An introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books / David M. Howard, Jr. [print]

1. INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL NARRATIVE -- Historical narrative as prose: Contrast with poetry -- Historical narrative as history -- Modern historical study of Biblical history -- Historical narrative as literature -- Conclusion: Reading historical narrative --

2. JOSHUA -- Joshua: Title and man -- Authorship and date of composition -- Purpose -- Historical and cultural context for the book of Joshua -- The place of Joshua in the Canon -- Special issues in the book of Joshua -- Theology of the book of Joshua -- Outline of the book of Joshua --

3. JUDGES -- Title -- Authorship and date of composition -- Unity -- Purpose -- The place of Judges in the Canon -- Historical and cultural context for the book of Judges -- Special issues in the book of Judges -- Theology of the book of Judges --

4. RUTH -- Ruth: Title and woman -- Authorship and date of composition -- Literary nature -- Unity -- Purpose -- The place of Ruth in the Canon -- Historical and cultural context for the book of Ruth -- Theology of the book of Ruth -- Exposition of the book of Ruth -- Outline of the book of Ruth --

5. 1 AND 2 SAMUEL -- Title and division of the books -- Authorship, unity, and date of composition -- The text of 1 and 2 Samuel -- Purpose -- Historical and cultural context for 1 and 2 Samuel -- Special issues in 1 and 2 Samuel -- The place of 1 and 2 Samuel in the Canon -- Theology of 1 and 2 Samuel -- Outline of 1 and 2 Samuel --

6. 1 AND 2 KINGS -- Title and place in the Canon -- Authorship and date of composition -- Date of the events -- Purpose -- The composition of 1 and 2 Kings -- Chronology in 1 and 2 Kings -- Prophets and prophecy in 1 and 2 Kings -- Special issues in 1 and 2 Kings -- Special issues in 1 and 2 Kings -- Theology of 1 and 2 Kings -- Outline of 1 and 2 Kings --

7. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT FOR 1 AND 2 KINGS -- Israel and its neighbors in 1 and 2 Kings -- Extrabiblical texts and 1 and 2 Kings -- Jerusalem in 1 and 2 Kings --

8. 1 AND 2 CHRONICLES -- Title and place in the Canon -- Authorship -- Date -- Purpose -- Historical and cultural context for 1 and 2 Chronicles -- Relationship of 1 and 2 Chronicles to Ezra-Nehemiah -- Sources in 1 and 2 Chronicles -- The Chronicler's hermeneutics -- The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1-9 -- Outline of 1 and 2 Chronicles --

9. EZRA-NEHEMIAH -- Title -- Purpose -- Place in the Canon -- Authorship -- Composition -- Date -- Historical and cultural context for Ezra-Nehemiah -- The Aramaic of Ezra -- Ezra and Nehemiah and their reforms -- Special issues in Ezra-Nehemiah -- Theology of Ezra-Nehemiah -- Outline of Ezra-Nehemiah --

10. ESTHER -- Esther: Title and woman -- Authorship and date of composition -- Canonicity and place in the Canon -- Purpose -- History and the book of Esther -- The additions to the book of Esther -- Theology of the book of Esther -- Outline of the book of Esther.

Rich rewards await readers who dig deep into the historical books of the Old Testament. Incredible events, amazing love stories, larger-than-life personalities, and deep theological themes are just some of the treasures found in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. These books tell the story of the nation of Israel and the God who loves her, punishes her, and always brings this recalcitrant people back to Himself. It is really the story of all of us. David M. Howard Jr. provides an in-depth introduction to the Old Testament historical books, focusing first on the overarching themes of historical narrative in general. He then turns his attention to each book, considering topics like: - Authorship and date - Place in the canon - Historical and cultural context - Theology of the book - Special issues pertaining to the book From the conquest of Canaan to the fall of Jerusalem, from war to peace and back to war, from kings and queens to farmers and housewives-David Howard covers it all in this invaluable introduction to the Old Testament historical books. AMAZON

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DAVID M. HOWARD Jr. (B.S., Geneva College; M.A., Wheaton College; A.M., Ph.D., The University of Michigan), is professor of Old Testament at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of four books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books, What Makes a Missionary, and The Structure of Psalms 93-100, as well as several dozen articles in scholarly journals and Bible encyclopedias. He resides in Shoreview, Minnesota.