30 Questions
What was the main difference between the monarchy of Israel and other monarchies?
The monarchy of Israel was established by God's command and the king was chosen by God, whereas other monarchies were established by human power and the king was chosen by human decision.
What mistake did King Shaul make that led to the loss of his kingship?
King Shaul disobeyed God's command and yielded to the people's pressure.
Why did Shmuel refuse to forgive Shaul and return with him?
Because Shaul had rejected God's command, and God had rejected him as king over Israel.
What did Shmuel say would happen to Shaul after he lost his kingship?
The LORD has this day torn the kingship over Israel away from you and has given it to another who is worthier than you.
Why did the LORD instruct Shmuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Yishai's house?
To anoint one of Yishai's sons as the new king of Israel.
What characteristic did the LORD use to evaluate Yishai's sons?
The LORD saw into their hearts, not just their external appearance.
How many sons did Yishai present to Shmuel before the youngest was chosen?
Seven sons.
What was the youngest son doing when Shmuel sent for him?
Tending the flock.
What physical characteristics did the future King David have?
Ruddy, bright-eyed, and handsome
How long did King David reign as king of Israel?
40 years
What is the driving force behind King David's military conquests?
His attachment to God
What is the significance of King David's hereditary bloodline?
It will become the only legitimate royal bloodline in Jewish history
Why was King David able to expand Israel's territory during his reign?
Egypt and Assyria were in decline, creating a power vacuum
What is the significance of Jerusalem in the context of King David's reign?
It was the capital of Israel and held spiritual significance
Why did King David choose Jerusalem as the capital of Israel?
It was connected to the essence of the Jewish people
Who was King David's general who conquered Jerusalem?
Yoav
What was the significance of the Gihon Spring in the context of King David's conquest of Jerusalem?
It was the source of the city's ancient water system
What is the relationship between Batsheva and Uriah?
Batsheva is the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.
What does the prophet Nathan accuse King David of?
Taking the one beloved sheep of a poor man and having it slaughtered for a feast.
What is the significance of David's admission of guilt?
It shows his ability to take responsibility for his actions and his humility.
What happens to the child born to Batsheva after David's sin?
The child becomes deathly ill and eventually dies.
What is the significance of David's Book of Tehillim (Psalms)?
It is a book of prayers and thoughts about God and how David sees God in every aspect of his life.
What is the difference between Republicans and Monarchists?
Republicans believe that Britain should not have a king or queen, while Monarchists support the idea of having a king or queen.
What happens to Batsheva after the death of her first child?
She becomes pregnant again and gives birth to a healthy child, who is named Shlomo (Solomon).
What challenges did David face in his life?
He was pursued by his father-in-law, Shaul, who wanted to kill him, and later his own son, Avshalom, tried to kill him.
Why did David buy the upper part of the hill above the northern boundary of the city?
David bought the upper part of the hill to build a permanent resting spot for the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.
What was the occasion of great communal happiness in Jerusalem?
The occasion of great communal happiness was when King David brought the Ark to Jerusalem.
Why was David not allowed by God to build the Temple?
David was not allowed by God to build the Temple because he had a lot of blood on his hands from subduing the enemies of Israel.
What happened to Michal, the daughter of Shaul, after she ridiculed David's behavior?
Michal, the daughter of Shaul, had no child to the day of her death as a punishment for her harsh condemnation of David.
Why is Jerusalem considered a special place for the Jewish people?
Jerusalem is considered a special place for the Jewish people because it is a place where God's presence can be felt more intensively than in any other place on planet earth.
Study Notes
The Monarchy of Israel
- The monarchy of Israel was different from other monarchies because it was a God-ordained monarchy.
- The concept of the divine right of kings was influenced by the idea of a God-ordained monarchy in Israel.
Shaul's Loss of Kingship
- Shaul (Saul) lost his kingship because he rejected the LORD's command.
- Shmuel (Samuel) rejected Shaul's plea for forgiveness and told him that the LORD had rejected him as king over Israel.
- The LORD had chosen another person, who was worthier than Shaul, to be the king of Israel.
King David
- King David was one of the most important figures in Jewish history.
- He was born in 907 BCE and reigned as king of Israel for 40 years, dying at the age of 70 in 837 BCE.
- King David was known for his spiritual greatness and his relationship with God.
- He wrote most of the Psalms, which give a glimpse into the beauty of his soul.
The Hereditary Bloodline of King David
- The hereditary bloodline of King David became the only legitimate royal bloodline in Jewish history.
- All future kings of Judah and ultimately the Messiah would come from King David's line.
King David's Conquest of Jerusalem
- King David was able to conquer Jerusalem because Egypt and Assyria were both in decline.
- He subdued the Philistine threat and conquered the remaining Canaanite city-state of Jerusalem.
- David's general, Yoav, climbed up a tzinor (pipe) and entered the city to conquer it.
Why Jerusalem?
- Jerusalem was chosen as the capital of Israel because of its spiritual significance.
- The nationhood of Israel was defined by its relationship with God, and Jerusalem was the place where God's presence could be felt most intensely.
God's Place
- King David bought the upper part of the hill above the northern boundary of Jerusalem from Aravnah, the Jebusite.
- The hill was Mount Moriah, which had tremendous spiritual power and was the spot where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had significant experiences with God.
- Every major conqueror in human history has wanted to own Jerusalem.
The Site of the Temple
- King David brought the Ark to Jerusalem and it was an occasion of great communal happiness.
- David danced wildly in celebration, but his wife Michal condemned him for his behavior.
- David was not allowed to build the Temple because he had a lot of blood on his hands from subduing the enemies of Israel.
- The Temple was a house of God and a house of peace, and David's son Solomon would build it.
David and Batsheva
- David's relationship with Batsheva was a complex story that involved sin, repentance, and forgiveness.
- David's greatness shone in his ability to take responsibility for his actions and his humility in admitting his mistakes.
David's Book of Tehillim (Psalms)
- David wrote most of the book of Tehillim, which contains prayers and thoughts about God.
- Despite the difficulties in his life, David remained faithful to God and saw God's hand in every event.
Republicans and Monarchists
- Republicans believe that a country should be led by elected officials, like a president, instead of a royal family.
- Monarchists believe that the royal family is an important part of a country's history and culture, and that the monarchy should continue.
Explore the differences between the monarchy of Israel and other monarchies, and learn about the events that led to Shaul's loss of kingship and its transfer to another ruler.
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