Scriptural Science

Sequential Chronological Doctrinal Research

Scripture Research Tools > Chronological Reading > Canon > Old Testament

Old Testament

Following is an approximate chronological list of the books of the Old Testament. As with all our Scripture Research Tools, we have tried to keep our lists simple to encourage Chapter Reading.

Creation Genesis 1-2 Moses 1-3 Abraham 3-5

Antediluvian World (Fall to Noah) Genesis 3-7 Moses 4-8

Repopulation (Flood to Abraham) Genesis 7-11 Job 1-42

Patriarchs (Abraham to Moses) Genesis 11-50 Abraham 1-2

Exodus and Conquest (Moses and Joshua) Exodus 1-40 Leviticus 1-27 Numbers 1-36 Deuteronomy 1-34 Psalms 90 Joshua 1-24

Judges (Othniel to Samuel) Judges 1-21 Ruth 1-4 1 Samuel 1-7

United Kingdom (Saul, David, Solomon) 1 Samuel 8-31 2 Samuel 1-24 1 Kings 1-11 1 Chronicles 1-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 Psalms 1-89, 91-136, 138-150 (not inclusive) Proverbs 1-29 Ecclesiastes 1-12 Song of Solomon 1-8

Divided Kingdom (Rehoboam / Division to Isaiah / Scattering) 1 Kings 12-22 2 Kings 1-18 2 Chronicles 10-29 Psalms⁽¹⁾ Proverbs 30-31⁽²⁾ Isaiah 1-66 Hosea 1-14 Joel 1-3 Amos 1-9 Jonah 1-4 Micah 1-7 Nahum 1-3

Judah (Hezekiah to Zedekiah) 2 Kings 18-25 2 Chronicles 29-36 Psalms⁽³⁾ Jeremiah 1-39 Habakkuk 1-3 Zephaniah 1-3

Exile / Diasporsa / Return (In and Around Palestine) Jeremiah 39-52 Lamentations 1-5 Obadiah 1 Ezra 1-10 Haggai 1-2 Zechariah 1-14 Nehemiah 1-13 Psalms⁽⁴⁾ Malachi 1-4

Exile / Diasporsa / Persia (In Mesopotamia) Ezekiel 1-48 Daniel 1-12 Psalms 137 Esther 1-10

End Notes

(1) Some of the Psalms may date to the reign of Jehoshaphat (and possibly Ahaz). Korah/Kohathites/Korhites mentioned in Ps. 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88 refers to one of the tribes of Levites which were over temple worship. From the time of David, and possibly before, temple worship included music and psalms. It is likely that new psalms were written as part of important events associated with the temple. The following references show the link between Korah/Kohathites/Korhites and David, Jehoshaphat and others: David- compare Heman the Ezrahite (Ps. 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Ps. 89) to 1 Chr. 15:16-17 (1-28). Jehoshaphat- compare Korah in the above mentioned Psalms to 2 Chr. 20:19 (1-30). Hezekiah- during his reign a temple centered great feast and national rebirth occurred, probably very similar to the gathering in Zarahemla at the time of King Benjamin (Mosiah 1-6). It is recorded in 2 Chronicles 29 through 31. During this gathering we see many elements of temple worship and its use of music and psalms. Compare above to 2 Chr. 29:12-15 regarding Kohathites and descendants of Heman; see 2 Chr. 29:25-30 regarding temple worship and David's injunction regarding music and psalms. Ezra- as the foundation of the second temple was laid music and psalms "after the ordinance of David" were performed; see Ezra 3:10-13 (1-13). Some Psalms seem to have language suggesting their authorship at this time. Regarding music and genealogy, see also Ezra 2:1-2, 40-41, 70. Nehemiah- during the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem Nehemiah appointed "singers". Later, when the walls were dedicated, the singers were a major part of the jubilee and praise, see Nehemiah 7:1, 44; 12:27-47.

(2) The exact date of Proverbs 30-31 is unknown; little is known regarding the authors: Agur (Chapter 30) and Lemuel (Chapter 31).

(3)Some Psalms may date to the reign of Hezekiah; see note (1) above

(4)Some Psalms may date to the time of Nehemiah, or Ezra; see note (1) above

Authorship of the Psalms: The Book of Psalms is primarily a collection of songs and poetry written by King David about a thousand years before Christ. One of the exceptions to this, Psalms 90, clearly states that it was written by the prophet Moses. A second exception, Psalms 137, talks about the heartache experienced by the Jews in Exile as the Babylonian people would ask them to sing their beautiful songs about Zion; thus a later date of composition is obvious. Scholars studing the text and origins of the Psalms as well as numerous clues from other parts of the Old Testament have identified a number of Psalms that are likely to have different authors. We have put together a few scriptural references, found in the footnotes at the bottom of this page, that tell about other times when psalms played an important part in the history of Ancient Israel.