The Former Prophets
(Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings)

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Former Prophets and the Nature of Israelite Prophecy
Overview of Joshua and Judges
The Taking of the Land
Overview of the Books of Samuel
Emergence of the Hebrew State
The Reign of David and Solomon
Overview of the Books of Kings
The Divided Kingdom and the Judean Period
Summary and Conclusions







I.
Introduction












II.
The Former Prophets and the Nature of Israelite Prophecy












III.
Overview of Joshua and Judges: What's in the Text?







A.
Joshua







B.
Judges












IV.
Historical Issue #1: The Conquest of Canaan/Inheriting the Promised Land







A.
The Literary Evidence: What's in the Biblical Text? (Joshua 1-12 and Judges 1:1-2:5)







B.
Archaeological Evidence







C.
Reconstructions: Implications of the Evidence












V.
Overview of the Books of Samuel: What's in the Text?







A.
Organization of the Story








1.
The Story of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1-7:17)








2.
The Rise of the Monarchy (1 Samuel 8:1-15:34)








3.
David's Rise to Power (1 Samuel 15:35-2 Samuel 5:10)








4.
David's Early Reign (2 Samuel 5:11-12:31)








5.
Absolom's Revolt (2 Samuel 13:1-20:22)








6.
Additional Materials (2 Samuel 20:23-24:25)







B.
Main Themes












VI.
Historical Issue #2: The Emergence of the Hebrew State (Centralized Government)







A.
The Literary Evidence: What's in the Biblical Text? (Judges 2:6-16:31 and 1 Samuel)








1.
Judges 2:6-16:31








2.
1 Samuel







B.
Historical Survey: Philistine Metals Technology and the Centralization of the Hebrew Tribes







C.
The Perspective of the Deuteronomistic History












VII.
Historical Issue #3: The Reign of David and Solomon







A.
The Literary Evidence: What's in the Biblical Text? (Second Samuel and First Kings 1-11)








1.
Overview








2.
The Reign of David







 

a.
David's Rise to Power









b.
The "Davidic Covenant" (Second Samuel 7:16)









c.
The Succession Narrative/Court History of David (Second Samuel 9-20 and First Kings 1-2










(1)
David and Bathsheba (Second Samuel 11:1-12:25)










(2)
The Rape of Tamar (Second Samuel 13:1-22)










(3)
Conclusion








3.
The Reign of Solomon (First Kings 1-11)







B.
Historical Evidence for the Reign of David and Solomon












VIII.
Overview of the Books of Kings (See a More Detailed Outline of the Books of Kings)







A.
Solomon (First Kings 1-11)







B.
The Divided Kingdom (First Kings 12-Second Kings 17)







C.
The Judean Period (Second Kings 18-25)












IX.
Historical Issue #4: The Divided Kingdom (922-722/721 BCE) and the Judean Period (721-587 BCE)







A.
The Literary Evidence: What's in the Biblical Text? (First Kings 12-22; Second Kings 1-17)







B.
Reconstruction of the Historical Context








1.
The Split (922 BCE)








2.
Israel (the Northern Kingdom)








3.
Judah (the Southern Kingdom)












X.
Summary and Conclusions: The Deuteronomist's Perspective






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