Major Bible Stories in the Old Testament of the King James Bible
The Bible is an inspired combination of recorded history, poetry and wisdom, and prophecy. The Bible was written across many decades, by many different men, but each book of the Bible was inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. (Bible history and stories are also detailed in other, secular recordings.)
Like most Bibles, the King James Bible is divided into two sections: the old testament (everything before Jesus, now an old covenant) and the new testament (the gospel of Jesus began a new covenant).
The following are summaries of just some Bible stories of the Old Testament. I will add more in the future.
Creation of the World
Found in: Genesis 1:1-31 (KJV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, bringing order out of chaos. Over six days, He created light, sky, land, sea, plants, animals, and humans. On the seventh day, He rested, sanctifying it as a day of rest.
Adam and Eve
Found in: Genesis 2:4-3:24 (KJV)
God creates the first humans, Adam and Eve, and places them in the Garden of Eden. They live in innocence until they eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, leading to sin entering into mankind, and their their subsequent expulsion from the garden.
Noah’s Ark
Found in: Genesis 6:9-9:17 (KJV)
Due to the wickedness of humanity, God decides to flood the earth, but spares Noah, his family, and at least two of each animal species (there were some species loaded onto the ark that were more than two of each). Noah builds an ark to survive the flood, and after the waters recede, God makes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by a rainbow.
The Tower of Babel
Found in: Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV)
Humanity unites to build a tower reaching the heavens, demonstrating their pride and ambition. God confounds their language, scattering them across the earth and halting the construction.
Interesting Note: The Tower of Babel was located in Shinar, a region in ancient Mesopotamia that is now part of Iraq. The tower was built on a plain on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, about 30 miles from modern-day Baghdad.
Abraham’s Covenant
Found in: Genesis 12:1-17:27 (KJV)
God calls Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland and promises to make him the father of a great nation. The covenant includes the promise of land and numerous descendants, symbolized by the rite of circumcision.
Joseph and His Brothers
Found in: Genesis 37:1-50:26 (KJV)
Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Despite hardships, he rises to power in Egypt and saves his family from famine, demonstrating God’s providence and forgiveness.
Moses and the Exodus
Found in: Exodus 1:1-15:21 (KJV)
Moses is chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Through a series of plagues, he persuades Pharaoh to release them. Moses parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape and marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
The Ten Commandments
Found in: Exodus 19:1-20:21 (KJV)
On Mount Sinai, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, a set of laws for the Israelites to follow. These commandments form the ethical foundation of their covenant with God. These commandments are the basis for the Old Testament.
David and Goliath
Found in: 1 Samuel 17:1-58 (KJV)
Young David, armed with faith in God, defeats the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone. This victory marks the beginning of David’s rise to kingship and illustrates the power of faith and courage.
Solomon’s Wisdom
Found in: 1 Kings 3:16-28 (KJV)
King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, adjudicates a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of a baby. He proposes to divide the baby with a sword, revealing the true mother through her compassion for her infant, and demonstrating his God-given wisdom.
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
Found in: 1 Kings 18:20-40 (KJV)
Prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose God is real. God answers Elijah’s prayer with fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, and demonstrating His power and sovereignty.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Found in: Daniel 6:1-28 (KJV)
Daniel, a devoted servant of God, is thrown into a den of lions for praying to God instead of the king, Darius. God miraculously protects him, and he emerges unharmed, showcasing God’s deliverance and faithfulness.
Jonah and the Fish (It Wasn’t a Whale)
Found in: Jonah 1:1-4:11 (KJV)
Jonah, a prophet, tries to flee from God’s command to preach to Nineveh. He is swallowed by a great fish and spends three days in its belly before being vomited out. Jonah then obeys God, leading to Nineveh’s repentance and demonstrating God’s mercy.