Unit 3 Test
How is Solomon comparable to Egypt's pharaohs?
1. He creates an alliance with Pharaoh by marrying his daughter 2. He begins massive building projects 3. He makes the Israelites slaves
Why is Ruth located where it is in the Bible?
1. In Judges, Israel is a loose confederation 2. Ruth, a Moabite, joins Israel in a time when "judges rule" and her son will be the grandfather of David 3. In 1 Samuel, Israel becomes a kingdom
Describe Esther's canonical status
1. In the 200s, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are questioned as being canonically valid 2. Esther is not present among the Dead Sea Scrolls 3. People don't always know what to do with Esther
What were the 3 key stages of reconstruction in Ezra-Nehemiah?
1. Reconstruction of Temple 2. Ezra Teaches the Law of Moses 3. Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem
How is a majority of 1-2 Kings comparable to Exodus?
1. Solomon mirrors the Pharaoh 2. Hadad, the Edomite, and Jeroboam, both parallel Moses (flee Solomon, seek to help the enslaved Israelites) 3. Building of a new golden calf to prevent people from journeying to the temple and spending money there
Describe the cycle in which Israel is stuck during this period
1. The Israelites sin --> 2. Enemies afflict Israel --> 3. "Lord, have mercy!" --> 4. The Lord raises up judges who save the day -->
List some interesting things about the most cited Old Testament Books
1. The New Testament mentions the Books of Moses, Prophetic Books, and Poetic Books the most 2. The Prophetic books are used the most 3. Daniel is most cited 4. Numbers is least cited
How does this book introduce Esther and Mordecai as compromised and imperfect people through whom God is still able to work?
1. Their names: Esther's name "Ishtar" is a goddess of love, similar to Aphrodite; Mordecai's name is derived from "Marduk" 2. Esther and Mordecai are descended from King Saul, through Shimei - the man who tried to stone King David 3. Esther is far from perfect: she is afraid to trust God and save her people; she doesn't keep a kosher diet and hides her Jewish identity; she participates in a sexually motivated beauty contest
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/person in 2 Kings: Sennacherib's Annals
Assyrian attack of Judah/Hezekiah; solid rock tunnels beneath the city
How does Kings end?
Babylon destroys the Temple
What does Mordecai refuse to do?
Bow to Haman
What is Nehemiah authorized by Persia to do?
Cupbearer of the King of Persia who boldly asks to go to Israel; becomes Persian Governor; built walls to reinforce good habits and cultural identity
What was David like at the end of his life (beginning of 2 Kings)?
David reigns until his death at an old age, humbled and trusting in God, weak and cold
Expectations Regarding the Messiah (Israel's Ideal Future King, a "Son of David")
David was an imperfect precursor to the perfect King, who would... 1. Be a Champion of the Poor and Needy 2. Bring Universal Dominion 3. Be the Anointed, Humble Descendant of David 4. Be God's Son and God (Elohim) Himself 5. Be exalted to God's Right Hand 6. Fulfill an Eternal Covenant
Offer observations regarding the theological message of the book of Esther
God is never mentioned, but... 1. He is working behind the scenes the whole time to save His people 2. Purim is created, celebrating a new understanding of chance: God is at work even in the "chance" happenings of everyday 3. God has raised up people to work through them in their vocations and relationships 4. God can use deeply broken and compromised people
How are many of the kings of Israel recorded in 1-2 Kings?
1. Did they destroy the altars to false gods? 2. Did they worship Yahweh? (Northern tribes tended to be evil; successfulness is not the same as faithfulness to God [Omri])
What were "high places?"
sacrificing done on any mountain, which was allowed prior to the building of the Temple
How does Judges end in a way that prepares for the books of Ruth and Samuel?
"In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." In other words, Judges looks ahead to the prospect of Israel having a king who would end their cycle of sin (eventually, Jesus would fulfill that role)
What does the name Elijah mean?
"Yahweh is God" (not Bael)
Origins/meaning of the word meshiach/messiah
"meshiach" is the Hebrew word for "anoint," which "messiah" is derived from ("anoint" can mean via oil or God's spirit, and was done to prophets, priests, and kings)
Who is Zerubbabel?
"planted in Babylon;" Davidic descendant, led captives back to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple
What is "corruptio optimi pessima" and give some examples of it in the Bible
"the best things, when corrupted, become the worst" Angel of Light --> Prince of Darkness man in God's image --> sinful nature Solomon's gift of wisdom --> worldly wisdom
What is a vocation?
(Latin: "vocatio") "calling;" all the ways we serve as God's hands and feet to other people; the Reformed church believes this does not apply to just church workers
Be familiar with the basic storyline of Esther and its chiastic structure
1-2. Great Feast // Royal Decree // Mordecai Save the King 3a. Haman Elevated 3b. Haman's Decree to Kill the Jews 4. Esther & Mordecai's Plan 5. Esther's Banquet // Gallows Built 6. King Can't Sleep & Remembers Mordecai 7. Esther's 2nd Banquet // Haman Killed 8a. Esther & Mordecai's Plan to Reverse the Decree 8b. Mordecai's Decree to Save the Jews 8c. Mordecai Elevated 9-10. Great Feast // Royal Decree // Mordecai & Esther Save the Jews
Who was Elijah?
1. Confronted Ahab and Jezebel's massive seminary and chapels for Bael 2. On the run from kings 3. His drenched sacrifice was still consumed by fire 4. Was succeeded by Elisha, who asked for and received a double portion of his mentor's miracles (7 --> 14) 5. One of two main prophets in Kings (also Elisha), who attempted to correct the "Bael Problem"
Main details of the unconditional covenant with David
1. David will have royal descendants 2. God will be a (disciplining) father to them 3. David's royal house will endure forever
List some interesting things about the least cited Old Testament Books
1. When you account for length, Esther is the least cited 2. The New Testament tends to cite Historical Books the Least 3. None of the Pentateuch appears here 4. None of the Major Prophets appear here
Who was Nathan?
1. a court prophet who kept the king in check by following God alone 2. prophesied an eternal Davidic Kingdom 3. Helps Solomon inherit the throne 4. wrote histories 5. caused David to condemn himself, after his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah
What aspects of Deuteronomy 17 did Solomon seem to ignore?
1. building a vast military 2. accumulating excess wealth 3. marrying for political advancement
List some characteristics of Solomon's Temple
1. sea: large bronze structure in the temple courtyard, symbolizing that God has control over all chaos, even the sea 2. three rooms, the inner-most being closest to God 3. 2 bronze pillars 4. the Ark of the Covenant, God's moveable throne, which contained manna, Aaron's staff, and Deuteronomy 5. invitation for nonbelievers to come, pray and learn to know God 6. God is not trapped in a temple, but He has claimed it as His own, as He does us through Baptism 7. Its lush beauty parallels Eden
The Historical Books tell the story of Israel's history with God - a story waiting for its fulfillment - including...
1. the conquest of the Promised Land 2. the united monarchy of Israel 3. the divided kingdom 4. the defeat of Israel and Judah 5. the return from exile
Year associated with David's Reign
1000 BC
What are 1-2 Kings called in the Septuagint?
3 & 4 Kings (1 & 2 Samuel are called 1 & 2 Kings)
Year the Second Temple was built (and the Second Temple Period Began)
515 BC
Year that Persia defeated Babylon
539 BC
Year that Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians (and exiled from the Land)
586 BC
How much history (approximation in years) do the Historical Books cover?
700-100 years
Year that Assyria defeated Israel (Northern 10 Tribes)
722 BC
Year that Israel split in two
922 BC
Year associated with the First Temple Period
960 BC
Year associated with David's death
970 BC
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/person in 2 Kings: Hezekiah's Bulla
A clay seal used by Hezekiah himself, with an ankh (Egyptian symbol for life) and a winged sun
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/person in 2 Kings: Tel-Dan Inscription
A monument stone that mentions Hazael's victory over the "House of David"
How does the chiastic structure of 2 Samuel 21-24 underscore important themes in the book of Samuel?
A. Failure of Saul B. Weakness of David C. David's Song D. Weakness of David E. Failure of David [Humble trust in God is true strength?]
General details regard David's early reign
David was... 1. The youngest of 8 brothers 2. Handsome, brave, and filled with God's spirit 3. A harp player in Saul's court 4. Made king of Judah and, eventually, was victorious in a civil war between Judah and the 10 Northern Tribes, making him king of all Israel 5. The establisher of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the home of the Ark of the Covenant 6. The establisher of a centralized government
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/person in 2 Kings: Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
Depicts King Jehu bowing
What book does Judges follow?
Deuteronomy
Define the significance of this Archaeological Discovery: Altar on Mount Ebal
Deuteronomy and Joshua record an altar of stones covered in plaster with the law written on them in this location
How did failures of vocation as king and father contribute to David's humiliation?
Failures as a king: 1. David does not battle with his soldiers and stays in Jerusalem 2. David knew Bathsheba was fertile and married before he took her, and has her husband killed to hide his sin Failures as a father: 1. Amnon rapes his half-sister, Tamar, and leaves her unmarried and alone for the rest of her life; David reacts passively 2. Absalom, a narcissist, murders Amnon and usurps his father
What prophets are active in the time of building of the 2nd temple?
Haggai and Zechariah
Recite Psalm 51:1-12 (ESV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abounding mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgression and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow, Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Boaz's faith in God is evident in his actions. Which law in Deuteronomy is he obeying that makes it possible for him to meet Ruth?
He follows the harvesting law in Deuteronomy 24:19, about leaving food for the poor and foreigner
How did David fulfill God's promise to Abraham?
He greatly expanded Israel's borders
How does Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, compare to David?
He is righteous, disciplined, and principled: He does not return home while his soldiers battle
What creative use did Hezekiah make of the altars at Lacish?
He knocked off the four-horned altars and made them into toilets
Why did God reject Saul?
He made a premature sacrifice in place of a priest and did not destroy the entirety of Israel's enemies
Define the significance of this Archaeological Discovery: Merneptah Stele
Memorial stone erected in Thebes, Egypt by a pharaoh; mentions a battle against Israel in the Promised Land
What 4 books constitute the "Later Prophets" in the Hebrew/Jewish Bible?
Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel "Book of 12"
Who is Samuel?
Israel's last judge, who anoints Saul as Israel's first human king
How does the building of the Temple become a bad thing?
It becomes a license to sin because people believe they have made God dwell among them, He will not punish them
Why was David's census a sin?
It was an attempt to see how much power he had: how much money he could make from taxes, how strong his army was...
What hope is given at the end of Kings?
Jehoachin is released from prison and shares food with Babylonian royalty, signifying that God has not abandoned the Davidic line
The first city destroyed in Joshua?
Jericho
What books are included in the Historical Books?
Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther
What 4 books constitute the "Former Prophets" in the Hebrew/Jewish Bible?
Joshua Judges Samuel Kings
How did it come about that the exiled people were able to return to the land around 50 years after the last of them had been sent away into exile?
King Cyrus, as a polytheist, allowed them to return, but only 42,000 did
Who is descended from Ruth and Boaz?
King David, Jesus
What major themes are struck in Hannah's Song (1 Samuel 2)? How are features of Hannah's Song in 1 Samuel 2 reflected later in the events of the Book of Samuel?
Major Themes: God looks at the heart, Reversal of situations by God, Negation of human strength and emphasis on how humble trust in God is the greatest source of strength, God will establish His Kingdom Mirrors David's song later in 2 Samuel, in which God is the only source of strength and offers an unconditional promise
Describe Solomon's natural/observational wisdom and how it becomes his downfall
Natural/observational wisdom is used to identify patterns in human nature, society, and the natural world that God wove into His creation Solomon uses his own means to strengthen his kingdom, which is practical in human eyes but distrusting of God
Who helped the Israelites with the fall of Jericho?
Rahab
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/persons: The Kurkh Monoliths
Record Ahab battling Assyria
Connect the following Archaeological Discovery to the corresponding event/person in 2 Kings: Moabite Stone
Records Mesha's Rebellion against Israel; possibly the oldest reference to Yahweh on stone
The Basic Plot of Ruth
Ruth and Orpah, two Moabites, married two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, Israelites who had settled in Moab to escape a famine in Judah. The husbands of all three women die, shattering Naomi's confidence in the great exodus declaration, "God is King," just as her ancestors had experienced in the wilderness. Naomi plans to return to her native Bethlehem and urges her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah does so, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi, proving to be impossibly loyal to her mother-in-law. Ruth accompanies Naomi to Bethlehem (the Promised Land), and gleans food for both of them, proving that she is a "Proverbs 31:10 woman." Faithful Ruth later marries faithful Boaz, a distant relative of her late father-in-law, and they save Naomi's heritage through their offspring, through whom God will raise up the line of Christ, through David. God, our King, keeps His promise of redemption by working behind the scenes through two humble widows.
Ruth's Significance in Israel's larger history
Ruth's son, Obed, would be the grandfather of David, an ancestor of Christ
The names (and meanings) of all of the main people in Ruth
Ruth: "friendship/companion" Elimelech: "God is King" Naomi: "pleasant" --> Mara: "bitter" Mahlon: "sickness" Chilion: "destruction" Boaz: "in strength"
General details regarding Saul's reign
Saul was... 1. Tall, handsome, and from the tribe of Benjamin 2. A capable military organizer 3. Victorious over the Ammonites, which led to his installment as king 4. A perpetual judge 5. Unsuccessful at establishing a centralized government
What is Ezra authorized by Persia to do?
Scribe sent by Artaxerxes, permitted to set up a theocracy via the Book of Moses under the Persian Empire
A Takeaway from 2 Samuel
Sin has consequences and punishments
What did Jeremiah predict about a 70 years period?
That God would punish Babylon and regather Israel into their land
Who are the Gibeonites and why do they matter in Joshua?
The Gibeonites were Canaanites who tricked Israel into sharing the Promised Land; Canaan would conquer Israel culturally
Who spilt 1 & 2 Samuel into two books?
The Greeks
How are Ezra and Nehemiah presented in Hebrew and Greek translations?
They are one book
How much time is covered in 1-2 Kings?
[384 years?]
In what way is the defeat of Jericho an act of faith on the part of Israel?
[Marching around a city seems like a strange way to conquer it...?]
How does the Joshua problematize a simple "Us Vs. Them" Interpretation of Events - Looking at the story of Rahab and Achan, what makes you "In" or "Out" In the book of Joshua?
[Rahab was a foreigner who rescued Israelite spies, while Achan was an Israelite who stole spoils from Jericho for himself]
Define Apocalyptic Wisdom
revealed or "uncovered" by God, unknown by man
Define "consecrate"
to make holy, set apart for God and His purposes/enjoyment
