"The Prophets" refers to a group of books in the Old Testament that expound on the relationship between God and Israel after they formed an alliance in the Torah. The list of books considered to belong to "the Prophets" depends upon which Bible you read. A modern Christian will list the final 17 books of the Old Testament, or Isaiah through Malachi. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles each have eighteen books, by including Baruch.
Of course, first-century Christians didn’t have the New Testament that we do today as it was centuries before the "canon" of books was agreed upon. Early Christians had only the books we now call the Old Testament, or the "Tanakh." The Tanakh was arranged differently from the modern Old Testament with the section called Nevi’im (Hebrew for "Prophets") in the middle. Nevi’im included most of the books in the modern Prophets, but placed Lamentations and Daniel in "Ketuvim," or "writings." It also included the narrative books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. These books are "prophetic history," and told the story of how the people of Israel upheld, and at times, failed to uphold the Torah, and how God kept his word to protect and discipline the people.
Moses has died and Joshua is commissioned to lead Israel into the promised land.
The generations of Israel, (between the death of Joshua and the establishment of monarchy), wander in faith, often worshiping idols of the Canaanites.
Pressed on all sides by enemies, Israel demands that judge and prophet Samuel appoint a king.
After David's righteous leadership, Israel divides and falls into the hands of unrighteous kings and Israel's enemies.
The remaining books of "the Prophets" are listed below, and are summarized on their respective pages accessed through the page beneath this window.