Highlighting the Bible, Part XIV: The History Books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

A.Hanson, Paris, 2009

The history books of the Hebrew Bible serve as a historical record for the Israelites.  They are not a chronological record, but instead, records of the same event might appear in multiple books.  They tell the story of the time after Moses' leadership, through the time of the Kings and the divided kingdom, until the time of the Exile. Very little from these books appears in the revised common lectionary, so in the interests of a streamlined post, I will only list what actually appears in the lectionary and you can leave the rest for your own discovery.

A. The following passages from Joshua appear in the lectionary:

Joshua 5:9-12 (Passover at Gilgal)

Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18 ("Choose this day whom you will serve")


B. No passages from the book of Judges appear in the lectionary


C. No passages from the book of Ruth appear in the lectionary


D. The following passages from the book of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel appear in the lectionary:

1 Sam 2:18-20, 26 (The child Samuel at Shiloh)

1 Sam 3 (Samuel's calling and Prophetic Activity)

1 Sam 16:1-13 (David Anointed as King)

2 Sam 7:1-11, 16 (God's covenant with David)

2 Sam 11:26-12:10, 13-15 (Nathan condemns David)


E. The following passages from 1 Kings and 2 Kings appear in the lectionary:

1 Kings 3:5-12 (Solomon's prayer for wisdom)

1 Kings 8:22-23 (Solomon's prayer of dedication)

1 Kings 8:41-43 (Welcome the foreigner in the temple)

1 Kings 17:8-16 (The widow of Zaraphath)

1 Kings 17:17-24 (Elijah revives the Widow's son)

1 Kings 19:4-21 (Elijah flees from Jezebel; Elijah meets God at Horeb; Elisha becomes Elijah's disciple)

2 Kings 2:1-12 (Elijah ascends to heaven)

2 Kings 4:42-44 (Elisha feeds one hundred men)

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15 (The healing of Naaman from leprosy)


F. No passages from 1 and 2 Chronicles appear in the lectionary


G. No passages from Ezra appear in the lectionary


H. The following passages from the book of Nehemiah appear in the lectionary:

Neh 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (Ezra summons the people to obey the law)


I. No passages from the book of Esther appear in the lectionary