Known as Kings 1 and 2 in English Bibles, The Book of Kings is originally a single book that recounts the rule of Israel's kings from David's son Solomon up until the time of Israel's exile, the final result of Israel's disobedience.
Note how the book's perspective gives the reader a bird's-eye view of the nation as a whole compared to the interpersonal focus of key individuals in the Book of Samuel. Some notable people in Kings, like Elijah and Jezebel, will also become symbolic representatives for certain themes in the New Testament.
1 & 2 Kings
More from
Old Testament: Part 2
Joshua
The Book of Joshua picks up right after Moses dies and shows how God had been faithful to the covenant he made with Abraham by bringing them into the land. It recounts the battles and barriers the Israelites experience in entering of the Promised Land. God is faithful, and while not all the territory is conquered, the Israelites have safely settled in the land promised to Abraham. Near the end of the book, Joshua calls on Israel to remember the covenant it made with God. Like with Moses in Deuteronomy, Israel is reminded of the choice it must make – be faithful and obey leading to life and blessing or prove unfaithful leading to all the judgments that befell the Canaanites.
Judges
The book of Judges tells the story of Israel's total failure after the death of Joshua. Judges were tribal chieftains, and their story can be quite disturbing. It serves as a tragic tale of how Israel's leaders became increasingly corrupt and no better than the Canaanite tribes they had overthrown. Though sad, this is also a story of hope for the future.
Ruth
This is not simply a love story. It's a story about God and how he restores those who look to him with hope. It's about God's covenant faithfulness and it contributes to the overall covenant storyline that unifies the entire Bible. The author has gone to great care to honor Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz through the development of their characters in the story. They are character studies of how God works in mundane, everyday events in the lives of his people (and what human covenant faithfulness looks like in return).