II Samuel Author: The Book of 2 Samuel does not identify its author. It could not be the Prophet Samuel, since he died in 1 Samuel. Possible writers include Nathan and Gad (1 Chron. 29:29).

Purpose: 2 Samuel is the record of King Davids reign. This book places the Davidic Covenant in its historical context

Key Verses 7:16 and 23:5 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever (2 Sam. 7:16)....[God] hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire... (2 Sam. 23:5).

Key Verse, 2 Sam. 24:24 "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them" (2 Sam. 24:24).

Capital Move David moves the countrys capital from Hebron to Jerusalem and later moves the ark of the covenant (5-6).

Davids plan to build a temple in Jerusalem is vetoed by God, Who then promises David the following things: (2 Sam. 7:4-16).

1) David would have a son to rule after him 2) Davids son would build the temple 3) the throne occupied by Davids lineage would be established forever 4) God would never take His mercy from Davids house

I Kings Author: The tradition is that it was written by the Prophet Jeremiah

Purpose of I Kings This book is the sequel to 1 and 2 Samuel and begins by tracing Solomon's rise to kingship after the death of David. The story begins with a united kingdom, but ends in a nation divided into 2 kingdoms, known as Judah and Israel. 1 and 2 Kings are combined into one book in the Hebrew Bible.

Key Verses: 12:28, "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'"

" 17:1, "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'"

II Kings Author: The tradition is that the prophet Jeremiah was the author of both 1 and 2 Kings.

Purpose The Book of 2 Kings is a sequel to the Book of 1 Kings. II Kings continues the story of kings over the divided kingdom (Israel and Judah). II Kings concludes with the final overthrow and deportation of both Israel and Judah's people, to Assyria and Babylon respectively.

Key Verse: 22:2, "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left."

I & II Chronicles Author: The tradition is that I & II Chronicles were written by Ezra.

Purpose: The Books of I & II Chronicles cover mostly the same information as I & II Samuel and I & II Kings. Both I & II Chronicles focus more on the priestly aspect of the time period. The Book of I Chronicles was written after the exile to help those returning to Israel understand how to worship God. The history focused on the Southern Kingdom, the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. These tribes tended to be more faithful to God.

Key Verses in I Chronicles 1-21:13, "David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."

1-29:11, "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." MEMORIZE

II Chronicles Key Verses 29:1-3, "Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them."

36:14, "Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem."