Judges - Esther
Judges through Esther continues Israel's history from where Joshua left off. After Joshua's death, Israel was ruled by a series of judges, marking a downward spiral of disobedience towards God. Influenced by Pagan cultures, Israel eventually cries out for a human king, rejecting God as their king. The first king fails, but David and Solomon, the second and third kings, lead Israel to prosperity, including building God's temple in Jerusalem. After Solomon's death, Israel divides into Northern and Southern kingdoms, marked by sin until both are conquered and exiled. However, God's faithfulness endures, and He raises leaders to bring the people back to the promised land.