Nehemiah, serving wine to King Artaxerxes, is sad about Jerusalem's ruin. The king grants his request to rebuild, and Nehemiah later inspects the walls by night and rallies the people to work.

Nehemiah, a cupbearer in Susa, receives news that Jerusalem's wall is broken and its people are in distress. He responds with mourning, fasting, and a prayer of confession and covenant appeal to God.

Ezra 10 records the assembly of returned exiles weeping over intermarriage with foreign women, Ezra's prayer and confession, and the people's covenant to put away foreign wives. It ends with a list of men who had married foreign women and their compliance.

Ezra 9 recounts how officials report that the people, priests, and Levites have intermarried with the surrounding nations, and Ezra responds with deep grief and a public prayer of confession. He acknowledges the nation's long history of guilt, God's recent grace in preserving a remnant, and the danger of repeating the same disobedience.

Ezra 8 lists the family heads and men who returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem, then describes the gathering at the Ahava river where Ezra found no Levites and sent for ministers. It also records the fast for divine protection, the weighing of silver and gold for the temple, and the safe arrival in Jerusalem.

Ezra 7 introduces Ezra, a skilled scribe descended from Aaron, who travels from Babylon to Jerusalem with a royal decree from King Artaxerxes. The chapter details the king's generous provisions for the temple, Ezra's commission to teach and enforce God's law, and Ezra's own testimony of God's hand upon him.

Ezra 6 records King Darius searching the archives, finding Cyrus's decree to rebuild the Jerusalem temple, and ordering Tattenai to stop opposing the work and even fund it. The chapter ends with the temple finished, dedicated with joy, and the returned exiles keeping the Passover.

Ezra 5 recounts how the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred Zerubbabel and Jeshua to resume building God's house in Jerusalem. When officials questioned their authority, the elders appealed to Cyrus's earlier decree, and the matter was sent to King Darius for verification.

Ezra 4 recounts how the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin opposed the rebuilding of the temple. They first sought to join the work, then discouraged the people, hired counselors against them, and finally sent a letter to King Artaxerxes that resulted in the work being stopped by force.

Ezra 3 recounts how the returned exiles gathered in Jerusalem, rebuilt the altar, and laid the foundation of the temple. It highlights their worship, fear of surrounding peoples, and the emotional response of old and young at the foundation laying.

Ezra 2 lists the people who returned from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem and Judah, organized by family, town, and temple role. It also records their servants, animals, and the voluntary offerings given to rebuild Yahweh's house.

Ezra 1 recounts how God moved King Cyrus of Persia to decree that the exiled Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. It also describes the people's generous contributions and the return of the temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken.

2 Chronicles 36 records the reigns of Judah's last four kings, their evil, and the resulting destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Babylon. It ends with Cyrus of Persia decreeing that the exiles may return to rebuild the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 35 recounts King Josiah's Passover celebration, the most elaborate since Samuel, and his subsequent death in battle against Pharaoh Neco. It highlights careful obedience to God's law and the sobering reality of human frailty.

Second Chronicles 34 recounts how King Josiah, from a young age, sought Yahweh, purged Judah and Jerusalem of idolatrous objects, and repaired the temple. During the repair, the book of the law was found, and after hearing it, Josiah humbled himself, led the people in covenant renewal, and received a promise that the coming judgment would not fall in his days.

2 Chronicles 33 recounts the long, wicked reign of King Manasseh, his humbling under Assyrian captivity, and his restoration after repentance. It then briefly describes the short, evil reign of his son Amon, who did not humble himself and was killed by his servants.

Second Chronicles 32 recounts how King Hezekiah of Judah faced the overwhelming Assyrian army by trusting Yahweh, preparing defenses, and praying with Isaiah. God miraculously delivered Jerusalem, but later Hezekiah's pride brought wrath until he humbled himself.

This chapter describes how Hezekiah reorganized the temple worship and the people responded with generous giving. It also shows the careful administration of the offerings and the blessing that followed.

Second Chronicles 30 recounts King Hezekiah's decree to celebrate the Passover in the second month, sending couriers throughout Israel and Judah to call the people back to Yahweh. Despite mockery from some, many humble themselves, the assembly removes idolatrous altars, and Hezekiah prays for those not properly cleansed, leading to great joy and extended feasting.

Hezekiah became king and immediately reopened and repaired the temple, calling the Levites to sanctify themselves and remove uncleanness. He restored proper worship with sacrifices, music, and thanksgiving, and the people rejoiced because God had prepared them.