Contents: Preface. Section I: Introduction. 1. Introduction. 2. People/Nations surrounding ancient Israel. Section II: History of Ancient Israel. 3. Israel before settlement. 4. Settlement and formative period. 5. The united and divided monarchy. 6. The downfall of Israel and Judah. 7. The return and restoration. 8. The Maccabean period. Section III: The Old Testament Literature and the Canon. 9. The formation of the old testament. 10. The old testament literature and canon. Selected Bibliography. The present work is an important contribution to the basic understanding of the Old Testament. It critically traces the history, culture and scripture of the ancient Israel whom God had chosen for a special purpose to declare God's glory to the world. The content of the book reveals many facets of the people of ancient culture who struggled to maintain their loyalty to their God in the midst of turbulent situations in their life. Despite people's infidelity, God's covenant love was constant and consistent in the lives of God's chosen people. The developments in the lives of the ancient Israelite community is a paradigm for us today for any vulnerable and marginalized community where God's unfailing love is visible. This work is a vital resource for any serious student and scholar of the Old Testament who would like to do research of the Holy Scripture.