BIB1006: OT Law and History Exam #3
What are each of the appendices' subjects?
1. Final details about battles and justice served for the Gibeonites 2. Listings of battles with giants 3. Davids song of thanks for gods deliverance 4. Davids "last words" 5. Davids mighty men 6. Davids census of the people
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 in exile in contrast to 1 & 2 Chronicles
What two things have we learned from Esther at the close of the book?
1. The Jews are protected by God, even if unbelieving and disobedient 2. God can be trusted to protect His people.
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, Temple, prayer, or sacrifices 2. It is never quite in the NT, not found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and slow to be added to the OT canon 3. Mordecai and Esther were not necessarily spiritual
Why does God allow Abijam's son to rule Judah, according to 1 Kings 15:6?
Because of David and the promise He gave to David
What sources did the author have available to write about the period?
Book of Acts of Solomon, Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah
Why does Israel never come back from exile, according to Assyrian practices?
Assyrian strategy was to conquer and then mix captives with other ethnic groups across their empire.
When do the events of Ezra take place?
Covers two time periods (Ezra's return and Zerubbabels return) Probably written soon after events in 450
Why are the first exiles allowed to return to Judah? Why does Cyrus let them go? What prophets are influencing Cyrus?
Cyrus wanted the temple rebuilt, providing everything needed. Believed to be prophetic activity Isaiah and Daniel
How does David demonstrate his heart for worship and to be in God's presence?
David brings the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and desires to build a new temple.
What is the result of the civil war? How is division sown among the tribes?
David grieves excessively for Absalom, confusing the people and leading to divisions Another rebellion led by Sheba, sowing the seeds of division between the northwest tribes and Judah
Why did God prohibit David from building a temple? What was David's response?
David has already shed so much blood for God. David prepares everything for Solomon to build it.
Why is the kingdom not torn from David as it was from Saul?
David repents immediately without making excuses God already promised David an unending dynasty A sin of passion versus open rebellion
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?
God is ready to forgive, even after so much sin God shows mercy to Ahab when he shows signs of repentance.
Why are the prophets God's only reliable voice in this historical period?
God only speaks directly to them.
What does Elijah's withholding of the rain and defeat of the prophets of Baal demonstrate about God in this period?
God shows his control over nature and the idols
What is the key text in Esther and what does it show about God's working?
The kings chronicles
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 are sown, to bear fruit in about 40 years
How do we reconcile the conditional blessing on Solomon with the unconditional promise to David?
1. Each son of David must remain faithful to reign over Israel 2. If they do not, God will put another son of David on the throne in their place
What does the David and Absalom narrative explain? How is David's kingdom affected by his sin?
The narration explains the effects of David's sin on the unending dynasty. The kingdom remains, but its greatness is reduced, and David's life is needlessly complicated.
How is Israel changed from 931 to 586, the dates that span this period?
The nation splits in 931 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
What does the nation do in response to Ezra? What does the shocking action of the nation say about Judah's priorities?
The people dissolve their marriages with the Gentiles Even the sanctity of marriage is not as important as the nation remaining separate from their gentile neighbors—it is their only hope of survival and blessing
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 the temple is nothing compared to the glory of Solomon's temple. Work is stopped until prophecies are delivered by haggai and Zechariah to finish it
What does David's long prayer of thanks indicate in 2 Samuel 7:18-29?
The purpose of promise and David understood.
Why does Nehemiah return to Judah with the exiles in 444 B.C.? Why do they accomplish their mission in only 52 days?
The returned exiles rebuilt the walls in 52 days!
What do we know about the author of 1-2 Kings? Who might it have been?
Unknown, but probably one person because of the unity of writing style throughout the books.
What do we know about the author of 1-2 Chronicles?
Unknown. Jewish tradition points to Ezra, but no one actually knows
What do we know about the author and date of Esther?
Unnamed and unknown; possibly Ezra or Nehemiah Span the years of 483-473; some of the exiles have already returned to Judah
Describe the three returns from exile--dates, people, and purpose for returning.
-538: Zerubbabel -458: Ezra -444: Nehemiah
What three things are true at the close of Nehemiah?
1. All three groups of exiles return to Judah 2. Judah and Jerusalem are starting to get back on their feet 3. The people commit to keep the covenant
What three things are true at the end of Ezra?
1. Two groups of exiles have returned to Judah 2. The Temple is rebuilt 3. The people recommit to keep the covenant
What four consequences of David's sin does Nathan deliver in 2 Samuel 12?
1. Violence will always be in David's family 2. One of David's own family will disgrace him publically 3. David will not die 4. The child born to Bathsheba will die
How do the people respond in Nehemiah 8-12, to the reading of the Law in Neh 8?
1. weep and mourn 2. confess their sin 3. sign a pledge to keep the covenant 4. resettle Jerusalem
How does the rebellion of Absalom begin? What does Absalom do after he drives David from Jerusalem? How does it fulfill Nathan's prediction?
Dissension in the royal family over the rape of Tamar Absalom takes David's house and set himself up as king, even going into the royal harem on top of the palace, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy
What two prophets are God's primary voice in Israel from 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 8?
Elijah and Elisha
What does the section 1 Kings 1-11 explain? What is the power of Israel during this period?
Explains the initial deterioration of the nation after it reaches its greatest power The nation expands to its greatest power under Solomon, yet because of his wandering, the nation begins to decline.
In Ezra 9, how does Ezra respond to the news of the exiles marrying Gentiles? Why is it such a big deal?
Ezra starts praying and mourning Has something to do with the Abrahamic Covenant
How is God's rule of the earth altered by the Davidic covenant? How does Messiah fit that altered plan?
God's rule has been linked to a man and his family, through whom the ultimate God-man will rule the earth.
What is Elisha demonstrating about God through all of the miracles that he performs?
He demostrares God's mercy to His needy people
What does Nehemiah do in response to the report on Jerusalem in Nehemiah 1?
He prays: worship, confession, claiming promises, and requests He acts: acts artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem, risking his life
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 North (Dan and Bethel), to keep the northern tribes from worshipping in in Jerusalem in the south.
What does David do for the nation at the start of the King David narrative?
He united the nation, and then expands and fortifies the kingdom.
How is Hezekiah described in 2 Kings 18-20? What does he do to serve God?
Hezekiah is the high point of the section. He is described as a good king who served God, removed the idols, and trusted God. Only David is regarded as a greater king. Hezekiah's story covers three chapters—far more than the others of the period—indicating his greatness.
How does God discipline the prophets during this period?
If they don't obey Him exactly, He will replace them.
Explain the literary style used in 1-2 Kings to tell the story of Israel and Judah?
Interchange: the story jumps back and forth from kingdom to kingdom
What four statements summarize life in Israel in 1 Kings 15-16?
Israel experiences terrible problems and unrest Each king is worse than the previous one Power struggles for the throne are constant; with several families wiped out The reason is clear: the sin of Jeroboam
How does 1-2 Chronicles relate to and overlap 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings?
It covers the same historical period as these books
In light of 1 Kings 11:37-38, why are the consequences for Jeroboam so tragic? What is the "sin of Jeroboam?"
Jeroboam is warned about the idolatry but he does not stop and is judged by God—he will be removed and his name wiped out The sin of Jeroboam perpetuated throughout the entire duration of the Northern Kingdom
What king leads in great revival after Manasseh? What does he do? What discovery starts it all? As a result, how does God change the judgment coming to Judah?
Josiah's great revival delays the judgement As the temple is repaired, the high priest finds the law in the temple As they read, perhaps lost for 40-50 years, they repent, leading to a renewal of the covenant and greats reforms in Judah Yet god does not relent because of Manasseh, but he delays the judgement because of Josiah's reforms
What judgment falls on Judah because of the evil of Manasseh?
Judah will go to exile
What two groups dominate the period of the divided kingdoms? In what way do they influence their kingdoms?
Kings: as the kings go, so does the nation. If the king serves and obeys God, the nation prospers If the king rebels, the nation suffers Israel's kings are idolatrous and Judah has good and bad kings Prophets: the prophets, through their words and actions speak for God. They war, rebuke, encourage and instruct the people They are God's only reliable voice in the period Therefore, they must obey God exactly or he removes them
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?
NK: completely forsakes God for the idols in every generation. They are wiped out in 722. SK: Judah waves from generation to generation also going into captivity in 586; after 70 years of humiliation, Judah returns to exile, a small remnant of their former glory
What is the difference between Israel and Judah after 931 B.C.? What other names describe these two kingdoms?
Northern kingdom: Israel; ephraim; Samaria NK: completely forsakes God for the idols in every generation. They are wiped out in 722. Southern kingdom: Judah; Jerusalem SK: Judah waves from generation to generation also going into captivity in 586; after 70 years of humiliation, Judah returns to exile, a small remnant of their former glory
What is Solomon faithful to build?
Solomon is faithful to build the temple
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: immediate: adversity for Solomon and the entire nation (hadad the Edomite, recon, and most significantly, jeroboam); long-term: most of the tribes will be taken from Davids dynasty, only Judah will remain
What two causes were identified for the split of the nation of Israel?
The Historical cause: Solomon's idolatry The Immediate cause: Rehoboam's foolish decision. The people asl for tax relief. Rehoboam receives counsel from his old and his young advisors and listens to the young advisors' words
What do we know about the author of Nehemiah?
The author is Nehemiah
What do we know about the author of Ezra?
The author is not names, but a consensus of evangelical scholars point to Ezra as the author.
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?
The author urges the people to devote themselves to worshiping God at the temple because it is their only hope. The author reviews Israel's history from David through Judah being exiled to Babylon. The Chronicler uses this history as the reason to persuade the returned exiles to remain devoted to God and Temple worship.
Why is it wrong for David to count the people (2 Samuel 24)?
The census indicates that he is trusting his army and people more than God. Since Joshua, God declares He is the king and their strength.
What events and their dates span the books of 1-2 Chronicles?
The events of the book run from the death of King Saul (about 1010), to the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the Temple in about 530.
How did the professor compare the prophets to the role of the Bible today?
The role of the Bible and its teaching in our lives is pictured by these prophets: teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness, reprove, rebuke, exhort patiently
When do the events of Nehemiah take place?
The third return of the exiles from Babylon under the leadership of Nehemiah in 444, 14 years after Ezra's return The book must have been written soon after the events in the book, about 430
What influence do the older and younger advisors have on Rehoboam concerning taxes? What is the result for the nation?
They are the council for Rehoboam. He takes the younger's advice and causes the nation to split
What are the six appendices of 1-2 Samuel included for?
They consolidate the details about the greatness of David, God's anointed king
As a result, how does God treat them?
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 foundation for the book is the Abrahamic Covenant, where God promises to bless and to protect the Jews.
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?
To end positively with the hope of the Temple being rebuilt. By the time it is written, the Temple stands and is now available and ready to use.
What is the purpose of 1-2 Kings?
To evaluate the rise and fall of Israel because of the disobedience of the kings.
What is the purpose of Nehemiah? What two events stand out in the book?
To explain the obedient response to God's faithful restoration of Jerusalem. 1. Jerusalem's walls are rebuilt under God's protection. 2. The covenant is "rebuilt" as the people rededicate themselves to God,
Why does David bring the tabernacle to Jerusalem?
To keep God in the midst of the people.
What is the purpose of 1-2 Chronicles?
To persuade the returned Jews to worship God in the temple, following the lead of the priests.
What kind of messages do the prophets deliver to the kings of Judah during this period?
To rebuke and to reassure at times
Why is so much time given to why the Northern Kingdom falls in 2 Kings 17?
To show the effects of sin and disobedience on the people. Israel is now gone.
How does Jehoiada the priest serve Judah (2 Kings 11-12)? How is he rewarded in death?
When Athaliah seizes the throne and kills the crown princes, 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 God and Joash, cleanses the Temple, and puts Joash on the throne. Jehoiada is rewarded by being buried with the kings
