BIBLICAL STUDIES STUDY GUIDE

REL 110 / Exam #2 / Prof. Michael Andres

THE PROPHETS

What is the Deuteronomistic History?  When did its events take place, who wrote it and when was it written?  What are the two major views of the Deuteronomistic history?

The Book of Joshua:  What are the three theories regarding the conquest?  When did events take place?  Why was it written? Outline?  Contribution to redemptive history (second Moses, promises, fulfillment)?  Relation to Torah/Deut.? Know the following geography:  Moab, Jordan River, Jericho, Canaan, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath (Philistine pentapolis) and Shiloh.

The Book of Judges:  dates, relation to Deut., migration of peoples ("Sea Peoples"), significance of Canaan's geography, literary features (e.g. cycle of the judges, call for king), definition of "judge", theology of Judges, details of the following stories of individual judges: Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.

The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel:  authorship, relation to Deut., literary features (begin-end with song), Hannah, childhood/call/role of Samuel,

Eli, Philistines, Saul, importance of kingship, key events in David’s life (childhood/life of David, Goliath [representative warfare], anointing as king, military exploits, hesed, sons, Bathsheba, Nathan, Absalom).  What is the Davidic Covenant?  Where is it in Scripture?  What are the distinctives of this covenant? 

HEBREW POETRY

Name the biblical books of Hebrew poetry.  What are the characteristics of Hebrew poetry (different kinds of parallelism).  Explain the authorship of various psalms.  What are the different types of psalms?  Describe the structure and outline of the book of Psalms.  What are some of the distinctive literary features of psalms?  What is the purpose of the psalms?  Discuss the theology of the psalms.  What was Herman Gunkel's theory about the psalms?

Which biblical books comprise the wisdom literature (hokma)?  Be prepared to state the nature and purpose of the Book of Proverbs.  Indicate the nature of the parallels between the biblical proverbs and those from other cultures (esp. Egyptian Wisdom of Amenomope).  What are some different literary types of proverbs?  What are some of the major themes of the proverbs?  Explain the relation between the proverbs and the Torah?  Give an example.

BOOKS OF KINGS

When was it written?  What major historical events are covered?  What was the author's purpose in writing Kings?  What are some literary features in Kings (e.g. regnal formula)?  What is the relation of Kings to the Deuteronomistic history?  List some of  Solomon's accomplishments and failures.  What are the circumstances and key themes of Solomon's famous prayer (specify biblical passage)?  Of what significance is the building of the temple for redemptive history?

DIVIDED KINGDOM

When and why did the kingdom divide?  Explain the events leading to division.  Describe the two kingdoms (name, location, capital(s), etc.)?  What does the division contribute – or symbolize – to redemptive history?  What were some of the differences in the two kingdoms?  What were some differences and similarities in their kings?  What were some specific problems/sins and successes in these kingdoms?

Know these kings:  Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Omri, Ahab, Jehu, Pekah, Hoshea, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.  You should be able to identify the following information about each of them: (1) king of north or south?; (2)  good king or bad king?; and (3) significance or significant actions.

Know these kings of Assyria and their significance for Israel's history:  Tiglath-pileser III, Shalamaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib.  Know also Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his significance.  When does Assyria come to power?  When does Babylon defeat Assyria?

Prophets:  Who are the former, who are the latter prophets?  Who are the major, who are the minor prophets?  Know the following prophets:  Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Haggai.  Be able to identify the following information about these prophets:  (1) which kingdom they preached to; (2) who were the kings during their ministry; (3) key events in their lives; (4) the key themes and imagery of their message.

Describe and explain the following:  destruction of Israel, Syro-Ephraimite coalition, political/military reasons for Israel's fall, theological reasons for Israel's fall, and the relation of Israel's destruction to Deuteronomy.

JUDAH ALONE

Hezekiah's reforms and events in his life, Hezekiah's prayer, Sennacherib's invasion, Mannasseh's sins, Josiah's reforms and death (incl. finding book of the Law).  Describe and explain siege warfare, the destruction of Jerusalem and its relation to Deuteronomy, the book of Lamentations (who wrote it, what were circumstances, what is its content), details of Jerusalem's destruction, significance of Jehoiachin, theological significance of Israel's divided era, meaning of the exile, and a description of life in exile.

THE NEW PROPHETIC MESSAGE

Who were these prophets?  What was different about their message?  What was their message?  What are some (2-3) significant passages which record their prophecies?  Who was Isaiah and when did he prophesy?  Be prepared to outline the Book of Isaiah.  State two competing views on the authorship and date of the Book of Isaiah and be prepared to give a brief argument for each.  What is Isaiah's message (salvation, messiah, holiness of Lord, humility)?  Describe Daniel's life in Babylon.  Describe the meaning of Daniel's visions in chapt. 2 and 7.

THE RETURN TO PALESTINE

What is the Chronicler's history?  Who wrote it, when was it written, when did the events occur, who is it written to, why was it written?  What specific situation is the chronicler addressing?  What is he trying to get his audience to do?  How is he trying to get them to do it?

INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

What are the dates for this period?  Describe the succession of key world powers during this period:  Describe key aspects of Greek rule:  Alexander the Great, Hellenization, Ptolemies, Seleucids, and Antiochus Epiphanes IV.  Who is Judas Maccabeus?  Who are the Hasmoneans?  What is Hannakah?  Describe the rule of Rome.  Who are Pompey and Herod?  What are the characteristics of the intertestamental period (e.g. Torah devotion, messianic hope, etc.)?  List and describe certain key Jewish sects that arose during this period.

IMPORTANT DATES:

David's reign, division of kingdom, fall of Samaria, Isaiah's ministry, Fall of Jerusalem, Cyrus edict, second temple completed.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

(1)     What is the Davidic Covenant?  Where do we find it in Scripture?  Name and explain the distinctive promises given to David.  How is the Immanuel Principle seen in this covenant?  How does the Davidic covenant contribute to redemptive history?

(2)     Explain the meaning of the Book of Hosea.  Name and explain the meaning of each of the five characters (persons) in the Book of Hosea.  What is the theme and symbolism of the Book of Hosea (esp. chapt.s 1-2)?  What is the Book of Hosea’s relation to Israel's redemptive history?

(3)     Explain the new prophetic message. Who were these prophets and when did they live?  What was different about their message?  Why was their particular message necessary?  Specify (book and chapter) and describe one significant passage which records one of their prophecies (not including “new covenant”).  What will be new about the new covenant?  Where in Scripture can we find it described (book and chapter)?