Isaiah 5 - 8

God continues to mourn for His people who have rejected Him, comparing them to a vineyard carefully planted and cultivated that only produces wild grapes.  The owner will destroy the vineyard and burn the land to purify it from the wild influences.  This is what the nation had done ... and what God would do to purify the land.  He allowed His people to go into captivity and exile so that they would be purified from their evil ways.
Isaiah sees a vision of God's majesty and holiness, a vision that produces the correct effect:  an awareness of sin and a motivation for service.  God commissions Isaiah to speak to the people the words He will provide.  This would be a hard ministry, for the people would not respond the way Isaiah would wish for them to do.
Isaiah is sent to King Ahaz, during a time of siege.  The news is given that God will provide, but Ahaz refuses to listen, so God provides a clear sign of His presence through the birth of a child whose growth will announce events in the nations attacking Judah.  All comes to pass exactly as God predicts.  Isaiah also predicts that the land will eventually be attacked successfully and spoil taken from it.  The desired response is a fear of God and obedience to His Word.

Isaiah 1 - 4

Isaiah the prophet lived and ministered during the time of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in the nation of Judah.  God's message to His people was that they had abandoned Him as a wife does while committing adultery.  Their presence at the national worship celebrations was meaningless because their hearts were far away and their affections lay elsewhere.  What was once pure was now defiled and tawdry.  But Isaiah also spoke of the day when God would restore His people and renew His vows with His adulterous bride.  This would not be due to her worthiness but His great love.  In that day, peace would characterize the land and all would dwell in safety.  But until that day arrives, God would lovingly correct His people with discipline to bring them back to Himself.  This punishment would be devastating and severe, yet lovingly designed to create a desire for restoration

2 Kings 23 - 25

King Josiah restored worship in the temple according to God's prescriptions.  The items of idolatry were removed from the sacred ground and burned, the sacred places of worship for these false gods were defiled and those who served as priests to these counterfeit deities were removed.  A Passover celebration was held that had no rival for opulence or majesty.  In spite of all the good that Josiah did, God was still determined to exact punishment for the evil deeds of Manasseh, Josiah's grandfather.  Josiah dies in battle and his descendants rule the nation while it is sieged by Egypt and Babylon, eventually falling to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.  The nation of Judah was taken into exile, her lands left and her people scattered.

2 Kings 20 - 22

Hezekiah's life is extended from a fatal illness.  During this time of specially-provided life, Hezekiah makes some serious mistakes.  He flaunts the wealth of Judah to the Babylonian empire - giving them reason to return and siege the city later.  He also fathers his successor, Manasseh, who will one of the most wicked kings of the nation of Judah.  After Hezekiah's death, Manasseh leads the country into idolatry; this action prompts God to take action against His people.  Manasseh's son, Amon, followed his father's wicked ways; yet Amon's son, Josiah, ruled in a magnificent manner.  Josiah restored the dignity and splendor of the temple as the religious center of the nation for the worship of God.  During the renovation, a copy of God's forgotten Word was discovered, read and obeyed.

2 Kings 18 - 19

Hezekiah rules in the nation of Judah.  No king ruled before or after him with a caliber to rival his.  He followed God whole-heartedly.  During his reign, a siege was conducted by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria (the same nation that took the nation of Israel captive).  When the Assyrians threatened Judah, the prophet Isaiah assured King Hezekiah that God would provide for the nation's protection.  Hezekiah leaves the matter with God, and God miraculously provides for the nation's defense by striking down a large portion of the invading force in their sleep.  Sennacherib returns home with no spoils of war and with a depleted army.

2 Kings 15 - 17

Israel is taken captive by the Assyrians and their land plundered.  This exile occurs due to their prolonged idolatry and failure to obey God's commands.  Judah was also guilty of disobedience, but was given the example of Israel to warn her.  The Assyrians resettled Samaria with their own people, turning the inhabitants into the Samaritans of New Testament literature.

2 Kings 12 - 14

Joash's reign is characterized by obedience to God's laws.  He seeks to restore the temple and is successful in seeing the repairs accomplished.  Joash is assassinated and succeeded by his son, Amaziah.  Meanwhile in Israel, Jehu's son reigns yet continues to lead his people to do evil.  Elisha the prophet dies and is buried.
Amaziah the king of Judah reigns over the land when an assault takes place from Israel.  Much of the land is ransacked and valuable resources taken.  Amaziah is succeeded by Uzziah.

2 Kings 9 - 11

Elisha, at God's command, has a man named Jehu anointed to be king of Israel.  Jehu then exacts vengeance on the current king, Joram, for the wicked deeds of his grandfather Ahab concerning Naboth's property.  Jehu continued to carry out God's justice by killing the king of Judah (Ahaziah), the queen mother of Israel (Jezebel), the extended families of both royal families (seventy sons of Ahab, forty-two brothers of Ahaziah, and the remaining members of Ahab's family), and the worshipers of the false god, Baal.
One would think that Jehu would have learned the high cost of idolatry.  However, he fell into the same sins as other kings of Israel.  For his obedience, God allowed his family to rule for four generations, but he died and was succeeded by his son, Jehoahaz.
Meanwhile, in Judah, Athaliah - Ahaziah's mother - was ruling as queen after destroying all Ahaziah's heirs.  God allowed one heir, a boy named Joash, to be spared and raised to fear God.  At the appropriate time, Joash (age 7!) was installed as king of Judah, and queen Athaliah was executed.

2 Kings 5 - 8

Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army was sick.  Leprosy turned him into an outcast and social pariah.  However (don't you love that word in the Bible?), in his household was a captured Israeli girl who informed her mistress that the prophet in Israel would heal the master of the house.  Naaman departs, is instructed to wash in the Jordan River seven times and go home.  Appalled at this, Naaman almost leaves until another servant convinces him to follow the prophet's orders.  As God would have it, the washing completely removed the leprosy from Naaman.  Although the prophet refused payment, his servant greedily tried to profit from the commander.  He received silver, changes of garments, and - oh yes - the leprosy of Naaman.  Greed also brings more than is expected.
Elisha continues ministering throughout the land, assisting miraculously as a sign that God has not forsaken those who fear Him.  Elisha even works to assist the Israeli army through spectacular means - leading blind armies through the land, calming the city of Samaria during a siege and subsequent famine, and restoring the land to a family that had abandoned it during the famine.  Elisha also foretold the death of the Syrian king Ben-Hadad and the subsequent coup of Hazael in that land.  While all these events were taking place, Jehoshaphat, Joram and Ahaziah were ruling in the land of Judah.

2 Kings 1 - 4

Ahaziah, Ahab's son, shows little regard for God or His commands.  He is judged quite severely for his disobedience.  As he had no heir, another man - Jehoram - was made king of the northern kingdom of Israel.  Once again, God had kept His promises.
The prophet Elijah reaches the end of his life and his legacy is passed on to and continued by Elisha.  Elisha is empowered by God to do mighty actions verifying that God's presence rests upon him.;
Meanwhile, Jehoram is not faring any better than his predecessors to the throne.  He walks in evil ways.  He made an alliance with Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) to wage war against Moab (a nation to the south).  Elisha, for the sake of Jehoshaphat, gives the alliance a winning strategy that totally crushes the army of Moab.
Elisha continues demonstrating God's power to those in need of encouragement and assistance.  He aids a widow by increasing her oil supply, raises the deceased son of a couple from Shunem, protects a group of prophets from injurious stew and feeds one hundred men with 20 loaves of bread.  God was still at work among His people!

1 Kings 21 - 22

King Ahab (king in Israel) attempts to use his position as king to take a neighbor's property as his own.  His wife Jezebel - yes, the lady who made that name into a descriptive one - stooped to lies and murder to achieve the land.  As punishment, Ahab was sentenced by God to die and his family eliminated.  His wife would be killed and the family legacy ended and tarnished for all history.  Ahab repented at this news and God promised to not fulfill all His promises immediately - but it would take place during the lifetime of his son.  Soon Ahab sought to go to battle against Syria and forged an alliance with the nation of Judah to wage war.  Ahab is warned by a prophet that if he goes into battle he will die.  Ahab, rather than heed God's warning, goes into battle in disguise. A warrior, not knowing he was aiming at the king of Israel, successfully slays the disguised monarch who returns home and dies exactly as God promised he would.  Ahab's son, Ahaziah, reigns in succession of his father.  In Judah, the good king Jehoshaphat rules and is followed by his son, Jehoram.

1 Kings 18 - 20

God sends Elijah to king Ahab (in Israel) after the drought had continued for three years.  Elijah summoned the priests of Ba'al to a showdown of sorts on Mount Carmel.  Two sacrifices were prepared and the god Ba'al was petitioned to consume his sacrifice.  When the priests failed to produce the requisite fire, Elijah proved decidedly that Jehovah was the one true God.  The drought then ended, proving that God was able to answer Elijah's prayers.
Queen Jezebel sought to destroy Elijah (who had put her priests of Ba'al to death) but Elijah escaped.  Elijah then commissions a young man named Elisha to train under him and to succeed him.
King Ahab defeats the Samarians, but not entirely.  God pronounces judgment on the king for his disobedience.

1 Kings 15 - 17

The kings of Judah lead the people, but do not follow the ways of God's law.  They engage in wars and battles, but do not readily acknowledge God's presence and provision.  Meanwhile, in Israel, things are not much better.  The kings that lead the people continue to displease God with their actions, attitudes and decisions.
God, however, did have His spokesmen.  The prophet Elijah predicted a drought in the nation of Israel - and it came to pass.  While the nation suffered, God provided for His prophet by feeding him supernaturally. Elijah encounters a widow and provides for her needs, too - including raising her son from the dead.

1 Kings 12 - 14

Rehoboam took his father's throne but did not inherit his father's wisdom.  When asked for tax relief, he increased the burden on the people.  This led many to revolt - 10 of the 12 tribes split off from Judah and formed their own nation of Israel under the rebellious Jeroboam.  Jeroboam, seeking to make a complete break from the southern kingdom (called Judah) even established places for his citizens to worship.  Never mind the fact that they were golden idols, he provided a way for them to "stay in touch with God without staying in touch with God's people in the south".  Jeroboam was confronted about his sin, refused to repent and was physically judged for his disobedience.  Jeroboam died and was succeeded by his son, Nadab.
Rehoboam, meanwhile, failed to live according to God's ways.  He died and was succeeded by his son, Abijah.

1 Kings 10 - 11

Solomon's fame for wealth and knowledge gained the attention of the Queen of Sheba (a country in modern-day Ethiopia) who traveled to see first-hand if the reports were accurate. She left in astonishment, realizing that she had only grasped a small portion of Solomon's total value and resources.
But what "buying power" did Solomon have?  In spite of his wealth, he could not purchase loyalty to God.  His material holdings seemed to garner him shaky alliances.  Oh, they were good for political and military opportunities, but these alliances - usually formed through marriage - placed Solomon in too close proximity to idolatry.  The builder of the great and marvelous Temple fell victim to false idolatry.  Because of this, God raised up enemies against him, including one of his servants who led a coup against the wise and wealthy king.  King Solomon died, leaving the throne to his son Rehoboam but also leaving him in a terrible political mess.

1 Kings 8 - 9

Solomon continued furnishing the temple by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the temple site.  This article had traveled with the nation since their days in the desert after leaving Egypt.  The symbol of God's presence with them now had a permanent home in the temple.  When the Ark reached its place, God's presence filled the building in such amount that the priests could not continue ministering due to the undiluted presence of God's glory.  Solomon dedicates the temple to the Lord, and consecrates the people to the temple.  He reminds the people of their responsibilities to worship God alone and seek God's forgiveness when they sin.  At the conclusion of the formal dedication of the temple, a 14-day feast was held.  God appeared again to Solomon and promised to bless his descendants if he would walk before God as his father David had.  Solomon continued to prosper in his endeavors.

1 Kings 6 - 7

Four hundred eighty years after leaving Egypt, construction began on the permanent place of worship for Israel.  An exquisite feat of construction, the blocks to assemble the building were mined away from the temple site so that no sounds of hammers or chisels were heard during construction.  Solomon constructs the temple with elaborate ornaments fitting a national cathedral, taking seven years to complete the task.  He also built other projects to furnish and complement the temple structure.

1 Kings 3 - 5

Having proven himself to follow God's directions, Solomon is approached by God and told to ask for anything - and it will be given to him.  With a myriad of possibilites open to him, Solomon asks for wisdom.  God is pleased with this request, grants it and adds in addition the blessings of wealth and riches.  Solomon's wisdom is tested and proven to be unequalled.  His wealth garners him attention and prominence in the land.  With a vast amount of resources available, Solomon prepares to begin constructing the temple - a permanent place for the nation to worship.

1 Kings 1 - 2

Shortly  before his death, David announces that Solomon will succeed him, ending a debate over the line of succession.  Solomon is given instructions for successful ruling, including how to respond to the surrounding nations based on their treatment of David.  David, the faithful Shepherd king, dies and is succeeded by his son, Solomon.  Immediately, several men who have been troublesome during David's reign are executed to prevent them from causing further problems.

2 Samuel 22 - 24

A psalm of praise for God's deliverance is uttered by David, thanking God for His protection from the enemies faced.  David gives his last public address, thanking God for all that He has done for him.  David seeks to leave something of a legacy in tribute for all God has done, and purchases a plot of ground on which the temple will one day be constructed.

2 Samuel 19 - 21

King David returns to Jerusalem after mourning for his slain son, Absolom.  He forgives and pardons those who have wronged him in the past.  He does not, however, pardon everyone.  Those responsible for leading the insurrection were severly punished and lost their lives.  The Philistines raised their hands again against Israel, and were beaten back by David and his troops.

2 Samuel 16 - 18

David, in exile from the attempted coup led by his son, returns to Jerusalem and deals with those who dealt treacherously with him.  Hushai and Ahithophel both gave advice, but only one was consistently loyal to David.  David pursues after his son, giving the army orders to capture him alive at all costs.  One general, Joab, refuses to follow orders and assassinates the prince.  David's mourning continued for an extended period.

2 Samuel 14 - 15

The exiled prince Absolom returns after a brief exile from Jerusalem.  Although he is back in the capital city, he does not see his father's face for quite some time.  The murderous deeds, while officially forgiven, were not forgotten.  Rather than acting in light of his forgiveness, Absolom begins sowing seeds of treason and sedition against his father in an attempt to win the throne in a coup.  To escape those who sought his life, David fled from the city of Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 11 - 13

For as noble and courageous as David was, he was not immune from succumbing to temptation.  He falls to the temptation of adultery, and uses his position as king to commit murder to try to hide the evidence.  David is confronted by God's messenger and confesses to the sin.  The sin, though confessed, still spawns severe consequences.  The child dies, another of David's children commits incest and is killed by a half-sibling in revenge.  The sibling guilty of murder then flees to avoid further retribution.  David's family pays a high price for his sin.

2 Samuel 7 - 10

David desires to show gratitude to God for installing him as king.  He begins to plan for the construction of a permanent place for God's presence to dwell - a temple to replace the temporary and transient tabernacle structure.  God, however, has other plans.  David cannot construct this edifice; his life is one of bloodshed and not one to be associated with the construction of such a building.  God DOES, though, promise to establish David's bloodline as the permanent source for all of Israel's kings, including the One King who would eventually come in fulfillment of all God's promises to make things right.
Encouraged by this promise, David continues to subdue the nation's enemies in the surrounding lands.  He shows kindness to the surviving descendents of Saul, and exacts revenge on Saul's enemies.

2 Samuel 4 - 6

When the last of those with a claim to inheriting Saul's kingship is removed from the scene, David is crowned king of Israel.  He begins what will be a 40-year reign by waging war with the Philistines and seeking to relocate the ark of God's presence to the capital city of Jerusalem.  During the process of transporting the ark, a well-intentioned man is punished by death for seeking to touch the sacred ark.  When the ark is finally at its destination, David celebrates whole-heartedly - much to the dismay of his wife.

2 Samuel 1 - 3

News of Saul's death reaches David in Ziklag.  He mourns the death of the king, and executes the messenger who claims responsibility for giving the king a fatal blow.  When one of Saul's descendants is named king, a battle ensues.  The battle is quickly decided, but further skirmishes continue to pit the family of Saul against the forces of David.  David's strength increases as Saul's influence decreases.  The transfer of power from Saul to David was anything but smooth.  Murder and mayhem characterized the day.

1 Samuel 28 - 31

Saul visits a witch and is told that he will die within 24 hours.  David is expelled from the Philistine nation and goes to battle against the Amalekites.  Meanwhile, Saul is killed in battle with the Philistines.  David is now king.

1 Samuel 25 - 27

David continues to fight battles and gain a following of loyal supporters.  He encounters a man named Nabal who almost causes him to commit acts of vengeance.  What Saul could not provoke by his pursuit, Nabal almost instigated by his foolishness.
David is given another opportunity to closely encounter Saul.  He again refuses to take action against this man who is out to kill him.  Since Saul could not be trusted to keep his peace treaty with David, David found it safer to live among the Philistines.  While living there, he attacked their cities, leaving no one alive to betray the identity of their attacker.  God allowed Israel's enemies to be defeated "from within" in a matter of speaking.

1 Samuel 21 - 24

David, on the run from Saul, takes refuge in the town of Nob where he procures food and a weapon (Goliath's sword).  He then fled to Gath, Goliath's hometown, to try to avoid Saul.  When he was discovered and recognized by the local citizenry, he pretended to have lost his mind in order to escape.
Saul, on David's trail, discovers that David has been given shelter in Nob.  He goes to that city and has the priests and citizens executed.  David, on the other hand, is fighting battles against the nation's enemies and is winning stunning victories.  All the while, David was kept from being captured by Saul.  An opportunity arose for David to take action against Saul, as God brought them within arm's reach of one another.  David, however, refused to strike the man God had anointed to reign over the nation.  Saul exacts a peace treaty from David (but David wasn't the one trying to kill Saul - it was vice versa!).