God's Story: A Narrative Adaptation of the Bible

After the Israelites in the northern kingdom had been carried off into captivity, Yahweh raised up another prophet, Nahum, and had him travel to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, to deliver a prophecy of judgment because of Assyria’s brutality. So that they might hear God’s warnings and repent, Naham said to them, “Yahweh is slow to anger, but will not leave the guilty unpunished. The storm clouds are like the dust of Yahweh’s feet. God can dry the ocean with a word. The whole world trembles at Yahweh’s power. Nineveh, you devise wicked plans, but they will come to nothing and you will be destroyed. Even though your allies are numerous you will have no descendants that bear your name. Your temples and idols will be destroyed and you will go to the grave for the disgusting things you have done. An even mightier attacker is coming for you. Guard yourselves and keep watch. Their shields, spears, and chariots will flash in your streets like lightning. Like you did to Samaria, you wi...

Amaziah, son of Joash, reigned in Judah for 29 years. He was committed to Yahweh, like his father had been, but still the people offered sacrifices at places other than the temple. He killed those who assassinated his father, but spared their children as was written in the law given to Moses. He defeated the Edomites and then challenged Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, to battle. But Jehoash replied, “You are arrogant from your victory over Edom. Enjoy your victory, but stay at home. Why ask for trouble that will lead to the downfall of you and all the Jews?” But Amaziah would not listen and when Israel attacked Judah they overwhelmed them and the Jewish army retreated. A large part of Jerusalem’s wall was destroyed and Jehoash took all the valuable artifacts from the temple and palace as well as hostages. Jehoash reigned over Israel for 16 years and was succeeded by his son, Jeroboam II. Amaziah was succeeded by his son Azariah, who ruled Judah for 52 years and was committed to Yahw...

In Samaria, Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah, but when he died childless soon after, he was succeeded by his brother Joram. During Joram’s reign, Moab attacked Israel. In those days the remnant of the Edomites who had fled to Egypt in the time of David had grown greatly in strength and returned to their home country. So Joram requested that they ally themselves against Moab. Joram also sought to form an alliance with Jehoshaphat who was still king in Judah. Though the prophet Jehu had admonished Jehoshaphat for allying himself with Ahab, he once again agreed to an alliance. Their armies gathered together and marched for seven days through the desert, but quickly ran out of water. Joram lamented to Jehoshaphat, “Has your God brought the three of us together just to be handed over to the Moabites?” Jehoshaphat replied, “Aren’t there any prophets nearby who can speak to Yahweh for us?” One of the soldiers said, “Elisha lives nearby. He was a servant of Elijah.” So they sent som...

After Omri’s 12-year reign, he was succeeded by his son Ahab, who was more evil than any who came before him. He married Jezebel, daughter of the king of the Sidonians, enemies of Israel. He worshipped Baal and Ashtoreth and did more to anger Yahweh than all the kings before him. In that age, Yahweh raised up a prophet named Elijah. He came before Ahab and said, “In response to your idol worship and to show you that Yahweh, who your ancestors worshipped, and who I serve, is the one true God, no rain will fall in Israel for the next two years unless I say so.” Then Yahweh, knowing that Ahab would try to apprehend Elijah, told the prophet to head east and hide in a ravine near the Jordan River. When he arrived there, Yahweh sent ravens carrying bread and meat to feed him twice a day. When the drought dried up the brook in the ravine, Elijah travelled to the town of Zarephath in Sidon where God had directed him to ask for food from a widow who lived there. When he found her and aske...