Joshua, Judges and Ruth

Joshua recounts the conquest and division of Canaan by Israel under Joshua, the successor to Moses.

The Book of Judges covers the period between Joshua's death and the rise of Samuel. It gives an account of twelve Judges, or military heroes, who lead the nation of Israel against her enemies.

The Book of Ruth concerns Ruth, the great-grandmother of David. Eerdmans' Handbook writes, "This quiet tale of ordinary life stands in strong contrast to the war and strife of Judges, which relates to the same general period."