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The Books of 1 & 2 Kings

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The Books of 1 & 2 Kings Study Questions The Books of 1 & 2 Kings by Paul R. House 2 Kings Elijah Denounces Ahaziah (page 242) 2 Kings Lesson 16 up to v. 1:1-18 Elisha’s Work as … (page 252) 1. What are the canonical and theological Issues in the later part of 1 Kings and the very first part of 2 Kings (1 Kgs 17:1 to 2 Kgs 1:18)? 2. Our author lists four potential applications for us implied in 1 Kgs 17:1 to 2 Kgs 1:18. Which of the four applications do you find you most intriguing and might likely attempt? 3. The book tells that upon Ahab’s death King Mesha of Moab rebels. We have archaeological evidence of this (bottom of page 253.) Is it important to you that there is third-party physical evidence that the events related in the Bible actually occurred? Why or why not? 4. The events in the first twelve verses of the 2nd chapter mirror or closely resemble events that occurred in another Bible character’s life. Who? 5. Our book doesn’t mention it but from other of our studies we know that in the Transfiguration of Jesus two biblical characters appear with Jesus. Who? Elisha’s Work as Prophet, Miracleworker & Kingmaker (page 252) Lesson 17 up to but not including v. 2:1-3:27 Elisha’s Performs Miracles (page 264) 1. The introduction to 2 Kings Chapters 2 through 13 recaps what we have read previously that sets the stage for what we are about to read (pg 252.) The author mentions three things (first…, second…, third…) what are the three things that the stage for 2 Kings 2:1–13:25? 2. The historical authenticity of the Old Testament is sometimes questioned. It is important when actual archeological discoveries support the history described in the Bible. The bottom of page 253 talks about such a find. What is it? How does it support the Biblical story? 3. The introduction says, “Jeru wasted no time in disposing of the kings of Judah and Israel.” We know from the Elijah’s theophany that God orders Jeru anointed king over Israel (Northern Kingdom) how/why do you suppose that Jeru the new king of Israel kills a king of Judah? 4. Why do you think Elisha answered the way he did in verse 2 Kings 3:13? What disadvantages are there for people who only call on God in times of crisis? 5. The description of the journey where ultimately Elijah departs and Elisha replaces him describes things intended to connect Moses and Elijah in the readers mind. What are they? 6. In Jesus Transfiguration (Mark, Matthew and Luke) two individuals from the Old Testament appear with Jesus. Who are they? How does this connect to 2 Kings Chapter 2? 7. Many of us are familiar with the miracles of the Old and New Testament from our religion classes or from what we have heard read from the pulpit or other source somewhere in our lives. Were you familiar with Elisha’s spring water miracle? Elisha’s Performs Miracles (page 264) Lesson 18 up to but not including v. 4:1-6:33 Elisha Predicts the Siege’s End (page 279) 1. Elijah has passed from the scene and Elisha has picked up hi cloak. Elijah was a great prophet that the Bible even ties to link indirectly with Moses. How do 2 Kings Chapters 4 and 5 go about introducing us to Elisha? What is the biblical writer doing? What is he trying to set in the reader’s minds? 2. Elisha does things to feed people in Gilgal where there is a famine. What does the second thing that involves loaves of barley bread remind you of? 3. Our books says, “Naaman’s healing and conversion is one of the best known and most popular stories in 1, 2 Kings.” Had you heard this story before? Do you remember how you learned this story? 4. Why was Naaman angry over Elisha's instructions? In what ways have you expected God to work and were "disappointed" or even resistive when He worked another way? 5. A slave girl serving Naaman’s wife plays a role in his healing. Does it surprise you that Judah raid into Israel took captives? These people were blood relatives. 6. Defeating the siege of Dothan by the army of the King of Aram (Damascus Syria) involves a vision with chariots of fire. Where else have we heard about chariots of fire Elisha Predicts the Siege’s End (page 279) Lesson 19 up to but not including v. 7:1-9:37 Jehu Kills Ahab’s Family (page 291) 1. What is the point of Elisha's promise in 2 Kings 7:1? Why did the captain doubt it? What causes you to doubt the word of the LORD? 2. Elisha tells Hazael, one of Ben-Hadad’s lieutenants, that he will become king. Hazael then assassinates Ben-Hadad by smothering him and assumes the kingship. Do you recall this was predicted by the LORD himself? When? Where? 3. It is always comforting to find contemporary records that validate the biblical account. What do we have that validates Hazael usurping the Syrian royal thrown? (hint: see top of 284) 4. Jehoram succeeds his father Jehosaphat as king of the southern kingdom Judah. Who does he marry? 5. How did Jehu's companions react to the young prophet and his message? Do you think their response affected Jehu? How do your companions influence you good or bad? 6. There is a misprint in our book for 2 King 9:22. Is reads “idolatry.” The commentary corrects the misprint on the next page. What should it read? Why is this metaphor for abandoning Yahweh particularly accurate given Jezebel’s propagation of Baalism? 7. So Jeru kills both kings and then goes to Jezreel. When Jesebel hears he is coming she puts on her makeup and combs her hair. Why? Jehu Kills Ahab’s Family (page 291) Lesson 20 up to but not including v. 10:1-12:21 Elisha’s Final Days (page 304) 1. What did Jehu do right and what did he do that was wrong in verses 2 Kings 10:18-36? 2. 2 Kings 10:27 says Jeru tore down the temple of Baal. Where (chapter, verse) did we learn that a temple for Ball had been built in the Northern Kingdom? Was it a surprise for you to find out that there was a Baal temple to tear down? 3. Jeru, however, doesn’t lead Israel back to faithful (Pentateuch) worship of the LORD, Yahweh. Instead he reinstitutes what? 4. When Athaliah found out her son, Ahaziah, the king, was dead what did she do? The children she had killed were related to her in what way (son, daughter, cousin, uncle. etc.)? 5. When Athaliah discovers she is about to be overthrown she cries “treason.” Why is this ironic? 6. What were the positive things that the priest, Jehoida, did in chapter 11? Were any of his actions wrong? 7. How did Joash placate Hazael who had raised an army and attached other smaller countries Elisha’s Final Days (page 304) Lesson 21 up to but not including v. 13:1-25 Israel Disintegrates (page 317) 1. What evidence of God's favor or grace for Israel do you see in verses 13:1-9? Why do you think God was so gracious to them? 2. Chapter 13 is a bit strange. Kings come and go in three or four paragraphs. The arrow thing is quite odd. Explain what happens when Jehoash visits the dying Elisha. 3. Again archeological evidence was found that reinforces the biblical account. Explain what the Assyrian stele tells us about Jehoash and how that relates to what the Bible tells us. 4. The canonical patterns in 2 Kings 2:1-13:25 lead to several theological truths (see pg 313). List three or four of these theological truths? 5. In summarizing what we have read in 2 Kings 2:1-13:25 our author says kings have a theological purpose. What is it? 6. What do these chapters, the early part of 2 Kings, teach us about the nature of God? Israel Disintegrates (page 317) Lesson 22 up to but not including v. 14:1-29 Azariah’s Reign (page 327) 1. Aram and then Syria had been the constant enemy of Israel and to a lesser extent Judah. What happened in 802 B.C. that changed the situation with Syria? 2. Assyria had a different approach after conquest. In that past conquest had meant carrying off the riches of the concurred. What did Assyria do differently? 3. Thing get even worse when Israel and Judah battle each other at Beth Shemesh. Why exactly did they go to war? Is this the way just rulers rule? 4. Look at 14:7-10. What would you say Amaziah's main problem was? Have you ever had a similar problem? What was the outcome? Proverbs 16:18 reads, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”Does this apply here? 5. Why did the hired Israeli mercenaries plunder Judean towns on the way home? 6. Judah has a series of several kings who the biblical writer says “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” But they fail to do what? What is it (are the things) they fail to remove? [Even though they are not all are popular (for example, removed through assassination), they “do right in the eyes of the LORD”] Azariah’s Reign (page 327) Lesson 23 up to but not including v.
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