149 | David's rise and the ark (1 CHRONICLES 11-16)

157 | Hezekiah to Zedekiah (2 CHRONICLES 29-36:16)

We're in Judah during the late 700s to early 600s BCE. The northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria around 722 BCE. Judah is still standing, but barely. Assyria dominates everything. Egypt watches from the south. Babylon is getting stronger. These chapters cover about 130 years—from one of Judah's best kings to its complete destruction. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MebvGMeoSj-x9uXV10E98MycKVAhU9NU/view?usp=sharing

156 | Rehoboam to Ahaz (2 CHRONICLES 10-28)

Solomon has just died. It's around 931 BCE—that's the scholarly consensus based on correlations with Assyrian chronology, though different systems date it anywhere from 931 to 922 BCE. His son Rehoboam is about to inherit a kingdom that looks impressive on the surface—the magnificent temple, enormous wealth, international respect. But there's a problem. Solomon had imposed heavy taxes and forced labor on his people to pay for all those building projects. The people are exhausted and angry. Rehoboam is inheriting more than a kingdom—he's inheriting years of built-up resentment. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ll8qWUqa0zMdcXHCLgLg5lrPOq_qMZC0/view?usp=sharing

155 | Administration and fame (2 CHRONICLES 8-9)

We're about twenty years into Solomon's reign over Israel. According to traditional biblical chronology, this would be around the 10th century BCE. Israel sits right in the middle of major trade routes connecting Egypt to Mesopotamia—the Via Maris along the coast and the King's Highway through the desert. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frzcvIuT7V_EVLtfnHFgy2Q6rAdMfFeH/view?usp=sharing

154 | Temple construction and dedication (2 CHRONICLES 2-7)

It's around 966 BCE in ancient Israel—a date based on traditional biblical chronology, though some scholars propose later dates. King Solomon has just taken over after his father David died. He inherited a kingdom and an unfinished project—a big one. For 480 years since the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites had been carrying the Ark of the Covenant around in a tent. Now they're finally settled enough to build something that will last. Egypt is to the south, Phoenician trading cities to the north, and Mesopotamian powers to the east. They're all watching this small mountain kingdom that just got rich and powerful under David's military campaigns. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xIlxHBFrHPFx1PnkE9H9OkyNcAFMFSnJ/view?usp=sharing

153 | Wisdom and wealth (2 CHRONICLES 1)

According to the biblical account, we're around 970 BC, and ancient Israel is at a turning point. The text tells us King David has just died after forty years as king, and his son Solomon has taken over a kingdom that's described as more unified and powerful than ever. But Solomon's not the oldest son. He's not the obvious choice. The narrative presents his claim to the throne as coming through some intense palace drama involving his mother Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan. So when this chapter opens, Solomon is portrayed as a young king who needs to prove himself—to his people, to the tribal leaders, to the military commanders, and probably to himself. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10AbS_2bCcUpJ0maRuTUdjzNNPXJTOCvF/view?usp=sharing