Study Questions

1. How does the Luwian text of Katuwas compare to the building account of Solomon’s Temple in 1 Kings 4–10?
2. What is the purpose of Solomon’s Temple according to his prayer in 1 Kings 8?
3. What is the decision of Rehoboam that divides Solomon’s kingdom?
4. Who is the first successor of Rehoboam to do what is right before God?
5. What god does King Ahaziah of Israel seek to learn of his fate?
6. According to the Assyrian sources, how many thousands of people were in the city of Samaria when it fell to Assyria?
7. What sign did Hezekiah ask for to demonstrate that God would heal him?
8. Which of the last kings of Judah is released from prison in Babylon?
9. With whom does Isho’dad of Merv identify the lying spirit of 1 Kings 22?
10. Whose royal son did the Moabite ruler sacrifice in 2 Kings 3?
11. According to the Deuteronomistic History of Noth, why was Jerusalem destroyed and the line of Davidic kings ended?
12. What has been a popular development in theories of the Deuteronomistic History since Noth?
13. What does the portrayal of David in the opening verses of 1 Kings foreshadow?
14. How does Provan understand the plot of 1–2 Kings?
15. Bathsheba illustrates many roles of what type of figure?
16. Solomon’s provincial list of 1 Kings 4:7–19 has similarities to texts from what non-Israelite sites?
17. The parallels with Solomon’s Temple of recessed windows, two pillars at the entrance, three rooms, and multistory rooms around the three sides of the temple can be found at what other contemporary temple?
18. Which early king of the northern kingdom of Israel resembles aspects of Moses and Aaron?
19. As the story of Hezekiah shows, what is more important for security than wealth or arms?
20. The temple and Solomon’s dedicatory prayer envision what purpose beyond Israel?

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