lesson 1 Flashcards
what is the Davidic covenant?
The Davidic Covenant is a divine promise made by God to King David in the Bible, found primarily in 2 Samuel 7:12–16. In this covenant, God promises that:
- David’s descendants will rule Israel forever,
- His kingdom and throne will be established eternally, and
- One of his offspring will build a house (temple) for God.
what is zion theology?
Zion theology in the Bible is the belief that Mount Zion (the hill in Jerusalem where the Temple stood) is the chosen dwelling place of God and the center of His divine rule. It emphasizes that:
- God has chosen Jerusalem (Zion) as His holy city (e.g., Psalm 132:13–14),
- The presence of God in the Temple provides protection and blessing,
- The Davidic king reigns on God’s behalf from Zion,
- And Zion is unshakable because God dwells there (e.g., Psalm 46, Psalm 48).
what is the definition of Jerusalem?
Jerusalem is the capital city of ancient Israel, chosen by King David as the political and religious center. It is the location of Mount Zion and the Temple, where God’s presence was believed to dwell. Throughout the Bible, Jerusalem is seen as the holy city of God, a symbol of His covenant with His people, and the place where justice, worship, and kingship are meant to flourish.
-nIn the Old Testament, it represents God’s earthly dwelling and the center of Jewish worship.
- In the New Testament, it’s where Jesus teaches, dies, and rises—making it central to Christian faith.
- Spiritually, it also becomes a symbol of the heavenly city or new Jerusalem—a place of ultimate peace and God’s eternal reign (Revelation 21).
what is the definition of a temple in the bible?
The temple is the house of God, a physical structure built as the central place of worship and sacrifice in ancient Israel. It symbolizes God’s covenant, holiness, and His dwelling among His people.
-Solomon’s Temple – built by King Solomon in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6), destroyed by the Babylonians.
-Second Temple – rebuilt after the exile, later expanded by Herod, and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
what is the definition of David in the bible?
David is the second king of Israel, chosen by God for his faithfulness and courage. He is known as a shepherd, warrior, poet, and leader, and is described as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David united the tribes of Israel, established Jerusalem as the capital, and brought the Ark of the Covenant there.
-The author of many Psalms,
-The recipient of the Davidic Covenant, where God promises his dynasty will last forever (2 Samuel 7),
-And an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1), making him central to messianic prophecy in both Judaism and Christianity.
what is the definition of bathsheba in the bible?
Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later becomes the wife of King David and the mother of Solomon, who succeeds David as king. Her story is found in 2 Samuel 11–12.
-David sees her bathing, desires her, and commits adultery with her.
-She becomes pregnant, and David tries to cover it up.
-When that fails, David arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle.
-After Uriah’s death, David marries Bathsheba.
-their first child dies, but their second son is Solomon, who becomes king.
Bathsheba is later influential in securing Solomon’s place on the throne (1 Kings 1), and she is also listed in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:6 (referred to as “the wife of Uriah”).
what is the definition of nathan in the bible?
Nathan is a prophet of God who served during the time of David and Solomon. He is best known for confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12) and for playing a key role in ensuring Solomon becomes king (1 Kings 1).
-He delivers the message of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), where God promises an eternal dynasty through David.
-He boldly rebukes David after his sin with Bathsheba, using a parable to reveal the king’s wrongdoing.
-He helps uphold God’s plan by supporting Solomon’s rightful claim to the throne.
Nathan represents the biblical ideal of a prophet—one who speaks truth to power and guides the people according to God’s will.
what is the definition of tamar in the bible?
In the Bible, Tamar is the name of two different women, both with powerful and tragic stories.
- Tamar is the daughter-in-law of Judah who, after being denied justice and children through levirate marriage, disguises herself as a prostitute to become pregnant by Judah and continue the family line. She gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, and becomes part of the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).
This Tamar is known for her boldness, determination, and pursuit of justice, especially in a system that failed her.
- Tamar is the daughter of King David and sister of Absalom. She is tragically raped by her half-brother Amnon, which leads to family turmoil, Amnon’s murder by Absalom, and deep sorrow in David’s household.
This Tamar’s story highlights themes of injustice, trauma, and the silence around sexual violence, and it has become a powerful text for reflection on those issues today.
what is the definition of solomon in the bible?
solomon is the son of King David and Bathsheba, and the third king of Israel. He is best known for his extraordinary wisdom, his authorship of biblical writings (like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs), and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6–7).
-God offers him anything he wants, and he chooses wisdom (1 Kings 3).
-He becomes famous for wise rulings, like the story of the two women and the baby (1 Kings 3:16–28).
-He leads Israel during its golden age of peace and prosperity.
-Despite his achievements, Solomon turns away from God later in life by marrying many foreign wives and worshiping other gods (1 Kings 11).
Solomon’s life is a mix of brilliance and downfall—he starts as a wise and faithful king, but ends with spiritual compromise.
what is the definition of solomon’s legacy as king in the bible?
Solomon’s legacy as king of Israel is a complex mixture of great achievements and tragic shortcomings. As a young king, Solomon’s wisdom and leadership brought peace, wealth, and stability to Israel. His most significant contribution was the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, establishing the city as the spiritual and political center of Israel. His reign is seen as the golden age of Israel, with flourishing trade, alliances, and cultural development.
-Spiritual decline: As Solomon aged, his many foreign wives led him to idolatry, worshiping other gods and turning away from Yahweh (1 Kings 11:1–13).
-Divine judgment: Because of his disobedience, God promised the kingdom would be divided after his death, leading to the eventual split between Israel and Judah (1 Kings 11:29–39).
-Literary contributions: Solomon is traditionally credited with the authorship of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs, which remain significant parts of biblical wisdom literature.
Solomon’s legacy is a blend of wisdom and folly, demonstrating the complexity of human rule—where great achievements can coexist with moral and spiritual failures.
