OT historical look

“And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.” -Joshua 6:5

Joshua
The Book of Joshua begins after the death of Moses and with the crossing of the Jordan River. a. The invasion and conquest of Canaan, referred to as the “Period of Conquest” – which lasted 7 years. b. The division of the land. c. Death of Joshua, his farewell address, and burial.

The command given to Joshua in 1:2 was, “Since Moses is now dead – arise, go over the Jordan with all the people; unto the land given unto you.” 2 ½ tribes stayed East of the Jordan (Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh). Two spies were sent to look over Jericho, who were originally from Shittim, as we see in Joshua 2:1. Joshua was the one who sent the spies, and therefore, he had them hide in the house of the prostitute, who was called Rahab (Joshua 2:1). She was spared, because she did not know them or why they were at her house.

When the feet of the priests touched the brim of the water, the River Jordan rose up in a heap (even at the flooding time of the year), as we see in the text and in Scripture 3:3,13,16. Joshua built Two Memorials unto God to show his appreciation at the crossing of the Jordan: one was Gilgal and the other stood in the Jordan River where the priests had stood.

Campaigns
1. The Central Campaign a. Jericho b. Ai   2. The Southern Campaign a. Jerusalem b. Hebron c. Jarmuth d. Lachish e. Eglon 3. The Northern Campaign a. Either Merom (Battle), or Hazor (type of “Capital”).

According to the text, The Israelites sampled a victory by God’s supernatural power, however, they were not allowed to retain any spoils. This meant that no one was allowed to keep anything from Jericho, but rather to destroy it except the Vessel for the Treasury of the Lord’s House. Well, going into Ai in their first battle, 36 men had died because of sin in the camp: Achan, a soldier in the army had kept some of the spoils from Jericho (and he was the one who caused Israel to lose their first battle). (Thankfully, for them though, after destroying Achan and his household, The Israelites conquered Ai.)

At the beginning of The Southern Campaign, The Gibeonites entered into a league with the Israelites by deception; claiming to be from a far country. Mt. Hebron was given to Caleb to conquer, which was part of his inheritance. Cities of refuge: -Caddish -Gallein -Remota (Gilead) -Beer -Hebron -Shechem.

Judges
-Othniel: When Caleb promises the hand of his daughter Achsah to him (who will conquer the land of Debir), Othniel is the one who arises to the challenge and who becomes Caleb’s son-in-law. -Ehud: Best described as a judge who was sent by God to deliver the Israelites from the Moabite control. -Shamgar: A judge who once completely slaughtered 600 invaders from Philistine with just an ox goad. -Deborah: She led a successful counterattack, as the only woman judge known, against Jabin’s armies. Barak was a helper in assisting this counterattack. -Gideon: God had chosen Gideon, a man of faith he was called by the people, to free the people of Israel and condemn their idolatry. -Abimelech: He claimed his “right” to rule, because his name is interpreted as “my father is the king.” -Tola: None of his deed appear to be recorded in Scripture, but he did judge Israel for 23 years after Abimelech died. -Jair: He had thirty sons, who rode ass colts, and thirty places in Gilead were known as Havoth-Jair. -Jephthah: He led the Israelites in battle against Ammon, and then, after defeating the Ammonites, he fulfilled a foolish promise by sacrificing his daughter. -Ibzan: He judged Israel, had thirty sons and thirty daughters, and then after sending them away, he took in thirty daughters. -Elon: He was from the Tribe of Zebulun and led Israel for ten years. -Abdon: He was of the Tribe of Ephraim, and had forty sons and thirty nephews. -Samson: He was given supernatural strength from God to combat enemies, kill a lion, slay an entire army with only the jawbone of an ass, and destroying a pagan temple – but also had weaknesses including, being attracted to untrustworthy women and his hair (he was powerless without hair).

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” -Judges 17:6

The Book of Judges is known as a book of violence and sadness. The main cause of Israel not having peace and prosperity was because of apostasy in the land. During the Book of Judges, Israel had 13 different judges to rule them and had 2 more in 1 Samuel.

Cyclic nature of man
1. Sin (especially idolatry) 2. Servitude (God lets other nations enslave them) 3. Sorrow (Israel is sorry for what she’s done) 4. Salvation (God sent a judge to save them)

The primary task of the Judges is organizing and rallying of the people to overcome their oppressors. It is accepted that Samuel wrote the Book.

The main failure of Israel while dealing with the Canaanites was to press for a complete victory when they were strong; they put the Canaanites to tribute and did not utterly drive them out. God left the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Philistines to teach Israel war and prove them. Also, so they would learn to obey the commandments of the Lord. The Lord was angry and had them sold into the hand of the King of Mesopotamia; serving him for eight years.

Ruth
“Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” –Ruth 1:17

4:18-22
This section of Scripture talks about the generations from Pharez to David, to which shows much of the line of David. This seems incomplete, for a more detailed one is in Matthew Chapter 1, which shows people in between some of those listed here. It seems this is just a reference to the “important” ones that came before David. What this also doesn’t explain is how long each lived.

3:10-16
This section of Scripture shows that there is an age difference between Ruth and Boaz, to which Boaz considers himself unattractive to Ruth (and even comments on how such a virtuous woman she is). He was kind enough not to act as “goel” toward Ruth unless she desired it. Seems Ruth didn’t mind about attractiveness, for she was more into honor of Boaz. He offered to do all that she requested. Boaz was concerned after that about a relative closer than he was, so Boaz hesitated any further, but still offered to do what was needed for her at her request. Therefore, Boaz sends Ruth home with provisions, and she speaks to her mother-in-law all about what happened.

Notes from Deuteronomy 25:5-9
This explains a bit about the Scripture in Ruth 3, to which, Boaz was responsible to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow. It seems this is referring to that law, which Boaz would have to follow in this situation.

4:3-9
In this section of Scripture, we see Boaz asking the nearer kinsman to redeem the land of Naomi and Elimelech. However, when the kinsman heard about the conditions of such bargain, he refused it. The kinsman likely refused it, because he felt a sort of dishonesty. Therefore, it appears Boaz bought all that was Elimelech’s, Chilion’s, and Mahlon’s of the hand of Naomi.

Other notes
The Book of Ruth takes place during the era of the Judges. The Author of Ruth, by Jewish tradition, is Samuel. The Book covers a period of ten years and gives the Jewish genealogy Pharez to David. Boaz redeemed Ruth in a similar manner as Christ redeemed us and made us His Bride. Ruth represents sinner-outsiders who, in themselves, are without hope. Obed was the son of Ruth, and the grandfather of David. he sons of Naomi and Elimelech were Mahlon and Chilion who married Moabite women. The daughters-in-law of Naomi were Orpah and Ruth. Orpah returns to her homeland, but Ruth insists on staying with Naomi, and they journey to Bethlehem.

By Hebrew law, a man must marry his brother’s widow. The sign of “taking off the shoes,” meant agreement. he Book of Ruth is a book of Restoration and contains no wickedness, evil, or cruelty.

1 Samuel
“David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” -1 Samuel 17:37

Hannah
1:2-3, 10-11, 17, 19, 22, 27-28... Hannah comes before the Lord, as we see in Scripture, praying and grieving for a child – to which, she promises to dedicate to the Lord, if He shall bless her with a child. If she is to bear a child, her barrenness would be broken. Hannah became pregnant, then, with Elkanah, she bears Samuel – to which, she dedicates Samuel before the Lord when he’s weaned.

2:1-10... Hannah rejoices and sees the gift, so she praises the giver (God). She contemplates her blessings and looks unto the Lord for further provision. Hannah then speaks a prophecy about the coming Kingdom of God, that is Christ’s Kingdom – to which his enemies will be eradicated.

Trouble in Israel
4:2-7, 17-18.... Israel is smitten before the Philistines, and sin was in the camp, which gave the enemies all they had wished for. They speak angrily of God, and hope to bring the ark into their camp. The Philistines grew afraid, because of “God being in the camp.”

8:1-9... Samuel’s sons were corrupt judges, and although Samuel did not take bribes, however, his sons did. His sons perverted judgment. Samuel was not pleased, and there was a plea for a king to judge, because it reflected upon God. He began praying, and then told them that they shall have a king, even though it wouldn’t bring pleasing results to the Lord.

12:24-25 explain to only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for He’s done great things. However, for those that do wickedly, it will consume them. In 13:11-14 shows that those who disobey the commandments of God do so foolishly for themselves, for sin is foolishness and the greatest of sinners are the greatest fools. God saw rebellion in the light of Saul, and therefore, unbelief and distrust was what the others had seen.

Chapter 18... This chapter gives the understanding of the respect that was shown to David by Saul and Jonathan, as well as the servants of Saul, all the people, and in the songs of the women. The friendship of David and Jonathan was an example of grace, I believe, and brings the subject of love up. Those who love the Lord will be willing to join Him in covenant forever. We see the power of God’s grace in David. David, with the harp in hand, aims to serve Saul. However, we see that Saul, with a javelin in hand, an attempt to slay David, but God’s grace appears to be for David, protecting him from harm. Saul tried to hurt David for so long, but we see God’s grace, in fact, is present, for David did not waver from his service to Saul. This caused Saul to begin to fear David, for it seems David was not much afraid of Saul.

Other notes
Ishbaal (or Ish-bosheth) was the second king of Israel, who would replace Saul. He was one of Saul’s sons. We see the calling for one of his sons to be the next king in 16:1, and then in 2 Samuel toward the beginning, we see who it was after all.