This is just going to be a summary of the contents of the Bible. I'll expand it, and break it into chunks, as I go along. I've decided to construct it by doing Chapter 1 of every book first, then slotting in every chapter 2, then 3, and so on. Maybe I'll alternate between OT and NT—Genesis 1, Matthew 1, Exodus 1, Mark 1, and so on.
Joshua to 2 Kings
How to read the Bible
There is no single best way to go about reading the Bible. Books that are mainly narrative may be read in large blocks like novels. Books suited to this approach are Genesis, the first half of Exodus, parts of Numbers [and Deuteronomy?], all the books from Joshua to Esther (apart from 1 Chronicles 1 to 9), parts of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Daniel, Jonah and the Book of Acts. Others can be read a chapter or part of a chapter, or even a verse or two at a time. In some cases, you may want to apply two such approaches to a particular passage. For example, you may read all of the Beatitudes (Mt 5.1-11) together in a single reading, and then go through them again, one at a time.
The Bible in a year
This is a popular approach. Many programmes aimed at achieving this have an Old Testament and a New Testament reading each day. I believe a gospel passage should be read every day. For this purpose, Acts 1.1–14 should be counted as the end of Luke's gospel, giving a total of 90 gospel chapters, requiring about a quarter of a chapter a day to complete them in a year.
With the Old Testament prophetic books, I believe it is good to read them in conjunction with the historical books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, to which they are closely connected.
Psalms and the other poetical books can be spread out over the year, possibly alternating between Psalms and other books.
Joshua to 2 Kings
The New TestamentJoshua 1: God commissions Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. Joshua commands the people to prepare to cross over the Jordan into the promised land.
Joshua 2: Joshua sends spies to Jericho. They are concealed by Rahab, and promise to spare her and her family.
Joshua 3: Israel crosses the Jordan River, which stops flowing.
Joshua 4: Twelve stones from the Jordan to commemorate the crossing. The river resumes its flow.
Joshua 5: Kings of Amorites and Canaanites fear Israel. A new generation circumcised. First Passover in Canaan. Manna ceases. The Commander of the LORD’s army.
Joshua 6: The miraculous fall of Jericho. Rahab spared.
Joshua 7: The sin of Achan. As a consequence, Israel is defeated at Ai. Achan’s sin revealed. He and his family are punished.
Joshua 8: Fall of Ai.
Joshua 9: The Gibeonites’ deception.
Joshua 10: The sun stands still. 5 Amorite kings executed. Conquest of southern Canaan.
Joshua 11: Conquest of northern Canaan—people slaughtered, spoils taken.
Joshua 12: Lists of kings defeated by Moses and Joshua.
Joshua 13: Much land still to conquer. The territories of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, east of the Jordan.
Joshua 14: The inheritance of the two and a half tribes. Joseph is two tribes. Caleb’s request and inheritance at Hebron.
Joshua 15: The inheritance of Judah. Caleb’s inheritance. Jebusites not driven out.
Joshua 11: Conquest of northern Canaan—people slaughtered, spoils taken.
Joshua 12: Lists of kings defeated by Moses and Joshua.
Joshua 13: Much land still to conquer. The territories of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, east of the Jordan.
Joshua 14: The inheritance of the two and a half tribes. Joseph is two tribes. Caleb’s request and inheritance at Hebron.
Joshua 15: The inheritance of Judah. Caleb’s inheritance. Jebusites not driven out.
Joshua 16: The inheritance of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim receives allotments within Manasseh.
Joshua 17: The allotment to Manasseh. Josephite tribes protest their small inheritance. Joshua instructs them to spread out into Canaanite territory.
Joshua 18: Apportioning the remaining land. Benjamin’s share.
Joshua 19: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan. Joshua is given a city, Timnath-serah.
Joshua 20: Cities of refuge appointed.
Joshua 21: Cities and pasturelands allotted to the Levites.
Joshua 22: Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh return home. They build an altar of witness, which other Israelites interpret as act of rebellion. The crisis is averted.
Joshua 23: Joshua's charge in his old age to Israel's leaders.
Joshua 24: Joshua recounts the history of Israel from Terah down to his own time. ‘Choose this day whom you will serve.’ Joshua dies.
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Judges 1: The conquest of the Promised Land continues. Successes and failures of the various tribes.
Judges 2: Israel's failure to break down pagan altars. Joshua dies. Israel's idolatry. God raises up judges. With the death of each judge, Israel repeatedly relapses into idolatry. God does not drive their enemies out.
Judges 3: Nations left in the land. Othniel the judge. Ehud the judge kills Eglon, king of Moab. Shamgar.
Judges 4: Deborah and Barak. Sisera of Canaan defeated. He is later killed by Jael.
Judges 5: The song of Deborah and Barak.
Judges 6: Israel’s sin punished by oppression from Midian. Gideon called. He destroys hi father’s altar to Baal.
Joshua 21: Cities and pasturelands allotted to the Levites.
Joshua 22: Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh return home. They build an altar of witness, which other Israelites interpret as act of rebellion. The crisis is averted.
Joshua 23: Joshua's charge in his old age to Israel's leaders.
Joshua 24: Joshua recounts the history of Israel from Terah down to his own time. ‘Choose this day whom you will serve.’ Joshua dies.
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Judges 1: The conquest of the Promised Land continues. Successes and failures of the various tribes.
Judges 2: Israel's failure to break down pagan altars. Joshua dies. Israel's idolatry. God raises up judges. With the death of each judge, Israel repeatedly relapses into idolatry. God does not drive their enemies out.
Judges 3: Nations left in the land. Othniel the judge. Ehud the judge kills Eglon, king of Moab. Shamgar.
Judges 4: Deborah and Barak. Sisera of Canaan defeated. He is later killed by Jael.
Judges 5: The song of Deborah and Barak.
Judges 6: Israel’s sin punished by oppression from Midian. Gideon called. He destroys hi father’s altar to Baal.
Judges 7: Gideon’s 300 selected. Victory over Midian promised. All the men are issued torches, empty jars and trumpets. They surround the enemy camp at night. They blow the trumpets and break the jars. The enemy flee. The Ephraimites are called out to pursue the Midianites. The two Midianite princes are killed.
Judges 8: Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon’s idolatrous ephod. His death.
Judges 9: Abimelech’s conspiracy. Gaal revolts against him and is defeated. Abimelech attacks Shechem, then Thebez, where he is killed.
Judges 10: Tola and Jair judge Israel. Idolatry leads to subjugation. Israel cries for deliverance. Ammonites menace Israel.
Judges 11: Jephthah leads Israel to victory against invading Ammonites. His tragic vow, and the sacrifice of his daughter.
Judges 12: Jephthah's conflict with the Ephraimites. Successive judges—Izban, Elon, Abdon.
Judges 13: Annunciation and birth of Samson.
Judges 14: Samson’s marriage. His riddle, and the aftermath.
Judges 15: Samson’s wife remarried. He burns the Philistines’ grain. The Philistines burn her and her father to death. Samson attacks them in return. They come for him. He kills 1000.
Judges 11: Jephthah leads Israel to victory against invading Ammonites. His tragic vow, and the sacrifice of his daughter.
Judges 12: Jephthah's conflict with the Ephraimites. Successive judges—Izban, Elon, Abdon.
Judges 13: Annunciation and birth of Samson.
Judges 14: Samson’s marriage. His riddle, and the aftermath.
Judges 15: Samson’s wife remarried. He burns the Philistines’ grain. The Philistines burn her and her father to death. Samson attacks them in return. They come for him. He kills 1000.
Judges 16: Samson and Delilah. Samson’s death.
Judges 17: Micah of Ephraim and the Levite.
Judges 18: Danites take the Levite and his idol, to the annoyance of Micah. They attack Laish, and claim it as their portion.
Judges 19: The Levite and his concubine.
Judges 20: Israel's war against Benjamin.
Judges 21: Wives provided for the Benjamites.
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Ruth 1: Elimelech and his wife Naomi leave Bethlehem because of a famine, and settle in Moab. He dies, their two sons marry, then die. Naomi and her widowed daughters-in-law set out on the road to Bethlehem. Orpah returns to her home, but Ruth goes all the way to Bethlehem.
Ruth 2: Ruth meets Boaz.
Ruth 3: Ruth offers herself to Boaz at the threshing floor.
Ruth 4: Boaz redeems Ruth. They marry. Obed born. Genealogy from Perez to David.
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1 Samuel 1: Samuel's birth. His mother Hannah dedicates him to the LORD.
1 Samuel 2: Hannah's prayer. Samuel stays with Eli. Eli's evil sons. Samuel's parents visit yearly. Hannah's later children. Eli rebukes his sons. A man of God prophesies disaster on Eli's household, and the death of his two evil sons.
1 Samuel 3: The LORD calls Samuel.
1 Samuel 4: Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant. Eli's two sons die in battle. Eli dies on hearing the news. His daughter-in-law dies giving birth to Phineas's son Ichabod.
1 Samuel 5: The sufferings of the Philistines while they possess Ark of the Covenant.
1 Samuel 6: The Philistines return the ark to Israel, with offerings of golden tumors and mice.
Judges 21: Wives provided for the Benjamites.
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Ruth 1: Elimelech and his wife Naomi leave Bethlehem because of a famine, and settle in Moab. He dies, their two sons marry, then die. Naomi and her widowed daughters-in-law set out on the road to Bethlehem. Orpah returns to her home, but Ruth goes all the way to Bethlehem.
Ruth 2: Ruth meets Boaz.
Ruth 3: Ruth offers herself to Boaz at the threshing floor.
Ruth 4: Boaz redeems Ruth. They marry. Obed born. Genealogy from Perez to David.
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1 Samuel 1: Samuel's birth. His mother Hannah dedicates him to the LORD.
1 Samuel 2: Hannah's prayer. Samuel stays with Eli. Eli's evil sons. Samuel's parents visit yearly. Hannah's later children. Eli rebukes his sons. A man of God prophesies disaster on Eli's household, and the death of his two evil sons.
1 Samuel 3: The LORD calls Samuel.
1 Samuel 4: Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant. Eli's two sons die in battle. Eli dies on hearing the news. His daughter-in-law dies giving birth to Phineas's son Ichabod.
1 Samuel 5: The sufferings of the Philistines while they possess Ark of the Covenant.
1 Samuel 6: The Philistines return the ark to Israel, with offerings of golden tumors and mice.
1 Samuel 7: The ark is brought to Kiriath-Jearim by its inhabitants, ans stays there 20 years. Samuel prays for the people and urges them to be faithful to the LORD. The Philistines mount an attack, but are defeated, and do not prevail against Israel in Samuel’s lifetime. His yearly circuit, and his altar at Ramah.
1 Samuel 8: Israel demands a king. Samuel warns them against kings. The LORD grants Israel’s request.
1 Samuel 9: Saul chosen as king.
1 Samuel 10: Saul anointed king. He prophesies at Gibeah. "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
1 Samuel 11: Saul leads Israel to victory against invading Ammonites. The kingdom renewed.
1 Samuel 12: Samuel's farewell address [before ceding leadership to Saul?].
1 Samuel 13: Saul fights the Philistines, with initial success. Then Israel, outnumbered, withdraw. Saul's unlawful sacrifice. Samuel tells him his kingdom will not last. Saul numbers his people. Raids from the Philistine camp. Israel without weapons.
1 Samuel 14: Jonathan defeats the Philistines. Saul’s rash vow condemns Jonathan to death. The people intervene and save him. Saul fights Israel’s enemies, with success.
1 Samuel 15: On God’s orders (via Samuel) Saul attacks the Amalekites. Contrary to orders, he spares Agag the king, and the best of the livestock. God rejects Saul as king. Samuel kills Agag.
1 Samuel 11: Saul leads Israel to victory against invading Ammonites. The kingdom renewed.
1 Samuel 12: Samuel's farewell address [before ceding leadership to Saul?].
1 Samuel 13: Saul fights the Philistines, with initial success. Then Israel, outnumbered, withdraw. Saul's unlawful sacrifice. Samuel tells him his kingdom will not last. Saul numbers his people. Raids from the Philistine camp. Israel without weapons.
1 Samuel 14: Jonathan defeats the Philistines. Saul’s rash vow condemns Jonathan to death. The people intervene and save him. Saul fights Israel’s enemies, with success.
1 Samuel 15: On God’s orders (via Samuel) Saul attacks the Amalekites. Contrary to orders, he spares Agag the king, and the best of the livestock. God rejects Saul as king. Samuel kills Agag.
1 Samuel 16: David anointed king. His service of Saul.
1 Samuel 17: The Philistines gather for battle. Goliath’s challenge. David accepts it, and kills him.
1 Samuel 18: Jonathan befriends David. Saul’s jealousy of David. David marries Saul’s daughter Michal at the stipulated bride-price of 100 Philistine foreskins. David brings 200.
1 Samuel 19: Saul tries to kill David. Michal helps him escape, and he and Samuel go and live at Naioth. 3 times Saul sends messengers to take David, and each time they end up prophesying. Saul goes to Naioth and also prophesies. "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
1 Samuel 20: Jonathan warns David.
1 Samuel 21: David and the holy bread. He flees to Gath.
1 Samuel 22: David at the cave of Adullam. Saul slaughters the priests at Nob.
1 Samuel 23: David saves the city of Keilah. City under threat from Saul, so David leaves. Saul pursues him.
1 Samuel 24: David spares Saul’s life in the cave at Engedi.
1 Samuel 25: Samuel dies. David, Nabal and Abigail.
1 Samuel 21: David and the holy bread. He flees to Gath.
1 Samuel 22: David at the cave of Adullam. Saul slaughters the priests at Nob.
1 Samuel 23: David saves the city of Keilah. City under threat from Saul, so David leaves. Saul pursues him.
1 Samuel 24: David spares Saul’s life in the cave at Engedi.
1 Samuel 25: Samuel dies. David, Nabal and Abigail.
1 Samuel 26: David spares Saul again.
1 Samuel 27: David takes refuge among the Philistines. He carries raids against various settlements, slaughtering men and women, while telling Achish, King of the Philistines, that he is raiding Judah's cities.
1 Samuel 28: Philistines with David prepare for war against Israel. Saul consults a medium at Endor and talks to Samuel. Samuel prophesies defeat of Israel and death of Saul and his sons.
1 Samuel 29: The Philistine lords reject David, despite Achish’s (ill-judged) support of him.
1 Samuel 30: Women, including David's two wives, carried off in Amalekite raid. David pursues and defeats them.
1 Samuel 31: Death of Saul.
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2 Samuel 1: David learns of the death of Saul and Jonathan, and laments them.
2 Samuel 2: David anointed king over Judah. Abner makes Saul's son Ishbosheth king over Israel. Battle of Gibeon—Abner unwillingly slays Joab's brother Asahel.
2 Samuel 3: War between the houses of Saul and David. David's sons. Abner defects to David. David accepts him on the condition that he bring Michal, daughter of Saul and David's former wife. Michal is separated from her new husband and returned to David. Joab murders Abner, David mourns him.
2 Samuel 4: Saul's son Ishbosheth murdered. David has his killers executed.
2 Samuel 5: David anointed King of Israel. He and his army defeat the Jebusites and take Jerusalem. Hiram of Tyre supports David. David takes more wives and concubines, who bear him sons. He defeats the Philistines.
1 Samuel 31: Death of Saul.
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2 Samuel 1: David learns of the death of Saul and Jonathan, and laments them.
2 Samuel 2: David anointed king over Judah. Abner makes Saul's son Ishbosheth king over Israel. Battle of Gibeon—Abner unwillingly slays Joab's brother Asahel.
2 Samuel 3: War between the houses of Saul and David. David's sons. Abner defects to David. David accepts him on the condition that he bring Michal, daughter of Saul and David's former wife. Michal is separated from her new husband and returned to David. Joab murders Abner, David mourns him.
2 Samuel 4: Saul's son Ishbosheth murdered. David has his killers executed.
2 Samuel 5: David anointed King of Israel. He and his army defeat the Jebusites and take Jerusalem. Hiram of Tyre supports David. David takes more wives and concubines, who bear him sons. He defeats the Philistines.
2 Samuel 6: The Ark of the Covenant brought to Jerusalem. Uzzah touches the Ark and dies. Michal despises David.
2 Samuel 7: God’s covenant with David—David will not build God’s house, but his son will. David’s prayer of thanks.
2 Samuel 8: David’s victories. David’s officials.
2 Samuel 9: David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 10: Ammonites misjudge David’s kindly gesture and dishonour his messengers, resulting in war—Israel against the Ammonites and Syrians. Israelites are victorious.
2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba.
2 Samuel 12: Nathan rebukes David. David's infant child dies. The birth of Solomon. Joab captures Rabbah from the Ammonites. He calls David to finish the job.
2 Samuel 13: Amnon rapes Tamar. Absalom kills Amnon and flees.
2 Samuel 14: Absalom returns to Jerusalem, but is not permitted to see David for two years.
2 Samuel 15: Absalom’s conspiracy. David flees Jerusalem. He orders Zadok and Abiathah to take the ark back to Jerusalem. He sends Hushai back to be a spy, and to undermine the counsel of Ahithophel.
2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba.
2 Samuel 12: Nathan rebukes David. David's infant child dies. The birth of Solomon. Joab captures Rabbah from the Ammonites. He calls David to finish the job.
2 Samuel 13: Amnon rapes Tamar. Absalom kills Amnon and flees.
2 Samuel 14: Absalom returns to Jerusalem, but is not permitted to see David for two years.
2 Samuel 15: Absalom’s conspiracy. David flees Jerusalem. He orders Zadok and Abiathah to take the ark back to Jerusalem. He sends Hushai back to be a spy, and to undermine the counsel of Ahithophel.
2 Samuel 16: David and Ziba. Ziba says Mephibosheth expects to receive Saul’s kingdom back. Shimei curses David. Absalom enters Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 17: Ahithophel counsels Absalom concerning battle with David. Hushai, David’s spy, offers contrary advice, which Absalom decides to follow. Hushai sends word to David.
2 Samuel 18: Absalom killed. The news brought to David.
2 Samuel 19: David mourns Absalom. Joab rebukes him. He returns to Jerusalem with the support of Israel. He pardons his enemies. Mephibosheth tells him that Ziba slandered him. Barzillai courteously declines David’s offer of a home in Jerusalem. Stand-off between Israel and Judah.
2 Samuel 20: The rebellion of Sheba.
2 Samuel 21: David avenges the Gibeonites on the house of Saul. Wars with the Philistines, giants slain.
2 Samuel 22: David's song of deliverance. [= Ps 18?]
2 Samuel 23: David's last words. David's mighty men.
2 Samuel 24: David’s census (stated as incited by God). His sin brings punishment from God in the form of pestilence. David builds an altar at the place where the plague stopped.
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1 Kings 1: David's old age. Adonijah's rebellion. Solomon anointed king.
1 Kings 2: David's instructions to Solomon. His death. Solomon's reign established. Adonijah executed. Abiathar spared. Joab executed. Shimei conditionally spared, but breaks the condition and is executed.
1 Kings 3: Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter. He prays for wisdom, which God grants. Two prostitutes.
1 Kings 4: Solomon’s officials. His reign and wealth. His wisdom and fame.
1 Kings 5: Supported by Hiram of Tyre, Solomon prepares to build the Temple.
2 Samuel 21: David avenges the Gibeonites on the house of Saul. Wars with the Philistines, giants slain.
2 Samuel 22: David's song of deliverance. [= Ps 18?]
2 Samuel 23: David's last words. David's mighty men.
2 Samuel 24: David’s census (stated as incited by God). His sin brings punishment from God in the form of pestilence. David builds an altar at the place where the plague stopped.
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1 Kings 1: David's old age. Adonijah's rebellion. Solomon anointed king.
1 Kings 2: David's instructions to Solomon. His death. Solomon's reign established. Adonijah executed. Abiathar spared. Joab executed. Shimei conditionally spared, but breaks the condition and is executed.
1 Kings 3: Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter. He prays for wisdom, which God grants. Two prostitutes.
1 Kings 4: Solomon’s officials. His reign and wealth. His wisdom and fame.
1 Kings 5: Supported by Hiram of Tyre, Solomon prepares to build the Temple.
1 Kings 6: Solomon builds the Temple.
1 Kings 7: Solomon builds his palace. The Temple furnishings.
1 Kings 8: The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple. Solomon recounts God’s keeping of his promises. Solomon’s prayer of dedication and for God’s continued blessing.
1 Kings 9: The LORD appears to Solomon. He gives Hiram of Tyre 20 cities. Hiram is not impressed. Solomon uses foreign forced labour to build temple and palace. Other details of Solomon’s life.
1 Kings 10: The Queen of Sheba. Solomon’s wealth.
1 Kings 11: Solomon's apostasy and idolatry. God brings adversaries against him. His death. Rehoboam succeeds him.
1 Kings 12: Rehoboam's folly. Israel rebels. Jeroboam made king of Israel, apart from Judah. Jeroboam's golden calves.
1 Kings 13: A man of God warns Jeroboam of the destruction of the altar at Bethel. Jeroboam's arm is withered and restored. An old prophet tricks the man of God into eating with him. The man of God is subsequently killed by a lion. The prophet buries him and affirms his words.
1 Kings 14: Ahijah prophesies against Jeroboam I of Israel. Jeroboam’s son Abijah dies. Jeroboam dies, and is succeeded by Nadab. Rehoboam reigns over Judah. Shishak of Egypt invades Jerusalem, and pillages the Temple and the palace. Rehoboam dies, and is succeeded by Abijam.
1 Kings 15: Abijah and Asa, kings of Judah. Nadab king of Israel. Baasha kills him and reigns in his place.
1 Kings 11: Solomon's apostasy and idolatry. God brings adversaries against him. His death. Rehoboam succeeds him.
1 Kings 12: Rehoboam's folly. Israel rebels. Jeroboam made king of Israel, apart from Judah. Jeroboam's golden calves.
1 Kings 13: A man of God warns Jeroboam of the destruction of the altar at Bethel. Jeroboam's arm is withered and restored. An old prophet tricks the man of God into eating with him. The man of God is subsequently killed by a lion. The prophet buries him and affirms his words.
1 Kings 14: Ahijah prophesies against Jeroboam I of Israel. Jeroboam’s son Abijah dies. Jeroboam dies, and is succeeded by Nadab. Rehoboam reigns over Judah. Shishak of Egypt invades Jerusalem, and pillages the Temple and the palace. Rehoboam dies, and is succeeded by Abijam.
1 Kings 15: Abijah and Asa, kings of Judah. Nadab king of Israel. Baasha kills him and reigns in his place.
1 Kings 16: Jehu prophesies against Baasha. Baasha dies and is succeeded by his son Elah. Zimri kills him and takes the throne of Israel; he reigns for a week in Tirzah. Israel makes Omri king. Omri takes Tirzah, and Zimri commits suicide by fire. Struggle between Omri and Tibni; Omri prevails. He builds the city of Samaria. He dies, and is succeeded by his son Ahab. Ahab marries Jezebel and follows Baal.
1 Kings 17: Elijah predicts a drought. The widow of Zarephath. Her son dies and is raised again.
1 Kings 18: Elijah confronts Ahab. The contest on Mt Carmel. Prophets of Baal slain.
1 Kings 19: Elijah flees from Jezebel. Food is provided for him.
1 Kings 20: Ben-hadad of Syria wages war against Ahab. Ahab wins, twice, but spares Ben-hadad, and is condemned for it by an unnamed prophet.
1 Kings 21: Naboth's vineyard. At Jezebel's urging, Ahab has him wrongfully executed. God calls Ahab to account via Elijah the prophet. Ahab repents. God postpones punishment.
1 Kings 22: Ahab and Jehoshaphat consider war on Syria. The false prophets prophesy success. Micaiah prophesies doom. Ahab dies in battle, and is succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Ahaziah king of Israel.
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2 Kings 1: Ahaziah's accident. Elijah denounces him, and he dies.
2 Kings 2: God takes Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire. As his successor, Elisha puts on Elijah's cloak. The purifying of a spring at Jericho. Boys taunt Elisha, who curses them, and they are attacked by bears. He returns to Samaria via Mt Carmel.
2 Kings 3: Jehoram king of Israel. Moab rebels against Israel. Kings of Israel, Judah and Edom in fear of Moab. Elisha promises water and success over Moab. The allies prevail, but Israel withdraws after the king of Moab sacrifices his eldest son.
2 Kings 4: Elisha and the widow’s oil. A Shunammite woman shows kindness to Elisha, and God rewards her and her husband with a son. The son later dies but is raised again through Elisha. Elisha purifies a deadly stew. He feeds a large number of guests. Leftovers.
2 Kings 5: Naaman healed of leprosy. The greed of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, punished by leprosy.
1 Kings 21: Naboth's vineyard. At Jezebel's urging, Ahab has him wrongfully executed. God calls Ahab to account via Elijah the prophet. Ahab repents. God postpones punishment.
1 Kings 22: Ahab and Jehoshaphat consider war on Syria. The false prophets prophesy success. Micaiah prophesies doom. Ahab dies in battle, and is succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Ahaziah king of Israel.
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2 Kings 1: Ahaziah's accident. Elijah denounces him, and he dies.
2 Kings 2: God takes Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire. As his successor, Elisha puts on Elijah's cloak. The purifying of a spring at Jericho. Boys taunt Elisha, who curses them, and they are attacked by bears. He returns to Samaria via Mt Carmel.
2 Kings 3: Jehoram king of Israel. Moab rebels against Israel. Kings of Israel, Judah and Edom in fear of Moab. Elisha promises water and success over Moab. The allies prevail, but Israel withdraws after the king of Moab sacrifices his eldest son.
2 Kings 4: Elisha and the widow’s oil. A Shunammite woman shows kindness to Elisha, and God rewards her and her husband with a son. The son later dies but is raised again through Elisha. Elisha purifies a deadly stew. He feeds a large number of guests. Leftovers.
2 Kings 5: Naaman healed of leprosy. The greed of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, punished by leprosy.
2 Kings 6: An axehead recovered. The king of Syria sends men to capture Elisha; vision of horses and chariots; the Syrians are struck blind. Ben-Hadad of Syria besieges Samaria; cannibalism in the city.
2 Kings 7: Elisha promises food. Four lepers go to the Syrian camp to beg food, and find it deserted, the Syrians having heard noise in the night, and believed a much bigger hired army was attacking them, and so had fled. The lepers alert the city, and people rush out to get the food. A captain who had expressed scepticism at Elisha’s prophecy is trampled to death in the gateway, as also prophesied.
2 Kings 8: Shunammite sojourns with Philistines for 7 years to escape famine, then returns; her land is returned to her. Hazael murders Ben-hadad, king of Syria. Jehoram reigns over Judah. Edom rebels against Judah. Ahaziah reigns over Judah.
2 Kings 9: Jehu anointed as king of Israel. He assassinates/executes Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel.
2 Kings 10: Jehu slaughters Ahab's descendants, as well as relatives of Ahaziah of Judah who came to visit the Israelite princes. He slaughters the prophets of Baal. He reigns over Israel.
2 Kings 11: Athaliah reigns over Judah in place of her son Ahaziah. The child J(eh)oash anointed king, Athaliah executed.
2 Kings 12: Jehoash king of Judah. He repairs the Temple. Hazael of Syria attacks Jerusalem. Jehoash assassinated, succeeded by Amaziah.
2 Kings 13: Jehoahaz king of Israel, then his son J(eh)oash. Elisha dies in the presence of Joash, prophesying three only victories over Syria. Hazael of Syria dies, succeeded by son Ben-Hadad. Joash recovers Israelite cities from Syria, defeats Ben-Hadad three times.
2 Kings 14: Amaziah reigns in Judah. He goes to war against Jehoash of Israel, where he is captured, and Judah defeated. Jehoash dies and is succeeded by Jeroboam II. Amaziah is assassinated, and succeeded by Azariah (Uzziah).
2 Kings 15: Azariah king of Judah. Zechariah king of Israel. Shallum kills him and reigns in his place. Menahem kills Shallum and reigns in his place. Menahem is succeeded by his son Pekahiah. Pekah kills and replaces Pekahiah. Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria captures part of Israel. Hoshea kills and replaces Pekah. Jotham king of Judah, succeeded by Ahaz.
2 Kings 12: Jehoash king of Judah. He repairs the Temple. Hazael of Syria attacks Jerusalem. Jehoash assassinated, succeeded by Amaziah.
2 Kings 13: Jehoahaz king of Israel, then his son J(eh)oash. Elisha dies in the presence of Joash, prophesying three only victories over Syria. Hazael of Syria dies, succeeded by son Ben-Hadad. Joash recovers Israelite cities from Syria, defeats Ben-Hadad three times.
2 Kings 14: Amaziah reigns in Judah. He goes to war against Jehoash of Israel, where he is captured, and Judah defeated. Jehoash dies and is succeeded by Jeroboam II. Amaziah is assassinated, and succeeded by Azariah (Uzziah).
2 Kings 15: Azariah king of Judah. Zechariah king of Israel. Shallum kills him and reigns in his place. Menahem kills Shallum and reigns in his place. Menahem is succeeded by his son Pekahiah. Pekah kills and replaces Pekahiah. Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria captures part of Israel. Hoshea kills and replaces Pekah. Jotham king of Judah, succeeded by Ahaz.
2 Kings 16: Ahaz reigns in Judah. Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel besiege Jerusalem. Ahaz buys aid from Tiglath-pileser of Assyria with Temple treasure. He has an copy of the altar at Damascus built in front of the Temple. He dies, and is succeeded by his son Hezekiah.
2 Kings 17: Hoshea rules in Israel. He becomes a vassal of Shalmaneser of Assyria, but defaults on the tribute. Israel falls. The reason for its fall: idolatry. Assyria resettles Samaria. God sends lions among the settlers. The settlers institute Yahweh worship alongside worship of their own gods.
2 Kings 18: Hezekiah rules in Judah. Shalmaneser king of Assyria conquers Samaria. Sennacherib king of Assyria attacks Judah. Hezekiah capitulates. Hezekiah offers payment for Assyrians to withdraw. The taunts of Rabshakeh.
2 Kings 19: Isaiah reassures Hezekiah. Sennacherib defies God. Hezekiah prays. Isaiah prophesies Sennacherib’s fall. 185,000 Assyrians miraculously die. Sennacherib returns to Nineveh, and is murdered by his sons.
2 Kings 20: Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, with the sign of the sun going backwards, also recounted in Isaiah 38. Envoys from Babylon. Hezekiah shows them all his treasures. Isaiah tells him that the Babylonians will take everything away in the future. Also recounted in Isaiah 39.
2 Kings 21: Manasseh king of Judah. His idolatry denounced. Amon king of Judah. He is assassinated. Succeeded by Josiah his son.
2 Kings 22: Josiah king of Judah. He repairs the Temple. Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law. Huldah prophesies future disaster, but says Josiah will not see it.
2 Kings 23: Josiah's reforms. He restores the Passover. His death in battle. Jehoahaz's brief reign and capture by Pharaoh Neco. His brother Eliakim (Jehoiakim) reigns in his place.
2 Kings 24: Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiakim his vassal. Jehoiakim rebels, and subsequently dies. He is succeeded by Jehoiachin. Three months later, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and captures it. He pillages the Temple and the palace, and carries away all but the poorest people. Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiachin’s uncle Mattaniah king in Jerusalem, and renames him Zedekiah.
2 Kings 25: The fall of Jerusalem. Gedaliah appointed governor of Judah. Jehoiachin freed from prison.
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2 Kings 22: Josiah king of Judah. He repairs the Temple. Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law. Huldah prophesies future disaster, but says Josiah will not see it.
2 Kings 23: Josiah's reforms. He restores the Passover. His death in battle. Jehoahaz's brief reign and capture by Pharaoh Neco. His brother Eliakim (Jehoiakim) reigns in his place.
2 Kings 24: Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiakim his vassal. Jehoiakim rebels, and subsequently dies. He is succeeded by Jehoiachin. Three months later, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and captures it. He pillages the Temple and the palace, and carries away all but the poorest people. Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiachin’s uncle Mattaniah king in Jerusalem, and renames him Zedekiah.
2 Kings 25: The fall of Jerusalem. Gedaliah appointed governor of Judah. Jehoiachin freed from prison.
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