This is the first audio teaching in the Haggai course. In this teaching we give an extensive background study on what led up to the Book of Haggai. We go all the way back to the reign of King Saul. He was the first king, followed by David, and then Solomon. Because of Solomon's idolatry and disobedience in 1 Kings 11, the Lord stripped 10 tribes from him and gave them to Jeroboam "his servant." We look at an overview chart of all 19 northern kings who were wicked, and 20 southern kings who were mostly wicked but some good. Israel ended up in Assyrian exile in 722 B.C. and Judah finished in Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. The Jews left in 3 separate deportations and returned at 3 separate times under Zerubbabel (538 B.C.), Ezra (457 B.C.), and Nehemiah in 444 B.C. We then study the book of Ezra and see that it contains the historical background to Haggai. First we see the decree of Cyrus, then the return of the first group of nearly 50,000 people, followed by the rebuilding of the altar and laying the foundation of the temple. While experiencing great success, the enemy came in to discourage them and stopped the rebuilding of the temple. Haggai and Zechariah were anointed by God to re-start the building project again. We also give an overview of the 6 main persons mentioned in the Book of Haggai including Haggai himself, Zerubbabel, Joshua, King Darius, the remnant, and the Lord of hosts. The student lecture notes and homework are above.