For Further Study

Chapter 9 Bibliography. See Part 2 Bibliography for general works on the Deuteronomistic History.

Questions for Review

1. Briefly describe the course of Israel's history from the Unified Monarchy, through the division into two kingdoms and down to the fall of each kingdom.
2. Why did the Deuteronomistic Historian criticize the Northern Kingdom of Israel more severely than the Southern Kingdom of Judah?
3. What prophetic figures appeared in the books of Kings, and what was their role within Israelite society?
4. What was the nature of the religious challenge facing Yahwism in Israel during the time of the kings?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Review the concept of the Davidic covenant (see Chapter 8.3) and explain its relevance to the history of kingship.
2. What are the parallels between the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha? Between Elijah and Moses? Between Elijah and Jesus in the New Testament? What is the significance of parallels between the lives of significant biblical figures?
3. Compare and contrast the histories of Israel and Judah. What are the differing attitudes of the writer to the kingdoms? Although both kingdoms were destroyed by Mesopotamian empires, Judah survived in some form. Why did it survive? What lessons of history are to be learned from the disasters?

Chapter 9 Study Guide

• Chapter summary
• Key terms linked to the glossary
• Concept questions with answer links
• Progress tests: true/false, multiple choice, matching, and identification