The Bible Story VII:

1 & 2 KINGS, 1 & 2 CHRONICLES

   David's son, Solomon, became king after him. God gave Solomon great wisdom and he wrote many PROVERBS. He wrote SONG OF SOLOMON as a tribute to his new wife. He also wrote ECCLESIASTES to say that all of his wisdom and riches were meaningless compared with knowing and obeying God. Solomon built a beautiful temple in Jerusalem to worship God. But he also built temples to the gods of his foreign wives. Therefore, God took the ten northern tribes of Israel away from Solomon's son and made them a separate kingdom.

   The northern tribes of Israel had bad kings who led the people to worship idols. One time, the prophet Elijah challenged the Baal worshipers to a test to see whom to worship, God or Baal. The Baal worshipers prayed all day and even cut themselves but nothing happened. Then Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven to burn up the offering on Elijah's altar to God.

   God sent JONAH to Ninevah to warn the Assyrians that God would destroy their city because of all the evil things they did. They listened to Jonah, repented and asked God to forgive them, which He did.

   However, God sent prophets such as HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS and MICAH to warn the northern tribes to turn back to Him, but they did not listen. So, God sent the Assyrians to conquer Israel and take them away to foreign lands. However, Ninevah fell back into wickedness and it was eventually destroyed, just as prophesied by NAHUM.

   The southern tribe of Judah had some good kings who led the Jews to worship God. But they had many bad kings who led them to worship idols. God sent prophets such as ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, HABAKKUK and ZEPHANIAH to warn them to turn away from idols, but the people didn't listen. Finally, God sent the Babylonians to conquer Judah and take most of the people to Babylon. They cried out their LAMENTATIONS.

   God was still with the Jews in Babylon. He raised up EZEKIEL to tell them that God was still in control even though Jerusalem would be destroyed and they would live in Babylon for a long time. He raised up DANIEL, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego to places of leadership in Babylon. Daniel trusted God when he was thrown into a den of lions. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego trusted in God when they were thrown into a fiery furnace. God kept them safe, even in the lion's den and fiery furnace. God also raised up ESTHER to be queen at a time to deliver the Jews from their enemies.

   After 70 years, God allowed many of the Jews to return to the Promised Land. EZRA, the priest, led them to rebuild the temple. NEHEMIAH led them to rebuild the city walls. God sent prophets HAGGAI,ZECHARIAH and MALACHI to encourage them. (After the Jews returned from Babylon, they never worshiped idols again. They finally learned their lesson.)

Between the Old and New Testaments

   For four hundred years, there were no prophets or messages from God. The Jews were conquered by the Greeks, then by the Romans. They were ruled by foreign kings. But God never forgot his promise to David that one of his descendents would rule over the nation. God had not forgotten his promise to Adam and Eve that one of their descendants would crush the power of sin.