“It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed…”

Lk. 2:1

Bible Background

Alexander, Archibald

Annals of the Jewish Nation During the Period of the Second Temple  1832, 355 pages

AA History of the Israelitish Nation: From Their Origin to Their Dispersion at the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans  1853, 653 pages

Gives history and background information (as well as much exposition) to the Old Testament, the inter-testamental age and the NT.  

New Testament Introduction

Berkhof, Louis – New Testament Introduction  Re-typset PDF, 1944, 225 pages

A handy conservative reference for background info on each book of the NT

Bible Dictionary

Alexander, Archibald – A Pocket Dictionary of the Holy Bible  1831  566 pp.

Biblical Archaeology

Berkhof, Louis – Biblical Archaeology  1928  200 pages

Excellent introduction to a vast topic from a conservative