Old Testament Exam 3

What prophet was prominent during Hezekiah's reign?

Isiah son of Amoz

Regarding, 1 and 2 Kings, who is the author of 1 and 2 Kings (according to Jewish tradition)? What is the evidence for this?

Jeremiah 1. These books are definitely written from a prophetic point of view- Jeremiah was a prophet. 2. 1 & 2 Kings and the books of Jeremiah are similar in style and content. For example, 2 Kings 24:18-25:30 is exactly the same as Jeremiah 52- Jeremiah either wrote both or one author borrowed from the other. 3. Since 2 Kings ends with the Babylonian exile, the author must have lived during this time- this would be a true Jewish Tradition.

What prophet was prominent at the time of Jerusalem's fall?

Jeremiah.

Who was anointed as king over the northern tribes of Israel?

Jeroboam

The book of Joshua covers the period from _____'s death to ______'s death.

Moses and Joshua

Who was Josiah, and why is he important?

Son of Amon (Amon was the son of Manasseh). Last good king of Judah. Remember him for both restoration of the temple and a revival among the people.

What was Nehemiah's primary concern?

Physical welfare of God's people, specifically the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem; he was a gifted leader and organizer.

The book of Esther records the events celebrated in the Jewish Feast of (Fill in the Blank).

Purim

What is the purpose and perspective in Chronicles?

Purpose: To record from a PRIESTLY and SPIRITUAL perspective the history of Israel from the beginning of the David monarchy (1 Chronicles) to the return from captivity (2 Chronicles) in order to ENCOURAGE the Jews who returned from captivity by assuring them that God's promises were CERTAIN and specifically that the Davidic Covenant would be FULFILLED. The necessity of this would be the overall DISCOURAGEMENT of these Jews.

What is the purpose and theme of the book of Joshua?

Purpose: To show how God fulfilled his covenant promise of the Land by helping the nation of Israel to Conquer and Possess the Land. Theme: The Faithfulness of God and how Faith in him is necessary to take hold of the promises the he has given to his people.

Who succeeded Solomon and what disastrous decision did he make?

Rehoboam. Jeroboam established Idolatry on the northern kingdom.

What was wrong with Israel's request for a human king?

Reject God as a King.

Which tribes settled on the east side of the Jordan River?

Reuben, Gad and half of the Manasseh had been given the Land as they had requested in Numbers 32:28-42.

What is the general story line of Ruth?

Ruth's loyalty to Naomi, Ruth's Service to Naomi, Ruth's Request of Boaz, Ruth's Redemption by Boaz

Where was the capital of the Israel eventually established (16:24)? Who did this?

Samaria. Omri established this city as the capital.

Who were the Samaritans? How did they come to be?

Samaritans are descendants of left Israelites. They are considered half breeds.

What was unique about Samson - his vow, role as a judge, moral character?

Samson was under a Nazirite vow by God's command to his mother. Samson was chosen by God for this even before his birth. A Nazirite was one who lived under a vow of separation and dedication to God. This included letting one's hair grow and abstinence from wine (cf. Num 6). The Spirit of God in Samson (13:25; 14:6, 19) was evident through his personal exploits; he was not a military leader, but rather a one-man army. Samson was characterized by self-centeredness and being controlled by his own passions, thus breaking his vow. His greatest weakness was for women, specifically pagan women, most notably Delilah. This led to his own personal downfall when he was captured and imprisoned by the Philistines.

Who wrote the books of Judges and Ruth according to Jewish tradition? Does this seem to be the case? Why?

Samuel. This seems unlikely, however. Most scholars believe the two books were written by unknown authors during the early part of the monarchy (1000 B.C.) looking back on the days preceding the monarchy. This is suggested by the repeated phrase "in those days Israel had no King" in Judges.

Who are the three main characters in the book of 1 Samuel?

Samuel: the prophet Saul: the king David: the king-anointed

Why did Saul hate David? What did he try to do as a result? What did David do in response?

Saul kills thousands, while David kills tens of thousands. This became a chant of the Israelites. David was also was a military leader, he enlarged the territory, defeated many nations, and forced Philistines to Gaza strip.

How many cycles are recorded in the book of Judges?

Seven

Where was the tabernacle located after the conquest?

Shiloh. This was a central location of the area.

At the beginning of 1 Kings, who was anointed as David's successor? Who determined that? How are the conditions in the Davidic Covenant (2:1-4; 6:11-13; 9:4-7) to be understood? When God gave Solomon a request, what did Solomon ask for? What did God give him along with it? What was the example of this?

Solomon. God determined this. The Davidic covenant is unconditional. If you obey the Mosaic Covenant then you will experience the Davidic Covenant. Solomon asked for Wisdom. God also gave him the Davidic Covenant.

Samuel became well known as a (fill in blank) (3:19-20) and founded the school of the (fill in blank).

prophet, founded the "school of the prophets"

What is the historical setting, including significant births and deaths of the books of Samuel?

setting: the period of the Judges and the United Kingdom period. 1 Samuel: 1100 BC (the birth of Samuel) to 1010 BC (the death of Saul). The period of the Judges ended and the United Kingdom period began in 1050 BC when Saul was anointed King 2 Samuel: 1010-970 BC (the death of David).

What were the 5 parts of the cycle (5 "S's")?

sin - Israel worshiped the gods of the Canaanites (2:11-13). servitude - God judged them by means of an oppressing nation (2:14-15). supplication - Israel would cry to God for deliverance (2:18b). salvation - In response, God provided deliverance through a judge (2:16-18). silence - After an interim period peace, the people resorted again to sin (2:19).

Who was Manasseh, and why is he important?

Son of Hezekiah. One of the worst kings in Judah's history. Remember him as one of the most wicked kings of Judah.

Where did the Levites settle? Why?

They settled in 48 different cities. They were to be the priests. So they had to be spread out to keep spreading God's word.

Who was Athaliah, and what did she do?

She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. She was the only reigning queen in Israel. When her son was killed she tried to kill her grandson. Which is her son's son.

What is the Davidic Covenant? Where is it recorded (book and chapter)? What type of covenant is it (chart)?

The promise of an eternal house and kingdom for the line of David. This is recorded in 7:11-16. This is an unconditional covenant.

What two primary promises were given in the Davidic Covenant?

The promise of an eternal house and kingdom.

What is the purpose of these books (kings)? From what perspective are they written? What does this mean?

To record from a prophetic and moral perspective the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah from Solomon to the exile in order to explain why the exile came about, namely, sin and unfaithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant.

What is the purpose of the books of Judges and Ruth?

To record the history between the conquest/ occupation of the Land and the monarchy in order to demonstrate the NEED FOR A KING.

What are the purposes of the book of Samuel?

To record the transition from the Judges (the last judge, Samuel) to the Monarchy (the first king, Saul), and then from the monarchy generally to the Davidic monarchy specifically, eventually leading to the final Davidic King Jesus.

Regarding authorship, all of the OT historical books are (fill in the blank).The titles do not necessarily reflect the (fill in the blank).

anonymous and authorship.

What generally is in Judges chapters 17-21 (two ___________________________)?

Examples of sin.

According to tradition, who is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah?

Ezra

How do the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther fit together chronologically (i.e., order of events - table, p. 1)?

Ezra, Ester, Ezra, Nehemaih

What are the purposes of these three books?

Ezra-Nehemiah: to record the events fulfilling the promise of god to return (Abrahamic Covenant) his people to the land; i.e., to show God's faithfulness to his covenant promises. Ester: to record God's providential preservation of his people over against a threatened genocide; i.e., also show God's faithfulness to his covenant promises.

What was David's desire regarding a temple for God? What was God's response?

He wanted to create a great permanent temple to replace the tabernacle for God. God told David that his son would build this structure.

What is known about the person of Joshua from the Pentateuch?

He was a small, red headed boy. Youngest of his family. Had the heart that God desired.

Who was Joash, and why is he important?

He was the grandson of Athaliah. He was protected by a priest. He then killed his Grandmother. His character was good. Remember him for the restoration of the temple.

When God chose David to be the next king, He was taking note of his (fill in blank) (16:7).

Heart

What are the key verses of Judges and what essentially do they say? (Don't memorize them.)

"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This was referring to the many city state leaders. They controlled the area and did things as they saw was fit.

What terms with regard to God's people come into use at this time?

"Jews," derived from the tribe of Judah, was applied to the physical descendants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "Judaism," was applied to the religious beliefs and practices of the Jews.

What is the repeated phrase in Judges 1?

"They did not drive them out"

What is the meaning of Joshua's name? What is its NT significance?

"Yahweh Saves" and NT equivalent "Jesus"

What was the spiritual condition of the Canaanite peoples at this time?

Canaanite people were among the most degenerate, degraded, immoral people in history.

What periods are covered (in Chronicles from what event to what event)?

1 Chronicles- 1010 (Saul's Death)- 970 (David's death) 2 Chronicles- 970 (Solomon's reign)- 538 (Cyrus' decree permitting the return)

What is the basic plotline of the book of Esther?

1-4: The Devious Plot Against the Jews. 1. Sub-plot #1 Search for Queen: King has a party. The guest asked to see the beautiful queen. The queen refused to come out. The King let her go. Now the King needed a new Queen. Ester was chosen as the Queen. She did not tell her husband that she was a Jew. 2. Sub-plot #2 Hatred for an Enemy: Haman hated Mordecai. Haman came up with a plan to kill all the Jews (genocide). Haman tricked king to sign the Mead's and Persians act. This was irrevocable. The Divine Preservation of the Jews, 5-10: 1. Banquet #1- Ester goes to her husbands chamber and he invites her in. Ester asked to throw a party for him and his buddy. At the first banquet Ester asked to throw another banquet for the him. 2. Banquet #2- Ester told the King she was a Jew. She said that there was an attempted genocide by Haman. The king left the room. Haman lunged to Esters le

What is the basic/general content of Ezra 1-6? 7-10?

1-6 : Rebuilding the Temple- the first return to Jerusalem 1. Decree of King Cyrus of Persian (538 B.C.) 2. The leader of the first return was Zerubbabel. 3. The foundation of the temple was laid, then work halted. 4. Work began again and the temple was completed in 516 B.C. 7-10: Reviving the People- 2nd return to Jerusalem 1. 80 years later, the spiritual condition of the Jews was very poor. 2. The leader of the second return was Ezra. 3. Ezra promoted a spiritual revival.

What is the basic/general content of Nehemiah chapters. 1-7? 8-13?

1-7: Rebuilding the Wall- the 3rd return to Jerusalem 1. The leader of the third return was Nehemiah. 2.The Plan (rebuild walls) 3. The Challenges, external: gentiles were opposing and internal: Jews were charging unfair interest rates to other jews. 4. The accomplishment: finished wall in 52 days. 8-13: Reviving the people 1. Spiritual Conditions: not well 2. More problems: a gentile living in the temple, the people were not paying tides, the Sabbath was being violated, and the ongoing problem of inter marriage.

What were David's primary sins (ch. 11)? What were the consequences (12:10-14)?

1. David's adultery with Bathsheba.Bathsheba pregnant with Davids son. 2. David's murder of Uriah. (Bathsheba's husband) Consequence: endless wars for David, trouble in the family, first child with Bathsheba shall die.

What are the themes of Ruth?

1. Even in the darkest periods of sin, there is loyalty to God among a few. While nearly everyone else in Israel was doing "what was right in his own eyes" (Judge 21:25), the characters in this story were doing what was right in God's eyes. 2. Even in the darkest periods of sin, God is faithful to his covenant people. 3. This story illustrates the concept of redemption. 4. This story illustrates how God graciously and sovereignly included Gentiles in the Messianic line (specifically) and Messianic salvation (generally).

What are the two views and general arguments regarding how Jephthah fulfilled his vow to the Lord?

1. He offered his daughter as a human sacrifice. A. Just because Jephthah was a judge does not imply that he was a godly man or knew the Law which prohibited human sacrifice. B. The conjunction in 11:31 should be translated, "it shall be the Lord's and I will offer it up as a burnt offering," thus tying to two phrases together. C. The "burnt offering" involved death in all other Old Testament occurrences. 2. He dedicated his daughter to the Lord by means of perpetual virginity to serve in the tabernacle for the rest of her life (cf. Ex 38:8; 1 Sam 2:22). A. He is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32, so he must have been somewhat godly and would have known that the Law prohibited human sacrifice (but so is Samson). B. The conjunction in 11:31 should be translated, "it shall be the Lord's or I will offer it up as a burnt offering," indicating that Jephthah had several options in mind. C. Jephthah's daughter grieves for her "virginity" (11:37, 39), which seems odd if she knows that she is soon to die.

What are the two qualifications of this person (savoir)?

1. MUST BE RELATED BY BLOOD TO THOSE HE REDEEMS. (Deut 25:5-10; Lev 25:25; John 1:14 -"and the Word [Christ] became flesh [human]").It was necessary for the Son of God to become human to redeem us. 2. MUST BE WILLING AND ABLE TO PAY THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION.(Ruth 2:1; 3:11; Matt 20:28 - "...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many"; John 10:15, 18 - "...I lay down My life for the sheep.... No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.";1 Peter 1:18-19 - " knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things likesilver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

What are the themes of Judges? What is the important concept associated with one of these themes?

1. The DESTRUCTIVE nature and consequences of DISOBEDIENCE to GOD. -The book of Joshua recounts the conquering of the Canaanites by Israel MILITARILY. -The book of Judges reconts the conquering of Israel by the Canaanites SPIRITUALLY. -Important Concept: "Apostasy"- a massive defection from God into Sin. 2. The GRACE of God in hearing the prayers of his people and providing DELIVERANCE in response to their repentance. -The Judges were (military) deliverers or saviors and therefore TYPES of CHRIST.

What was true of Judaism after the time of Ezra?

1. The Torah or Law was re-emphasized and became central to Judaism. 2. The Jewish canon was compiled about this time; the Jews became for the first time a "People of the Book." 3. Synagogues, which originated in the exile, were also established in the Land at this time.

What two purposes were given for God's command to eradicate the Canaanites from the Land?

1. To judge the Canaanites for their incredibly sinful practices. 2. To protect Israel from those sinful practices.

What were the four characteristics of a judge?

1. initially, a military leader, but after that, a ruler/judge. 2. appointed by God himself. God's choice here was by grace, not by any merit within the individual. Some of these judges were good examples of faithfulness to God (e.g., Deborah), but others were not (e.g., Samson). 3. empowered by God's Spirit for his/her responsibilities (e.g., 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25 - "The Spirit of the LORD came upon . . ."). 4. more local or regional in influence rather than nationwide and over all twelve tribes. Sometimes there were multiple judges; sometimes, there were no judges.

How many kings reigned over the Kingdom of Israel? How was their morality characterized? How many different dynasties?

19. Bad to very bad. 9 different dynasties.

How many kings reigned over the Kingdom of Judah? How was their morality characterized? How many different dynasties?

20. David was the figure of morality. 1 dynasty.

The Kingdom of Judah fell in _____, and the Exile period began.

586

Under what foreign power did Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah fall?

605. The Babylonians.

What three years are associated with this fall?

605: Babylonians invade Judah, conquer the Egyptians, and took many Judean captives back to Babylon, including Daniel. 597: Jehoiachin succeeded his father, Jehoiakim, and reigned only three months before the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and deported many more captives back to Babylon, including King Jehiachin and Ezkal. Only the poorest were left in Judah. Jehoiachin's uncle was put on the throne, and his name was changed to Zedekiah. He reigned 11 years, but then rebelled against Babylon. 586: Babylonians returned to put out down the rebellion and they destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem at this time. Zedekiah was forced to watch his sons killed, his eyes were then put out, and he was taken captive to Babylon.

What important persons were taken into exile in each of those years?

605: Daniel 597: Jehoiachin 586: Zedekiah

2 Kings- The Kingdom of Israel fell in ____, and the Single Kingdom period began.

722

1 Kings- The Kingdom was divided in_______?

931

How do the three returns of exiles to Jerusalem fit into these books?

?

How is this narrative different than that in the book of Judges?

???

What happened to bring the period of the Judges to an end?

???

What is meant by "Deuteronomic History"?

???

What happened on Mt. Carmel (ch. 18)? What happened to Elijah immediately after that?

A showdown between God and Baal. God shut off the rain to show people Baal was not a true God. Each side would set up an alter for Gods and Baal. Which ever God could set fire to the alter would win. The people of Baal prayed that he would set fire to the alter. There was no response. Elijah put wood on the alter than socked it in water. He said to God "Burn It" and God burned the wood, water, and stoned. Reducing the pile to ash.

What kind of king was Ahab? What were his sins? What prophet ministered during his reign?

Ahab was the worst king. Sins were Idolatry (Baal) and Immorally. Elijah was the prophet.

The primary god of the Canaanites (during the period of the Judges) was (fill in the blank) . Why?

Baal. The Canaanites were an agrarian society and were dependent upon what the land produced to support their animals and families. So they needed Baal the god of weather, storm, and rain.

Jerusalem is also called the City of _______, and was originally located on Mt. Z (what is the name) .

City of David, Mt. Zion

Who is the main character of the book of 2 Samuel ?

David

Who was Solomon's standard of morality (as well as the rest of the kings of Judah)?

David became the standard for a good king in Judah.

What did David not do twice when he had the opportunity and what was the significance of this (chs. 24, 26)?

David had the opportunity to kill Saul twice and he didn't. The significance is he trusted Gods timing. In new that it was not his place to kill the Lord's anointed. Shows how righteousness David is.

What did David do to anyone who "stretched out their hand against the Lord's anointed" (1:14)?

David killed the people that stretched out their hand against the Lord's anointed.

Who is the major prophet in the first part of 2 Kings? What did he ask Elijah for? Did he get it?

Elijah was the major prophet. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's prophetic spirit. He got what he asked for.

Whom did Elijah anoint to succeed him as prophet?

Elisha

Who is the author of Chronicles (according to Jewish tradition)? What is the evidence for this? How does modern scholarship assess this?

Ezra. Evidence is that chronicles are written from a priestly perspective focusing on the priesthood, temple, and the theocratic line of David and the tribe of Judah. Ezra was a priest, was well educated and had access to many histories and chronicles of various prophets, which he used and named. 2. 2 Chronicles ends with the proclamation of the Persian King Cyrus that the Jews could return to their land (538 BC). This happened in Ezra's lifetime. 3. This is continuity in style and content between the Chronicles and the book of Ezra.

What is the moral lesson of these books (kings)?

Faithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant brought blessing and unfaithfulness brought curses.

In what 2 general ways did David experience the consequences of his sin according to the outline of this book?

Family Troubles: The rape of Tamar (committed by Amnon),The murder of Amnon (commited by Absalom), the coup of Absalom. Political Trouble: the rebellion of Sheba (leader of one of the 11 tribes)

In what year did Samaria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel fall and to what foreign empire?

Fell in the year 722. Fell to the Samaritans.

The religion of the Canaanites was a (fill in the blank) cult. What was the purpose of this worship?

Fertility Cult. The Canaanites were polytheists. Earlier, the highest god in the Canaanites pantheon was El. His wife was Asherah. Their son was Baal (literally, "lord") who, by this time, had replaced El to become the center of Canaanite religion - he was the god of weather, storm and rain. His wife was his sister, Ashtoreth or Astarte. The Canaanites were an agrarian society and were dependent upon what the land produced to support their animals and families. So, their worship of Baal and Astarte was intended to persuade Baal to send rain and Astarte to grant fertility for the land, plants, and animals. The Canaanites believed that the sexual union between Baal and Astarte resulted in rainfall. Therefore, much sexual immorality was involved in this worship, including sacred prostitution.

What were Saul's two big mistakes, why were they mistakes, and what was the result of them?

First Mistake: Before a battle with the Philistines Saul was suppose to wait for Samuel to preform a Sacrifice. Saul didn't wait 't have and preformed the sacrifice. He didn't have the right to do this because he was a king not a priest. Second Mistake: In a battle against Amalanites,God said to wipe them out and all of their possessions. Saul kept some animals and other objects to sacrifice to God. This was against God's word. Both these result in the removal of Gods spirit in Saul and moved to David.

What was Joshua's military strategy for conquering the whole of Canaan.

God gave the Canaanites into the had of Israel. The military strategy was to destroy everything. Kill all the people of the area.

What did David do with regard to Jerusalem?

He made Jerusalem the capital city.

How many years did David reign over Judah only? Over all of Israel?

He reigned over Judah till the death of Saul. Then he had to fight Saul's last son for power over the other tribes.

What part did God's Spirit play in the anointing of Kings Saul and David (10:6, 9; 16:13-14)?

Humans are natural weak. Gods spirit gives the needed power to rule with righteousness.

What was Jeroboams primary sin (as well as that of his successors)?

Idolatry

Boaz is a type of whom? How did this person meet the two qualifications

Is a type of Christ. Boaz was the son of Rahab. Making him a great grandfather to David. Same line as Jesus.

Who was their standard of morality (Israel kings)?

Jeroboam became the standard of bad kings.

Regarding, 1 and 2 Samuel, who is the author according to Jewish tradition? According to modern scholarship?

Jewish conditions: Samuel Modern: There was probably a redactor (editor) who put the material together from things written by Samuel and possibly other prophets such as Nathan and Gad.

Who was Jeroboam II, and why is he important?

King of Israel. Remember him for bringing into its Glory days. He captured a great amount of land to the north of the kingdom of Israel.

What was the significance of (twice) noting Joshua's death in Judges chapters 1 and 2?

Marks the significant turning point from the succession of the period of the Conquest to the defeats of the Judges.

What were Solomon's two basic sins (ch. 11)?

Marriage and Interactions with Foreign and Worshiping False Gods.

Who was Hezekiah, and why is he important?

King of Judah. Very good king. Did what was goood in the eyes of the Lord. Remember him for promoting one of the greatest revivals in Judah's history.

Why is it apparent God had intended to give them a human king?

Laws for Kings in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, reference to kings in Genesis 17:6, 16; 35:11, prophecy of a king Genesis 49:10.

What was the nature of and relationship between the various Canaanite tribes the occupied Canaan at this time?

Many different Canaanite tribes. Their area was made up of many city states. They were in consent battle with one another.

According to the view presented in class, Gideon's fleece was or was not an act of faith? Why?

Not an act of faith. God had already told Gideon what he was to do, and therefore this is not an example to follow.

What was David's last sin as recorded in this book? How did God deal with this?

Numbering the people for military purposes. God gave David three consequences he could choose from as punishment. 2 years of famine, fleeing from enemy's, or 3 days of plague from God. David chose 3 days plague from God.

How do the historical books of the OT differ from other sacred writings of the ancient Near East?

Other ANE sacred writings are often in the form of "myth": events that take place outside of the human history, in the realm of the Gods.

How does ancient history writing differ from modern history writing?

Other ANE sacred writings are often in the form of "myth": events that take place outside of the human history, in the realm of the Gods. In contrast, the history of the Old testament is the record of the one true God working sovereignly and providentially in human history, even more so, guiding human history. Not only are these books written in a prophetic perspective, but also a theological perspective.

Who was the primary enemy of Israel at this time?

Philistines

What was Ezra's primary concern?

Spiritual welfare of God's people; he was a priest.

What happened with regard to these enemies and the ark of the covenant of Israel?

The Israelite's took the Ark to battle with them. They thought that if God was with them they would win. They lost the battle and the Philistines toke the Ark as a trophy of war. They placed it next to there statue of their God. The next morning the Philistines found their God's statue laying on the ground broken. The Ark was placed around for a while. Then the Philistines place it in a cart behind two newly mothered cows. Thinking that it would be pulled to the barn where the babies were. No the cows brought the Ark to a safe spot to hid for sometime.

What generally happened in Joshua chapters 13-22?

The Land was divided according to the directions of the Lord.

What important building did Solomon build?

The Temple.

These book (Kings) covers what periods (from what event to what event)?

The Untied Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, Single Kingdom, and Exile periods. 1 Kings- 970 (the beginning of Solomon's reign) - 852 (in the reign of Ahaziah, king of Israel) The Kingdom was divided in 931. 2 Kings- 852 - 560 (King Jehoiachin's release from prison in Babylon). The Kingdom of Israel fell in 722, and the Single Kingdom period began. The Kingdom of Judah fell in 586, and the Exile period began.

What is known about the author of Esther?

The authorship was probably a Jew living in Persia, due to the familiarity with Persian customs and history evident in the book, and maybe a contemporary of the Ester and Mordecai who used Mordecai's records to write this account.

What event brings the book of 1 Samuel to an end?

The death of Saul brings the book to an end.

In what period did the book of Ruth take place?

The events in the book of Ruth take place in the period of the Judges (1:1), but provides a stark contrast to the pattern of sin. Some Hebrew Scriptures append this to the end of Judges, as a good example along with the two bad examples of the general spiritual condition of Israel.

What are the emphases in Chronicles?

The materiel in the Chronicle, then, is selective in light of these emphases: more Positive more attention to the Temple more attention to covenant promises and God's Faithfulness to those promises that the Mosiac Law and Israel's Unfaithfulness to those laws.

What happened at Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerazim?

The nation observed a covenant Renewal.

David builds an altar on a threshing floor (ch. 24) which later becomes the location of what important structure?

The temple.

What term is used to communicate the theme of redemption (1st used in 3:9)?

The theme of redemption is communicated through the term goel, or "kinsman-redeemer" (NASB, e.g., 3:9, 13 X in Ruth). This term applied to Boaz who is a type of Christ.

What did Achan do wrong and what were the consequences for the nation as a whole and Achan's family?

The tribes were to take and destroy everything in Jericho. Achan toke a few things. This was against God's word. The nation as a consequence lost the next battle against Ai. The tribes then stoned and burned Achan along with all of his stolen goods.

Why are the Historical Books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings) known as the Former Prophets?

They are no longer considered Prophets. After the Birth of Jesus a new set of Prophets were established.

What about the "10 lost tribes" of Israel?

They could not have been lost. God could not of fulfilled Abrahamic Covenant if they would have been lost.

What did the nation not do regarding the inhabitants of Canaan which eventually led to their downfall?

They didn't wipe out all the inhabitants. They began to inter marry with them.

What is significant about the third cycle and its judge?

This cycle is significant because of how God worked through two women (see 4:8-9; 5:24 for the significance of the gender issues here). He chose Deborah as a judge, and he used Jael to kill Sisera, the commander of the enemy forces. The male character, Barak, was the rather reluctant leader of the army of Israel.

What is the story line of the conquering of the city of Jericho - spies to conquest?

Two spies sent to Jericho.They were to scout the land for invasion. They meet a lady named Rahab. See sheltered the spies, when they were in Jericho. They told her if she hung a red cord out her window during the invasion, she would be spared. They toke Jericho. Rahab was spared.

How did God use the Canaanites who were allowed to remain in the Land (2:21-22; 3:1, 4)?

Used them to test the people of Israel whether they would obey God or not.

What were the sins of the nation of Israel at this time (3:6): inter (fill in the blank) and (fill in the blank) ?

inter marriage and Idolatry