Bible Timeline · Period 5 of 10
The United Monarchy
Saul, David and Solomon, from Israel's first king to the temple (1 Samuel 8 to 1 Kings 11; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles 1-9).
Israel asks for a king. Saul is chosen and rejected; David is anointed, unites the tribes and receives God's covenant; Solomon builds the temple.
Samuel and Kings tell these events, and Chronicles retells many of them with its own emphasis. Parallel accounts are shown side by side.
Scripture 1 Samuel 8–312 Samuel 1–241 Kings 1–111 Chronicles 10–292 Chronicles 1–9
Events follow the order Scripture presents. Switch to “Historical setting” to see approximate dates and how they are known.
Events
Israel asks for a king1 Samuel 8:1–22About 1050-1010 BCE
Samuel's sons do not walk in his ways, and the elders ask for a king "like all the nations"; Samuel warns them, and the LORD tells him to listen.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 8:1–22
People Abijah son of SamuelJoel son of SamuelSamuel
Places named Ramah 1 Samuel 8:4
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
Saul anointed king1 Samuel 9:1–10:27About 1050-1010 BCE
Samuel anoints Saul in secret, and later Saul is chosen by lot at Mizpah and confirmed as king.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 9:1–10:27
- Related 1 Samuel 11:1–15
Places named Mizpah 1 Samuel 10:17 · Gilgal 1 Samuel 11:15
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
Saul rejected1 Samuel 15:1–35About 1050-1010 BCE
Saul disobeys the LORD's command concerning the Amalekites; Samuel tells him that to obey is better than sacrifice.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 15:1–35
- Related 1 Samuel 13:8–14
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
David anointed1 Samuel 16:1–13About 1050-1010 BCE
Samuel goes to Jesse in Bethlehem and anoints the youngest son, David, for the LORD looks at the heart.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 16:1–13
Places named Bethlehem 1 Samuel 16:4
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
David and Goliath1 Samuel 17:1–58About 1050-1010 BCE
David faces the Philistine champion Goliath in the name of the LORD and kills him with a sling and a stone.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 17:1–58
Places named The valley of Elah 1 Samuel 17:2
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
Stories and studies David and GoliathCourageDavid and Goliath
David and Jonathan1 Samuel 18:1–20:42About 1050-1010 BCE
Saul's son Jonathan loves David and makes a covenant with him; when Saul tries to kill David, Jonathan warns him.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 18:1–20:42
- Related Psalm 59:1–17
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
David on the run1 Samuel 21:1–23:29About 1050-1010 BCE
David flees from Saul to Nob, Gath, the cave of Adullam and the wilderness, gathering a band of followers.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 21:1–23:29
- Related Psalm 34:1–22Psalm 52:1–9Psalm 54:1–7Psalm 56:1–13Psalm 57:1–11Psalm 142:1–7
Places named Nob 1 Samuel 21:1 · Gath 1 Samuel 21:10 · The cave of Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
David spares Saul1 Samuel 24:1–22About 1050-1010 BCE
Twice David has the chance to kill Saul and refuses to harm "the LORD's anointed".
- Main passage 1 Samuel 24:1–22
- Related 1 Samuel 26:1–25
Places named En Gedi 1 Samuel 24:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
Saul and the medium at Endor1 Samuel 28:3–25About 1050-1010 BCE
Facing the Philistines, Saul consults a medium; Samuel's words foretell his death.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 28:3–25
Places named Endor 1 Samuel 28:7
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1050-1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
Acts 13:21 gives Saul forty years; the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 13:1 is damaged at this point. Calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from David and Solomon.
The death of Saul and Jonathan1 Samuel 31:1–13About 1010 BCE1 parallel account
Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, die in battle on Mount Gilboa; David mourns them.
- Main passage 1 Samuel 31:1–13
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 10:1–14
- Related 2 Samuel 1:1–27
Places named Mount Gilboa 1 Samuel 31:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010 BCE Approximate historical setting
The end of Saul's reign and the start of David's, in conventional calendar estimates.
David king in Hebron2 Samuel 2:1–7About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
David becomes king over Judah at Hebron; after years of conflict all the tribes anoint him king over Israel.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 2:1–7
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 11:1–3
- Related 2 Samuel 5:1–5
People David
Places named Hebron 2 Samuel 2:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
David takes Jerusalem2 Samuel 5:6–12About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
David captures the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and makes Jerusalem his city.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 5:6–12
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 11:4–9
People David
Places named Jerusalem (Zion) 2 Samuel 5:7
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
The ark comes to Jerusalem2 Samuel 6:1–23About 1010-970 BCE2 parallel accounts
After Uzzah dies touching the ark, it stays with Obed-Edom; then David brings it to Jerusalem with rejoicing.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 6:1–23
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 13:1–141 Chronicles 15:1–16:43
- Related Psalm 96:1–13Psalm 105:1–15
People David
Places named The house of Obed-Edom 2 Samuel 6:10
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Stories and studies Worship
God's covenant with David2 Samuel 7:1–29About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
Through Nathan the LORD promises David a house: a son on his throne and a kingdom established forever.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 7:1–29
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 17:1–27
- Related Psalm 89:19–37Luke 1:30–33
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Stories and studies CovenantThe Kingdom of God
Kindness to Mephibosheth2 Samuel 9:1–13About 1010-970 BCE
David seeks out Jonathan's son Mephibosheth and gives him a place at his table.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 9:1–13
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
David and Bathsheba2 Samuel 11:1–27About 1010-970 BCE
David takes Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and arranges Uriah's death in battle.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 11:1–27
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Nathan confronts David2 Samuel 12:1–25About 1010-970 BCE
Nathan tells David a parable of a stolen lamb; David confesses, and Psalm 51 is headed with this occasion.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 12:1–25
- Related Psalm 51:1–19
People BathshebaDavidNathanSolomon
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Stories and studies Repentance
Absalom's revolt2 Samuel 15:1–18:33About 1010-970 BCE
David's son Absalom seizes the kingdom; David flees, and Absalom dies in battle, to David's deep grief.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 15:1–18:33
- Related Psalm 3:1–8
People David
Places named The Mount of Olives 2 Samuel 15:30 · The forest of Ephraim 2 Samuel 18:6
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
David's song of deliverance2 Samuel 22:1–51About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
David sings to the LORD, his rock and deliverer, for rescue from all his enemies.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 22:1–51
- Also told in Psalm 18:1–50
People David
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
The census and the threshing floor2 Samuel 24:1–25About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
David counts the fighting men, plague follows, and David buys the threshing floor of Araunah to build an altar.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 24:1–25
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 21:1–22:1
People David
Places named The threshing floor of Araunah 2 Samuel 24:18
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
2 Samuel 24:1 says the LORD incited David; 1 Chronicles 21:1 says Satan did. The two accounts are shown together.
David prepares for the temple1 Chronicles 22:2–19About 1010-970 BCE
David gathers materials and charges Solomon to build the house of the LORD.
- Main passage 1 Chronicles 22:2–19
- Related 1 Chronicles 28:1–21
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Solomon becomes king1 Kings 1:1–53About 970-931 BCE
As David grows old, Adonijah claims the throne; Nathan and Bathsheba act, and Solomon is anointed king.
- Main passage 1 Kings 1:1–53
People BathshebaDavidNathanSolomon
Places named Gihon 1 Kings 1:38
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
The death of David1 Kings 2:1–12About 970 BCE1 parallel account
David charges Solomon to keep the LORD's commands and dies after reigning forty years.
- Main passage 1 Kings 2:1–12
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 29:26–30
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970 BCE Approximate historical setting
End of David's forty-year reign in conventional calendar estimates.
Solomon asks for wisdom1 Kings 3:1–15About 970-931 BCE1 parallel account
At Gibeon the LORD invites Solomon to ask for anything; he asks for an understanding heart to govern the people.
- Main passage 1 Kings 3:1–15
- Also told in 2 Chronicles 1:1–13
- Related James 1:5
People Solomon
Places named Gibeon 1 Kings 3:4
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
Stories and studies WisdomSolomon Asks for Wisdom
Solomon's judgment1 Kings 3:16–28About 970-931 BCE
Two women claim the same baby; Solomon's command reveals the true mother.
- Main passage 1 Kings 3:16–28
People Solomon
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
Stories and studies Wisdom
The temple built1 Kings 6:1–38Begun about 966 BCE1 parallel account
In the fourth year of his reign Solomon begins building the house of the LORD in Jerusalem and completes it in seven years.
- Main passage 1 Kings 6:1–38
- Also told in 2 Chronicles 3:1–5:1
People Solomon
Places named Mount Moriah, Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 3:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Begun about 966 BCE Approximate historical setting
1 Kings 6:1 dates the start to Solomon's fourth year. About 966 BCE in the Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
The temple dedicated1 Kings 8:1–66About 970-931 BCE1 parallel account
The ark is brought into the temple, the LORD's glory fills it, and Solomon prays for Israel and for foreigners who pray toward it.
- Main passage 1 Kings 8:1–66
- Also told in 2 Chronicles 5:2–7:10
People Solomon
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
The queen of Sheba1 Kings 10:1–13About 970-931 BCE1 parallel account
The queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom and praises the LORD.
- Main passage 1 Kings 10:1–13
- Also told in 2 Chronicles 9:1–12
- Related Matthew 12:42
People Solomon
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
Solomon's heart turns away1 Kings 11:1–43About 970-931 BCE
In his old age Solomon's many wives turn his heart to other gods; the LORD says the kingdom will be torn from his son.
- Main passage 1 Kings 11:1–43
- Related 2 Chronicles 9:29–31Deuteronomy 17:17
People Solomon
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 970-931 BCE Approximate historical setting
Solomon reigned forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Calendar years follow the widely used Thiele-based chronology; other reconstructions differ by a few years.
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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.