Bible History: From Moses to Herod - Key Figures and Events

Who became the leader of Israel after Moses died?

Joshua

What river did Joshua and the Israelites cross to enter the Promised Land?

The Jordan River

What caused the Jordan River to stop flowing as Israel crossed?

The presence of the Ark of the Covenant

What city did Joshua first attack in the Promised Land?

Jericho

What ritual action caused the walls of Jericho to fall?

Marching around the city 7 times and blowing the shofar (ram's horn)

What was 'The Ban'?

A ritual style of killing where all inhabitants were killed except Rahab

Among whom did Joshua divide the Promised Land?

The 12 Tribes of Israel

What happened when Joshua died?

Israel was left without leadership and fell into sin

What recurring cycle appears in the Book of Judges?

1) Israel sins 2) God corrects 3) Israel repents 4) God forgives

Who was the fourth and most famous judge?

Deborah

Name three other judges besides Deborah.

Gideon, Jephthah, Samson

When did the era of Judges occur?

Approx. 1240 BC - 1040 BC

Who filled the leadership void after the judges?

Samuel (judge/priest)

Who was the first king of a united Israel?

Saul

What tribe was Saul from?

Benjamin

Who replaced Saul after he fell out of God's favor (temporarily)?

Ish-bosheth, appointed by Abner

Which tribe rejected Ish-bosheth and chose its own king?

Judah

Who became king after winning the war against Ish-bosheth?

David

What is David most famous for before becoming king?

Killing Goliath

What were David's major achievements as king?

Centralized worship/government in Jerusalem, brought the Ark to Jerusalem, planned the Temple, wrote the Book of Psalms

What serious sin did David commit?

Adultery with Bathsheba and arranging Uriah's death

How did God punish David after Uriah's death?

A threefold curse—many of David's children died

Who was chosen to build the Temple instead of David?

Solomon

Who were David's key ancestors?

Father: Jesse, Great-grandmother: Ruth, Great-great-grandmother: Rahab

Who anointed Solomon as king?

The prophet Nathan

What kind of ruler was Solomon known as?

Political, shrewd, wealthy, and wise

Name the three books traditionally attributed to Solomon.

Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes

What major structure did Solomon build?

The First Temple

Who became king after Solomon died?

Rehoboam

Why did the northern tribes revolt?

High taxes

What year did Israel split into two kingdoms?

922 BC

Who ruled the northern kingdom (Israel)?

Jeroboam

Who ruled the southern kingdom (Judah)?

Rehoboam

Where were the rival temples built in the north?

Bethel and Dan

Which king worsened Israel's idolatry by marrying Jezebel?

Ahab

Why were prophets appointed in Israel?

To call the people back to God when they fell into idolatry

What miracle showdown happened on Mount Carmel?

Elijah vs. the priests of Baal

What did Elijah do before calling on God to consume the sacrifice?

He drenched the altar in water

How was Elijah taken into heaven?

In a chariot of fire

Who succeeded Elijah as prophet?

Elisha

What are the two types of prophets?

Writing prophets & Non-writing prophets

What are the two categories of Writing Prophets?

Major Prophets & Minor Prophets

Name the four Major Prophets.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel

Name any three Minor Prophets.

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Malachi, etc.

What issues did Amos preach against?

Mistreatment of the poor and empty religious formalism

Where was Jonah told to preach?

Nineveh

How did God redirect Jonah to obey?

A storm + being swallowed by a great fish for three days

What does Jonah's three days in the fish symbolize?

A prefiguration of Jesus' death and resurrection

When did the northern kingdom fall to Assyria?

722 BC

What group formed from intermarriage between Israelites and Assyrians?

The Samaritans

When did Babylon first sack Jerusalem?

597 BC

When was the Temple destroyed?

587 BC

What three groups were created after Babylon's conquest?

Poor left in Jerusalem, some fleeing to Egypt, skilled people taken to Babylon

What was the faithful group in Babylon called?

The Remnant

What system was created since the Temple was destroyed?

Synagogue worship

When were most Scriptures written down?

During the Babylonian Captivity

Who conquered Babylon and allowed Jews to return?

King Cyrus of Persia

What did the returning Jews begin to rebuild?

The Temple

What culture began influencing Israel around 175 BC?

Greek culture (Hellenization)

Who led the revolt against Greek rule?

Judas, Simon, and Jonathan Maccabee

What Jewish feast commemorates the Maccabean Revolt?

Hanukkah

Who later invaded Judea, ending Maccabean rule?

Pompey of Rome (63 BC)

Who became king under Rome?

Herod (37 BC)