In the book of Esther, we see God's providence even though his name is not even mentioned. Mordecai says to Queen Esther, that perhaps she is here for such a time as this. God fights for the Jews, and protects them from the enemy, Haman. Her Persian  name, Esther, means star, and God used her to continue fulfilling His promise to Abraham that his seed would outnumber the stars in the heavens. The stars are still multiplying!

In Nehemiah chapters 2-13, we see that Nehemiah not only helps in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but he also helps rebuild their spiritual lives to walk in obedience to the Lord. The Levites review God's mercy and grace throughout the history of Israel, and how the Jews continued to sin, but God was still faithful. We see a reverence for "The Book", and a renewal of worship unto the Lord. Nehemiah faced many oppositions, both outside the city walls and within the city walls, but he prayed constantly, and the Lord guided him.

In Nehemiah chapter 1 we see that Nehemiah has a heart for Jerusalem, and he prays unto the Great and Terrible God, who keeps His covenant and shows mercy toward those who observe His commands. He asks the Lord to hear his prayer, he confesses his sin and his father's sin, and then he reminds the Lord (and himself) of God's word and of His promises. In Nehemiah's prayer he quotes from Deuteronomy 20:6, 28:14, Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 9:29, and Exodus 32:11. He also quotes from Deuteronomy 12:5 which is where God says that He will make a place where His name dwells, and then in 2 Kings 21:4 we see that that place is Jerusalem. The Jews are people of the Book, and Nehemiah knows it.

As we look at the book of Ezra, we find the first two groups of Jews who come back to Jerusalem and Judah after the exile to Babylon. Cyrus, King of Persia, grants permission for them to go back and rebuild the temple. The work gets started, but then pauses for around 15 years, but when Haggai and Zechariah come, they encourage the people to start it again. After it is built, Ezra comes with the second group of exiles back to their homeland, and through his leadership, they set themselves apart from pagan worship in order to follow the Lord God of Israel.

In Ezra 1:1-4 we see that Cyrus, King of Persia, makes a decree to send back the Jews to Jerusalem to help them rebuild their temple. We also take a look at the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah that declare this will happen after 70 years of exile in Babylon.

In 2 Chronicles chapters 33-36, we see the final Kings of Judah before the exile, and then how Babylon with King Nebuchadnezzar overthrows Judah, destroys the Temple and burns Jerusalem to the ground. Many people are taken into exile to Babylon, and then it ends with a glimmer of hope when the King of Persia, Cyrus overcomes Babylon. 

In 2 Chronicles chapters 25-32 we read about 5 different kings of Judah, all are descendants of King David and Solomon.  None were perfect, but Hezekiah did a great job at fixing up the temple, organizing the Priests and Levites,  leading in the Passover festival as well as worship, and it was his prayers with that of Isaiah that kept Judah from being taken over by the King of Assyria. There is power when we humbly pray to the God of heaven.

In 2 Chronicles chapters 17-24 we look at the reigns of the Kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Joash, as well as the wicked Queen Athaliah. We see that not one of them where totally good, but when they sought the Lord, God blessed them and their kingdom. This section ends with the King of Judah and its leaders stoning the prophet Zechariah in the Temple courts. Jesus talks of this in Matthew 23:35.

In 2 Chronicles 10-16, we see the Kingdom of Israel is divided. The Chronicler focuses on the reigns of the Kings of Judah, and in these chapters we read about Rehoboam, Abijah, and Asa. As long as they sought the Lord their God with all their heart and soul, God blessed, but when they forsook the Lord, He forsook them. 

In chapters 1-9 of 2 Chronicles, we see Solomon's wisdom, his expanded kingdom, his fame and wealth, and his building of the temple. We also see the importance of the Levites, Priests, and music with regards to worship, and lastly we see that a true worshipper must humble themselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from their wicked ways and then God will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.