Where Is Ruth in the Bible? Learn All 12 History Books

Where Does Ruth Belong

Quick question. In the Bible, does Ruth come before 1 Samuel or after? If you're not sure, you're in good company. Today you'll learn the names of all 12 history books in order, including exactly where Ruth belongs.

Series Setup And The Goal

Well, welcome everyone. I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable bite-sized chunks. This is part two of our five-part series on learning the names of the Old Testament books in order. If this is your first one, you're fine. Listen along, we'll do a quick review and go back to the first episode whenever you can.

Old Testament Shape And Quick Review

Now, my old Bible teacher used to beat on his desk and drill us on five numbers. Those numbers are the shape of the Old Testament. They tell you how many groupings of books there are in the Old Testament and then how many books are in each group. And the way he used to do it was like this. Five, twelve, five, five, twelve, five, twelve, five, five, twelve. And he'd have us do it at random times during the class. Well, today we're going to talk about that first group of twelve. Remember, I said five, twelve, that twelve. But first, a quick review of those first five books we already covered. And I'll give you the cue. And then you say the names, and then I'll say them. Okay? The cue is goats eat lettuce, not doughnuts. And the books are if you said Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, you got them right.

Joshua Judges Ruth Memory Scene

So these next 12 books we're going to talk about are history. They follow God's people into their land through their judges and kings and back home again after a long time away. Twelve is a lot. So we'll take it in three small pieces. The first piece, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. Joshua leads the people into the land. Then come the judges. These were leaders God raised up when the people got into trouble. And then there's the book of Ruth. This book is set during the time of those judges. And it's about a widow who stays loyal to her mother-in-law and finds a new home and a new God. Now, here's a completely made-up scene to help you remember. Now remember, this isn't in the Bible. This is made up. This is so don't go back saying, Jacqui said, no, don't do that, okay? So here it is. Joshua is judging a bread contest. Ruth walks up with a loaf of barley bread. Joshua looks at Ruth and her bread, and Joshua judges Ruth. So the three book names in order make up that sentence. Joshua judges Ruth. Okay, got that? So here's a quick check. Which book comes right after Judges? Ruth. Right. Joshua judges Ruth. That was easy, wasn't it?

Samuel Kings Chronicles The Doubles

Okay, let's look at the second piece, the doubles. First and second Samuel, first and second Kings, first and second chronicles. You see, those are they're all three pairs. Samuel, he was the prophet who anointed Israel's first kings. The book of Kings, or the two books of Kings, tell us what those kings did. And Chronicles, first and second chronicles tells that story again, but from a different angle. So here's the cue: Samuel crowns the kings, then someone writes it all down or chronicles it. So it's Samuel King Chronicles. And remember, they are two of each. So quick check. Which pair comes after Samuel? By kings. Remember, Samuel crowns the kings. And here's the third and last piece: Ezra, Nehemiah,

Ezra Nehemiah Esther And Final Recap

and Esther. E-N-E. Nehemiah, the N, gets sandwiched between the two E's, Ezra and Esther. These books cover events that happened after the people were taken far from home. Ezra and Nehemiah helped them return and rebuild. Esther is a Jewish woman in a foreign palace who risks her life to save her people. So there's Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. E and E. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. So that's all 12 history books. Now come on and say them with me. Joshua judges Ruth, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

Why Ruth’s Placement Matters

Now, think back to the book of Ruth. Now you know she's in the history group. It's the eighth book, right after Judges, and right before 1 Samuel. And because you know that, you also know something about her story before you read it. You know it occurred during the time of the Judges in the land during a very hard time in the days before Israel had a king.

Practice Plan And Closing Encouragement

So for today, review those first five books we covered yesterday, then add these twelve. Say them out loud, check them in your table of contents, then look away and try again. Tomorrow we'll get to the songs and a parrot. Until then, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.