The books known as the Former Prophets are Joshua, Judges, I and 2 Samuel, and I and 2 Kings.

Various reasons have been given for calling these books prophetical. Some say it is because they were written by or under the direction of the prophets, or because they relate largely to the lives of the older prophets, like Samuel, Elijah, and others whose teachings have not been fully recorded. But a more suitable reason may be found in the underlying purpose for which these books were written. While largely occupied with historical matters, the purpose in recording them is to set forth the development of the kingdom of God. Whatever of Jewish history is needful to explain that development is recorded in these books, sometimes with a prominence and prolixity which seem out of all proportion to the importance of the fact itself, and whatever is not necessary to that result is either ignored or passed over in the briefest manner, although it would be considered an important fact by the ordinary historian.

This conception of these books is necessary to any proper understanding of them, or to explain the great prominence assigned them in the Hebrew Canon. They do not profess to be a general history of the old world, not even a history of the Jewish race, but a record of God's revelation of His plan of salvation, and only so much history is given as will enable us to trace the unfolding of that divine plan. This will help us to understand why some periods are so fully treated while others are passed over almost without notice. This will also explain to some extent why the author of these books is not mentioned. Throughout it is God who is brought into prominence, the human agency is seldom recognized.