offered a burnt offering without the approval of
Samuel, simply to appease the people. Finally Samuel came, and asked what he had
done. Then Samuel told Saul that his line would not continue because of the deed, which
he had done. The Philistines had oppressed the people, and so when the army of the Lord
was assembled there was not a metal weapon to be found among all of Israel.
Jonathan and his armor bearer went out, and in an act of God, Jonathan rose up
and defeated a group of Philistines. As the Philistines fled, many men heard about it, and
roused up many followers that joined Israel. Saul made a proclamation that if anybody
ate in that day, they would be put to death. Jonathan was returning from his fight, and
had not heard the decree, and so he bent down and ate some honey. When it was told to
Saul, he said that his son must be put to death. The people would not hear it, and
protected Jonathan.
Once again, the Lord commanded the people to eliminate one of Israels enemies.
His command was to destroy their foe. When they came into battle however, the people
took the best sheep and cattle to be burnt offerings to the Lord. When they returned,
Samuel approached Saul and inquired as to what they had done. It is better to obey God
than to offer sacrifices. Samuel told Saul that his line would no longer continue because
of his sin. From that day until Sauls death, Samuel did not come unto him. God told
Samuel he was sad that he had ever made Saul king over Israel.
God was ready to keep moving and told Samuel to go up for God was ready to
select a new king. So Samuel took a heifer to sacrifice to God, went up, and sacrificed
with the house of Jesse. Then Jesse brought his sons before Samuel, but God did not
select any of the men of them. Then Jesse sent for his youngest son, David, and this boy
God chose, so Samuel anointed him there.
Now Saul, who was still king, was vexed often by an evil spirit, so he called for
someone to come and play the harp for him, so David did come and play. Once again,
the Philistines gathered their men for battle and both Israelites and Philistines stood on
mountains. Then Goliath, a massive man came and spoke to the army of the Israelites
and challenged one man to fight, and whoever won would be ruler over the others. This
he did for 40 days.
Several of Jesses sons were in the armies, so he sent David out with some cheese
and bread to take to his sons. So, David did as his father said and took the supplies and
went to his brothers. Then Goliath again spoke to the Israelites and David heard his
challenge. David heard the challenge, went to Saul, and said nobody should fear him
because God is on his side. After trying some armor on, David decided he would go
unhindered by the armor. David went to a stream, got several smooth stones, and went
out before Goliath. When he saw him, he disdained him because he was only a youth.
Then David took a rock and slung it into the forehead of the Philistine and he fell down

on the earth, then David ran up and taking Goliaths own sword, cut off his head. When
the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled, and the army of the Lord went up
and pursued them.
Saul brought David back to his own house, Jonathan, Sauls son, became good
friends, and he gave David his robes. When the people cheered for the men returning,
they cheered louder and acclaimed David greater than Saul. Saul was very angry with
David, and tried to out right kill him twice, but missed with the spear both times.
Michael, Sauls daughter loved him and wanted to give her to be a snare to him. Saul did
not require a dowry, but solely the foreskins of 100 Philistines. David and his men rose
up, and killed 200 men and returned to Saul. Michael and David were wed as Saul had
promised.
Saul spoke to his entire house saying that they should kill David. Jonathan went
to David and told him to hide because of this decree. So, Jonathan went to Saul and
talked goodly about David to his father. Then Saul listened to his son, and promised not
to kill David. David was then returned to the house. War once again ravished the land,
however David went out and fought valiantly defeating the enemy. When he was playing
for Saul, he tried to kill him, but David evaded and fled to Samuel. Saul sent messengers
to retrieve him, however the messengers stayed with David and Samuel because they
were filled with the spirit of God.
David fled again and came before Jonathan inquiring what he had done wrong
that his life was sought to be destroyed. A feast at the new moon was to be used to decide
the intention of Saul. David did not show up, and Jonathan spoke on his behalf telling his
father that he needed to go to a family traditional sacrifice. David would hide, and
Jonathan would shoot arrows to be an indication of Davids safety in the house. Saul was
greatly angered and he tried to kill Jonathan, but he arose from the table and went out to
meet to David. Jonathan shot arrows behind David, and sent a young lad to retrieve
them. Then David and Jonathan wept, and left from each other.
David wandered around from city to city, dwelling in caves. Men who were in
debt and disheartened with the state of affairs followed him, and the group was about 400
men. The priests came before Saul, and chastised him for being against David. Then
Saul commanded his men to turn, and kill the priests. In that day, he killed 85 people.
Then one of the men escaped, and came to David telling him that he had slain the priests.
The Philistines held one of the cities of Israel, so David talked with God, and He told him
to conquer the Philistines there. When they attacked, they reigned victoriously in God.
Saul heard of the victory of David at Keilah, and David knew Saul sought to
destroy him. Because he knew this, David left the city and wandered in the wilderness
staying in strongholds here and there, but Saul pursued him over all the area. Saul and
his men went into caves to camp, and David came up to Saul, yet did not kill Saul. He
only cut off a piece of his skirt. In the morning, David called out to Saul and showed him
the cloth which he had cut. Saul lifted up his voice and cried because David was more
righteous than he. David promised that he would not cut off the seed of Saul in the
house.
Samuel died, and the people of the land grieved, and David went up to pay his
tributes. Davids dealings with Abigal and her family are made. Having learned where
David was camping, Saul got three thousand men to rise up and meet at him. Once again,

David had the opportunity to kill Saul with his own spear, yet he did not kill him again.
He convinced Saul for the time being not to pursue him any longer.
David went into the land of the Philistines, and allied with them, however he
killed men, women, and children alike. David and his men ravished cities, yet the
Philistines could not stop him. In the meantime, Saul talked to the lord, but he heard no
response, neither through dream, or prophet or word. So, he went up to a medium to hear
of the prophet Samuel. When she summoned him, his spirit did appear to her, startling
the woman and she knew he was Saul, for he had disguised himself. Then Samuel spoke
with Saul, and asked why he had done such a thing against God. Saul spread himself out
before Samuel and cried out that the Lord would hear him and give him guidance.
The Philistines took up arms and fought the Israelites again, and they killed
Jonathan and the rest of Sauls son. During the battle, the archers hit Saul, and he
requested his sword bearer kill him, however he would not because he was afraid. So,
Saul fell on his own and his sword bearer did the same. When the people saw that Saul
was slain, they fled and the Philistines over took all of the army. The inhabitants of
Jabesh Gilead heard what happened to Saul, so they arose and got the bodies of him and
his sons, and burned them and fasted for seven days.
After Saul died, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalikites. One of
Sauls men came unto David and he was largely worn. The man reported Saul and his
sons deaths. When they heard the news, they rent their clothes and were very mournful
and fasted. David had the man who killed Saul put to death because he testified in such a
manner as this.
David and all of his men went up to Hebron as God said, and there they
pronounced David as the king over Judah. Abner took Ishbosheth, Sauls son, and made
him king over the house of Israel. Abner and many of the men went with him went out to
fight against the house of David, however Davids forces grew stronger, and the house of
Saul was made weaker. Abner and the men who were with him brought Michael with
them. So, Abner joined his forces with David, and he was to be made king to reign over
all. Then as Abner was returning to Hebron, Joab murdered him by striking him under
the 5th rib. While lying down to rest, Ishbosheth was killed, and his head was brought
unto David. David had his men to strike down the men who had killed such a man as
Ishbosheth.
David was placed to be king over all of Israel, and he conquered Jerusalem.
Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers to David, they build him a house, and he did
have a son born to him in Jerusalem. The Philistines rose up again to overcome David
and Israel, but God said not to go out, but God would go out and smote the Philistines.
David went with 30,000 men to get the Ark of the Covenant from Baale Judah to
bring it to his city. On the way, the ark was about to fall, but a man reached up to stable
it, and he died instantly because of breaking Gods rules about the ark. This certainly put
a dampener on Davids spirits, and he ceased jumping around and praising God with all
his might as he had moments previously been doing.
After some time though, he started to praise the lord with dance and cheering.
And when he came into his city, his wife looked at him and was upset with him. Upon
confronting King David about it he said it was all for the Lord and she did not have a
child the rest of her days. David looked at his house and saw that he lived in a house, and
the arc was only in a tent. He desired to build God a temple house for the arc to rest.

God came to Nathan the prophet though, and told him to tell David that he could only
draw up plans for the house because he was a man of war and had blood upon his hands.
His seed however, would be allowed to build the temple for God.
David goes on, conquered several more nations, and took from them spoils. One
day, David was in his house thinking and thought to himself, is there anybody left in the
house of Saul that I can show kindness to? David of course sent for him because he
wanted to honor him, yet Jonathans kin, Mephibosheth was afraid of David. David went
out and allied with Joab and conquered the ammonites and Syrians.
One of the days, David looked off of his roof, where he should not have been, and
saw a woman, Bathsheba, bathing. He called for her, and after lying with her received
word that she was with child. David sent a letter to Joab, and had her husband killed
strategically by being placed in the hottest part of the battle facing them. When news
returned that Uriah, Bathshebas husband, she wept. All that David did, displeased the
Lord. So, God sent Nathan to David and he told him a story about a rich man and a poor
man, and the anger of David was roused against the parallel action of his own sin. David
repented, and realized his sin and confessed. God did not require his blood, but that of
the child.
Davids son Amnon tricked Tamar into coming into the bed chambers with him,
and he raped her. Then Absalom Amnon and Tamars brother, Absalom ordered for
Amnon to be killed. His servant went just as Absalom had said and killed Amnon. Then
all of the children of David went, and word came to David that Absalom slain all of the
Kings children. So, David cried out exceedingly, but more word came and assured the
king that Absalom killed only Amnon because of his sin with his sister.
Absalom fled the land because his acts were made known abroad and to King
David. After some time, Absalom came again to Jerusalem. So, Absalom came to King
David and requested to go to Hebron. He sent his men out all along the way, telling the
people as he went that when they heard the trumpet to shout because Absalom would be
established as the King at Hebron.
When the trumpets blew and the word was spread to David, he left the city, and
his followers with him. Then Absalom rose up and took the throne and the people cursed
David and his men as they came past because of the blood that was upon his hand from
the reign of Saul. So, Absalom selected a few thousand men, to rise up and go against
David, and bring the people with him back to the city. Several spies were able to tell
David Absaloms plan and the people moved over the Jordan River with David. So
Absaloms army, and Davids servants fought, and while Absalom was riding through the
trees, his hair got caught in a tree and he was left hanging as his donkey ran from under
him. When this was seen, Joab went against the word of the king, and killed Absalom.
When David heard this, he cried out and wept greatly. After Absalom and his followers
had been suppressed, and conquered, David and his men returned to Jerusalem. David
suppresses one last rebellion in his days, and the end of the book of II Samuel gives his
final song of praise of Gods deliverance, and his last words. David was regarded as a
man after Gods own heart.
While David was old, he lay in bed, and could not get warm. So, the men around
him sought out a fair maiden to lay in bed with him, yet he did not know her. So the
people presumed Adonijah was to be the king. David called in Bethsheba, and declared
that Solomon be the king. Zadok the priest came to David, and anointed Solomon the

king and pronounced him through the country. Adonijah bowed before Solomon and
asked that his life be spared, as he would not rise up against Solomon.
David brought Solomon before him and talked to him about following God in all
ways so that everything he does will be blessed. After all this council, David died and
was buried. King Solomon knew that it was in the best interest, and had Adonijah put to
death, and removed Abiathar from the priest hood. Solomon built up his house, got
married to Pharaohs daughter of Egypt, and built the temple of the Lord.
One night while he was sleeping, the Lord came to Solomon and asked him what
He would to give him. Solomon requested for insight and wisdom to be able to lead the
people. The request pleased the Lord, so while He granted Solomons request, as well as
long life, health, and riches as long as he followed the Lord. Solomon went to Jerusalem,
and pronounced a rule over a dispute between two women and the people of Israel saw
this proclamation, trusting him as being of God and worth to follow. People came from
all around the visit king Solomon and see his great wisdom.
Then Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent servants to Solomon and Solomon requested
that he be allowed to make use of his servants, and that they would have the rights of
transportation of supplies to build the Temple of the Lord. The house was built 60 cubits
long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. Solomon also worked and built other
buildings for the Lord and to increase in the city of his own houses. Solomon assembled
the elders, called all the heads of the tribes, and the chief fathers, and brought the arc into
the temple. After all had been completed, Solomon gave a speech about the completion
of the job.
The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time. God promised that if he promised
to follow Him, that he would uphold his house and bless him wholly. Solomon gave
cities to Hiram, but when Hiram went out to see the cities, he was displeased. The queen
of Sheba came to Jerusalem to test the king and see if his fame was true. After
questioning him, she was astounded that what she had been told was not even half of the
truth. Solomon was exceedingly wealthy, and we are told that for an entire chapter.
Despite Solomons wisdom, he loved women of all places. He had 700 wives and they
turned away Solomon from his love from the Lord, and he did evil before Him. And after
time, he died and was buried with his fathers.
The first five chapters of I Chronicles go through the genealogies of the tribes of
Israel. There was also included the genealogy the family of Levi. The musicians in the
house of the Lord are recorded, as well as the family of Aaron and the dwelling places for
the Levites. We have recorded, the people who dwelled in Jerusalem, and the family of
the King of Saul.
Finally, by chapter ten, the genealogies take a break and history is recapped. The
death of Saul, and the tragic end of his sons are recorded, as well as the proclamation of
David as king over all of Israel. We are given a list of the mighty men that were with
David. We also get the growth of Davids army and how men rallied behind him to serve
David and the Lord. So, David consulted with his captains, and brought the ark into the
city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was established as the centerpiece of Israel. We have record

of Gods covenant with David from the perspective of God. The rest of the book contains
the rest of Davids conquests, several genealogies and census accounts, and Solomons
instruction to build the Temple that David had desired to build.
In II Chronicles, the opening recaps the history and acts of Solomon. We see
Solomons request for wisdom, the building of the temple for several chapters, his speech
upon completion, Gods second appearance to him, his achievements, and his death by
chapter 10. The next few chapters go through Abijah, Asa and his dealings for several
chapter, Jehosaphat and his reign over Judah for several chapters, until Ahaziah ruled
followed by Athaliah, Joash, who repaired the temple, and Amaziah. Several other kings
were recorded. Some were good and followed God, but the majority did not. A common
occurrence between the good kings was a remembrance of the Passover to remind the
people of what God had done for His people.

Books of Poetry
The book of Job that occurs around the period of Genesis, is recorded and placed
in the books of poetry because of the nature of its contents. The book is themed on the
sovereignty of God. The book opens with a brief history and background of Job. He and
his family lived in the land of Uz, and in the land, he was a man blameless, upright, and
fearing of the Lord God to shun evil. Job was a very rich man, and owned seven
thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female
donkeys, and a very large household. The children of Job did not live in upright manner
like their father, but drank, partied, and lived in familial sin.
One day the Lord said to Satan about Job that there was no man like him on all of
the earth. Of course he will follow, you said Satan. You have blessed him exceedingly.
Take away his blessings, and he will surely cure your name. God allowed Satan do go
against Job and destroy whatever Satan wanted too, as long as he would not harm Job
himself.
Job was minding his own business one day when a messenger came to Job and
told him that the oxen and donkeys were in a field and a raid of Sabeans came and took
them away. While he was still talking, another came and said that the fire of God had
fallen from heaven and burned up the sheep and servants and, while even he was still
talking, another messenger came to him and reported that the Chaldeans came and took
away his camels and killed his servants. While the last man was still giving an account, a
last came up to him and reported that a great wind had blown across the wilderness and
collapsed the house his sons and daughters were in, killing them all. Job was so
distressed by this news that he tore his clothes and wept on the ground, but in all his
sorrow, he did not blame God for what had transpired.
Again, Satan came before the Lord and again God told Satan to look at Job that he
was upright and blameless in the sight of God. Satan argued that if God would take away
his health, then he would cure Him. Once more, God allowed him to go on earth and do
to Job what he wanted as long as his life was spared. So Satan left the presence of the
Lord and came upon Job and he broke out in painful sores and was unable to sit or stand
because of them.
His wife came to him and told him to curse God and die. Jobs friends came to
him to mourn and comfort him. When they saw him, they tore their clothes, wept, and sat

in silence for an entire week with him. More than likely these were men of high stature
as well because they were friends with Job. What an example of a true friendship this
proves itself to be on a human relationship level.
Job despises the day he was born. After some time, his friends talked to him and
told him that he must have sinned. Job said he lived for God and that even though he did
not understand what was going on, that God was in control. More and more people tell
Job that he needs to repent of his sin that he must have committed. Job continually did
not repent for sins he knew he had not committed and defended his integrity. This back
and forth narration goes on for chapters on end. After Elihu preaches a long discourse,
the Lord reveals his omnipotence to Job, and challenges him to continue living as a just
man. In the end, Job repents of his wavering faith and God restores him and his
possessions twice as much.
Psalm 16
Most likely, David is the author of the psalm, written while David is running from
Saul. We learn several things from the psalm. We are reminded about Gods omnipower
because David is constantly taking strength and standing on God. This also inversely
means that we as humans are incapable of even life without the grace of God. David says
God is his refuge, the epitome of good, his counsel, his instruction, his place of rest, and
ultimately, his peace and joy. An important image that David brings up is that the Lord
has assigned us a portion of our cup, and we are secure in Him. We can take comfort in
knowing that we have security in God over all things.
Psalm 42
David also authored the 42nd Psalm written while David is fleeing Jerusalem
because of Absaloms rebellion. This psalm is famous for its imagery. Even as the deer
pants for water, the authors soul, which is reflexive of all our souls, pant and thirst for
Him. He uses metaphor and says that God is a rock. This can also be a spiritual
reflection of Gods omnipower just as in Psalm 16. God is a perfect entity, holy and
blameless. In contrast, we as humans are mortals, and our bones suffer in mortal agony.
The psalm closes on an up note though because David remembers that God is with our
soul day and night.
Psalm 101
A third psalm by David, occurring after he had been anointed king over all of
Israel. The psalm is surrounding the theme that surrounded Davids vow and his
professions of godliness. The entire psalm is reflexive not only of Davids desire of
established ruling, but how God runs his kingdom. There is nothing man can do to be
able to work his way to God. We as humans are totally depraved in accordance with this
psalm. God is holy and perfect, unable to sin, and is unable to have any part of evil.
David wanted to follow God, and ultimately what was good for God was good for David.

Proverbs 16:18-19

This proverb, is dealing with humility and pride. One of the largest problems
Christians can have is to become prideful. In the New Testament, the Pharisees were
prime examples of a prideful spirit when dealing with religion. Above and beyond
religion, daily life can apply this proverb. Pride, when thought about, always is before a
fall because of the way the human mind works. The larger the pride, the harder the fall
and failure.
Proverbs 16: 33
This is an interesting proverb, because it intrigues a question. In the bible, we are
taught that gambling is wrong, however casting lots is purely related on chance, and was
often times used for large decisions. This point is arguable either way, and is not what
makes the proverb important. What is important is the fact that God is in control of
everything. Even if something appears to be of chance, we can know it comes from the
Lord.
Proverbs 28: 14
This is an important verse to all Christians. The answer to happiness is reverence.
A happy man, is the one who is always reverent and seeks the Lord according to the
verse. When we pray with out ceasing, live to serve God, and offer ourselves continually
for His service, our will becomes His and we will indeed be happy. Many passages in the
New Testament also support this proverb resoundingly.
Proverbs 10: 9
One of the earliest forms of knowing that our sin will find us out is presented
here. Those who walk with integrity will be able to walk strong because they are in the
Lord and He is their rock. When the foolish strays from God and goes his own perverse
way, life becomes not only difficult, but open knowledge to everyone as clearly
evidenced by example prior, and supported with verses once again, in the New
Testament.
Proverbs 14:14
A person who is backsliding in faith, will continually find themselves indulging in
the flesh and activities that please themselves. The man who is in God has desires of the
Lord, and his true passion will be fulfilled as God completes all He sees proper and just
in the grand scheme of the world, and life.
The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon, but it could also be the
work of a teacher called Koheleth. The first chapter of the book is a psalm of the vanity
of life and the second half through chapter 2 deals with the problems that wisdom holds.
The next ideas that are brought up is that everything has its time and how life looks when
Injustice seems to prevail. What is interesting to me is that there is a given time for
peace, and a time for war. Does this justify war? Chapters 5 and 6 teach the fear of God,
honor vowels, and a warning of the vanity of gain and honor. Chapters 7 and 8 go over
the values of practical wisdom. Chapter 10 and 11 also tie in with this as they deal with
the excellence of wisdom. The end of chapter 11 and the beginning of 12 encourages the
following of the Lord while in your youth, for these are the days easier and we should
make good use of the time. The end of chapter 12 gives us the duty of man as a whole,
which be this: follow Gods commandments, love the Lord, remove yourself from
wickedness, and study of God.

The book of the Song of Solomon is a love story between Solomon, and one of
his wives. The basic point of the book is the experience of love in marriage. The book
goes through decently explicit details of the love between the two. Some chapters appear
from the perspective of the bride, and the other from the groom. Some people attribute
the book to be a reflection of the church and of God, however some would say that it is
meant to be true to the text.

1. Henry, Matthew. BibleGateway. Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary on the

Bible. 1706 <http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/MatthewHenry/Gen/God-Creates-Heaven-Earth>.
2.
Marty, William. A Survey of the Old Testament. Kendall/Hunt Publishing
Company, 1992.
3.

Nelson, Thomas. New King James Version Study Bible. Nelson, 2006.