Establishment of a Chosen People: 12 Books of History

The history books record how God leads Israel into the promised land, establishes her and later brings her back after a period of exile. By establishing a special covenant relationship with a particular chosen people under the Old Covenant, God prepares the world for a general covenant relationship with chosen people from every nation under the New Covenant. The Old Covenant was a kind of forerunner of the New. It was provisional, temporary, local, preparatory and for one nation. But it paved the way for the New, which is eternal, and for people of every tribe and nation.

Period of the Commonwealth
Period of the Crown
Period of the Captivity

Period of the Commonwealth: Joshua, Judges and Ruth

These three books tell the story of God's establishing his people in the land while Israel was still a theocracy. Joshua is the story of their entering in to possess the land. Judges records 332 years of victories and defeats with cycles of sin and repentance. Ruth tells the story of one family which was significant because it was in the Messianic line.

Just as God led his people Israel out of slavery in Egypt into the promised land of Canaan, one day he would lead his chosen people the Church out of slavery to Satan and sin into the promised land of God's Kingdom.

Period of the Crown

These six books record the story of the establishment of the Messianic line. I Samuel tells of Israel's seeking a king, and the anointing of Saul. Samuel was the last ruling judge. II Samuel tells of David's reign, and Israel's rise to the pinnacle of her power. I Kings is about the death of David and the rise of his son Solomon. II Kings covers the divided kingdom. I and II Chronicles recaps Israel's history, with special attention to David, Solomon and the Kings of Judah.

David receives special attention not only because he was "a man after God's own heart," but also because God entered into a special covenant with him, promising: "I will raise up your offspring to succeed you...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" ( Samuel 7:12-16). This promise speaks of the Messiah to come, who will be of the line of David and reign forever.