Old Testament Test 1

In order to prepare for the exam, I suggest that you write a one paragraph summary
of each of the biblical books we have studied, and include an outline of the major
contents of the book. Before writing the summary, review notes you took during
lecture as you skim through the book. Prepare a summary of the main
characters/events/themes. Who are the central characters in each book? What are
the main events in each book?
Joshua,
Judges,
Ruth,
1 and 2 Samuel,
1 and 2 Kings,
1 and 2 Chronicles,
Ezra,
Nehemiah,
and Esther.
All of these books are part of the section we identify as the historical books in
English. In the Hebrew order of the Old Testament, some of the books are called the
former prophets (Nevim) while others are part of the Writings (Ketuvim)
Prophets (Nevim): Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings
Writings (Ketuvim): Ruth, Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther, 1& 2 Chronicles. Chronicles is the
last book in the Hebrew order.
Map Section- You need to know the main capital cities and regions. You should at
least be able to identify Jerusalem, Nineveh (capital of Assyria), and Babylon (capital
of Babylon). Where is Israel, and where is Judah? Where is the the Jordan river?
Where is Mesopotamia? You can find these places in the various maps in the
textbooks. Here is a link to Google earth- which will let you see the modern
environment of the region. Google Earth - Old Testament Geography. You can line
that up with these maps taken from the maps in the back of the ESV Study Bible.
Be able to place them on a map that looks like this:

Answer the following Questions to prepare:
What are the major events in the book of Joshua that we discussed in class? How
does Joshua enter the promise land? Who do the spies that are sent to Jericho meet
with? What happens at the river crossing? Who does Joshua meet with before the
battle of Jericho? Who does God save at Jericho? What is the first major failure of
the Israelite army at Ai, and why does it happen? Which group deceives the
Israelites? What is the main point of the speech that Joshua gives at the end of the
book? Does Joshua think the Israelites can keep their promise to be faithful to serve
the Lord?
Who are the judges? Retell the stories of Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.
Review the last verse in the book of Judges. What is the judges cycle?
How was Samuel born? What is significant about his mother’s poem? When Samuel
was first called by God, what did God tell him about Eli and his sons? What was the
problem with Eli and his two sons? What is the main point of 1st Samuel 8? Who was
the first king? How did he come to power? Who was the second king? How did he
come to power? Explain and understand the relationship between the first and
second kings. What was God’s promise to King David? What did King David wish to
do for the Lord, and what was the Lord’s response? (Did God want David to build a
temple?- who would build the temple?) What was David’s greatest sin? What did hedo? Who confronted him? What were the consequences of his sin? Who rebelled
against David and declared himself as king?
When (during what event or period) were the books of 1 and 2 Kings likely written?
Who is the traditional author of these books? What request did Solomon make of
the Lord in 1 Kings 3? What is Solomon’s downfall? What does Solomon’s son
Rehoboam do to cause trouble? What idolatrous action does Jeroboam do at the
beginning of his kingship? Who are the non-writing prophets and what is their role in
Kings? Are there any good kings in Israel? Were there any good kings in Judah? Are
the kings mostly good, or mostly wicked? What are some of the main events in
Elijah’s life? Who does Elijah confront on Mt. Carmel? Who are Ahab and Jezebel?
What nation destroys the northern kingdom of Israel? Who is the king in Jerusalem
when Assyrians put Jerusalem under siege in the time of Isaiah? What nation
destroys the temple in Jerusalem and brings the people into exile?
What is the main point or purpose of the books of Chronicles? What is the difference
in emphasis between 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 &2 Chronicles? How is the story of David
told differently? (and Solomon) What is the role of the temple and Passover in
Chronicles? What about King Manasseh is recorded differently in Chronicles than in
Kings? When was Chronicles authored? ( Is it written before the Babylonian Exile,
during the exile, or after the return from exile?)
When are Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther approximately written (during what part of
Israel’s history)? (pre-exilic or post-exilic)?
Who is Nehemiah? Who is Ezra? Who is Zerubbabel? What does Zerubbabel’s name
mean? Who is the high priest in the time of Zerubbabel? What did Zerubbabel
return to do? What did Nehemiah return to do? What did Ezra return to do?
Who are the main characters in the book of Esther? What are the main events in
Esther? Why was their danger to Esther in facing the King? Is God’s name
mentioned in Esther? What is Purim? Where is the story of Esther taking place?