God Answers Samuel’s Prayer

1 Samuel 7:3-13

The Israelites were afraid they would be attacked by the Philistines. Samuel urged them to turn away from their idols and truly return to the Lord by obeying, serving, and worshiping Him. If they did, God promised to deliver them. As the Philistines approached, the Israelites asked Samuel to pray for them. Samuel prayed to God on the Israelites’ behalf and God saved them.

God Covenants with David

2 Samuel 7:8-17

King David wanted to build the temple and discussed this with the prophet Nathan. At first Nathan encouraged David to proceed, but after receiving work from the Lord, he told David God did not want him to do so. David was reminded of how God brought him to the throne. Nathan revealed God’s promise to establish David and continue his house forever—a promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

God Grants Wisdom to Solomon

1 Kings 3:3-14

King Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices to the Lord. While there, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted. After recalling God’s faithfulness to his father, David, Solomon asked God to give him the wisdom to carry out his job. God was pleased with Solomon and granted his request. God promised Solomon unparalleled wisdom along with riches, honor, and the potential for long life, if he continued to follow and obey the Lord.

Elijah Triumphs with God

1 Kings 18:20-24, 30-35, 38-39

Elijah wanted the Israelites to take a stand and decide whom they were going to follow—the one true God, or the Baal idols they were worshiping. The prophet issued a challenge to prove to King Ahab and the people who, alone, was God. When it was Elijah’s turn, he wet the altar, cried out to God, who responded by fire, proving He is God.

Josiah Brings Reform

2 Kings 22:8-10; 23:1-3, 21-23

During the repair of the temple, the Book of the Covenant was found and brought to King Josiah. Upon reading it and realizing God’s Word was not being followed, Josiah called the people together, read the Book of the Covenant to them and led them in a renewal of the covenant, pledging to follow the Lord and keep His command.

The People Go Into Exile

2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Psalm 137:1-6

The nation of Judah continued to reject the message of the prophets and rebelled against God. Though God gave them many opportunities to turn from their evil ways and honor the covenant, they didn’t and continued to do evil. God allowed the Babylonian empire to conquer Judah and take the people into exile.

God Offers Return and Restoration

2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:5-7

After years in captivity, God used King Cyrus of Persia (in fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy) to return the exiles to Judah . The Lord moved Cyrus’ heart to issue a proclamation that the temple was to be rebuilt and those exiles who wanted to return to Judah and participate in the rebuilding could. They were being given a chance to go home and start again and show faith in God’s promise to restore them as people. Not all exiles went, however, only “those whose heart God had moved.”