OLD TESTAMENT: Key People Flashcards
Adam
The first created man and the father of all men (Gen. 1 and 2). After being created with an uncorrupted nature he fell from the state of innocency by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3). The result was death (spiritual separation from God and mortality of body) for he and all of his natural descendants (Gen 2-3; Rom. 5).
Abraham
Born Abram, in Ur. Son of Terah (Gen. 11). Called by God (c. 2000 B.C.; Gen. 12). He received from God promises of a land, descendants, and a blessing, being credited as righteous on the basis of belief in God (Gen. 15). Physically he is the father of the Jewish people; spiritually he is the father of all the faithful (Rom. 4).
Joseph
Son of Jacob (great grandson of Abraham). His life is chronicled in Gen. 37-50. Favored by his father (as a child of Rachel) he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Gen. 37). God protected and prospered him in Egypt, first in the house of Potiphar, then from slavery to his rise as the second leader in Egypt (39-41). Through him Jacob and his family came to reside in Egypt (Gen. 46) until the exodus under Moses 40 years later. Two of the 12 tribes are named form his sons, Ephraim and Mannsseh. As a prophesied, rejected (Gen. 37), forgiving (Gen. 50) redeemer of his brethren, Joseph is a striking picture of Christ.
Moses
Born of Hebrew parents, but raised in the house of Pharaoh. After murdering an Egyptian assaulting a Hebrew he fled to Midian where he married and remained for 40 years, until he was 80 (Ex. 1-2). Appearing to Moses in a burning bush, God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt (Ex. 3-4). Through Moses’ leadership God delivered His people and lead them out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and to Mount Sinai (Ex. 5-19). At Sinai, God delivered through his servant the law and instructions for the tabernacle and its related items (20-30). Due to rebellion the people were to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses was allowed to see the land promised to the patriarchs, but was not allowed to enter for his sin at Meribah. He died at 120 and God buried him (Deut. 34).
Deborah
A judge and prophetess in Israel (Jdg. 4-5). She resided (or executed her judgments) under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel. She delivered God’s order to Barak to war against Sisera, which he would only do if she accompanied him. She did and Sisera was overthrown (killed by Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite). Deborah recounts Sisera’s defeat in song in Judges 5. She demonstrates that God is not constrained by the limits He imposes on us: He requires that we fill offices only with men, but He can use a woman (or a donkey!) if He chooses.
Samuel
Born of (until then barren) Hannah and Elkanah, he was dedicated as a Nazirite, raised in the Shiloh temple, and received a prophetic call as a boy (1 Sam. 1). He is viewed as the first of the prophets (Ac. 3:24; 13:20). At God’s command he reluctantly anointed Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Sam. 8-9). After Saul’s sin and God’s rejection of him, Samuel anointed David as king (1 Sam. 16). After his death Saul tried to discern God’s will by calling Samuel from the dead (1 Sam. 28).
David
After being anointed king by Samuel (1 Sam. 16), he came to Saul’s court as a musician. Shortly thereafter youthful David distinguished himself for his faith and bravery in slaying Goliath (1 Sam. 17). As David ascended and Saul descended, the king’s hatred for David grew and numerous attempts on David’s life were made (1 Sam. 18-19). After a long period wherein David was a fugitive, Saul was killed by the Philistines (1 Sam. 31); and David ascended to the throne, first of two tribes (2 Sam. 1) then of all 12 (2 Sam. 5) (reign: 1010-970 B.C). He makes Jerusalem his capital (2 Sam. 5). God rejects David’s plan to build Him a house, but promises an everlasting house for David (2 Sam. 7). David’s kingdom prospered greatly for a time; and then David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah (2 Sam. 11). Despite genuine repentance (Ps. 51), these sins brought trouble on David and his house until the end of his days in the forms Amnon’s sin (2 Sam. 13), and the rebellions of Absalom (2 Sam. 13-18) and Sheba (2 Sam. 20). David’s love of God (1 Sam. 13) and his roles as shepherd and anointed king of God’s people show him as a picture of Christ; while his sins show that the true king of God’s everlasting kingdom was still to come.
Solomon
David’s son by Bathsheba. He became king (after some intrigue) with David’s approval (1 Ki. 1) (reign: 970-931 B.C). In a dream God offered Solomon his choice of gifts and he chose wisdom (1 Ki. 3). This wisdom was displayed in the matter of the harlots (1 Ki. 3), his administration, proverbs, and areas of knowledge (1 Ki. 4). He was also a noted builder: of the temple (1 Ki. 6) and his palace (1 Ki. 7). He dedicated the temple with a beautiful prayer (1 Ki. 8); God answered promising to sustain His covenant with David. Solomon’s reign declined through his devotion to many foreign wives and his syncretism with their idolatrous religion (1 Ki. 11). God’s judgment for this son (division of the kingdom) was stayed during Solomon’s life on account of David but came to fruition in his son Rehoboam’s reign (1 Ki. 12). Solomon’s glorious kingdom and his wisdom picture Christ, and demonstrate God’s faithfulness to the covenant, while his sins point to the perfect fulfillment to come.
Rehoboam
Son of Solomon, the last king of a united Israel (reign: 931-913 B.C). Upon his ascension there was revolt against Solomon’s heavy rule. Rehoboam foolishly chose to increase the burden (1 Ki. 12). The northern 10 tribes made Jeroboam their king, and the kingdom was sundered according to the prophecy of Ahijah (1 Ki. 11).
Jeroboam the son of Nebat
Was at one time in the employ of Solomon, overseeing his work force in the northern tribes. He fomented revolt and fled to Egypt (1 Ki. 11). In the times of Rehoboam, he returned and led the rebellion of the northern tribes becoming the first king of Israel (1 Ki. 12) (reign: 931-910 B.C). He led that kingdom into idolatry establishing golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Ki. 12), complete with a non-levitical priesthood. For these God rebuked him through Ahijah (1 Ki. 13-14), promising the violent end of his house.
Elijah
Prophet during the time of Ahab (reign: 874-853 B.C). and Jezebel. He contended for the worship of Yahweh against Baal worship. He announced a drought (and was miraculously sustained through it) (1 Ki. 17). Through him God humiliated the worshipers of Baal on Mt. Carmel (1 Ki. 18). Afterwards he fled to Horeb and was comforted by God. He confronted Ahab regarding Naboth’s vineyard (1 Ki. 21). He was taken to heaven in the presence of a fiery chariot (2 Ki. 2). He is frequently (almost 30 times) mentioned in the New Testament. His return was anticipated as a precursor of the Messiah (and fulfilled in John the Baptist’s ministry, Mt. 11:14). Further, he stands for the prophets at Christ’s transfiguration (as Moses does the Law).
Elisha
Attendant and successor of Elijah. He was called through Elijah (1 Ki. 19) from whom he inherited a “double portion of his spirit” (2 Ki. 2). His long ministry was marked by numerous miracles, among them: the purifying of water (2 Ki. 2); the increase of the widow’s oil (2 Ki. 4); the restoration of the Shunammite’s son (2 Ki. 4); the heeling of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Ki. 5). He also foretold a number of events. The large number and variety of Elisha’s miracles, following on the career of Elijah, is suggestive of Christ’s ministry following John the Baptist (who came in the spirit of Elijah, Mt. 17:12-13).
Hezekiah
14th king of Judah (reign: 716-687 B.C). He reigned 29 years and was noted for his piety (2 Ki. 18). During his reign Samaria fell and Israel was deported. He instituted religious reforms, purifying the temple (2 Ch. 29), and reestablishing the Passover (2 Ch. 30), and destroying high places (2 Ch. 31). The Assyrians, through Sennacherib, tried to subdue Jerusalem but suffered a huge (miraculous) loss (2 Ki. 18-19). Hezekiah is also noted for the extension of his life by 15 years (2 Ki. 20); his relationship with Isaiah; and his entertaining the emissaries from Babylon.
Josiah
Great-grandson of Hezekiah (reign: 639-609 B.C). Became king at the age of eight, reigned for 31 years, and enacted many religious reforms (2 Ki. 22). During his reign the “book of the law” was found in the temple by Hilkiah (2 Ki. 22) leading to greater reform. He fulfilled the prophecy of 1 Kings 13 regarding the destruction and defilement of the high places; and he celebrated the Passover in grand style (2 Ki. 23). He was killed in battle against Pharaoh Neco (2 Ch. 35).
Jeremiah
Prophet in Judah from 626-587 B.C. Prophesied through 40 years and five kings (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah). Called as a young man (Jer. 1). Much of his prophesying deals with the nation’s unfaithfulness (Jer. 2) and the inevitable judgment to come (Jer. 3-6, 8-10). In the midst of God’s judgment Jeremiah also holds forth hope, particularly he speaks of the new covenant (Jer. 30-34). He wrote to the exiled Jews assuring them God would hear them and care for them in a foreign land, highlighting the spiritual nature of worship (Jer. 29). He also wrote Lamentations a series of dirges portraying the capture and destruction of Jerusalem.
