OT Chapter 15 Study Questions

From what historical perspective does the author of Kings write?

1 & 2 Kings was completed after 561 BC, sometime during the last 22 yrs of the Babylonian exile.

Contrast and compare the office of the professional prophets with those of the true prophets. How do these forms of prophecy relate to 1 Kings?

Chapter 22 relates Ahab and Jehoshaphat consulting professional prophets to discern the outcome of an upcoming battle with Damascus. For Ahab, prophecy was a form of magic in which the prophet manipulated God. The professional prophets merely repeated the king's desire in the form of prophecy in an attempt to ensure the desired outcome. But for Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, the prophet was a mouthpiece for God. The word of the prophet made the will of God known to humans, regardless of the king's desires. Ahab's death vindicated Micaiah, the true prophet of the Lord, and proved the professional prophets wrong.

How much time is covered by 1-2 Kings?

Over 4 centuries, outlining the Israelite's monarchy from Solomon to the end. It traces the failure of the Israelite nation to maintain covenant with God.

Discuss the authorship of Kings.

Probably Jeremiah, but better to view the author as anonymous. The books cover mostly historical narrative. The books trace the consequences of sin as opposed to the benefits of obedience

Define retribution theology.

Retribution Theology is exposed in Deuteronomy and listed in blessings & curses of the covenant (Deut. 28). Obedience to God's commands brings blessing while disobedience brings failure. 1 & 2 Kings is the foundaiton on which this theology is based.

What important biblical office began to emerge during the time of 1 Kings?

The office of prophecy began to emerge based on the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Prophets become God's instruments of warning to the king and the nation. Doom was imminent because of their sin. Elijah appears on the scene with no instroduction. He reminded Ahab that Yahweh, not Baal, is God of Israel. His announcement that dew and rain would cease was a direct challenge to Baal, the Canaanite god of storm and rain--a challenge issued by Yahweh, the God of the desert.

What is the regnal formula?

The regnal formula contains an evaluation of each king, based on his faithfulness to the covenant and his willingness to walk int he ways of King David. The author's primary concern is covenant faithfulness and loyalty to God.

From a biblical standpoint, why is the reign of Solomon seen as a tragic event?

The tragedy of Solomon's life is that he failed to remain faithful to God in spite of God's obvious provisions for his kingdom. Instead of Solomon, David is the Bible's ideal king of Israel, though he never attained the political heights reached by his son. God's Word is more interested in faithfulness to the covenant than in international prestige.

What is the overarching concern of this historical work?

To illustrate the two paths of life between which all of us must choose. The one path pursues God in heart as well as religious forms, while the other fails to obey God because of a lack of devotion and is ultimately self-destructive.

What is the overall theme of this work?

Traces the failure of the Israelite nation to maintain its covenant with God. The Book of Kings tells the sad story of Israel's tragic destruction because the people were not faithful to God.