Timeline of Old Testament Events

Our Old Testament timeline offers believers a valuable roadmap for navigating the vast and storied landscape of Scripture’s earliest narratives. By situating key events and figures in a clear chronological framework, we gain fresh perspective on how God orchestrated His redemptive plan through eras of creation, covenants, conquests, and captivity. This method of studying Scripture shines light on the divine thread tying together everything from Adam’s first breath in Eden to the return of God’s people from Babylonian exile. As we trace these pivotal moments in order, we discover not only a cohesive story of humanity’s struggle and redemption, but also an ongoing revelation of God’s steadfast faithfulness, His eternal wisdom, and His enduring desire to dwell among His people.

640 BC

King Josiah of Judah

Josiah of Judah (reigned 640-609 BC) is remembered as a model reformer who "did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David" (2 Kings 22:2). Beginning to seek God as a youth, he purged Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, and idols, defiling altars from Geba to Beersheba (2 Chronicles 34:3-7; 2 Kings 23:8). During temple repairs, the Book of the Law was found; tearing his clothes, Josiah sought the LORD through Huldah the prophetess and led a covenant renewal, committing the nation to "carry out the words of this covenant" (2 Kings 22:11-20; 23:3). He then centralized worship at the temple and reinstituted a Passover of rare joy and scale—"There had not been celebrated a Passover like it…since the days of Samuel" (2 Chronicles 35:18).

Josiah's reforms displayed sincere heart obedience expressed in public policy, aligning Judah's life with Scripture (2 Kings 23:21-25). Yet his reign ended tragically when he confronted Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo and was mortally wounded (609 BC), plunging Judah into a swift decline toward exile (2 Chronicles 35:20-24; 2 Kings 23:29-30). Josiah's legacy shows how the Word of God renews a people when embraced in humility and how leadership shaped by Scripture points beyond David’s sons to the greater Son of David, whose reign secures lasting righteousness (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 1:1).