Kathy L McFarland

Job

The Book of Job is named from its central character. The author is uncertain. The date of composition is widely disputed. The purpose of the Book of Job shows the inadequacy of human reason to account for the suffering of the innocent. There is a mystery of divine freedom which does not contradict God’s goodness or sovereignty but remains elusive to man, and resigns to an attitude of trust and dependence on a good God whose working man cannot fathom.

Job 1

1:1-5 The riches and piety of Job
1:6-12 Satan obtains permission to tempt Job
1:13-22 Job is afflicted

Job 2

2:1-8 Satan obtains permission to tempt Job
2:9-10 Job and his wife
2:11-13 Job and his friends

Job 3

3:1-26 Job bewails his birth

Job 4

4:1-21 Eliphaz rebukes Job

Job 5

5:1-27 Eliphaz rebukes Job (continued)

Job 6

6:1-13 Job justifies his complaints
6:14-30 Job reproaches his friends

Job 7

7:1-21 Job remonstrates with God

Job 8

8:1-22 Bildad affirms God’s justice

Job 9

9:1-35 Job acknowledges God’s justice

Job 10

10:1-22 Job bewails his condition

Job 11

11:1-20 Zophar reproves Job

Job 12

12:1-6 Job answers his friends
12:7-25 Job acknowledges God’s omnipotence

Job 13

13:1-28 Job defends his integrity

Job 14

14:1-22 Job speaks of life’s woes

Job 15

15:1-35 Eliphaz reproves Job

Job 16

16:1-22 Job complains of God’s dealings

Job 17

17:1-16 Job appeals to God

Job 18

18:1-21 Bildad speaks of the plight of the wicked

Job 19

19:1-20 Job speaks of his friends’ cruelty
19:21-24 Job seeks pity
19:25-29 Job states his faith

Job 20

20:1-29 Zophar speaks of the wicked

Job 21

21:1-34 Job bemoans the prosperity of the wicked
Job 22

22:1-20 Eliphaz accuses Job of sin
22:21-30 Job implored to repent

Job 23

23:1-7 Job desires to plead before God
23:8-17 God knows men’s ways

Job 24

24:1-16 Job complains of God’s indifference to wicked
24:17-25 Secret judgment for the wicked

Job 25

25:1-6 How can man be justified with God?

Job 26

26:1-14 Job reproves Bildad, praises God

Job 27

27:1-7 Job’s truthfulness
27:8-23 The hypocrite’s hopelessness

Job 28

28:1-28 Wisdom is God’s gift

Job 29

29:1-25 Job speaks of past wealth

Job 30

30:1-31 Job is diseased and abhorred

Job 31

31:1-40 Job speaks of his integrity

Job 32

32:1-5 Elihu appears
32:6-10 Wisdom comes not from age
32:11-22 Elihu reproves the “comforters”

Job 33

33:1-13 Elihu reasons with Job
33:14-33 God calls men to repent

Job 34

34:1-9 Elihu speaks of Job’s logic
34:10-30 God cannot be unjust
34:31-37 Man must give up pride

Job 35

35:1-16 Man is not God

Job 36

36:1-15 God is just
36:16-33 Results of Job’s sins

Job 37

37:1-24 God’s works and wisdom

Job 38

38:1-3 God challenges Job
38:4-41 God shows Job’s ignorance

Job 39

39:1-30 God continues his challenge

Job 40

40:1-5 Job is humbled
40:6-24 God’s power and wisdom

Job 41

41:1-34 God’s power shown in the leviathan

Job 42

42:1-6 Job submits to God
42:7-17 God blesses Job

Esther

The Book of Esther is about the marriage of its Jewish heroine with a Gentile King. The account is set in Shushan, the winter capital of Persia, not Israel. The book never mentions the word God or His Name, however, His sovereignty and providence are evident throughout. The origins of the Feast of Purim (2 Maccabees 15:36) when Jews celebrate the deliverance from Haman are revealed in this account. Many ancient commentators attribute the author of the book as Mordecai. Some have even suggested that Ezra or Nehemiah wrote the account, however there is no evidence to support this. Most scholars generally agree that the author is anonymous.

Esther 1

1:1-9 Ahasuerus makes a royal feast
1:10-12 Vashti refuses to obey the king
1:13-22 Queen Vashti’s punishment

Esther 2

2:1-18 Esther made queen
2:19-23 Mordecai saves the king’s life

Esther 3

3:1-15 Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews

Esther 4

4:1-14 Fasting among the Jews
4:15-17 Esther promises to intercede for her people

Esther 5

5:1-8 The courage of Esther
5:9-14 Haman boasts of his advancement

Esther 6

6:1-3 The king reminded of Mordecai’s service
6:4-14 Haman forced to honor Mordecai

Esther 7

7:1-6 Esther’s banquet and plea
7:7-10 The king orders Haman to be hanged

Esther 8

8:1-2 Mordecai advanced and honored
8:3-8 Esther’s plea to reverse Haman’s letters
8:9-17 The Jews authorized to resist

Esther 9

9:1-19 The Jews destroy their enemies
9:20-32 The feast of Purim instituted

Esther 10

10:1-3 Mordecai’s greatness

Nehemiah
Nehemiah was in the high position of cupbearer to the king when he learned that Jerusalem was in great affliction and reproach. He was successful in having himself appointed as governor in Judah with authority and resources to rebuild the city walls. He was a man of skill and daring, as he surveyed the walls at night to avoid detection, then assembled labor forces and supervised the building process. After the wall was completed, he took measures to increase the population of Jerusalem and to correct social, economic and religious abuses. Nehemiah was a wise and courageous man with deep piety and strong convictions, with an invincible determination to complete the tasks for which the LORD God had called him to do. The book of Nehemiah is believed to be authored by him, and most probably taken from a personal diary that he kept.

Nehemiah 1

1:1-3 Nehemiah learns the misery of Jerusalem
1:4-11 Nehemiah’s prayer for Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2

2:1-10 Nehemiah sent to Jerusalem
2:11-20 Nehemiah encourages people to rebuild walls

Nehemiah 3

3:1-32 The builders of the wall

Nehemiah 4

4:1-3 Nehemiah opposed and ridiculed
4:4-12 Nehemiah answers by prayers
4:13-23 Nehemiah arms the laborers

Nehemiah 5

5:1-5 Complaints of debt, interest, and bondage
5:6-13 The payment of interest abolished
5:14-19 Nehemiah’s example of unselfishness

Nehemiah 6

6:1-14 The plots of the adversaries
6:15-19 The wall is finished

Nehemiah 7

7:1-4 Nehemiah appoints rulers for Jerusalem
7:5-73 List of returning exiles

Nehemiah 8

8:1-12 Ezra reads and explains the Law
8:13-18 Feast of tabernacles restored

Nehemiah 9

9:1-3 The people fast and repent
9:4-38 Confession of priests and Levites

Nehemiah 10

10:1-39 Those who sealed the covenant

Nehemiah 11

11:1-36 The residents of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 12

12:1-26 Priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel
12:27-43 The dedication of the walls
12:44-47 The temple offices restored

Nehemiah 13

13:1-31 Nehemiah’s reforms

Ezra

Ezra, had a royal commission that authorized him to “inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God” (v. 14). As a result, he and Nehemiah focused Israel’s new identity on the LORD GOD’s law brought forward from Moses. Israel was forced to focus on the form and content of religious life and practice, as the Babylon exiles returned as faithful Israelites, and reestablished their temple worship.

There were three groups of returns from Babylon to Judah. The first led to the rebuilding of the Temple of the LORD, the second was under Ezra, and was focused on reformation and returning to their covenant obligations, and the third was led by Nehemiah. The identity of the author of this book cannot be established with certainty, however, Jewish tradition names Ezra as the original author, with Nehemiah completing his work. Most modern scholars agree with this attribute to Ezra, “the chronicler”.

Ezra 1

1:1-4 Proclamation of Cyrus
1:5-11 The return of the exiles to Jerusalem

Ezra 2

2:1-70 Those who returned from captivity

Ezra 3

3:1-7 The restoration of worship
3:8-13 The rebuilding of the temple begun

Ezra 4

4:1-16 Adversaries seek to stop the work
4:17-24 The work suspended

Ezra 5

5:1-17 The temple rebuilt

Ezra 6

6:1-12 Darius confirms the decree of Cyrus
6:13-15 The temple finished
6:16-22 The passover restored

Ezra 7

7:1-10 Ezra goes to Jerusalem
7:11-26 Commission of Artaxerxes
7:27-28 Ezra’s Thanksgiving

Ezra 8

8:1-14 List of Ezra’s companions
8:15-20 Ezra sends for the Levites
8:21-23 Ezra Proclaims a fast
8:24-30 The treasure committed for the priests
8:31-36 Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem

Ezra 9

9:1-15 Ezra’s prayer of confession

Ezra 10

10:1-17 Foreign wives and children put away
10:18-44 Those who put away foreign wives

2 Chronicles

The Book of 2 Chronicles was originally one book with 1 Chronicles in the Hebrew text. The one “Things Left Behind” text was divided by translators of the Septuagint. The book of Chronicles was written by the priests of Israel (often attributed specifically to Ezra in Jewish Tradition), and places focus on the religious institutions of Israel – the temple, priesthood, offerings and feasts. The individual reigns of the descendants of David are covered, from Solomon until the fall of Jerusalem under Zedekiah.

2 Chronicles 1

1:1-13 Solomon’s prayer for wisdom
1:14-17 Solomon’s wealth and might

2 Chronicles 2

2:1-10 Solomon prepares to build the temple
2:11-18 Huram agrees to help Solomon

2 Chronicles 3

3:1-2 Solomon begins the temple
3:3-14 Dimensions and materials of the temple
3:15-17 The two pillars

2 Chronicles 4

4:1-22 The furnishings of the temple

2 Chronicles 5

5:1-14 The ark brought into the temple

2 Chronicles 6

6:1-11 Solomon blesses God and the people
6:12-42 Solomon’s prayer of dedication

2 Chronicles 7

7:1-3 The Glory of the LORD fills the temple

7:4-11 The sacrifice and rejoicing
7:12-22 The Lord’s covenant with Solomon

2 Chronicles 8

8:1-18 Solomon’s activities and fame

2 Chronicles 9

9:1-12 The queen of Sheba visits Solomon
9:13-28 Solomon’s riches and fame
9:29-31 The death of Solomon

2 Chronicles 10

10:1-11 Rehoboam succeeds Solomon
10:12-15 Rehoboam’s foolish decision
10:16-19 Israel’s revolt

2 Chronicles 11

11:1-4 Rehoboam dissuaded from fighting Israel
11:5-13 Rehoboam fortifies his kingdom
11:14-17 Jeroboam rejects the worship of the Lord
11:18-23 Rehoboam’s family

2 Chronicles 12

12:1 Apostasy of Rehoboam
12:2-12 Shishak’s invasion of Judah
12:13-16 The death of Rehoboam

2 Chronicles 13

13:1-2 Abijah reigns over Judah
13:3-20 The war between Abijah and Jeroboam
13:21-22 The family of Abijah

2 Chronicles 14

14:1-8 Asa reigns over Judah
14:9-15 Asa’s victory over Zerah

2 Chronicles 15

15:1-7 Warning of the prophet Azariah
15:8-19 The reforms under Asa

2 Chronicles 16

16:1-6 Asa’s league with Benhadad
16:7-12 Asa rebuked by Hanani
16:13-14 Asa’s illness and death

2 Chronicles 17

17:1-5 Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
17:6-9 Revival under Jehoshaphat
17:10-19 Jehoshaphat’s power increased

2 Chronicles 18

18:1-3 Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab
18:4-11 Ahab’s false prophets
18:12-27 Micaiah’s true prophecy
18:28-34 Defeat of Jehoshaphat and death of Ahab

2 Chronicles 19

19:1-3 Jehu rebukes Jehoshaphat
19:4-11 Jehoshaphat’s additional reforms

2 Chronicles 20

20:1-2 Moab invades Judah
20:3-12 Jehoshphat prays for deliverance
20:13-19 Jehaziel promises a great deliverance
20:20-25 The invading armies stricken with death
20:26-30 The triumphant return to Jerusalem
20:31-37 Jehoshaphat reigns over Judah

2 Chronicles 21

21:1-7 Jehoram reigns over Judah
21:8-10 Edom and Libnah revolt
21:11-15 Elijah’s prophecy against Jehoram
21:16-17 The Philistines and the Arabians invade Judah
21:18-20 Jehoram’s illness and death

2 Chronicles 22

22:1-6 Ahaziah reigns wickedly over Judah
22:7-9 Jehu kills Ahaziah
22:10-12 Athaliah unsurps the throne

2 Chronicles 23

23:1-11 Joash become king over Judah
23:12-15 Athaliah is slain
23:16-21 The revival through Jehoiada

2 Chronicles 24

24:1-3 Joash reigns well in Judah
24:4-14 Joash repairs the temple
24:15-16 Jehoiada the good priest dies
24:17-19 Joash turns to idolatry
24:20-22 Son of Jehoiada slain
24:23-27 The Syrians invade and defeat Judah

2 Chronicles 25

25:1-4 Amaziah reigns over Judah
25:5-16 Amaziah defeats Edom
25:17-28 War between Judah and Israel

2 Chronicles 26

26:1-5 Uzziah succeeds Amaziah
26:6-15 Uzziah prospers in war and fame
26:16-23 Uzziah unsurps the priest’s office

2 Chronicles 27

27:1-9 Jotham reigns over Judah

2 Chronicles 28

28:1-4 Ahaz reigns over Judah
28:5-15 War between Ahaz and Pekah
28:16-27 Edomites and Philistines invade Judah

2 Chronicles 29

29:1-2 Hezekiah reigns over Judah
29:3-19 The revival under Hezekiah
29:20-36 The temple worship restored

2 Chronicles 30

30:1-14 Preparation for the Passover
30:15-27 The celebration of the Passover

2 Chronicles 31

31:1 The idols destroyed
31:2-21 Hezekiah’s provision for priests and Levites

2 Chronicles 32

32:1-19 Sennacherib invades Judah
32:20-23 The Lord delivers Hezekiah
32:24-26 Hezekiah’s illness and recovery
32:27-31 Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon
32:32-33 The death of Hezekiah

2 Chronicles 33

33:1-10 Manasseh reigns over Judah
33:11-20 Manasseh’s captivity and restoration
33:21-25 Amon reigns over Judah

2 Chronicles 34

34:1-2 Josiah reigns over Judah
34:3-7 Josiah’s reforms
34:8-13 Josiah repairs the temple
34:14-21 The Book of the Law discovered
34:22-28 Huldah’s prophecy
34:29-33 Josiah’s covenant

2 Chronicles 35

35:1-19 Josiah keeps the Passover
35:20-27 The death of Josiah

2 Chronicles 36

36:1-4 The reign and dethronement of Jehoahaz
36:5-8 Jehoiakim reigns over Judah
36:9-10 Jehoiachin taken captive to Babylon
36:11-16 Zedekiah reigns over Judah
36:17-21 The captivity of Judah
36:22-23 Decree of Cyrus to build the temple

1 Chronicles

The author of 1 Chronicles is unknown, but Jewish tradition assigns the authorship to Ezra. The books of Chronicles were originally one book in the Hebrew text. They became separated into two books by the translators of the Greek version of the Old Testament. These translators gave the books a title meaning “Things Left Behind” – that is, details not included in Samuel and Kings. The Hebrew title, “Daily Matters,” like the English title “Chronicles”, reveals the most important daily affairs in the lives of Israel’s kings. The theme of Chronicles records how Judah and the people of God responded to the standards revealed by the LORD GOD, and places special focus on the covenant with David.

1 Chronicles 1

1:1-4 Descendants of Adam
1:5-7 Descendants of Japheth
1:8-16 Descendants of Ham
1:17-23 Descendants of Shem
1:24-27 Shem’s line to Abraham
1:28-33 Descendants of Ishmael and Keturah
1:34-54 Descendants of Esau

1 Chronicles 2

2:1-2 The sons of Israel
2:3-55 Descendants of Judah

1 Chronicles 3

3:1-9 Descendants of David
3:10-24 Descendants of Solomon

1 Chronicles 4

4:1-23 Descendants of Judah
4:24-43 Descendants of Simeon

1 Chronicles 5

5:1-10 Descendants of Reuben
5:11-17 Descendants of Gad
5:18-26 History of the two and a half tribes

1 Chronicles 6

6:1-30 Descendants of Levi
6:31-48 The temple singers and keepers
6:49-53 Descendants of Aaron
6:54-81 Cities of the Levites

1 Chronicles 7

7:1-5 Descendants of Issachar
7:6-12 Descendants of Benjamin
7:13 Descendants of Naphtali
7:14-19 Descendants of Manasseh
7:20-29 Descendants of Ephraim
7:30-40 Descendants of Asher

1 Chronicles 8

8:1-32 Descendants of Benjamin
8:33-40 Descendants of Saul

1 Chronicles 9

9:1-9 The genealogies of Israel and Judah
9:10-34 Priests and Levites in Jerusalem
9:35-44 Genealogy of Saul

1 Chronicles 10

10:1-14 The death of Saul and his sons

1 Chronicles 11

11:1-3 David made king over all Israel
11:4-9 David captures Zion
11:10-47 The mighty men of David

1 Chronicles 12

12:1-40 The army of David

1 Chronicles 13

13:1-8 David’s desire to remove the ark
13:9-14 Uzza is smitten

1 Chronicles 14

14:1-2 Hiram’s kindness to David
14:3-7 Children born to David in Jerusalem
14:8-17 David’s victories over the Philistines

1 Chronicles 15

15:1-29 David brings the ark to Jerusalem
1 Chronicles 16

16:1-6 David’s sacrifice and thanks
16:7-36 David’s psalm of thanksgiving
16:37-43 The Levites appointed for the ark

1 Chronicles 17

17:1-15 God’s covenant with David
17:16-27 David’s prayer and thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 18

18:1-17 David extends his kingdom

1 Chronicles 19

19:1-5 David’s messengers humiliated
19:6-15 David defeats Ammon
19:16-19 David defeats the Syrians

1 Chronicles 20

20:1-3 Joab and David capture Rabbah
20:4-8 The Philistine giants slain

1 Chronicles 21

21:1-6 David numbers Israel and Judah
21:7-17 David chooses his punishment
21:18-30 David builds an altar

1 Chronicles 22

22:1-5 David’s preparation for the temple
22:6-19 David’s instructions to Solomon

1 Chronicles 23

23:1 David makes Solomon king
23:2-23 Divisions and duties of the Levites
23:24-32 New office of the Levites

1 Chronicles 24

24:1-19 Aaron’s sons divided into twenty-four lots
24:20-25 The divisions of the Kohathites
24:26-31 The divisions of the Merarites

1 Chronicles 25

25:1-31 The divisions of the musicians

1 Chronicles 26

26:1-32 The porters and overseers

1 Chronicles 27

27:1-34 The officers of the kingdom

1 Chronicles 28

28:1-8 David’s counsel to Israel
28:9-21 David encourages Solomon to build the temple

1 Chronicles 29

29:1-9 David exhorts the people
29:10-19 David’s thanksgiving and prayer
29:20-25 Solomon made king
29:26-30 The death of David

2 Kings

The author of 2 Kings is unknown, but Jewish tradition supports Jeremiah. The books of Kings were originally contained within one book of Hebrew text, and was part of a two-volume collection with the books of Samuel. Therefore, 2 Kings is actually the fourth book in the series on the history of the Hebrew Kings as presently arranged. The accountings serves as the final account of the demise of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and correlates historical facts with theological truths. The providential care of the LORD God for his people, as He acts in the affairs of men and nations is recorded here for all to witness the true and living Will and Works of Him.

2 Kings 1

1:1-16 The death of Ahaziah
1:17-18 Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah

2 Kings 2

2:1-11 Elijah divides the Jordan
2:12-18 Elisha divides the Jordan
2:19-25 Elisha heals Jericho’s water

2 Kings 3

3:1-3 Jehoram reigns over Israel
3:4-20 Elisha predicts victory over Moab
3:21-27 Moab defeated
2 Kings 4

4:1-7 The widow’s oil
4:8-37 Elisha and the Shunammite women
4:38-44 Elisha’s miracles for the prophets

2 Kings 5

5:1-14 The cure of Naaman’s leprosy
5:15-19 Elisha declines Naaman’s gifts
5:20-27 The sin and punishment of Elisha’s servant

2 Kings 6

6:1-7 The axe head made to float
6:8-23 Elisha and the Syrians
6:24-29 The siege of Samaria
6:30-33 Benhadad seeks Elisha’s life

2 Kings 7

7:1-4 Elisha’s prophecy and promises of plenty
7:5-15 The flight of the Syrians
7:16-20 Elisha’s prophecy is fulfilled

2 Kings 8

8:1-6 The land of the Shunammite restored
8:7-15 Hazael becomes king of Syria
8:16-24 Jehoram reigns over Judah
8:25-29 Ahaziah reigns over Judah

2 Kings 9

9:1-13 Jehu anointed king over Israel
9:14-26 Jehu kills Joram king of Israel
9:27-29 Jehu kills Ahaziah king of Judah
9:30-37 The death of Jezebel

2 Kings 10

10:1-17 Jehu destroyed the house of Ahab
10:18-31 Jehu slays the worshipers of Baal
10:32-36 The oppression of Israel

2 Kings 11

11:1 Athaliah destroys the royal seed
11:2-11 Joash is saved
11:12-15 Joash becomes king over Judah
11:16-21 Athaliah is slain

2 Kings 12

12:1-21 Jehoash reigns over Judah

2 Kings 13

13:1-9 Jehoahaz reigns over Israel
13:10-13 Jehoash reigns over Israel
13:14-25 Elisha’s final prophecy and death

2 Kings 14

14:1-22 Amaziah reigns over Judah
14:23-29 Jeroboam reigns over Israel

2 Kings 15

15:1-7 Azariah reigns over Judah
15:8-12 Zechariah reigns over Israel
15:13-16 Shallum reigns over Israel
15:17-22 Menahem reigns over Israel
15:23-26 Pekahiah reigns over Israel
15:27-31 Peka reigns over Israel
15:32-38 Jotham reigns over Judah

2 Kings 16

16:1-18 Ahaz reigns over Judah
16:19-20 Hezekiah reigns over Judah

2 Kings 17

17:1-4 Hoshea reigns over Israel
17:5-23 The fall of the Samaria and the captivity of Israel
17:24-41 The repopulation of the Samaria

2 Kings 18

18:1-12 Hezekiah reigns over Judah
18:13-37 Sennacherib invades Judah

2 Kings 19

19:1-7 Hezekiah’s message to Isaiah
19:8-13 Sennacherib’s letter to Hezekiah
19:14-19 The prayer of Hezekiah
19:20-37 Isaiah’s prophecy and Judah’s deliverance

2 Kings 20

20:1-11 Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery
20:12-19 Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon
20:20-21 The death of Hezekiah

2 Kings 21

21:1-18 Manasseh reigns over Judah
21:19-26 Amon reigns over Judah

2 Kings 22

22:1-7 Josiah reigns over Judah
22:8-14 The Book of the Law discovered
22:15-20 The prophecy of Huldah

2 Kings 23

23:1-3 Josiah’s covenant
23:4-20 Josiah’s reforms
23:21-23 The Passover restored
23:24-27 The Lord’s anger against Judah
23:28-30 The death of Josiah
23:31-35 Jehoahaz reigns over Judah
23:36-37 Jehoiakim reigns over Judah

2 Kings 24

24:1-7 Jehoiakim subdued by Nebuchadnezzar
24:8-17 Jehoiachin taken captive to Babylon
24:18-20 Zedekiah reigns over Judah

2 Kings 25

25:1-7 The fall of Jerusalem
25:8-21 The captivity of Judah
25:22-26 The remnant flee to Egypt
25:27-30 Jehoiachin restored and honored in Babylon