History
99 study questions and answers, quoted from the Revised Version (1885/1895).
What was God's repeated charge to Joshua at his commissioning?
"Be strong and of a good courage" — grounded in God's presence, not Joshua's ability.
Josh 1:6-9
Who hid the spies in Jericho, and what became of her?
Rahab the harlot; she was spared and became an ancestor of David and of Christ.
Josh 2; Matt 1:5
What marked Rahab's house for deliverance?
A scarlet cord bound in the window.
Josh 2:18
How did Israel cross the Jordan?
The waters stood in a heap when the priests bearing the Ark stepped in.
Josh 3:14-17
Why did Israel lose the battle at Ai?
Achan's hidden sin — he took of the devoted spoil of Jericho.
Josh 7:1, 20-21
Which people deceived Israel into a treaty?
The Gibeonites, with mouldy bread and worn clothes, feigning a long journey.
Josh 9:3-15
What was Joshua's final challenge to Israel?
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Josh 24:15
What cycle repeats throughout the book of Judges?
Sin, servitude, supplication, salvation — then relapse.
Judg 2:11-19
What verse twice summarises the moral state of the Judges era?
"There was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
Judg 17:6; 21:25
Who was the only female judge of Israel?
Deborah, who judged under a palm tree and went with Barak to battle.
Judg 4:4-9
How large was Gideon's final army, and why?
300 men — so Israel could not boast that its own hand had saved it.
Judg 7:2-7
What was the source of Samson's strength?
The Spirit of the LORD, tied to his Nazirite vow — symbolised in his unshorn hair.
Judg 13:5; 16:17
What famous pledge did Ruth make to Naomi?
"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
Ruth 1:16
What is a kinsman-redeemer (goel)?
A near relative who could buy back family land, redeem a relative from slavery, and raise up an heir — Boaz's role for Ruth.
Ruth 4:1-10
How is Ruth connected to Christ?
She was the great-grandmother of David and appears in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus.
Ruth 4:17-22; Matt 1:5
Who was Hannah, and what did she vow?
Samuel's mother, who vowed to give her son to the LORD all the days of his life.
1 Sam 1:11
How did young Samuel answer God's call?
"Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth."
1 Sam 3:9-10
Why did Israel demand a king, and how did God read the request?
To be like the nations; God told Samuel, "they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
1 Sam 8:5-7
What word did Samuel speak to Saul about sacrifice?
"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."
1 Sam 15:22
By what standard did God choose David?
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."
1 Sam 16:7
With what did David face Goliath?
A sling and five smooth stones — and "the name of the LORD of hosts."
1 Sam 17:40, 45
Who was David's covenant friend, and why is he remembered?
Jonathan, Saul's son, who loved David as his own soul and yielded his own claim to the throne.
1 Sam 18:1-4
What was the Davidic covenant?
God's promise that David's house, kingdom and throne would be established for ever.
2 Sam 7:12-16
How did Nathan confront David over Bathsheba?
With the parable of the poor man's ewe lamb, then: "Thou art the man."
2 Sam 12:1-7
Which psalm records David's repentance after that sin?
Psalm 51 — "Create in me a clean heart, O God."
Ps 51:10
Which of David's sons rebelled and seized the throne?
Absalom, who died caught by his head in an oak.
2 Sam 18:9-15
What did Solomon ask God for, and what did he receive besides?
An understanding heart to judge; God added riches and honour.
1 Kgs 3:9-13
What caused the kingdom to divide after Solomon?
Solomon's idolatry, and Rehoboam's harsh answer to Israel's plea for lighter burdens.
1 Kgs 11:11; 12:13-16
Name the two kingdoms after the split and their capitals.
Israel (ten northern tribes), capital Samaria; Judah (south), capital Jerusalem.
1 Kgs 12:20; 16:24
What contest did Elijah hold on Mount Carmel?
A test of whose God answers by fire, against 450 prophets of Baal.
1 Kgs 18:20-39
How did God speak to Elijah at Horeb?
Not in wind, earthquake or fire, but in "a still small voice."
1 Kgs 19:11-12
What did Elisha ask of Elijah before his departure?
A double portion of Elijah's spirit — the firstborn's inheritance.
2 Kgs 2:9
How was Naaman the Syrian healed of leprosy?
By dipping seven times in the Jordan at Elisha's word, after resisting its simplicity.
2 Kgs 5:10-14
Which king was healed and given fifteen added years?
Hezekiah, with the shadow turned back ten degrees as a sign.
2 Kgs 20:5-11
Which boy king led a great reformation after the Book of the Law was found?
Josiah, who began to reign at eight years old.
2 Kgs 22:1-13
Who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and in what year?
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, in 586 BC.
2 Kgs 25:8-10
Which king's decree allowed the Jews to return and rebuild?
Cyrus of Persia.
Ezra 1:1-4
Who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, and in how many days?
Nehemiah — fifty-two days.
Neh 6:15
Which book of the Bible never mentions God by name?
Esther — though his providence pervades the story.
Esth 4:14
What book was Joshua told to meditate in day and night?
The book of the law, that he might observe to do all written therein.
Josh 1:8
Whom did Joshua meet with a drawn sword near Jericho?
The captain of the host of the LORD, before whom Joshua fell and worshipped.
Josh 5:13-15
How many days did Israel compass Jericho, and how many times on the last day?
Six days once daily, and seven times on the seventh day.
Josh 6:3-4
Who took the accursed thing at Jericho?
Achan of the tribe of Judah — a Babylonish garment, silver, and a wedge of gold.
Josh 7:20-21
What did Joshua ask of God during the battle at Gibeon?
That the sun stand still upon Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon.
Josh 10:12-13
Which aged man asked for the hill country at eighty-five?
Caleb — 'Give me this mountain.'
Josh 14:12
Which tribe received no land inheritance, and why?
Levi — the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, sustained by offerings.
Josh 13:33
What did Gideon's three hundred carry into battle?
Trumpets, and empty pitchers with lamps inside.
Judg 7:16
Which judge made a rash vow concerning what came out of his house?
Jephthah the Gileadite.
Judg 11:30-31
Who betrayed Samson, and how did he die?
Delilah; he died pulling down the pillars of Dagon's temple on the Philistines.
Judg 16:18-30
Who were Ruth's son, grandson and great-grandson?
Obed, Jesse, and David.
Ruth 4:17,22
What happened to Eli's sons, and to Eli?
Hophni and Phinehas were slain and the ark taken; Eli fell backward and died at the news.
1 Sam 4:11-18
What name did the dying wife of Phinehas give her son?
Ichabod — 'the glory is departed from Israel.'
1 Sam 4:21
What stone did Samuel set up, and what did it mean?
Ebenezer — 'Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.'
1 Sam 7:12
How did Saul's disobedience about Amalek end?
God rejected him from being king; Samuel said obedience is better than sacrifice.
1 Sam 15:22-23
How did David soothe Saul's troubled spirit?
By playing the harp.
1 Sam 16:23
Why did David refuse to strike Saul in the cave?
Because Saul was the LORD's anointed.
1 Sam 24:6
Whom did Saul consult at Endor?
A woman with a familiar spirit, seeking Samuel.
1 Sam 28:7-8
Who died when he touched the ark, and why?
Uzzah — he steadied it contrary to God's prescribed manner of carrying it.
2 Sam 6:6-7
How did David behave as the ark entered Jerusalem?
He danced before the LORD with all his might, girded with a linen ephod.
2 Sam 6:14
What kindness did David show Jonathan's son?
He restored Saul's land to Mephibosheth and set him at the king's table continually.
2 Sam 9:7
What were David's last words about his house?
God had made with him 'an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure.'
2 Sam 23:5
What sin closed David's reign, and what was the consequence?
Numbering the people; a pestilence in which seventy thousand died.
2 Sam 24:10-15
What was Solomon's famous judgment?
Ordering the living child divided, exposing the true mother by her compassion.
1 Kgs 3:16-28
What fed Elijah at the brook Cherith?
Ravens brought him bread and flesh morning and evening.
1 Kgs 17:6
Whose vineyard did Ahab and Jezebel seize?
Naboth the Jezreelite's.
1 Kgs 21:1-16
How did Elijah depart the earth?
By a chariot of fire and horses of fire, in a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kgs 2:11
How did Elisha's servant come to see the heavenly army?
Elisha prayed, 'LORD, open his eyes,' and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.
2 Kgs 6:17
What did Hezekiah do with Sennacherib's threatening letter?
He spread it before the LORD in the house of the LORD.
2 Kgs 19:14
Which king reigned fifty-five years and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood?
Manasseh — though 2 Chronicles records his later repentance.
2 Kgs 21:1-16; 2 Chr 33:12-13
What prayer of an obscure man is recorded in Chronicles' genealogies?
The prayer of Jabez, that God would bless him and enlarge his coast.
1 Chr 4:10
What promise follows 'if my people, which are called by my name'?
'...shall humble themselves, and pray... then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'
2 Chr 7:14
What was Ezra's threefold resolve?
To seek the law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ezra 7:10
How did Nehemiah's builders work under threat?
With one hand at the work and the other holding a weapon.
Neh 4:17
What did Nehemiah say was the people's strength?
'The joy of the LORD is your strength.'
Neh 8:10
What plea did Mordecai make to Esther?
'Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'
Esth 4:14
What feast commemorates Esther's deliverance?
Purim, named from the 'pur' or lot Haman cast.
Esth 9:26
What theological pattern governs the book of Judges?
Sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence — then repetition.
Judg 2:11-19
What is the significance of Samuel being both prophet and judge?
He is the hinge between the era of judges and the monarchy.
1 Sam 7:15; 3:20
Why does the ark narrative matter theologically?
It shows God's presence cannot be manipulated as a talisman.
1 Sam 4-6
What did Samuel warn the monarchy would cost?
Conscription, taxation, seizure of land, and eventual crying out under the king they chose.
1 Sam 8:11-18
What is the theological weight of 1 Samuel 16:7?
'Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'
1 Sam 16:7
How does the Davidic covenant reach beyond David?
It promises a house, a throne and a kingdom established for ever.
2 Sam 7:16
What is the significance of Solomon's temple prayer?
He confesses that heaven cannot contain God, much less the house he built.
1 Kgs 8:27
What did Solomon anticipate about the foreigner?
That the stranger from a far country would come and pray toward the house, and God would hear.
1 Kgs 8:41-43
What was the theological issue at Mount Carmel?
Not whether God exists but which God is God — the people 'halted between two opinions.'
1 Kgs 18:21
Why is the 'still small voice' significant?
God was not in the wind, earthquake or fire, but in a low whisper.
1 Kgs 19:11-12
What is the theological function of the Elisha miracle cycle?
To show God's care extending to the poor, the foreign and the ordinary.
2 Kgs 4-6
What did the northern kingdom never have?
A single good king; every one of the nineteen walked in the sins of Jeroboam.
2 Kgs 17:22
Why did the northern kingdom fall, according to 2 Kings 17?
Because they feared other gods and rejected God's statutes and covenant.
2 Kgs 17:7-18
What reform did Josiah carry out?
He destroyed the high places, defiled Topheth, and kept a Passover unequalled since the judges.
2 Kgs 23:4-23
What is Chronicles' distinctive perspective?
It retells the history from a priestly, temple-centred and Davidic viewpoint for the returned exiles.
1 Chr 1-9; 2 Chr 36
How does Chronicles end, and why does it matter?
With Cyrus' decree and the words 'let him go up' — an open door, not a closed exile.
2 Chr 36:23
What opposition did the returned exiles face?
Discouragement, hired counsellors, false accusation to the king, and mockery.
Ezra 4; Neh 4
What crisis did Ezra confront on arriving?
Intermarriage with surrounding peoples, threatening the community's covenant identity.
Ezra 9:1-2
What happened when the Law was read at the Water Gate?
The people wept, then were told the day was holy and the joy of the LORD was their strength.
Neh 8:9-10
What is remarkable about God's absence from Esther?
His name never appears, yet providence saturates the plot.
Esth 6:1
How long did Nehemiah's wall take, and what did the nations conclude?
Fifty-two days; the surrounding nations perceived the work was wrought of God.
Neh 6:15-16
What covenant renewal did Nehemiah lead?
A sealed written agreement to keep the law, the sabbath, the tithes and the temple service.
Neh 9-10
What abuse did Nehemiah confront among his own people?
Usury and the enslavement of Jewish brethren by Jewish nobles during famine.
Neh 5:1-13