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Kings of Persia Mentioned in Ezra–Nehemiah

Cyrus 539–530 b.c. Darius I 522–486 Xerxes (Ahasuerus) 485–464 Artaxerxes I 464–423

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Adversaries Hinder Work

Ezra 4:5 The people of the land hired counselors to work against the Israelites from the reigns of Cyrus (539–530 b.c.) to Darius (522–486) Ezra 4:6 Accusations arose during the reign of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) (486–464) Ezra 4:7–23 Accusations arose during the reign

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Chronology of Ezra

Event Year Reference Cyrus king of Persia captures Babylon 539 b.c. Dan. 5:30–31 First year of King Cyrus; issues proclamation freeing Jewish exiles to return 538–537 Ezra 1:1–4 Jewish exiles, led by Sheshbazzar, return from Babylon to Jerusalem 537? Ezra 1:11 Altar rebuilt

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Chronology of Ezra–Nehemiah

Ezra 1–6 537–515 b.c. Ezra 7–Nehemiah 13 458–433 b.c.

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Relationship of Ezra–Nehemiah to 1–2 Chronicles

Relationship of Ezra–Nehemiah to 1–2 Chronicles 1–2 Chronicles Ezra–Nehemiah Chronicles ends with the Cyrus Edict. Ezra begins with the Cyrus Edict. Chronicles emphasizes Jerusalem and the temple. Ezra–Nehemiah emphasizes Jerusalem and the temple. Chronicles has a priestly focus. Ezra is more focused on the law

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The Chronicler’s Presentation of the Reigns of David and Solomon

In contrast to 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, the Chronicler focuses overwhelmingly on the religious significance of the united reign of David and Solomon, principally their joint role in establishing the Davidic covenant and the Jerusalem temple. Little attention is paid to the personal and political dimensions of

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Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings

1 Chronicles 2 Samuel Genealogies 1:1–9:44 Death of Saul and sons 10:1–14 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16 Lament for Saul 2 Sam. 1:17–27 David king of Judah 2:1–7 War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king

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Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles

Events Dates Passages Foundation of the Davidic monarchy c. 1010–931b.c. 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall 931–586 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 Babylonian captivity 586–538 2 Chron. 36:17–21 Cyrus’s decree

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The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Israel (all dates b.c.)

King Years of Reign Total Years Accession Year* Possible Co-Reigns References in 1–2 Kings** Notes Jeroboam I 931/930–911/910 21 (22) 1 Kings 11:26–40; 12:1–14:20 Nadab 911/910–910/909 1 (2) 2 of Asa 1 Kings 15:25–32 Killed by

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The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Judah (all dates b.c.)

King Years of Reign Total Years Accession Year* Possible Co-Reigns References in 1–2 Kings** Notes Rehoboam 931/930–915/914 17 1 Kings 12:1–24; 14:21–31 Abijah/Abijam 915/914–912/911 3 18 of Jeroboam I 1 Kings 15:1–8 Asa 912/911–871/

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Evaluating Kings of Israel and Judah in 1–2 Kings

Good Bad Mixture of good and bad Kings of Israel Kings of Judah Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25–33) Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:21–31) Nadab (1 Kings 15:25–31) Abijam (1 Kings 15:1–8) Baasha (1 Kings 15:33–16:7) Asa (1 Kings 15:9–24)

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Solomon’s Tainted Glory in 1 Kings

Positives Negatives David’s chosen heir (ch. 1) Gained power in bloody coup (ch. 2) Nathan’s early support (ch. 1) Prophetic voice disappears Prayer for wisdom to rule righteously (chs. 3–4) Rules with forced labor; accumulates wealth unjustly (9:15–22; 10:26–29) Completion and dedication of