February Quiz (Former Prophets)

February Quiz on Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel, and I & II Kings

Multiple Choice. Select the one correct answer:

1. What book contains the following quotation: “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes?”
a. Joshua
b. Judges
c. Ruth
d. 1 Samuel

2. “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” Who prayed this at the outset of his reign?
a. David
b. Hezekiah
c. Josiah
d. Solomon

3. In which book does David become king over Judah?
a. 1 Kings
b. 2 Kings
c. 1 Samuel
d. 2 Samuel

4. Which tribe of Israel received cities located within the territories of other tribes?
a. Benjamin
b. Ephraim
c. Judah
d. Levi

5. Who said, “Speak for your servant is listening?”
a. Abraham
b. Isaiah
c. Moses
d. Samuel

6. “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” is found in a story about which of the following?
a. Ahab
b. Hezekiah
c. Naaman
d. Nathan

7. What was Nehemiah’s great achievement?
a. rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem
b. defeating the Samaritans in battle
c. restoring the monarchy
d. teaching the law to the returning exiles

8. For what was Jehu remembered in Israel?
a. He assassinated Jezebel and her offspring.
b. He called down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel.
c. He fought against the Babylonians.
d. He helped Solomon build the temple.

9. What role did Abner, Joab, and Benaiah have in common?
a. judge
b. king
c. military commander
d. priest

10. Which of the following did David do?
a. He took Michal again to be his wife.
b. He used his own army to seize Jerusalem.
c. He was anointed king of the northern tribes.
d. all of the above

11. Who was the first king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), the one whose sins were said to have been repeated by every king of Israel who followed him?
a. Ahab
b. Hezekiah
c. Solomon
d. Jeroboam

Short Answer. Give a description of each of the following

1. Name 12 judges (leaders). Which one is your favorite and why?

2. Answer this riddle: "Once so strong and mighty--now so sweet and tasty."

3. Like King Lear and Macbeth, Saul is a tragic figure. What was his tragic flaw?

4. The Lord chose David to be king. What is the difference between how people judge others and how God judges others?

5. The horrible rape of Tamar by Amnon was made worse by what happened in II Sam. 13:20-22. What would have been a more just and healing response by Absalom and David?

6. How did a wise woman save the town of Abel?

7. After Solomon's death, his kingdom divided. How did this happen and who ruled which part?

Longer Answer

In the 6th Century BCE, Judah is defeated by King Nebuchadnezzar. Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed and the people are taken into captivity in Babylon. The author of Kings suggests that these things happened because God willed it (see II Kings 24:2-4 and 24:19). What are the advantages and disadvantages of this theological viewpoint? In your view, does God intervene in human affairs? If yes, how do you know? If not, then what is God for?