Bible Timeline · Period 4 of 10
Conquest and Judges
Joshua, the settlement of the land, the judges, Ruth and Samuel (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-7).
Joshua leads Israel into Canaan. After his death the book of Judges describes a repeated cycle of turning away, oppression, crying out and rescue through leaders called judges.
Judges is read in the book's order. The years it gives for the judges add up to more than the time 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably served in different regions at the same time.
Events follow the order Scripture presents. Switch to “Historical setting” to see approximate dates and how they are known.
Events
Rahab and the spiesJoshua 2:1–24Depends on the date of the exodus
Rahab hides two Israelite spies in Jericho and asks them to spare her family; they give her a scarlet cord as a sign.
- Main passage Joshua 2:1–24
- Related Hebrews 11:31James 2:25
Places named Jericho Joshua 2:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
Stories and studies The Fall of Jericho
Crossing the JordanJoshua 3:1–4:24Depends on the date of the exodus
The Jordan stops flowing when the priests carrying the ark step into it, and Israel crosses into Canaan.
- Main passage Joshua 3:1–4:24
People Joshua
Places named The Jordan Joshua 3:17 · Gilgal Joshua 4:19
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
The fall of JerichoJoshua 6:1–27Depends on the date of the exodus
Israel marches around Jericho for seven days; on the seventh the walls fall and Rahab's family is spared.
- Main passage Joshua 6:1–27
- Related Hebrews 11:30
Places named Jericho Joshua 6:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
Stories and studies The Fall of JerichoJoshua and Jericho
Achan and AiJoshua 7:1–8:35Depends on the date of the exodus
Israel is defeated at Ai because Achan has taken forbidden plunder; after he is judged, Ai is taken and the covenant is renewed at Mount Ebal.
- Main passage Joshua 7:1–8:35
People Joshua
Places named Ai Joshua 7:2 · Mount Ebal Joshua 8:30
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
The Gibeonites and the long dayJoshua 9:1–10:15Depends on the date of the exodus
The Gibeonites trick Israel into a treaty; when five kings attack Gibeon, Joshua defends it and the sun stands still.
- Main passage Joshua 9:1–10:15
- Related Joshua 10:16–43
People Joshua
Places named Gibeon Joshua 9:3
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
The land divided among the tribesJoshua 14:6–15Depends on the date of the exodus
Joshua divides the land among the tribes; Caleb receives Hebron as Moses promised.
- Main passage Joshua 14:6–15
- Related Joshua 13:1–7Joshua 18:1–10
Places named Hebron Joshua 14:13 · Shiloh Joshua 18:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
Joshua's farewell: "Choose this day"Joshua 24:1–28Depends on the date of the exodus
At Shechem Joshua recounts God's faithfulness and calls Israel to choose whom they will serve; the people renew the covenant.
- Main passage Joshua 24:1–28
- Related Joshua 24:29–33Joshua 23:1–16
People Joshua
Places named Shechem Joshua 24:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Depends on the date of the exodus Disputed date
The entry into Canaan follows forty years after the exodus, so it is dated either to the late fifteenth or to the late thirteenth century BCE, according to the view of the exodus taken.
Stories and studies Covenant
Israel forgets the LORDJudges 2:6–3:6Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
A generation grows up that does not know the LORD; Judges describes the cycle of turning away, oppression and rescue by judges.
- Main passage Judges 2:6–3:6
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Othniel, Ehud and ShamgarJudges 3:7–31Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Othniel delivers Israel from Cushan-rishathaim, Ehud from Eglon of Moab, and Shamgar strikes down Philistines.
- Main passage Judges 3:7–31
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Deborah and BarakJudges 4:1–5:31Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Deborah, a prophetess and judge, summons Barak to fight Sisera; Jael kills Sisera, and Deborah and Barak sing of the victory.
- Main passage Judges 4:1–5:31
- Related Hebrews 11:32
Places named Mount Tabor Judges 4:6 · The Kishon river Judges 4:13
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Stories and studies Deborah
GideonJudges 6:1–8:35Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
The LORD calls Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian; with three hundred men, trumpets and torches, Midian is routed.
- Main passage Judges 6:1–8:35
- Related Hebrews 11:32
People Gideon
Places named Ophrah Judges 6:11 · The spring of Harod Judges 7:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Stories and studies Gideon
AbimelechJudges 9:1–57Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Gideon's son Abimelech kills his brothers to make himself king at Shechem and dies in a revolt; Jotham's parable warns against him.
- Main passage Judges 9:1–57
People Abimelech son of GideonGideon
Places named Shechem Judges 9:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Tola and JairJudges 10:1–5Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Tola judges Israel for twenty-three years and Jair for twenty-two.
- Main passage Judges 10:1–5
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
JephthahJudges 10:6–12:7Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Jephthah, once driven out, leads Gilead against the Ammonites; his rash vow ends in grief for his daughter.
- Main passage Judges 10:6–12:7
- Related Hebrews 11:32
People Jephthah
Places named Mizpah of Gilead Judges 11:29
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Ibzan, Elon and AbdonJudges 12:8–15Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Three judges serve Israel after Jephthah.
- Main passage Judges 12:8–15
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
SamsonJudges 13:1–16:31Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Samson, set apart from birth, fights the Philistines with great strength; betrayed by Delilah, he dies bringing down the temple of Dagon.
- Main passage Judges 13:1–16:31
- Related Hebrews 11:32
Places named Zorah Judges 13:2 · Gaza Judges 16:21
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Stories and studies Samson
No king in IsraelJudges 17:1–6Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
The last chapters of Judges show idolatry and violence in a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes".
- Main passage Judges 17:1–6
- Related Judges 21:25
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Ruth and NaomiRuth 1:1–4:22Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Ruth stays with her widowed mother-in-law Naomi, gleans in Boaz's field and marries him; their son Obed is David's grandfather.
- Main passage Ruth 1:1–4:22
- Related Matthew 1:5
Places named Moab Ruth 1:1 · Bethlehem Ruth 1:19
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Stories and studies Ruth and NaomiRuth and Naomi
Hannah and the birth of Samuel1 Samuel 1:1–2:11Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Childless Hannah prays at Shiloh, gives birth to Samuel and dedicates him to the LORD; her song praises God who lifts the lowly.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 1:1–2:11
- Related Luke 1:46–55
Places named Shiloh 1 Samuel 1:3
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
The LORD calls Samuel1 Samuel 3:1–21Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
The boy Samuel hears the LORD calling in the night and answers, "Speak, for your servant hears."
- Main passage 1 Samuel 3:1–21
Places named Shiloh 1 Samuel 3:21
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Stories and studies Samuel Hears God's Call
The ark captured; Eli dies1 Samuel 4:1–22Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
The Philistines defeat Israel and capture the ark of God; Eli dies when he hears the news.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 4:1–22
People Eli
Places named Aphek 1 Samuel 4:1 · Ebenezer 1 Samuel 4:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
The ark returned1 Samuel 5:1–7:2Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Plagues strike the Philistine cities that hold the ark, and they send it back to Israel.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 5:1–7:2
Places named Ashdod 1 Samuel 5:1 · Kiriath Jearim 1 Samuel 7:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
Samuel judges Israel1 Samuel 7:3–17Before the monarchy; no agreed dates
Samuel calls Israel to put away foreign gods; the LORD routs the Philistines and Samuel sets up the stone Ebenezer.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 7:3–17
People Samuel
Places named Mizpah 1 Samuel 7:5 · Ramah 1 Samuel 7:17
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Before the monarchy; no agreed dates Disputed date
Judges gives years for each judge, but they add up to more than 1 Kings 6:1 allows, so some judges probably overlapped. Calendar dates depend on the date of the exodus.
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How the timeline is built
- Explicit biblical sequence
- Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Strongly supported relative order
- The order is well supported by the text, though not stated outright.
- Disputed placement
- Where this belongs in the sequence is debated; the placement here is an editorial choice.
- Approximate historical setting
- An approximate date with its basis.
- Proposed chronology
- A date proposed by scholars; Scripture gives none.
- Disputed date
- Significant alternatives are shown.
- Unknown date
- No calendar date can responsibly be given.
The order of events is BibleKenya's own reading of Scripture. Dates for the kings follow a widely used reconstruction (based on E. R. Thiele); anchors confirmed by Assyrian, Babylonian or Persian records say so. Visions are shown as visions, not as dated events. The date an event happened is not the same as the date a book was written.