Week 7

Questions to keep in mind while reading (and note that the focus question for your group will appear on your discussion board page)

Read Chapter 7 of TIOT, pages 215-252

  1. (TIOT 215) "How is the covenant community of the people of God to understand itself when it must accommodate to a kingship that borrows much of its trappings from surrounding Canaanite culture? How is the reign of earthly kings to be understood in the light of the sovereignty of God?"
  2. What is significant about the story of the formation of the kingship in Israel that it should begin in 1 Samuel 1 with the story of a barren woman's tears? (TIOT 223f)
  3. The stories of the first king of Israel and its most beloved king are recounted in our Bible in books that are entitled "1 and 2 SAMUEL." Why "Samuel"? Samuel does not even appear in 2 Samuel! Why might this titling be theologically appropriate?
  4. (TIOT 234) "The clash between Samuel and Saul is a conflict of older and emerging views on how God is at work in Israel." What are the “older and emerging views on how God is at work” among us today of which we should be aware? (focus for Deuteronomy Group)
  5. Israel wants a king despite the problems it seems to pose. Should they have requested a democracy? Keeping in mind the theological issues raised with kingship, what theological implications does a democracy pose? (focus for Numbers Group)
  6. (TIOT 240) "The tension between conditional and unconditional promise is a struggle at the heart of Israel's life." How is this struggle experienced today for you?
  7. (TIOT 240) "The text here reflects the tension in Israel between the freedom of God expressed in the mobility of the ark and tent, and the fixity (even the possession of God represented in a temple." Is such a tension experienced in Christian churches today? (focus for Joshua Group)
  8. (TIOT 241) "Those who see only self-serving political interest here may see in 2 Samuel 7 the attempt of earthly power to justify itself by appeal to divine authority." Could such a thing be true?!? What sort of critique of the political authority is possible if it has cloaked itself with divine blessing? In ancient Israel? Today?
  9. All in all, was Solomon a good or successful ruler of Israel?

 

I realize it is a lot of reading, but it truly is worthwhile to read all of 1 and 2 Kings. (Try to skim through any of the lists and inventories, etc.)

This week I am going to use or adapt questions from Bandstra's "Reading the OT" site ( http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/RTOT/CH8/SG/SG.HTM )

Questions for Reading Comprehension

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

Questions for Reflection

  1. Review the concept of the Davidic covenant (see chapter 8 Samuel) and explain its relevance to the history of kingship.
  2. What are the parallels between the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha? What are the parallels 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?
  4. What basic theological contradiction is involved in the construction of the temple that Solomon directly addresses in his (long-winded) prayer of dedication in 1 Kings 8.22-53? Is this still an issue in contemporary religious expressions? (focus for Genesis Group)
  5. David and Solomon are running against Bush and Kerry! For whom would you vote and why? (focus for Leviticus Group)
  6. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah has his contest with the priests of Baal. It is hardly a matter of religious tolerance! How should or should not this account figure into our discussions regarding religious tolerance today? (focus for Exodus Group)