1 & 2 Kings

Question 1

Which book in the Bible may be the earliest genuine historiography in world literature?

Answer 1

1 Kings

Question 2

How is Israel’s past presented in the book of 1 Kings?

Answer 2

From a prophetic and theological point of view not a political one.

Question 3

What type of historic events are included in 1 Kings?

Answer 3

Universal redemptive qualities.

Each having something to do with our spiritual walk with God.

Question 4

What were the editors goal with Israel’s list of kings?

Answer 4

Carefully and systematically critiquing each one’s faithfulness to God’s covenant.

The books trace the consequences of sin and the benefits of obedience.

Question 5

Based on the Sinai covenant, what is the overriding concern in the Books of Kings?

Answer 5

As with the other books of Deuteronomistic History, the theology of retribution.

Question 6

What is “salvation history”?

Answer 6

The divine revelation of historical events recorded in Scripture to promote faith.

Question 7

What are 2 of the main points of the glory of Solomon?

Answer 7

• Only during Solomon’s reign did Israel become a major player in the arena of international power politics.
• But Israel’s brief period of strength and prestige was ruined by Solomon’s religious apostasy.

Question 8

When was the only time that the territory promised to Abraham was under Israeli control?

Answer 8

Under Solomon’s reign

Question 9

What was the theological principle demonstrated in 1 Kings?

Answer 9

Even with God’s promise through a covenant, God’s people must walk in faith and obedience to him in order to receive all the blessings of those promises and covenants.

Question 10

What was Solomon’s reign thought to be?

Answer 10

a symbol of messianic age.

Question 11

What was Solomon’s contribution to Israelite religion?

Answer 11

Wisdom

Question 12

How many dynasties did the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah have?

Answer 12

Northern = 9

Southern Kingdom of Judah = 1 = King David’s Dynasty

Question 13

What were prophets in 1 Kings?

Answer 13

God’s instruments of warning to the king and the nation.

Question 14

What was prophecy in the eyes of Ahab?

Answer 14

A form of magic in which the prophet manipulated God.

The professional prophets repeated the king’s desires and tried to ensure his desired outcome.

Question 15

What was prophecy in the eyes of Jehoshaphat?

Answer 15

A mouthpiece for God.

The prophet spoke of God’s will for humans, regardless of the king’s desires.

Question 16

What did Samuel make the future role of the prophet?

Answer 16

A messenger from God who held the king in check.

Question 17

After Samuel and Saul, what were 3 other prophetic counterpart duos?

Answer 17

• David x Nathan
• Ahab x Elijah
• Hezekiah x Isaiah

Question 18

According to the Rise of Prophecy in 2 Kings, what were 3 main functions of prophets?

Answer 18

1. Being unique among nations of the ancient Near East.
2. to NOT be clairvoyants whose purpose was NOT to appease or manipulate the deities
3. Being messengers of God who confronted the king and the entire society with his holy word.
   * Nowhere else in the world could a reigning monarch be held accountable to such a prophetic voice*