O.T. L&P Exam #3, Muska

Why did God prohibit David from building a temple? What was David's response?

Because he has shed so much blood. David, submits, offers a prayer of praise and prepares everything for Solomon to build it: Materials, laborers and job descriptions

What prophetic activity played a part in the first group of exiles returning?

Cyrus degreeing for Jerusalem to be restored as prophesied in Isaiah

Why is it wrong for David to count the people (2 Samuel 24)?

David was trusting in his army and people instead of God.

What kind of messages do the prophets deliver to the kings of Judah during this period?

Rebuke and assurance. Shemiah warns Rehoboam not to fight Israel after the split Azariah gives Asa the options of prosperity or failure, depending on his obedience Hanai condemns Asa's unbelief, N.B. King Asa imprisons Hanai for it. Jahaziel assures: Jehosophat of victory in battle

Why is the end of Solomon's life tragic? What are the consequences for him and the nation?

Solomon wanders away from the Lord to idols. The consequences for him and the nation are far-reaching.

When do the events of Nehemiah take place?

Surrounding the third return of exiles from Babylon under the leadership of Nehemiah in 444.

What do we know about the author of Ezra?

The author is not named, but consensus of evangelical scholars point to Ezra as the author.

What do we know about the author of 1-2 Kings? Who might it have been?

The author is unknown, but mostly likely one person because of the unity of the words throughout the book

What does the nation do in response to Ezra? What does the shocking action of the nation say about Judah's priorities?

They dissolved their marriages Even the sanctity of marriage was not as important as the nation remaining seperate from their Gentile neighbors.

In 1 Kings 11, what is Solomon faithful to build?

To build the temple

What do we know about the author of 1-2 Chronicles?

Unknown. Jewish tradition points to Ezra the Priest, but there are not any substantiation from the books themselves.

As the OT history comes to a close, what truths have been established (four things)?

1. God is great. In particular, His holiness and His faithfulness stand out. 2. Humanity bears the bears the image of God, yet also is corrupted by sin. 3. God is determined to defeat sin, reconcile humanity to Himself, and establishes rule over all creation again 4. The scene is set for the arrival of the Messiah, who will establish the beginning of God's kingdom over all the earth

How does David demonstrate his heart for worship and to be in God's presence (two ways)?

1. He brings in the Ark of the Covenant to the capital, Jerusalem. 2. He desires to build a permanent temple.

What does Nehemiah do in response to the report on Jerusalem in Nehemiah 1?

1. He prays - worship, confession of sin, promises claimed, request 2. He acts - Nehemiah risks his life to ask Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem

What two causes were identified for the split of the nation of Israel?

1. Historical cause: Solomon's Idolatry 2. Immediate cause: Foolish decision, Rehoboam's response to the people's request for tax relief.

In 1 Kings 15-16, what four statements summarize the story of the period for Israel?

1. Israel experiences terrible problems and unrest 2. Each king is worse than the previous one 3. Power struggles for the throne are constant with several families wiped out. 4. The reason for war is clear: the sin of Jeroboam, idolatry.

What three things are true at the end of 1-2 Kings?

1. Israel splits and declines greatly from its glory years 2. The Northern Kingdom is destroyed. The Southern Kingdom is exiled to Babylon 3. Little hope is given for Judah.

What two things have we learned from Esther at the close of the book?

1. The Jews are protected by God, even if unbelieve and disobedient 2. God can be trusted to protect his people

What do we know about the author and date of Esther?

Author: unnamed and, therefore, unknown. Was familiar with Persian customs and probably was an eyewitness to the book's events: possibly Ezra or Nehemiah. Date: 483-473, when some exiles have already returned to Judah

What does David do for the nation at the start of the King David narrative?

David unites the nation through the promised Son of David, the Messiah. He consolidates the kingdom and unites it and then expands and fortifies the kingdom.

What are the conditions in Israel when the Temple is completed?

God dwells in the Temple, Israel celebrates with worship and joy. Solomon and the entire nation prosper greatly.

What does Elijah's withholding of the rain and defeat of the prophets of Baal demonstrate about God in this period?

God's control over both nature and the idols.

What does Nehemiah show about God in Nehemiah 1-6?

God's faithful guidance and protection to Nehemiah and the remnant as they re-fortify Jerusalem.

What feast is begun from the story of Esther?

The feast of Purim

What does David's long prayer of thanks indicate in 2 Samuel 7:18-29?

The importance of God's promise and that David understood the reasoning.

What does the section 1 Kings 1-11 explain? What is the power of Israel during this period?

The initial deterioration of the nation after it reaches its greatest power. The nation extends its greatest power under Solomon, yet because of his wandering, the nation begins to decline.

What two groups dominate the period of the divided kingdoms? In what way do they influence their kingdoms?

The kings and the prophets. As the kings go, so does the nations The prophets, through their words and actions speak for God.

What three things are true at the close of 1-2 Samuel?

1. David's dynasty is established yet tainted by sin. 2. The nation is united under one king's leadership. 3. Yet seeds of dissension, to bear fruit in about 40 years.

What are each of the appendices' subjects?

1. Final details about battles and justice is served for the Gibeonites 2. Listing of battles with giants 3. David's song of thanks for God's deliverance 4. David's "last words", similar to an inscription on a gravestone. 5. David's mighty men. 6. David's census - inciting God's wrath

What influence do the older and younger advisors have on Rehoboam concerning taxes? What is the result for the nation?

The people ask for tax relief; Rehoboam receives counsel from his old and young advisors and listens to the young advisors' words. All of the people did not listen and went to their tents.

As a result, how does God treat them? How does God discipline the prophets during this period?

The prophets must do and say exactly what God tells them, or God removes them.

When do the events of Ezra take place?

After the national humiliation in Babylon, God brings his people back from exile

What sources did the author have available to write about the period?

- Book of the Acts of Solomon - Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah & Israel

How does Jehoiada the priest serve Judah (2 Kings 11-12)? How is he rewarded in death?

- Jehoiada acts righteously, he puts Joash, the rightful king, on the throne, sees to Athaliah's execution, leads the people to make a covenant with Gos and Joash, cleanses the temple, and puts Joash on the throne. - He is rewarded by being buried with the kings.

What do the people do in response when the foundation is laid for the Temple (Ezra 3:10-11)? What happens to the work after the foundation is done?

- The priests and Levites rejoice with a great shout yet the old men weep because this temple is nothing_ compared to the glory of Solomon's temple - The work is stopped for 10 years

Why are the first exiles allowed to return to Judah? Why does Cyrus let them go? What prophets are influencing Cyrus?

- The result of prophetic activity. - He seeks the restoration of Jerusalem by decreeing for the Temple to be rebuilt, providing the money and the materials taken by Nebuchadnezzer. - Prophets influencing Cyrus: Daniel & possibly Isaiah

Why is so much time given to why the Northern Kingdom falls in 2 Kings 17?

- The theological explanation for the exile is recorded - Israel is dispersed permanently by the Assyrians - it shows their history and displays strongly that Israel is gone.

What four consequences of David's sin does Nathan deliver in 2 Samuel 12?

- Violence will always be in David's family - One of David's own family will disgrace him publicly - David will not die - But the child born to Bathsheba will die.

How does 1-2 Chronicles relate to and overlap 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings?

1-2 Chronicles covers the same historical period as much of 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings. - 1 Chronicles 10-29 covers the same history as 1 Samuel 16 to 2 Samuel 24: Life of David - 2 Chronicles 1-9 overlaps with 1 Kings 1-11: Life of Solomon 2 Chronicles 10-36 records the history of the kings of Judah, overlapping with 1 Kings 12 to 2 Kings 24: The times of the Kings of Judah

What three things are true at the end of Ezra?

1. 2 groups of exiles have returned to Judea 2. The Temple is rebuilt 3. The people recommit to keep the national covenant.

What three things are true at the close of Nehemiah?

1. All three groups of exiles have returned to Judah 2. Judah and Jerusalem are starting to get back on their feet 3. The people commit to keep the national covenant

Why is the kingdom not torn from David as it was from Saul?

1. David repents immediately without excuses 2. God already promised David an unending dynasty 3. David's sin is a sin of passion and not open rebellion.

. What are the unique characteristics of Esther? What conclusion have some scholars made about the book and its Jewish characters because of these unique features?

1. There is no mention of God, the law, the temple prayer or sacrifice, 2. Never quoted in old testament or in the dead sea scrolls 3. Mordechai and Esther are not super spiritual Conclusion: the Jews in Esther are Jews by ethnic origin, not by active faith

Describe the three returns from exile--dates, people, and purpose for returning.

1. Zerubbabel returns with 50,000 exiles, 538 B.C. Israel to rebuild the second Temple. 2. Ezra, the priest, returns with the second wave of exiles, 458 B.C. for spiritual and religious formation 3. Nehemiah, the king's cupbearer returns the third wave from exile, 445 B.C. and rebuilds the wall

Why does God allow Abijam's son to rule Judah, according to 1 Kings 15:6?

Abijam only rules three years because of his evil. He is always at war with Jeroboam. God allows his son to rule because of David.

What is the result of the civil war? How is division sown among the tribes?

Absalom is defeated and Joab kills him against David's wishes. David grieves excessively - this confuses the people and causes divisions. Another rebellion is led by Sheba, sowing the seeds of division between the northern and southern tribes and Judah.

What two prophets are God's primary voice in Israel from 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 8?

Elijah and Elisha

In Ezra 6, what gets the people working again on the Temple reconstruction?

Encouragement that Haggai and Zechariah provided from the Lord

What is the key text in Esther and what does it show about God's working? What is God's "providence?"

Esther 4:14 Through Esther, God keeps the Jews from being destroyed God's providence is God's intervention

What events and their dates span the books of 1-2 Chronicles?

Events: Run from the death of king Saul (1010) to the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the Temple (about 530).

What is Elisha demonstrating about God through all of the miracles that he performs?

God's mercy to His needy people. He purifies poison water, provides victory in battle to king Jehoram, provides food for a poor woman, raises a dead boy, makes poison food edible, heals Naaman's leprosy and recovers the lost axe head.

What is the difference between Israel and Judah after 931 B.C.? What other names describe these two kingdoms?

Half of Israel is destroyed and Judah is weak and vulnerable to its enemies. Israel: Ephraim, Samaria Judea: Jerusalem

In Ezra 9, how does Ezra respond to the news of the exiles marrying Gentiles? Why is it such a big deal?

He creates the solution that they dissolved their marriages with the Gentiles. If they intermarry, they will lose God's promises to them.

In 2 Samuel 7, what does God promise David? How is God's rule of the earth altered by the Davidic covenant? How does Messiah fit that altered plan?

He promises to bless David, his family and the earth with the covenant He makes with David. God's rule has been linked to a man and his family, through whom the ultimate God-man will rule the earth.

In Nehemiah 8-12, what does Ezra do? How do the people respond (four ways)?

He reads the Law 1. Weeping and mourning 2. They confess their sin 3. Sign a pledge to keep the national covenant 4. They resettle Jerusalem

In 1 Kings 12, what is Jeroboam's first act as king? Why does he do it? What are the consequences for him, and for Israel?

He sets up idol worship in the south, to keep the northern tribes from worshiping in Jerusalem in the south.

In light of 1 Kings 11:37-38, why are the consequences for Jeroboam so tragic? What is the "sin of Jeroboam?"

He will be removed and wiped out. "The sin of Jeroboam" is his act of idolatry.

How is Hezekiah described in 2 Kings 18-20? What does he do to serve God?

Hezekiah described at the highest point in this section. He is described as a good king, removed the idols, and trusted God.

How is Israel changed from 931 to 586, the dates that span this period?

In 931, before the split, the nation is strong, united, and prospering In 722, half of the nation (Israel) is destroyed. The other half (Judah) is weak and vulnerable to its enemies. In 586, Judah is carried off to exile in Babylon for 70 years.

Why does Israel never come back from exile, according to Assyrian practices?

Israel is intermixed with the Assyrians

What behavior characterizes the entire history of the Northern Kingdom? How (if at all) is the Southern Kingdom different? What fate befalls both kingdoms in the end?

Israel, the northern kingdom, completely forsakes God for the idols in every generation. They are wiped out in 722. Judah wavers from generation to generation, also going into captivity in 586. After 70 years of humiliation, Judah returns from exile, a small remnant of their former glory.

What does the David and Absalom narrative explain? How is David's kingdom affected by his sin? How did David respond to being confronted about his sin?

It explains the effects of David's sin on the unending dynasty. The kingdom remains but it is reduced and David's life is needlessly complicated. David repents immediately without excuses.

Explain the literary style used in 1-2 Kings to tell the story of Israel and Judah?

It jumps back and forth between the northern and the southern kingdom.

In what sense is 1-2 Chronicles an "historical polemic?" Why does the author review Israel's history? How does he use David, Solomon, and the times of the kings of Judah to argue his message?

It urges the people to devote themselves to worshipping God at the Temple because it is their only hope for survival. The author review history to persuade the returned exiles to remain devoted to God and the Temple worship David brings the Ark to Jerusalem, prepares for the construction of the Temple and the leadership for the worship ritual. Solomon highlights Israel's power and prosperity after building the Temple. Sin is always followed by revival.

In 2 Kings 22, what king leads in great revival after Manasseh? What does he do?

Josiah. He leads the people to 40-50 years of repentance.

What judgment falls on Judah because of the evil of Manasseh?

Judah goes into exile

What do we know about the author of Nehemiah?

Nehemiah. He writes much of the book in first person narrative.

What is the purpose of Ezra? What is the climax of the book?

Purpose: to encourage the remnant to _depend on God fully shown through Temple worship and obeying God fully Climax: when the people dissolve their sinful marriages to foreigners in order to dedicate themselves to service to God (Ezra 9-10).

In 1 Kings 18, what appeal does God make to Israel during the "battle of the gods?" How is this same appeal shown when Ahab shows repentance for killing Naboth in 1 Kings 21?

That God is ready to forgive, even after so much sin. Ahab steals from Naboth's vineyard and makes a treaty with Syria. Even so, God relents when Ahab mourns his fate.

In 2 Samuel 6, why does David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem?

The Lord had blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God - it was a weapon of war and blessing and brought God's presence to dwell with his people (Might change definition.)

Why does the author include the decree of Cyrus at the end of 1-2 Chronicles? What is the message and what are the readers challenged to do?

The building of the Temple. The Temple stands again, so now use it.

What discovery starts it all? As a result, how does God change the judgment coming to Judah?

The discovery of the law. The people repent and God delays the judgement because of Josiah's reforms.

In 2 Samuel 16, how does the rebellion of Absalom begin? What does Absalom do after he drives David from Jerusalem? How does it fulfill Nathan's prediction?

The rift begins with descension in the royal family over the rape of Tamar by Amnon. Absalom takes revenge for his sister and flees but David brings him back. Absalom takes David's house and sets himself up as king, even going into the royal harem on top of the palace (which Nathan prophesied).

How did the professor compare the prophets to the role of the Bible today?

The role of the Bible in our lives is displayed through the prophets: Reproof, correction and training in righteousness.

What is true as the OT story closes? What feeling are we left with?

The scene is set for the arrival of the Messiah, who will establish the beginning of God's kingdom over all the earth As the OT history closes, there is great anticipation for what is coming

How do we reconcile the conditional blessing on Solomon with the unconditional promise to David?

There were no conditions on David. Each son of David must remain faithful to reign over Israel If they do not do God's will another son of David will take place on the throne.

Why are the prophets God's only reliable voice in this historical period?

They warn, rebuke, instruct and encourage the people They are God's only representative Therefore they must obey God exactly or He removes them.

What is the purpose of Esther? What is the foundational covenant for the book? Why?

To display God's faithful preservation of the Jews The covenant with Abraham

What is the purpose of 1-2 Kings?

To evaluate the rise and fall of Israel because of the disobedience of the kings. The books could be appropriately titled "The Rise, Decline, and Fall of the Hebrew Monarchy."

What is the purpose of 1-2 Chronicles?

To persuade the returned Jews to worship God at the temple following the priests leadership.

Why does Nehemiah return to Judah with the exiles in 444 B.C.? Why do they accomplish their mission in only 52 days?

To rebuild the Temple. Because the Arabs and the Ammonites were planning to attack them.

In 1 Kings 3, what does Solomon request from God? What does God give him?

Wisdom to rule well. God grants wisdom, then God prospers him like no other king in Israel before or after.

Who instigates the first return of the exiles to Jerusalem? Why did he do it?

Zerubbabel and Cyrus To rebuild the Temple and to renew the people to God.

What is the purpose of Nehemiah? What two events stand out in the book? What does Nehemiah do behind the scenes in the book?

to explain the people's obedient response to God's faithful restoration of Jerusalem Events: 1. Jerusalem's walls are rebuilt under God's protection 2. The national covenant is rebuilt when the people rededicate themselves to God.