The Creation, the Great Flood, the stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how Joseph brought Israel and his sons to Egypt.

How Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, and brought them through forty years of wandering to the borders of the Promised Land.

Laws given to Israel through Moses, with particular reference to the priestly tribe of Levi.

Further tales from the escape from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan, including the story of Balaam.

How Israel was given more laws, and how Moses left them with a choice between blessing and curse.

How Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, and how he conquered Jericho and the other cities and tribes of Canaan.

Tales of the days before the Kings, when Israel was ruled by prophets and mighty warriors including Deborah, Gideon and Samson.

A love story about Ruth, who found a home with the people of Israel.

How the Israelites clamoured to have a king ‘like all the nations’, and how Saul became their first King, but went mad, and how the crown passed to David.

How David ruled Israel, and made her great, but his reign was marred by rebellions, including that of his own son Absolom.

How David died, and his crown passed to his son Solomon, and how Solomon built the Temple at Jerusalem, but afterwards his kingdom was divided; and how Elijah prophesied in the time of King Ahab.

How the Kings of Judah and Israel ruled wickedly, and Elijah and Elisha foretold their wickedness would be punished; and how the Northern kingdom was overthrown by Assyria, and Judah by Babylon.

The tales of the conquest of Canaan, and the struggle of Saul and David, are told again.

The tale of Solomon and his Temple is retold, and also how the Northern kingdom fell to Assyria and Judah fell to Babylon owing to the wickedness of their kings.

How Cyrus the King of Persia overcame the Babylonians, and allowed the captive Israelites to return home and rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.

How Nehemiah laboured in Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple after the exiles returned from Babylon.

How Esther was chosen to be Queen to the King of Persia, and how she saved the Jews from the evil designs of Haman.

How Job was tested by God, and was tormented by the foolish counsel of three friends; and how he spoke bitterly, and God rebuked him out of a whirlwind, but restored him to prosperity.

A hundred and fifty songs of repentance, joy and praise, many of them attributed to King David, which were sung in the Temple at Jerusalem.

Myles Coverdale’s translation of the Book of Psalms, made in 1535 and included in all successive editions of the Book of Common Prayer.

A collection of wise sayings credited to King Solomon, drawn from all over the ancient Near East.

A reflection on the vanity of human ambition and pride, attributed to King Solomon.

An erotic song of a man who his lover, attributed to King Solomon.

The words of the prophet Isaiah, warning Israel’s kings of the consequences of idolatry; and yet, a virgin would conceive a son, who would sit on David’s throne, a Servant who would comfort and restore his people.

The words of the prophet Jeremiah, who urged the kings of Israel and Judah to repentance and foretold the sack of Jerusalem, and who promised a New Covenant that God would write upon the hearts of men.

The words of Jeremiah the prophet, as he grieved over the fall of Jerusalem in the early sixth century BC.

The words of the prophet Ezekiel, who condemned the idolatry of Israel’s kings, but foretold the glorious rebuilding of the Temple, and foresaw Israel restored like dry bones brought back to life.

The many tales of Daniel, who prophesied in Babylon during the captivity, interpreting the king’s dreams, and who by trust in God survived a night in a lion’s den.

The words of the prophet Hosea, who foretold the destruction of the Northern kingdom on account of idolatry, but also her restoration.

The words of the prophet Joel, who foretold that a day would come when God would pour out his Spirit upon those who call upon his name.

The words of the prophet Amos, who pronounced God’s judgment against Israel for idolatry and injustice, but also promised that God would restore her to prosperity.

The words of the prophet Obadiah, who denounced Edom for failing to aid Judah when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, and who promised that the Israelites would be restored despite the Edomites.

The story of a reluctant prophet, who spent three days in the belly of whale before coming back to the lands of men.

The words of the prophet Micah, who denounced the injustice and idolatry of Israel’s kings, and foretold a time when a king would be born in Bethlehem, and the gentiles would come to Jerusalem.

The words of the prophet Nahum, who foretold the destruction of Nineveh.

The words of the prophet Habakkuk, who foretold the rise of the Babylonian Empire against Judah, but also that God would cast her down for going too far, and for attributing her power to false gods.

The words of the prophet Zephaniah, who foretold disaster and destruction among the neighbours of Israel, and promised the restoration of Jerusalem.

The words of the prophet Haggai, who rebuked Israel for failing to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem after the end of the Babylonian captivity.

The words of the prophet Zechariah, who foresaw the return of Israel’s king to Jerusalem, riding upon a donkey.

The words of the prophet Malachi, who foretold the return of Elijah before the rising of Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings.