Historical Background

Question 1

When is Jerusalem destroyed entirely?

Answer 1

587/6 in August

Question 2

When/Where/How does Josiah die?

Answer 2

609 at Megiddo trying to keep Egypt from supporting Assyria. Pharaoh Necho told Josiah that God was on Egypt’s side, but Josiah still feared Assyria’s continued reign and fought a losing battle.

Question 3

Who is Jehoiakim vassal to?

Answer 3

First Egypt then Babylon

Question 4

Order of Judean Kings?

Answer 4

Josiah
Jehoahaz (J's son)
Jehoiakim (J's son)
Jehoiachin (J's grandson)
Zedekiah (J's son)
Gedaliah (governor)

Question 5

605?

Answer 5

Babylon finally defeated Assyria in Carchemish and takes Judah as vassal after a brief siege and surrender. Elites are taken as exiles including Daniel.

Question 6

597?

Answer 6

first revolt by Jehoiakim causes 2nd siege of Jerusalem which lasts two years. 10,000 exiles including next king Jehoiachin and Ezekiel

Question 7

587/6?

Answer 7

second revolt by zedekiah incurs wrath and city/temple are destroyed. Huge numbers taken into exile.

Question 8

581?

Answer 8

after Gedaliah assassinated Babylon comes a 4th time with no city to attack, takes 800 more exiles.

Question 9

Who is Ishmael?

Answer 9

a freedom fighter/terrorist who killed Gedaliah in a fake surrender at Miz’pah.

Question 10

How does Josiah’s reform begin?

Answer 10

At 16 he begins to seek the God of his fathers. At 20 he begins a national religious reform /Anti-Assyrian campaign. In 622 Hilkiah finds the book of the Law (Deuteronomy) during temple repairs.

Question 11

Who is the landowner’s elect choice after the death of Josiah?

Answer 11

Josiah’s son Jehoahaz who reigns for 3 months at age 20. Also considered an evil king.

Question 12

Which son of Josiah is nasty/objectionable/tyrant and bypassed for Kingship?

Answer 12

Jehoiakim, Josiah’s older son, put on throne not by Judeans, but Egypt.

Question 13

Which King is brought into exile and how is he treated?

Answer 13

Jehoiachin is exiled to elite jail and given wheat rations. eventually he is allowed to eat at royal table to enhance the prestige of Babylon’s court in an act of mercy/political move.

Question 14

What are the circumstances of Zedekiah’s death?

Answer 14

Zedekiah tries to run after a breach is made to the walls of Jerusalem. He is caught and brought to Riblah where he experiences Babylonian atrocities including watching his sons aged 2-16 be killed, having his eyes gouged out, then being brought to Babylon where he was most likely beheaded in a public setting.

Question 15

When was the changing of the guard?

Answer 15

605, four years after Josiah’s death, the battle of Carchemesh marks the final destruction of Assyria to Babylon, the new Empire.

Question 16

Who is Cyrus?

Answer 16

King of Anshan (Small kingdom in Persia) between 539 and 530. Under his rule that Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity.

Question 17

Who were the King’s before Josiah?

Answer 17

Ahaz (faithless)
Hezekiah (faithful)
Manasseh (faithless)
Amon (Josiah’s father; faithless)

Question 18

What time period includes Judah’s Exile and Restoration?

Answer 18

The last 200 years of Old Testament history from 750ish to 536ish. Considered the missing chunk in most Christian’s understanding of OT history.

Question 19

Which pre-Josiah king was the antithesis of Judaism and demonstrated the decline of Judah?

Answer 19

King Manasseh (grandfather of Josiah) who erected altars to baal, installed an image of Asherah in the holy temple, and sacrificed his own sons.

Question 20

What cities did Nebuchadnezzar conquer in pursuit of Assyrian and Egyptian domination?

Answer 20

First Nineveh, then Haran, to Carchemish. After the Assyrian defeat he pursues their Egyptian allies, Pharaoh Neco through Judah expelling his forces there. He only stopped his pursuit after his father’s death, leaving Neco alone to return to Babylon to be crowned King.

Question 21

What did the fall of Jerusalem look like?

Answer 21

All buildings were razed and leveled.The walls were reduced to rubble. The temple destroyed, any riches left were looted; only the poorest people were left behind, Jeremiah included, with a pile of smoldering rubble.