The Kings

Samuel Samuel is a priest. Samuel is a priest. He is seen as the last of the judges, the first of the prophets. He is seen as the last of the judges, the first of the prophets. He warns the people against a king, but anoints Saul, and then David (while Saul still rules). He warns the people against a king, but anoints Saul, and then David (while Saul still rules).

The Kings God did not want them to have a king, as God was to be their king. God did not want them to have a king, as God was to be their king. When the people begged, however, God gave them what they wanted, warning of taxes, enslavement, wars, etc. When the people begged, however, God gave them what they wanted, warning of taxes, enslavement, wars, etc.

They choose a king, by lots… The first king was Saul. The first king was Saul. Saul lost God’s favor and David, who had killed Goliath, was the next to receive the throne. Saul lost God’s favor and David, who had killed Goliath, was the next to receive the throne. Following David was Solomon. The rule of David and Solomon is considered Israel’s Golden Age. Following David was Solomon. The rule of David and Solomon is considered Israel’s Golden Age.

Saul’s Downfall Samuel anointed David WHILE Saul was still king. Samuel anointed David WHILE Saul was still king. Saul became incredibly jealous of David, repeatedly tries to kill him. Saul became incredibly jealous of David, repeatedly tries to kill him. Saul’s son, Jonathan, is David’s BFF – saves him. Saul’s son, Jonathan, is David’s BFF – saves him. David has the chance to kill Saul, but refuses. David has the chance to kill Saul, but refuses.

David David is Israel’s most famous king, known as a military hero (slaying the giant, Goliath). David is Israel’s most famous king, known as a military hero (slaying the giant, Goliath). He is also traditionally credited with writing the Psalms (he may have written SOME). He is also traditionally credited with writing the Psalms (he may have written SOME). He makes Jerusalem the center of his government. He makes Jerusalem the center of his government.

Nathan, the prophet Nathan tells David NOT to build a Temple. Nathan tells David NOT to build a Temple. He promises a royal dynasty He promises a royal dynasty He condemns his adultery/killing of Uriah (2 Sam. 11:1-12:25) He condemns his adultery/killing of Uriah (2 Sam. 11:1-12:25)

The Temple God also did not want them to have a Temple, because they should see God as being everywhere. God also did not want them to have a Temple, because they should see God as being everywhere. The people begged and God relented. The Temple was built in Jerusalem under David and Solomon. The people begged and God relented. The Temple was built in Jerusalem under David and Solomon.

God’s Promises and the Dynasty of David God promised David that his kingdom would stay united under Solomon and that his dynasty would last forever. God promised David that his kingdom would stay united under Solomon and that his dynasty would last forever. After Solomon (who was from the So. and oppressed the No.), the kingdom split into two, Israel (No.) and Judah (So.) After Solomon (who was from the So. and oppressed the No.), the kingdom split into two, Israel (No.) and Judah (So.) The North was conquered in 722 BC by the Assyrians; the South in 586 BC by the Babylonians (who destroyed the Temple). The North was conquered in 722 BC by the Assyrians; the South in 586 BC by the Babylonians (who destroyed the Temple). Each time, many people were exiled. Each time, many people were exiled.

Ezekiel People lost hope that Israel could ever be restored. People lost hope that Israel could ever be restored. Ezekiel tells them that God could even restore life to “dry bones”. Ezekiel tells them that God could even restore life to “dry bones”.

Conquered Again and Again After the Babylonians were overrun by the Persians (who returned those in exile), Israel had some independence for a time. After the Babylonians were overrun by the Persians (who returned those in exile), Israel had some independence for a time. The Greeks, led by Alexander the Great, conquered Israel in 333 BC. Around 164 BC, Jews expelled their Greek rulers, celebrated each year at Hannukah. The Greeks, led by Alexander the Great, conquered Israel in 333 BC. Around 164 BC, Jews expelled their Greek rulers, celebrated each year at Hannukah.

Rome About a century after the Maccabean revolt, Rome conquers Israel in 63 BC. About a century after the Maccabean revolt, Rome conquers Israel in 63 BC.

Prophets - literary movement, Amos being the first to have his own book. Moses is the first of many Old Testament prophets to speak for God. Moses is the first of many Old Testament prophets to speak for God. Major prophets Major prophets Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Jeremiah Jeremiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Ezekiel Ezekiel Daniel Daniel Daniel Minor prophets Minor prophets Hosea Hosea Hosea Joel Joel Joel Amos Amos Amos Obadiah Obadiah Obadiah Jonah Jonah Jonah Micah Micah Micah Nahum Nahum Nahum Habakkuk Habakkuk Habakkuk Zephaniah Zephaniah Zephaniah Haggai Haggai Haggai Zechariah Zechariah Zechariah Malachi Malachi Malachi

Major Themes Idolatry Idolatry Adultery Adultery Hypocrisy Hypocrisy Oppression of poor Oppression of poor Alliances with foreign nations Alliances with foreign nations

Themes (cont’d) Judges receiving bribes Judges receiving bribes Alliances with foreign nations Alliances with foreign nations

To be a prophet is… to be hated! to be hated! Prophets angered the political/social establishment. Prophets angered the political/social establishment. They also told people to repent/change their lives. They also told people to repent/change their lives.

Social Revolutionaries Concerned with the poor, least of society Concerned with the poor, least of society Strongest prophets come at time of greatest oppression Strongest prophets come at time of greatest oppression Single measuring stick is how you will be judged – take care of the weak Single measuring stick is how you will be judged – take care of the weak

Elijah Lived in No. Kingdom, 9 th cent. under Jezebel and Ahab, 860 BC Lived in No. Kingdom, 9 th cent. under Jezebel and Ahab, 860 BC Main thing is worship of Yahweh, not Canaanite Baal (god of rain, fertility, produce) Main thing is worship of Yahweh, not Canaanite Baal (god of rain, fertility, produce)

Elijah (cont’d) Helped a Phoenician widow miraculously survive a famine (her flour and oil do not run out) Helped a Phoenician widow miraculously survive a famine (her flour and oil do not run out) Brings her son back to life Brings her son back to life Elijah does not die, but is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2) Elijah does not die, but is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2)

Elisha Elijah’s student Elijah’s student Carries on work of teacher, receive his cloak in 2 Kgs. 2 Carries on work of teacher, receive his cloak in 2 Kgs. 2 Many of the same miracles as Elijah – providing food for a poor woman, bringing a son back to life – plus other healings Many of the same miracles as Elijah – providing food for a poor woman, bringing a son back to life – plus other healings

Amos During BC in No. Kingdom at height of prosperity During BC in No. Kingdom at height of prosperity Social justice and poor most important themes Social justice and poor most important themes Ivory beds, wine bowls, young meat, taxes Ivory beds, wine bowls, young meat, taxes

Am. 5:21-24, Am. 8:2-3 Am. 5:21-24, Am. 8:2-3 Justify oppressive lifestyle by having elaborate temple shows Justify oppressive lifestyle by having elaborate temple shows Am. 5:11-12, 8:4-6, 2:6-7 Am. 5:11-12, 8:4-6, 2:6-7 Prophet of judgment and doom Prophet of judgment and doom Ends on a note of hope (Am. 9:8b, 14) Ends on a note of hope (Am. 9:8b, 14)

Hosea No. kingdom, same time as Amos No. kingdom, same time as Amos Lived out his message Lived out his message Hos. 1:2 – marries a prostitute (Gomer, Hebrew woman turned Canaanite religious prostitute) Hos. 1:2 – marries a prostitute (Gomer, Hebrew woman turned Canaanite religious prostitute) Their relationship a metaphor for God and Israelite people (idolatry) Their relationship a metaphor for God and Israelite people (idolatry) Have 3 children Have 3 children

Hosea (cont’d) Despite Gomer’s repeated adultery and the hurt this causes him, Hosea still loves his wife. Despite Gomer’s repeated adultery and the hurt this causes him, Hosea still loves his wife.

Jonah Didn’t want to Didn’t want to warn the people of Nineveh of impending doom They were the capital of Assyria, their enemy. They were the capital of Assyria, their enemy. God loved even them. God loved even them.

Micah People thought religion was only about sacrifice: Sacrifice enough and do what you want! People thought religion was only about sacrifice: Sacrifice enough and do what you want! “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”