We meet Nehemiah, who seeks approval from God for being Israel's new governor, savior and wall-builder. Meanwhile, people keep marrying across borders, which is still a no-no.

In Second Chronicles, we finish rehashing the cyclical rise and fall of divided Israel under a line of judges and kings. We touch base on our progress, call out little winks from the universe and imagine why God might be splitting into different personalities.

In Second Kings, we struggle to keep up with the succession of leaders marching Israel and Judah to greater evil, defiance and their inevitable doom. Jezebel is scapegoated in the worst possible way, some men have a fetish for torturing pregnant women and God's people are on his last nerve.

In First Samuel, the era of the Judges gives way to the new monarchy- no less divine and flawed in equal measure. The Prophet Samuel's mother foretells the karmic victory of the righteous, while God second-guesses his own kingmaker skills. Plus, Goliath loses his head.

In the Book of Ruth, the grieving Naomi brings fellow widow Ruth from Moab to Israel following a famine. Together, they capitalize on their good fortune and family connections to make a better life for themselves. Strong, hunky Boaz saves the day while God orchestrates from the wings.

God appoints a succession of Judges to repeatedly lead the Israelites out of trouble as they settle in the Promised Land. Each has his or her unique interpretation of the daunting role.