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 Lesson 1: The Lay of the Land
Lesson 2: Beginnings
Lesson 3: Egypt, the Exodus, and 40 Years Wandering
Lesson 4: Conquest of Canaan
Lesson 5: Dividing the Land Amongst the Tribes
Lesson 6: The Period of the Judges
Lesson 7: The United Kingdom of Israel - Part 1
Lesson 8: The United Kingdom of Israel - Part 2
Lesson 9: The Divided Kingdom - Part 1: Israel & Judah
Lesson 10: The Divided Kingdom - Part 2: The Prophets
Lesson 11: The Fall & Captivity of Israel
Lesson 12: The Fall & Captivity of Judah
Lesson 13: Captivity and Return

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LESSON 1: The Lay of the Land
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1. E. Iraq - Iraq, known in ancient times as Mesopotamia ("land between the rivers") is a country with a rich history. Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia all were significant civilizations in the land now known as Iraq.
2. C. Syria - Damascus is one of the oldest if not the oldest city in the region. Mention of Damascus appears in the Bible as early as Genesis (Gen. 14:15). It is also referenced in the tablets of Mari, some of which are dated to 2500 B.C. This Syrian city sits on a plateau which is watered by the rivers Abanah and Pharpar (2 Kings 5:12). Damascus marks the convergence of important trade routes leading to Egypt, Arabia and Mesopotamia. The grid pattern of the city was developed by Parmenion a general of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.
3. E. Iraq - Ur is one of the oldest cities of southern Mesopotamia (Iraq). Today, Ur lies 10 miles west of the Euphrates, but during biblical times, it was located on the bank of the river before the river changed course. It is estimated that the city once had a population of 250,000. Nehemiah (Neh. 9:7) states that the Lord God chose Abraham and brought him forth from Ur.
4. A. Israel - Founded on May 14, 1948, Israel is a small nation sitting on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Since that time it has become the most advanced city in the entire Middle East. Its proximity to the Arab nations surrounding it has made peace and security an ongoing problem and there continue to be military skirmishes to this day. Both the Arabs and the Jews claim Israel - the Jews claim it because of the biblical promise, whereas the Arabs claim it because they largely occupied it since the 7th century A.D. The official language of Israel is Hebrew and Arabic. Israel occupies about 8,000 square miles of territory and its population is over 5 million. Israel is a democratic republic and adopted much of its form of government from the British (which controlled Palestine in 1918) and the Ottoman Empire which once controlled the entire region.
5. A. About 10,000 feet (the actual size of Mt. Hermon is 9,232 feet)
6. C. Mt. Hermon - This mountain is easily the highest (approx. 9,232 feet) in the vicinity of Palestine. Unity among the brethren is described as being like the "dew of Hermon" (Psa. 133:3). Hermon means "abrupt."
7. E. King's Highway - The King's Highway was one of the most notable and famous of the caravan routes through the Bible lands. This road extended from the Gulf of Aqabah to Damascus where it joined the Great Trunk Road which then continued eastward along the Fertile Crescent. The well-traveled King's Highway may have been the route taken by Abram when he went to fight the kings who had taken Lot (Gen. 14:9-14). It should be noted that the Way of Moab was in reality an extension of the King's Highway. The Edomites refused to allow God's people to use the King's Highway (also known as the Way of Moab) on their way to the promised land (Num. 20:17-22). In Solomon's day, the King's Highway was a crucial trade route between Ezion-geber, Judah, and Syria.
8. D. About 70 miles The Jordan River is the longest river in Palestine running from Mt. Hermon in the north to the Dead Sea (Salt Sea). Most of its course is below sea level. The plain of Jordan is first mentioned when Abraham and Lot chose where they would live (Gen. 13:10). It marked the boundary of the "promise land" (Deut. 27:2-3).
9. B. About 2,600 feet

Get MANNA's Bible Maps PLUS or MANNA's PowerPoint files to help teach these materials. Or a good modern atlasw will help with completing the maps on pages 4 and 5.

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NOTE: If teaching a class, use the maps on page 4 and 5 as review at the start of each lesson. Over time students will be able to identify most of the major features because of the constant review. Some have even made a brief quiz using the review maps at the beginning of each class. Return to Index

LESSON 2: Beginnings
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1. Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon, Gihon (note the KJV also mentions "Hiddekel" which is an ancient name for the Tigris)
2. E
3. B
4. A - The actual call of Genesis 12 occurred while Abraham was in Haran.
5. A
6. A and D
7. Most east and westward travelers followed the curve created by the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys. The curve was named the Fertile Crescent in modern times.
8. C
9. C and D (Gen 23:2 indicates Kirjath-arba and Hebron are the same).
10. A
11. A
12. C (NOTE: If the site of Moriah was the same as that of the Temple of Jerusalem as some scholars believe, then one could conclude that through the years all of the answers would be correct). The Samaritans believed that Mt. Moriah was the same as Mt. Gerazim--the mountain in which they worshiped.
13. Cave of Machpelah - Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob

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Garden of Eden - any of the following three answers might be correct - E9, D8, B6 - as the exact location of the Garden is unknown.
Flood and the Mountains of Ararat - A7
The Tower of Babel - D8 (the Bible says the location was "Shinar" - Gen 11:2-4)

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- Ur of the Chaldees - During the time of Abraham the city of Ur is estimated to have had a population of approx. 250,000.
-Where was Abram (Abraham) when called by God in Genesis 12? - He was actually in Haran at that time.
-Was Abram called by God to leave Ur of the Chaldees? - apparently he was according to Nehemiah 9:7.

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Many scholars suggest that Mt. Moriah was both the location of the near sacrifice of Isaac AND the site of the future Temple in Jerusalem. Other scholars dispute this. They argue that the distance from where Abraham received instructions to sacrifice Isaac (the land of the Philistines -- Gen 21:34-22:4) to the site of present day Jerusalem would not require 3 days to travel. They also note that 2 Chron. 3:1 makes no mention whatsoever of the near sacrifice of Isaac at the site of Solomon's Temple. The omission of so great a test of faith indicates the location was not the same as the Temple. Return to Index

LESSON 3: Egypt, the Exodus, and 40 Years Wandering
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1. Joseph was sold into captivity there by his brothers where he ascended to prominence by interpreting Pharaoh's dream (Gen 41). Later, when famine struck Canaan, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food. Eventually Jacob and his sons moved to Egypt. This is all in fulfillment of prophecy - see Gen 15:13-14. It has been suggested had Jacob and his sons stayed in Canaan they would have been absorbed by intermarriage with the inhabitants of the land. By migrating to Egypt they remained a distinct race as the Egyptians disdained the prospect of intermarrying with the Hebrews. As a distinct people, they were "set apart" by God for their Exodus and the inheritance of the promised land.
2. B - Goshen. Also note Genesis 47:11, which says that Joseph settled his fathe and brothers in the land of Rameses.
3. A, B
4. D
5. A
6. Good question. The traditional site is in the Sinai Peninsula, but there are some alternative locations suggested. Some scholars believe the real Mt. Sinai was in the land of Midian, east of the Gulf of Akaba. There are many, many mountain peaks in the Sinai which may have been the ancient Mt. Sinai. Galatians 4:25 says that Mt. Sinai is in Arabia, but it is difficult to know where Arabia was or the extent of Arabia during the exodus.
7. B and C - the two names are used interchangeably. It is thought Sinai was a specific peak, while Horeb referred to a ridge of which Sinai was a part.
8. B
9. D
10. D - There is some debate about the location of this city. It is thought there was a Rehob in Asher and one in Naphtali. Note that Rehob of Naphtali (Num 13:21) is fairly far north--about 200 miles from where the spies began their journey. Hamath (Lebo-hamath) is possibly associated wth the city of Hamath which sat on or near the Orontes River in Syria. That would make the journey by the spies even longer--perhaps as far as 400 miles!
11. A

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Where is the land of Goshen - C3
Where was the land of Midian - E8
Where is Mount Sinai (Horeb) - E6 or possibly E8
What alternative location is suggested? In the land of Midian, east of the Gulf of Akaba

EXODUS JOURNEY SUMMARY- Page 12

Exodus from Egypt: After spending 430 years in Egypt (Exo. 12:40), the Israelites left Goshen with their flocks and herds (Exo. 12:38). They traveled from "Rameses to Succoth about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children" (Exo. 12:37). They camped "before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon" (Exo. 14:2).

Pursuit by Pharoah: But God hardened Pharoah's heart (Exo. 14:4,8) and he pursued the Israelites with "six hundred chosen chariots" (Exo. 14:7-8), and overtook them where they camped beside the sea (Exo. 14:9).

Red Sea Divided: But the angel of God in the form of the cloud that led them stood between the Israelites and the pursuing Egyptians and it was "darkness to them [Egyptians]" but "gave light by night" to the Israelites (Exo. 14:20). Then "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided" (Exo. 14:21) and the Israelites crossed on dry land with the water "a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left""(Exo. 14:22). "And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea" (Exo. 14:23) but the Lord instructed Moses to stretch forth his hand again and "the sea returned to his strength... and the waters returned" and drowned the Egyptians (Exo. 14:26-30; Exo. 15:4,5).

Journey to Marah: The Israelites then traveled to Marah where the water was bitter (Exo. 15:23) but the Lord had Moses cast a tree into the water which made it drinkable (Exo. 15:25).

Journey to Elim: After leaving Marah, they journeyed to the oasis at Elim where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees (Exo. 15:27) and they camped there.

Towards Sinai: From Elim, the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sin (Exo. 16:1) where the people murmured against Moses and Aaron because of lack of food. It was here that God first sent manna and quails to feed the people (Exo. 16:13-15). They then left the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah, Alush, and Rephidim (Num. 33:12-15. There was no water at Rephidim (Exo. 17:1). God told Moses to strike the rock and water would come out (Exo. 17:6) and they called the place Meribah (Exo. 17:7). The Israelites under Joshua fought the Amalekites here (Exo. 17:9-13).

At Sinai: The Israelites then camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai (Exo. 19:2). Moses instructed the people not to touch the mount (Exo. 19:12-13), and the mount was "as the smoke of a furnace" and the mount "quaked greatly" (Exo. 19:18). "And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai... and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount, and Moses went up" (Exo. 19:20). There God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exo. 20:1-17) on two tablets of stone "written with the finger of God"(Exo. 31:18).

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Where is the Wilderness of Paran - E4
Where is the Wilderness of Zin - B3
Where is Hormah - B5/6
Where is Kadesh-barnea - C5
Where did Aaron die - C6 (Mt. Hor)
Where did God's people confront fiery serpents - C6 area

EXODUS JOURNEY SUMMARY CONTINUED- Page 14

To Kadesh-barnea: From Mt. Sinai, the Israelites traveled to Kadesh-barnea in the Wilderness of Zin where Moses' sister Miriam later died(Num. 20:1).

Twelve Spies: The twelve spies were sent from here to search out the land of Canaan (Num. 13:1-17). Of those sent, only Joshua and Caleb returned with a favorable report (Num. 13:31,32; Num. 14:6-9). The people were fearful of taking the land so the Lord's anger was kindled against them (Num. 14:11,12)and he sought to destroy them until Moses intervened (Num. 14:13-20). Instead, God made them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until everyone over twenty years old had died except for Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:29-35). When the people heard this, they decided to try to take the land anyway, and sent a force to do so but this group was beaten and forced back to Hormah (Num. 14:40-45).

Encamped in the Wilderness: The Israelites camped in the area of Kadesh-barnea for several years. Once again the people murmured for lack of water and Moses sinned against God when he struck the rock to bring forth water without honoring God (Num. 20:7-13).

Towards Edom: From Kadesh-barnea, Moses sent messengers to Edom asking for passage through their land to the King's Highway but Edom refused them (Num. 20:14-21). The Israelites thus had to bypass the land of Edom. During this journey, they came to Mt. Hor where Aaron died and was buried (Num. 20:22-29).

Bypass Edom: When the Israelites had to go around Edom, the people once again murmured against God (Num. 21:4-5).

Bronze Serpent: When the people "spake against God and against Moses" (Num. 21:5), God sent "fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and much people of Israel died" (Num. 21:6). The people then repented and God had Moses make a "serpent of brass" and put it on a pole "that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live" (Num. 21:8,9).

Journey to Moab: From the wilderness, the Israelites traveled through Oboth and the "valley of the Zared" to cross the Arnon into the land of Moab (Num. 21:10-13).

Return to Index

LESSON 4: Conquest of Canaan
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1. All of them - note that the term "Canaanites" may be a general term used to describe all of the diverse people living in the land of Canaan and not a specific nation. (see Deut 7:1; Josh 3:10)
2. See Deut 30:15-20; Exo 23:23-25,33; Exo 34:12; Judges 2:3 -- they would be a snare to them, drawing them away into idolatry.
3. B, D Note that Og lived in Bashan and was a giant (Deut 3:11); Sihon was the Amorite king (Num 21:23) who would not allow Israel to pass through his land.
4. A, B, C -- these three are mentioned, see Deut 32:49; Deut 3:7; Num 27:12 and are all apparently the same peak or range
5. Because he did not treat God as holy - Deut 32:51; note his sin in Num 20:8-12
6. A, B, and E
7. Mt Ebal was to receive a curse, Mt. Gerizim and blessing. Note, it is easy to remember these by this technique: Mt. Ebal = evil; Mt. Gerizim = good (see Deut 27:11-26; 28:1-19
8.The blessings were for obedience, the cursings for disobedience
9. C
10. D - 2,600 feet, about the same elevation as Jerusalem
11. Shechem
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Note, there is a typo in the family tree of Noah. The third column under Japheth should read "Caucasoid" Race.
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot's younger daughter who had incestuous relations with Lot. Her son was named Benammi.
The Edomites were descendants of Esau.
The Moabites were descendants of Lot's firstborn daughter who had incestuous relations with Lot and bore a son named Moab.
What nations did God promise to destroy? - Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, Jebusites, Girgashites
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The three cities burned were Jericho, Ai, and Hazor
The five hostile kings hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah
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The curse on anyone who rebuilt Jericho is that his firstborn would die at the laying of the foundation and youngest son would die at the setting up of the gates. The curse was fulfilled. Interestingly, the book of Joshua wherein the curse is pronounced was written about 1404-1390 BC. The book of 1st Kings where the prophecy is fulfilled was written about 585-580 BC. So, the prophecy was fulfilled more than 800 years after it was made!
Return to Index

LESSON 5: Dividing the Land Amongst the Tribes
The method appointed for the dividing of the land is deeply interesting and instructive. Two distinct principles were to operate, yet the giving place to the one appears to rule out the other. The first had been laid down by the Lord through Moses: "Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him" (Num. 26:53, 54-repeated in Numbers 33:54). There was the general rule which was to be followed in the dividing of Canaan and the quartering of the people: the size of the section allocated was to be determined by the numerical strength of the tribe to which it was given. Yet immediately after Numbers 26:54, a second law was named: "Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few." That is to say, the disposition of the inheritance was to be determined by the sovereign will of God, for the lot was regulated by Him and made known His pleasure.

Those two principles seem to be mutually incompatible, and we are not acquainted with any attempt to show the agreement of the one with the other. It is the age-old problem of the conjunction of the Divine and human elements: in this instance, the human by the dimensions of the several tribes; the Divine by God's determining their respective portions. Yet, in the case now before us, no real difficulty is presented: the larger tribes would still obtain the biggest sections, but the "lot" specified the particular situation in Canaan which was to be theirs. Neither Joshua, Eleazar, nor the heads of the tribes were free to dispose of the land according to their own ideas or desires: the final locations were reserved to the providence of God, to whose imperial will all must acquiesce, howsoever contrary to their thoughts and wishes. Such an arrangement not only accorded unto God His proper place in the transaction, but it also precluded the exercise of any spirit of partiality or favoritism on the part of Israel's leaders, and at the same time served effectually to close the mouths of the people from murmuring. Source: Gleanings in Joshua, PMB Desktop Publications

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1. Manasseh, Gad, Reuben - The tribe of Gad and the tribe of Reuben asked for the land east of the Jordan River. Their request was granted as long as they promised to fight along with God's people in securing the inheritance on the west side of the Jordan River for the other tribes (Num. 32:1-6; Num. 32:16-18; Num. 32:33)
2. B and C
3. A
4. B - Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh received the land allocation
5. A and E
6. C - Judah was the son of Leah, Jacob's fourth son - see Gen 49:8
7. B - the Levites were given cities within each tribal allocation - see Josh 14:4; 13:33; 21:3
(Note: There are two question 8's - this will be fixed in subsequent printings)
8. Unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance. However, 48 cities and their suburbs were given to the Levites (Num 35:7; Josh 21) In this regard, consider the following: Unlike all the other tribes, no separate portion of Canaan was allotted to the Levites upon the distribution of the land (Deut. 10:8, 9; Joshua 13:14). In like manner, the good soldier of Jesus Christ is forbidden to entangle himself with the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:3, 4), for it would ill become one who was the messenger of heaven to occupy his heart with earthly avocations. He is called upon to practice what he preaches, to be a living exemplification of his sermons, denying all fleshly and worldly lusts, and be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." He is required to walk in entire separation from the world, and give himself "wholly" to the things of God and the welfare of souls, that his profiting may appear unto all (1 Tim. 4:12, 15). Source: Gleanings in Joshua, PMB Desktop Publications
9. E - Judah
10. C - excavations have indicated the land was largely forested
11. B
12. C
13. Ephraim

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The names going from left to right are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, Asenath, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
The two sons of Joseph were Manasseh and Epraim
Reuben was the firstborn and therefore should have received a double portion of land, but apparently because of his sin, he did not (see Gen.49:3-4)
Joseph actually received a double portion which went to his sons: Manasseh and Ephraim

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The first column of boxes from top to bottom is: Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Manasseh, Dan, Benjamin, Judah, Simeon
The second column of boxes top to bottom is: Dan, Manasseh, Issachar, Gad, Ephraim, Reuben
There were 6 cities designated as cities of refuge (Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth-gilead, Golan (Josh 20:1-9).
The Levites received 48 cities - note that the cities of Refuge were also Levitical cities.

The three major highways are from left to right: The Way of the Sea (also known as the Via Maris) - it was the coastal plain highway. The highway going south from the Dead Sea is know as the Way of the Red Sea. The furthest eastern highway on the map is The King's Highway, one of the most notable and famous of the caravan routes through the Bible lands.

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What vegetation is mentioned? forests, wooded hills (different translations may render differently)
What trees are mentioned - acacia, almond, apple/apricot, palm, cedars, cypress
Return to Index

LESSON 6: The Period of the Judges (about 1370-1030 B.C.)
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1. B - Othniel was the first judge of Israel (Judges 3:9). He was Caleb's younger brother. His name means "force of God.'
2. Deborah was the fourth and only female judge (Judges 4:4-5) F. LaGard Smith: "...when a woman, Deborah, led Israel as one of the judges, her message was one of rebuke, aimed at the men of Israel who had reneged on their leadership responsibility." (Cultural Church, pg. 83)
3. E - Samuel was the last judge. He annointed Saul the first king over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1, 17-24)
4. B - Othniel was the nephew of Caleb (Judges 3:9)
5. C - Ehud (Judges 3:15-22)
6. C - Shamgar (Judges 3:31). An ox goad often measured upwards of ten feet in length. At one end was an iron spear, and at the other a piece of the same metal flattened. One can well understand how a warrior might use such a weapon with effect in the battlefield" (Porter's Syria).
7. Deborah and Samuel were both judges and prophets (see 1 Sam 3:20)
8. A - Gideon (Judges 7:20)
9. C - Samson (Judges 16:5)
10. A - Eli (1 Sam 2:22-24)
11. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jepththah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson, Eli, Samuel. Abimelech is not included as he acted more as an oppressor than a judge. This issue will be part of a class discussion.
(1, 12, 9, 4, 13, 5, 14, 6, 2, 3, 11, 8, 10, 7)

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Abimelech, though indicated as a judge in many works, was more like an oppressor of God's people than a judge. He declared himself king (Hebrew melek) (Judges 9:18, 22) but is not generally accepted as a genuine king of God's people because of the way he took control and the limited number of followers. Consider the following reasons to view Abimelech as an oppressor:

- hired worthless fellows
- killed his own brothers
- was against Gideon's house
- received an evil spirit sent by God
- God repaid the wickednessof Abimelech

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1 - Othniel
2 - Ehud
3 - Shamgar
4 - Deborah (note that the Canaanites may have been a general term for the foreign people surrounding Israel)
5 - Gideon (the Midianites and the Amalekites joined forces in attacking God's people)
6 - Jephthah
7 - Samson (Though other judges judged during this period, Samson is typically given credit for the overthrow of the Philistine oppression.)

God allowed the oppression of His people whenever they were disobedient to Him. While there are many verses which explain this, see Judges 10:10-13.

Deborah was a faithful Israelite. She served God when others apparently would not. God chose her to be a judge perhaps as a lesson to the men of Israel who were fearful and timid. See 1 Cor. 16:13 which conveys the importance of strong spiritual leadership.

More About the Judges
Othniel: After crying to the Lord for deliverance, the Lord raised up Othniel as deliverer. He was the first judge of Israel and was the nephew of Caleb (Judg. 3:9). Othniel fought the Mesopotamian King Chushanrishathaim and prevailed against him. (Judg. 3:10). Othniel judged for 40 years (Judg. 3:11).

Ehud: Ehud, the second judge of Israel, was the son of the Benjamite Gera. He killed King Eglon of the Moabites with a dagger which he plunged so deeply into the belly of the fat King Eglon that he could not withdraw it (Judg. 3:15-22). Ehud then rallied the people of God who slew 10,000 of their oppressors and restored their freedom (Judg. 3:28-29). Under the judgeship of Ehud Israel had rest for 80 years (Judg. 3:30). Ehud was left-handed.

Shamgar: Shamgar, the son of Anath, was the third judge of Israel. He overthrew the Philistine oppression by killing 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Judg. 3:31).

Deborah: Deborah was the fourth judge of Israel. She was a prophetess and the wife of Lapidoth (Judg. 4:4). Deborah's home was between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim (Judg. 4:5). Deborah called upon Barak to lead the armies of God's people against Sisera and his Canaanite oppressors near the Kishon River (Judg. 4:6-7). Barak with 10,000 men attacked the Canaanites near the Kishon River. Sisera fled on foot but was killed by Jael who drove a tent nail into his head (Judg. 4:14-21). Under Deborah's judgeship, the land of Israel rested for 40 years (Judg. 5:31).

Gideon: While under Midianite oppression, Gideon was chosen by the Lord as the next judge and deliverer. Gideon was threshing wheat when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and informed him he would be the next deliverer (Judg. 6:11-14). Gideon began to make excuses, arguing that he was from a poor family and was the least in his father's house (Judg. 6:15). Needing to be convinced that he was the one chosen of God as deliverer, Gideon asked for a sign not once, but three times (Judg. 6:17,36-40). Gideon died of old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites (Judg. 8:32)

Abimelech*: Unlike the other oppressions which came upon the Israelites from foreign nations, the oppression of Abimelech came from within the very family of the Israelites. Abimelech was but one of Gideon's 70 sons which he had with many wives (Judg. 8:30-31; Judg. 9:18). After Gideon's death, the Israelites "went a whoring after Baalim" and turned to idolatry (Judg. 8:33). Abimelech, desirous of complete control and power, killed his 70 brothers except for Jotham who had hidden himself from the slaughter (Judg. 9:5). Upon the death of his brothers, Abimelech became king in Shechem. His reign lasted for three years (Judg. 9:22). Abimelech was killed when a woman dropped a millstone on his head from a tower in the city of Thebez which Abimelech was besieging. Mortally wounded by the blow to his head, Abimelech asked his armor-bearer to kill him lest it be said that a woman had killed him. Abimelech's armor-bearer obliged him and Abimelech died (Judg. 9:52-54). Judge Tola arose to defend Israel after the death of Abimelech (Judg. 10:1).
*(not in our estimation a judge, but an oppressor of God's people)

Tola: Upon the death of Abimelech, Tola, the son of Puah became judge of Israel. He dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim (Judg. 10:1). Tola judged Israel for 23 years. He then died and was buried in Shamir (Judg. 10:2).

Jair: Jair became judge after Tola (Judg. 10:3). The exact dating of the period of the judges is uncertain. There is some indication in the chronology that Tola and Jair judged concurrently for about 15 years. Jair judged Israel for 22 years (Judg. 10:3). He had 30 sons which occupied 30 cities which collectively are called Havothjair (hamlets of Jair) in the land of Gilead. When Jair died he was buried in Camon (Judg. 10:4-5).

Jephthah: Jephthah, a mighty man of valor, was the son of Gilead (Judg. 11:1). Banished by his brothers because he was born of a harlot, Jephthah lived in the land of Tob where he gathered around him vain men (Judg. 11:3). When the Ammonites warred against Israel, the elders of Gilead sought out Jephthah to be their captain in battle against the Ammonites. Jephthah agreed to lead the Israelite armies in exchange for the leadership role over the people (Judg. 11:6-9,11). Jephthah judged Israel for 6 years after which he died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead (Judg. 12:7).

Ibzan: Ibzan was born and was buried in Bethlehem. He judged Israel for 7 years. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters. He sent his daughters abroad, and took in 30 daughters from abroad for his 30 sons (Judg. 12:8-10)

Elon: Elon was a Zebulonite. He judged Israel for 10 years. After his death he was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun (Judg. 12:11-12).

Abdon: Abdon was the son of Hillel and a Pirathonite (Pirathon was in Ephraim). He judged Israel for 8 years. Upon his death he was buried in Pirathon in the mount of the Amalekites (Judg. 12:13-15).

Samson: Samson was the son of Manoah and was a Nazarite from birth (Judg. 13:2-5). Manoah's wife was barren, but the Lord sent an angel informing her that she would bear a son who would begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines (Judg. 13:3-5,24). Samson took as a wife a woman he had seen in Timnath - a daughter of the Philistines (Judg. 14:1-2,15). During his life Samson had many skirmishes with the Philistines, killing many of them (Judg. 15:15). Samson fell in love with Delilah, a woman from the valley of Sorek (Judg. 16:4) who conspired with the Philistines to learn the secret of Samson's strength (Judg. 16:5-19). Weak when his God-given strength left him because his head had been shorn, the Philistines took Samson and put out his eyes and brought him to Gaza where they bound him and forced him to grind in the prison house (Judg. 16:21). The Philistines gathered to offer sacrifices to their god Dagon and celebrate deliverance from Samson. They called for Samson, so as to make sport of him in his weakened and blind condition. They set him between the pillars of the house in which all the lords of the Philistines were gathered. Samson called upon the Lord for strength and then pushed the pillars causing the house to collapse. In so doing, Samson died, but killed more that day then he had during his entire life (Judg. 16:23-30).

Eli: The Bible is silent about the early life of Eli. When we are first introduced to him he is a priest who confirms that the Lord will answer Hannah's plea for a child. The child born to Hannah is Samuel (1 Sam. 1:9-20). Eli's sons (Hophni and Phinehas) were wicked, causing the Lord's people to sin (1 Sam. 1:3; 1 Sam. 2:12,22-24). Because of Eli's wicked sons and because Eli did not restrain them, the Lord promised to purge the evil from Israel (1 Sam. 3:11-14). Eli's sons were killed and Eli himself died when he fell over backwards off his seat and broke his neck upon hearing that the ark of the Lord had been taken by the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:11-18).

Samuel: Samuel was a prophet and judge, the son of Hannah and Elkanah (1 Sam. 1:8, 20; 1 Sam. 2:21; 1 Sam. 7:15) and righteous in the sight of the Lord (1 Sam. 2:26; 1 Sam. 7:6). The Lord called to Samuel on three occasions one night, but Samuel thought it was Eli that called. Eli, perceiving that Samuel was being called by the Lord, told him to ask the Lord to speak when he called him again (1 Sam. 3:4-9). The message of the Lord to Samuel was that Eli and his family line would come to an end because of their sin (1 Sam. 3:11-14). Samuel convinced the Israelites to abandon their idolatrous worship and return to the Lord (1 Sam. 7:3-4). Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel (1 Sam. 10:1,17-24; 1 Sam. 15:1). The Bible tells us that Samuel was the last judge in Israel (Acts 13:20-21).
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LESSON 7: The United Kingdom of Israel - Part 1
Page 27
1. This question may generate some discussion. As noted in our last lesson, Abimelech elevated himself to king (Hebrew melek, see Judges 9:6,22). Whether he should be considered the first king is debatable. Even more compelling is 1 Sam.8:7 wherein we learn that God is and was the first king of Israel. The first human king, chosen by God and acceptable to all the people of Israel was Saul, Hence, "C" - Saul was the first king. He was of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 11:15)
2. So they might "be like the nations" that surrounded them and were ruled by kings (1 Sam. 8:4-5)
3. Saul was head and shoulders above the other men of his nation (i.e. tall in stature)
4. Saul did at least two things that caused him to lose th kingdom: a) he offered a burnt offering at Gilgal (1 Sam. 13:12-14) and b) he spared the Amalekites despite instructions to utterly destroy them (1 Sam 15:3, 8-9, 13, 26)
5. A, B, and C - most people know about David and Saul, but many overlook Ishbosheth (a son of Saul) who reigned for 2 years (2 Sam. 4:11)
6. B and C - see 2 Sam 5:7, 1 Sam 20:6 and Luke 2:4
7. B the Gihon Spring. The name "Gihon" literally means "gushing" so letter D might also be considered a correct answer.
8. E - the Jebusites (see 2 Sam 5:8; Judges 19:10-11; 1 Chron 11:4-7)
9. A - Joab was apparently the first to enter the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and so received the honor (1 Chron 11:6)
10. B - about 1000 B.C.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, could trace her lineage through Nathan to David, while Joseph, Jesus' father, could trace his lineage through Solomon to David.

Page 28
(Note: review the attacks on Israel from Ammon and the Philistines, and Saul's attacks on Zobah, Ammon, Moab, the Philistines and on Amalek mentioned in the listed verses).

The first mention that Saul's kingdom would not persist relates to Saul's sin in offering the burnt offering (1 Sam 13:12-14). His failure to utterly destroy the Amalekites occurred later, leading most to surmise that the decision had already been made by God after the first act of disobedience.

The name of the Ammonite who camped against Jabesh-gilead was Nahash (1 Sam 11:1)

The Ammonite agreed to make a covenant with the men of Jabesh-gilead if they agreed to put out their right eyes (1 Sam. 11:2).

Page 29
Apparently Israel was a divided kingdom for 2 years during the early years of David's reign. Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, ruled from Mahanaim (2 Sam 2:8-10) while David ruled from Hebron (2 Sam 2:11). Later, David moved the center of power to Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:5-10).

Note that David drove the Philistines into a very small parcel of land (2 Sam 5:25)

Millo - means "fill" and was a rampart comprised of two walls with the space between them filled in. Apparently they were part of the fortifications of the city of Jerusalem.

Tsinnor - Hebrew word meaning "gutter" or "water shaft" (2 Sam 5:8; 1 Chron 11:6). This "shaft" apparently played a significant role in David's taking of the city of Jerusalem. See the next page for details.

Page 30
The overconfident Jebusites, so convinced their city impregnable, said to David and his men that "you will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." (2 Sam 5:6).

Joab went up first into the city via the "water shaft" thus receiving the honor of being the chief of David's forces (1 Chron 11:6).

Warren's Shaft, named after the British engineer Charles Warren who discovered it, has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation and debate. Until recently, it was suggested that the "gutter" or "water shaft" (Heb. tsinnor) mentioned in the Bible (2 Sam. 5:8; 1 Chron. 11:6) was Warren's Shaft and was the means whereby Joab and David's forces entered and captured the ancient city from the Jebusites (c. 1000 B.C.). However, much debate has centered on the dating of the water system and whether Warren's Shaft was ever really part of the water system. Recent excavations suggest that the shaft - a natural fissure - was discovered well after David's victory, when the curved tunnel was deepened (c. 800-700 B.C.). Therefore, the references to a "water shaft" or "gutter" likely refer to something other than Warren's Shaft. Further evidence suggests that Warren's Shaft may have never been a part of the water system because the shaft itself has natural protrusions which makes lowering and raising a bucket nearly impossible, and because the depth of the spring at the bottom of the shaft is too shallow to allow a bucket to fill with water. It is therefore more likely that the "water shaft" was the shaft about the pool in the illustration. How Joab and David's men got up the shaft continues to be a matter of debate.

The Gihon Spring is referred to in Nehemiah 2:13 as the Dragon Well (KJV, NASV, ). Other translations render it Jackal Well or Serpent Well.
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Page 32
- The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream.
- Solomon sent laborers to cut trees in the area of Lebanon
- Solomon made fortified walls in the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, and Jerusalem
- Solomon chose wives from Egypt, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Sidon (Zidonians) and and from among the Hittites

NOTE: King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26).

Page 33
The Temple was approximately 3,500 square feet (60 cubits long -- 60 x 20.5 =1230 inches/12 = 102.5 feet) (20 cubits wide -- 20 x 20.5 = 410 inches/12 = 34.16 feet) 102.5 feet x 34.16 feet = 3,502 square feet.

Solomon's palace was approximately 14,592 square feet (100 cubits long -- 100 x 20.5 = 2,050 inches/12 = 170.83 feet) (50 cubits wide -- 50 x 20.5 = 1025 inches/12 = 85.42 feet) 170.83 feet x 85.42 feet = 14,592 square feet.

Page 34
- Solomon began to build the temple in the 4th year of his reign. He built it the month of Zif which was the second month of the sacred year and the 8th month of hte civil year which according to our calendar is about April/May.
- It took Solomon 7 years to build the temple
- It took Solomon 13 years to build his palace.

NOTE: David was the one who wanted to build the temple (1 Chron 28:1-3) but was prevented by the Lord from doing so because he had been a man of war and had shed blood. David was, however, inspired by the Lord to write out the plans for the building of the temple (1 Chron 28:9-19).

Boaz: Meaning "in it is strength," Boaz was the name of one of the freestanding brass pillars which stood in front of the porch. The pillars were hollow castings 18 cubits (27 feet) high, 12 cubits (18 feet) in circumference. The intricately decorated capitals were 5 cubits high (7 1/2 feet) (1 Kings 7:15-22; 2 Chron. 3:15-17; 2 Chron. 4:11-13). The invading Babylonians broke the pillars into pieces and carried the brass to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13).

Jachin: Meaning "he shall establish." Jachin was the name of one of the freestanding brass pillars which stood in front of the porch. The pillars were hollow castings 18 cubits high (27 feet), 12 cubits (18 feet) in circumference. The intricately decorated capitals were 5 cubits (7 1/2 feet) high (1 Kings 7:15-22; 2 Chron. 3:15-17; 2 Chron. 4:11-13). The invading Babylonians broke the pillars into pieces and carried the brass to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13).

It is generally accepted that Solomon wrote all or parts of the following books: Psalms (72 and 127), Proverbs (many of which he wrote but also apparently compiled from other writers as well - Eccles 12:9), Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes.
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LESSON 9: The Divided Kingdom - Part 1: Israel & Judah
Page 35
1. B - Shechem. It was at Shechem that God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's offspring (Gen.12:6-7).
2. They asked that Rehoboam reduce the tax burden which had been a grevious yoke under Solomon
3. B - Egypt (1 Kings 11:40 tells us that Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam so Jeroboam fled to Egypt)
4. Rehoboam followed the counsel of the young men and added to their burden (1 Kings 12:8, 14)
5. Two things brought about the division of the kingdom
- Solomon's sin (1 Kings 11:4-13, 32, 36)
- Rehoboam's decision to increase the burden was a catalyst for the division God had already intended
6. A - Judah and B - Benjamin (1 Kings 11:13, 32, 36 and 1 Kings 12:20 all say that one tribe, Judah, would remain with Rehoboam, however, 1 Kings 12: 21 says that Rehoboam assembled the tribe of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel. Note that Jerusalem sits on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Also note that 1 Kings 11:31, 35 say that ten tribes would be part of the northern kingdom. Simeon had apparently already been absorbed by Judah, so Judah and Benjamin formed the southern kingdom, leaving the following ten tribes to form the northern kingdom: Dan, Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Asher, Gad , and Reuben and a portion of the Levites who eventually began to move south into the southern kingdom).
7. A - Shechem (1 Kings 12:25)
8. B - Bethel and D - Dan
9. A - 0
10. B - Shechem, followed later by Tirzah and then Samaria (1 Kings 12:25; 15:33; 16:29)
11. E - Jerusalem (David had reigned earlier in Hebron before moving the capital to Jerusalem - 2 Sam 5:5)

Page 36
Solomon, the wisest man, turned from God and did many things which led to the breakup of the kingdom:
- He loved/married foreign women 1 Kings 11:2
- He turned to idolatry 1 Kings 11:5
- He did not follow the Lord fully 1 Kings 11:6
- His heart was turned away from God 1 Kings 11:9
- He did not observe what the Lord commanded 1 Kings 11:10

Some discussion is possible regarding the number of tribes that comprised the northern and southern kingdoms. The Bible is clear that 10 ten tribes would comprise the northern kingdom and one tribe would comprise the southern kingdom (1 Kings 11:29-40). Simeon whose land was in the midst of Judah was likely already assimilated into Judah. Benjamin, sided with Judah and was also assimilated into the kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:21). It should also be noted that the tribe of Levi had no land, but did possess cities throughout the land. In the separation of the northern and southern kingdoms, the lion-share of the Levites were initially part of the northern kingdom, but began to move southward over time. 2 Chronicles indicates that the Levites were driven out of the Northern Kingdom (2 Chron.13:9). Thus, it is thought they made their way southward to the Kingdom of Judah.

While it is true that the division of the kingdom was a fulfillment of prophecy, 2 Chronicles 13 seems to make it clear that the rebellion was sinful. God will allow sinful men to engage in sinful acts to fulfill his will. There were those who lived in the northern kingdom who were obedient and righteous (note for instance Obadiah in 1 Kings 18:3-4).

Page 37
The Nature of False Religion
- Jeroboam set up golden calves in Bethel and in Dan
- The two locations suggest that Jeroboam was trying to make worship easy. Why travel to Jerusalem (the site God had chosen for worship) when these two locations were closer?
- Jeroboam's religion was "devised in his own heart" -- it was a religion of man's conception, not God's
- The motive behind Jeroboam's religion was to gain followers -- much like the motive behind religions today, where numbers are more important than doctrine
- The appeal was convenience
- Jeroboam's religion was "like the feast" -- in other words it was a clever forgery made to look like the real thing
- The prophecy against the religion was that a man by the name of Josiah would sacrifice the false priests on the altar and then the altar would be split apart and the ashes on it poured out. Jeroboam began to reign about 930 B.C. and Josiah became king about 640 B.C., so the prophecy was fulfilled nearly 300 years later (2 Kings 23:16-17).

Page 38
1. E - 13 (In addition to the 13 murdered, 2 were killed in battle, 5 more were taken prisoner by enemy kings-- a very sad period for God's people)
2. We would be able to read more about the acts of the kings except that the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah and the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel have been lost. Note also 1 Chronicles 29:29 which makes reference to other lost records. Some have suggested that the Chronicles mentioned above are the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles. However, there is no mention whatsoever of Nadab in 1st and 2nd Chronicles, yet 1 Kings 15:31 says the Chronicles of the kings of Israel contain the rest of the acts of Nadab.
3. No - 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God has provided all that pertains to life and godliness.
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LESSON 10: The Divided Kingdom - Part 2: The Prophets
Page 39
1. A - Elijah
2. B - Elisha
3. D - Jonah
4. B - overripe fruit (summer fruit., ripe fruit)
5. C - Joel
6. E - Hosea
7. D - Isaiah
8. B - Micah
9. B - Nineveh
10. A - Hezekiah
11. E - Jeremiah
12. C - Habakkuk
13. E - Daniel
14. B, C, D
15. A - Edom
16. A - Haggai
17. B - Zechariah (C-Haggai could also be selected because after Haggai's anger, he encouraged as well).
18. C - Malachi

Page 40
1. The terms "major" and "minor" refers to the length of the books and not the importance. The preserved works of the minor prophets are shorter in length than the preserved works of the major prophets.
2. The test of a prophet is whether or not his prophecy was fulfilled.

NOTE: Jeremiah prophecied that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years (Jer. 25:11). The beginning of the seventy years is typically viewed as beginning in 606 B.C. when the the first group of captives were taken. Amongst this first group was Daniel and his friends. The city of Jerusalem was later leveled by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. when the rest of God's people were taken captive. The chart on this page shows the final destruction of Jerusalem even though captivity for some began as early as 606 B.C. The 70 years is reckoned from 606 B.C. to the first return which was in 536 B.C. with other returning captives later. For clarification on the dates of the captivity and return see pages 50 and 53.

Page 41
1. Elijah was a Tishbite - hence, from Tishbe
2. Elijah went and hid by the brook Cherith also known as the Yabis River which flowed into the Jordan River from the east. It was about 5 miles north of Tishbe.
3. The widow lived in Zarephath (also known as Misrephoth-maim). The town sat on the coast of the Great Sea in Asher.
4. The showdown occurred on Mt. Carmel. Mt. Carmel (1791 feet, 546 m) is actually a mountain ridge running 12 miles inland from the Great Sea. It was known for its dense vegetation. The Hebrew word karmel means "fruitful land."
5. The prophets of Baal were killed by the Brook Kishon
6. Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, threatened Elijah. Her threat had to be taken seriously as she had already killed many prophets.
7. Elijah fled to Beer-sheba
8. Elijah fled to Mt. Horeb which is thought to have been a lower part or peak of Mt. Sinai.
9. Elijah was seen by these four men at the Transfiguration as recorded in Matt 17:2-3: Jesus, Peter, James, and John.

Page 42
The location of Tarshish is unknown. Some have suggested that Tarshish was "Tartassus" on the coast of Spain. However a Mediterranean location seems unlikely as Solomon built ships at Ezion-geber that were bound for Tarshish ( 2 Chron 20:36). Ezion-geber is at the tip of the Gulf of Akaba (Aqaba) which leads many to conclude that Tarshish was in India.

1. It is likely Jonah came from Geth-hepher ( 2 Kings 14:25)
2. God wanted Jonah to preach to in Nineveh
3. Jonah fled to Joppa and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish ( it is thought the ship would have sailed westward out of the Great Sea and then turned southward to India -- the presumed location of Tarshish.
4. Jonah's statement that the city of Nineveh required 3 days to cross (Jonah 3:3) is explained when one realizes that the Hebrews as well as other foreigners included a "grouping" of other cities under the name Nineveh. These cities were Calah (18 miles south), Resen which was located between Calah and Nineveh, and Rehoboth-Ir west of the Nineveh. These cities are mentioned in Genesis (Gen. 10:11-12) and Jonah (Jonah 1:2; Jonah 3:7; Jonah 4:11) as constituting the "great city" of Nineveh. It is thought that Nineveh was settled around 6000 B.C. by Asshur (Gen. 10:11). The name "Nineveh" may come from the word "Nina" (river goddess) or "Ninuwa;" the name appears in ancient cuneiform texts as well as in the Bible. The cuneiform symbol for the word is a fish in an enclosure.

NOTE: Locate on the inset map "Nebi Yunus." Tradition holds that Jonah is buried here. The name "Nebi Yunus" means "mound of the prophet Jonah." Return to Index

LESSON 11: The Fall & Captivity of Israel
Page 43
1. B - Assyrian
2. A - Pul and B - Tiglath-pileser are both correct as they are the same person.
3. A - Pekah
4. D - Ahaz
5. Ahaz requested that Tiglath-pileser deliver Judah from the coalition. In return for deliverance Ahaz promised to pay for the deliverance from the treasuries of the king's house.
6. C - Damascus
7. A - Hoshea
8. E - Egypt (King So)
9. B - Samaria
10. C - 3 years
11. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
12. B - Samaritans

Page 44
1. King Rezin of Syria formed a coalition with Pekah of Israel
2. Rezin was killed in Damascus (2 Kings 16:9)
3. Reuben, Gad, Manasseh - 1 Chron. 5:26

Page 45
1. The three kings that troubled Israel and finally took the inhabitants captive were:
- Pul (Tiglath-pileser) - 2 Kings 15:19
- Shalmaneser - 2 Kings 17:3
- Sargon II - Isaiah 20:1
2. Hoshea
3. So, king of Egypt

Page 46
God allowed the destruction of Israel because Israel sinned against the Lord because they (2 Kings 17:7-18):
- feared other gods - vs.7
- walked in the customs of the nations - vs.8
- did things secretly which were not right - vs. 9
- built high places in all their towns - vs. 9
- set sacred pillars and Asherim (wooden symbols of female deity) on every hill and under every green tree - vs.10-11
- served idols - vs.12
- did not listen but stiffened their necks against the prophets - vs.14
- rejected statutes/covenants/warnings - followed vanity and became vain - vs.15
- made their sons/daughters pass through fire/practiced divination/enchantments/sold themselves - vs. 17
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LESSON 12: The Fall & Captivity of Judah
Page 47
1. B - Hezekiah
2. A, B, C, D, and E - see 29:3, 5, 15, 19; 21:21f
3. A, B, C, D, and E - while many scoffed, there were some from all five tribes who eventually came to Jerusalem.
4. C - 14
5. A - Manasseh. The Bible says of Manasseh that he seduced God's people "to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed" (2 Kings 21:9) and that he instituted human sacrifice (2 Chron 33:6-10). Despite these great evils, Manasseh later in life while in captivity, finally repented of his sins (2 Chron 33:12-13). Manasseh is considered a bad king for his rule and rebellion against God. However, there is a great lesson for us in Manasseh: even the most vile and evil can find repentance if they truly humble themselves.
6. B - Hinnom -- This valley located on the south side of the city of Jerusalem is often referred to as the valley of the son of Hinnom. The valley is associated with the worship of Molech and later may have been the place where the corpses of animals and criminals were burned. The name of the valley may be synonymous with "hell," as the Hebrew phrase "ge" (valley of) and "hinnom" become the Greek word "geenna" otherwise known as "Gehenna." (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3; 2 Chron. 33:6; Jer. 7:31-32)
7. A and E
8. B - Nebuchadnezzar
9. To serve the king of Babylon - Jer.27:17. Rather than fighting against the will of God, God's people should accept their punishment for their sin. It is interesting to note the use of the Hebrew word owlam which is translated everlasting, forever, or perpetual in Jeremiah 25:9. Whether the term is used of the duration of the captivity (70 years Jer. 25:11) or of the Babylonian empire (which was destroyed by the Persians in 535 BC) it is interesting to note that it does not mean eternal. This helps us understand that when the Bible uses the terms "forever" or "everlasting" or "perpetual" it may mean something less than "eternal." The context of any such statements, then, must be considered to understand the meaning of the word.

Page 48
1. Hezekiah built up the walls, raised up towers, repaired the Millo (rampart), made darts and shields in abundance and change the water course bringing water from the Gihon Spring into the city to the Pool of Siloam.
2. Lachish - 2 Kings 18:14
3. Aramaic
4. Isaiah
5. The Lord delivered Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem when an angel killed 185,000 of the Assyrian army. Sennacherib immediately departed for home in shame where he was killed by his own sons while he worshipped his false god.

Page 50
1. Jehoiakim
2. Daniel, the prophet, was carried away in the first captivity. No king was carried away -- there is a misprint in the question #2 which will be corrected in future printings. It is estimated that Daniel was about 17 years of age when taken into captivity.
3. Zedekiah
4. Nebuchadnezzar slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his eyes and then blinded Zedekiah and took him captive to Babylon. Additionally, Nebuchadnezzar burned all of Jerusalem and the Temple and took all the Temple vessels to Babylon.
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LESSON 13: Captivity and Return
Page 51
1. Yes - see Joshuah 21:43-45. Though God fulfilled his promise, He also was clear that punishment and captivity would occur if His people sinned
2. That He will bring them back from captivity - "they shall be gathered and be given the land of Israel"
3. Isaiah lived and prophecied about 763-700 B.C.
4. Cyrus -- this prophecy occurred about 200 years before its fulfillment
5. God's people were to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the house of the Lord and that every survivor was to support the effort by a free-will offering of silver and gold.
6. A, C, and E
7. C - Zerubbabel (it is generally thought that Sheshbazzar was the Chaldean name given to Zerubbabel (see Ezra 1:8, 11; 5:14,16; Zech 4:9)
8. 42,360 people
9. That they had always been rebellious and if allowed to continue there would be no province beyond the river. (King Cambyses order the work on the Temple to stop. He later died of a self inflicted knife wound that occurred while he was mounting his horse.)
10. C - Darius of Persia -- he did so 16 years later
11. C - Xerxes (Ahasuerus is a title)
12. A - Ezra
13. B - Nehemiah -- this was 140 years after Zerubbabel had led the first group
14. A - 52 days
15. Nehemiah discovered that the Jews were marrying foreign woman and that they had defiled the priesthood
16. Malachi spoke harshly of the inferior sacrifices (blame, lame and sick animals) the people were offering. Later he spoke of a forerunner who would clear the way for the Messiah (John the baptizer).

Here is a synopsis of the historical events occurring in the timeframe of this lesson:

1. Cyrus defeats the Median Empire. The two join together becoming the Medo-Persian Empire.
2. Cyrus travels eastward and takes the Kingdom of Lydia.
3. Belshazzar sees the writing on the wall, and that very night Cyrus takes the city by diverting the Euphrates River and coming into the city under the walls. (Daniel 5:25-31)
4. GROUP #1: Cyrus allows the Jews to return and many do under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 536 B.C. (Vessels returned, free will offering given)
5. Cyrus dies
6. Cambyses takes throne and work on the temple stops (Ezra 4) because of the Jews' reputation of rebellion. No work is done for 16 years
7. Cambyses dies of self inflicted wound.
8. Darius comes to power - Haggai and Zechariah urge the Jews to continue rebuilding
9. The temple is finished 20 years after the work was begun.
10. Xerxes comes to power - this is the king of the book of Esther
11. Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes and Esther comes to power and allows Ezra to go to Jerusalem
12. GROUP #2 heads to Jerusalem
13. Thirteen years later we see Nehemiah as the cupbearer for Artaxerxes. He is distressed that Jerusalem still lays in ruins. It had been 140 years since Nebuchanezzar burned the city, and 90 years since Cyrus granted permission for the first Jews to go home. Nehemiah is given permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls
14. GROUP #3 heads to Jerusalem
15. The walls are rebuilt in 52 days, because the people had a mind to work
16. But the city did not prosper because the people again intermarried, the Sabbath was being ignored, Tobiah an enemy was given residence in one of the temple storerooms.
17. Malachi rebukes the people who are given the blind and lame as sacrifices to God.
18. 400 years of silence follow until the events of the NT begin.

Page 52
1. Belshazzar and his party guests drank from the golden vessels which had been taken from the temple.
2. Fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall.
3. Daniel was brought to interpret the inscription
4. MENE -- "God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it"
TEKEL -- "you have been weighed on scales and found deficient"
UPHARSIN -- "your kingdom divided and given to the Medes and Persians
5. Darius the Mede received the kingdom from Cyrus

Page 53
1. Zerubbabel built an altar to the God of Israel
2. a) study the law b) practice it c) teach it
3. Nehemiah sat down and wept and mourned for days. Note that the walls are still in ruins 90 years after Cyrus granted permission for hte Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Page 54
If you have been quizzing students periodically about the location of key cities, nations, seas, rivers, and mountains, then use page 54 to have students answer 20 questions.
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