A brief outline-guide to traditions about Old Testament books and their relation to the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the exile periods, drawing on Priest-Martyr Daniel Sysoev’s Chronicle of the Beginning and the Orthodox Study Bible.

Thumbnail Timeline Comparison based on Old Testament Orthodox Christian Chronography (Byzantine/Western years)

Holy King David c. 4387 AM/1121 BC
Babylonian Exile c. 4996 AM/512 BC

Five Books of Moses: (c. 1500 BC)

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

Historical Books:

Joshua: By the Righteous Joshua.
Judges: Compiled by the Holy Prophet Samuel.
Ruth: During the period of the Judges, c. 1300 BC (last two chapters attributed to the Holy Prophet Samuel); her son Obed became Holy King David’s grandfather.

I and II Kings: Compiled by the Holy Prophet Samuel in the early days of the united Kingdom of Israel.
III and IV Kings: Compiled by Propohets, and edited by the Holy Prophet Jeremiah in the time leading up to the Babylonian exile.
I and II Chronicles: Compiled by Prophets and edited by the Holy Prophet Ezra in the period of the return from the Babylonian exile.
I Ezra— Re-establishment of Judaea after Babylonian exile (sometimes I Ezra and II Ezra).
Nehemiah (also canonical II Ezra)–Re-establishment of Judaea after Babylonian exile. See https://ecosemiotics.com/2021/05/28/numbering-of-the-books-of-esdras-and-the-presence-of-4-maccabees/ re issues with numbering and titling of the Ezra/Esdras books (*In some numbering, II and III Ezra non-canonical.)

*Tobit: Written before and during the Babylonian exile.
*Judith: Written in era of Neo-Babylonian expansion leading to Babylonian exile.
Esther: By Mordecai; in Persia at time of return to Jerusalem.

*Maccabees I-III (covers era of c. 180-130 BC; Maccabee regarded as canonical )

The Major Prophets:

Isaiah: Of the tribe of Judah, before, during, and after Assyrian captivity.
Jeremiah: Of the tribe of Levi; from the days leading up to the Babylonian exile; with Lamentations, Baruch, Epistle of Jeremiah.
Ezekiel: Of the tribe of Levi, a contemporary of the Holy Prophets Jeremiah and Daniel, prophesying before Babylonian captivity.
Daniel: Of Judah– During the Babylonian Captivity.

The Twelve Minor Prophets:

Hosea: A prophet of and to the northern kingdom of Israel in the prosperous lead-up to the Assyrian exile; a contemporary of Amos in the northern kingdom, and Isaiah and Micah in Judah.
Joel: Of the tribe of Reuben, traditionally a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea.
Amos: A prophet of and to the northern kingdom of Israel, contemporary to Hosea, in the prosperous lead-up to the Assyrian exile.
Obadiah: Perhaps a contemporary of Jeremiah, a prophet against Edom as an enemy of Judah leading up to the Babylonian captivity.
Jonah: Lived in northern kingdom, in Zebulun originally, in late 8th century BC. Preached repentance to Nineveh.
Micah: Of Judah, contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea, Amos. Prophesied against affluent corruption and idolatry of both kingdoms prior to Assyrian exile.
Nahum: Of Simeon, a contemporary of Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk. Prophesied destruction of Nineveh at its height.
Habakkuk: Of Simeon, prophesying in Judah, a contemporary of Nahum, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zephaniah.
Zephaniah: Of Simeon, a contemporary of the prophets Jeremiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk. He brought a message of reform accompanying King Josiah’s reign, prior to the Babylonian Captivity.
Haggai: A contemporary of Zechariah, first of the post-exilic prophets of Judah.
Zechariah: Born in Babylon, returned to Judah from the exile, encouraged rebuilding of the Temple.
Malach: Born after the return from exile in Judah, prophesied after the consecration of the Second Temple, of a new day when Elijah (that is, John the Baptist) would be sent and the coming of the Christ.

The Seven Wisdom Books:

Psalms: By Holy King David at time of united kingdom.
Job: By Righteous Job (pre-Moses, grandson of Esau), edited by the Holy King Solomon at the time of the kingdom united Israel.
Proverbs: By Holy King Solomon in his middle years, at time of the united kingdom.
Ecclesiastes. By Holy King Solomon in his old age.
Song of Songs. By Holy King Solomon in his youth.
*Wisdom of Solomon. Traditionally attributed to Holy King Solomon as the source.
*Wisdom of Sirach. By scribe Jesus ben Sirach

*Conditionally non-canonical; regarded by St. John Damascene as “not in the ark” but admirable, excellent, and suited for those entering the Church to study (Priest-Martyr Sysoev)