#1 and 2 Chronicles#

Giving matter supplementary to the preceding books; the temple ritual under David and Solomon; restoration of church and nation after captivity.

#Ezra#

The return of the captives under Zerubbabel; the rebuilding of the temple; the second return of captives in time of Artaxerxes Longima.n.u.s and Ezra's reformation of the people.

#Nehemiah#

The rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah; reforms, civil and religious; restoration of Temple services; re-enacting of Mosaic law.

#Esther#

An episode in the history of the Israelites who remained in captivity, showing the overruling power of Providence.

Poetical Books

#Job#

The story of Job's sufferings and patient endurance; the wisdom and power of G.o.d in dealing with him; his closing days of peace and prosperity.

#Psalms#

A compilation of songs of praise and devotion, used especially in the public worship of Jehovah.

#Proverbs#

A manual of practical rules of life setting wisdom over against folly--princ.i.p.ally the work of Solomon.

#Ecclesiastes#

The story of a search for happiness in the things of the world, concluding with the emptiness of everything but the doing of G.o.d's will.

#Song of Solomon#

There are three princ.i.p.al views concerning the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs: (1) As a spiritual allegory, teaching G.o.d's love for Israel; (2) As an allegory with Christ as the Lover and his church as the beloved; (3) As the story of Solomon's love for the Shulamite.

The Prophetical Books

_The Major Prophets_

#Isaiah#

Prophecies against Jerusalem; a forecast of Messianic days; the relation of the Jewish nation to its enemies; the disappearance of national distinctions, and the great future of the church.

#Jeremiah#

Warnings to the Jews; a survey of all nations; a promise of return from exile; prophecies regarding Egypt.

#Lamentations#

A pathetic ode, expressing Jeremiah's grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the miseries of slavery and famine.

#Ezekiel#

Prophecies before and after the destruction of Jerusalem, exhorting to repentance; p.r.o.nouncing G.o.d's judgment on the surrounding nations; and visions of the final glory of G.o.d's people in a new Jerusalem.

#Daniel#

The story of Daniel in Babylon, and particularly noteworthy because of its Messianic predictions.

_The Minor Prophets_

#Hosea#

Points out the unfaithfulness of Israel; the necessity for punishment; the final restoration of Israel.

#Joel#

A prophetical description of locusts, drought, and invasion, with exhortation to fasting, prayer, and repentance; a promise of blessing; a warning of the destruction of Jerusalem; a foretelling of the founding of Messiah's Kingdom.

#Amos#

Denounces sins of nations around Israel and Judah; describes the state of the two kingdoms, and pictures the coming of the Messiah and restoration of the people.

#Obadiah#

Predicts annihilation of Edom, and contrasts it with the future restoration of Israel, who are to possess Edom and Philistia, and enjoy the promises of the Messiah.

#Jonah#

The story of Jonah's mission to the Ninevites, his wilfulness, and G.o.d's love for the nations.

#Micah#

Depicts the fall of Israel and Judah; the better things to come; foretells invasions of Sennacherib and Shalmaneser, the dispersion of Israel, destruction of Jerusalem and a.s.syria, and the birthplace and kingdom of Christ.

#Nahum#

A _consoler_ from Jehovah, foretelling the downfall of a.s.syria, and repeating Jonah's denunciations of a.s.syria.

#Habakkuk#

Foretells destruction of the Chaldeans; utters song of praise for the power and mercy of Jehovah, with confidence in his mercy on his people.