OTBS 202: Old Testament History Books

Course Description

Welcome to OTBS 202! This course dives into the thrilling, and often turbulent, history of the nation of Israel as documented in the Old Testament. We will pick up the story right after the death of Moses and trace Israel’s journey from the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua, through the chaotic era of the Judges, to the rise and fall of its great kings like David and Solomon. We will witness the kingdom’s tragic division, its descent into idolatry, the judgment of exile, and the faithful remnant’s miraculous return to rebuild their nation and their faith.

This course examines the books from Joshua to Esther, focusing on God’s unwavering covenant faithfulness even in the face of His people’s repeated failures. You will see how God’s sovereign hand guided the history of Israel, always preserving a remnant and relentlessly pushing forward His ultimate plan of redemption, which sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to tell the complete story of Old Testament history from the conquest to the return from exile. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

• Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
• Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Trace the Historical Narrative: Articulate the main historical storyline from the conquest of Canaan to the post-exilic period.
• Identify Key Figures and Events: Recognize the major characters (e.g., Joshua, Samson, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Nehemiah) and pivotal events (e.g., the Conquest, the United Monarchy, the Divided Kingdom, the Exile, the Return) and explain their historical and theological significance.
• Analyze Theological Themes: Explain key theological concepts such as covenant, kingship, judgment, and restoration as they develop throughout Israel’s history.
• Understand God’s Providence: Appreciate God’s sovereign control over the affairs of Israel and surrounding nations to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
• Connect to the Broader Canon: Understand how the historical books provide the context for the Old Testament prophets and Wisdom Literature, and how they point forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Conquest and Chaos (Joshua, Judges, Ruth)

• Lesson 1: The Conquest of Canaan under Joshua
• Lesson 2: Dividing and Settling the Promised Land
• Lesson 3: The Cycle of Sin: Israel’s Failure under the Judges
• Lesson 4: The Depths of Anarchy and Apostasy
• Lesson 5: A Ray of Hope: Loyalty and Redemption in Ruth

Chapter 2: The Rise of the Kingdom (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11, 1 Chronicles)

• Lesson 1: The Last Judge and the First King: Samuel and Saul
• Lesson 2: The Rise of David: A Man After God’s Own Heart
• Lesson 3: The Davidic Kingdom and Covenant
• Lesson 4: The Golden Age: The Reign of King Solomon
• Lesson 5: The Building of the Temple and the Seeds of Division

Chapter 3: A Kingdom Divided (1 & 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)

• Lesson 1: The Kingdom Torn in Two: Israel and Judah
• Lesson 2: Prophets and Kings in the Northern Kingdom (Israel)
• Lesson 3: The Decline and Fall of Israel to Assyria
• Lesson 4: Reform and Rebellion in the Southern Kingdom (Judah)
• Lesson 5: The Prophetic Voice During the Monarchy

Chapter 4: Judgment and Exile (2 Kings, Lamentations)

• Lesson 1: The Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
• Lesson 2: The Babylonian Exile: Life as Captives
• Lesson 3: Lamenting the Loss: The Book of Lamentations
• Lesson 4: God’s Presence in Exile: Stories from Daniel
• Lesson 5: Prophetic Hope in a Hopeless Land: The Ministry of Ezekiel

Chapter 5: Restoration and Return (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)

• Lesson 1: The First Return: Rebuilding the Temple under Zerubbabel
• Lesson 2: A Scribe for the People: Ezra and the Renewal of the Law
• Lesson 3: Rebuilding the Walls: The Leadership of Nehemiah
• Lesson 4: For Such a Time as This: God’s Hidden Hand in Esther
• Lesson 5: The Post-Exilic Community and the Stage for the Future

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.