Unit 3b. Exam: Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon

Solomon asks God for wisdom. This is evident from the biblical account in 1 Kings 3:5-14, where Solomon prays to God and asks for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil and to govern the people of Israel with wisdom. He acknowledges his own inadequacy and seeks God's guidance in ruling the nation. Solomon's request for wisdom is granted by God, and he becomes renowned for his wise judgments and knowledge.

Solomon's greatness in riches and wisdom is supported by biblical accounts. In the Bible, it is mentioned that Solomon was blessed with immense wealth and wisdom by God. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle, the construction of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, and his renowned wisdom in resolving disputes. Therefore, it can be concluded that Solomon was indeed greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

Solomon is the correct answer because he is known for building the temple in Jerusalem. In the Bible, it is mentioned that Solomon, the son of David, constructed the First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, in Jerusalem. This temple was a significant religious and cultural center for the Israelites. Solomon's construction of the temple is considered a major achievement in biblical history.

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The statement suggests that David was chosen to be king based on his family status, but the correct answer is False. This means that David was not chosen to be king solely based on his family status. There might have been other factors or qualifications that played a role in his selection as king.

The statement states that David kills Saul when given the opportunity, but the correct answer is False. This means that David did not kill Saul when given the opportunity.

Samuel was chosen to anoint Israel's first king. In the Bible, Samuel was a prophet and judge who played a crucial role in the transition of Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy. He anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, following God's instructions. Samuel's obedience and close relationship with God made him the ideal choice for this significant task.

The term "anointed" refers to being chosen or consecrated for a specific purpose, often related to religious or spiritual service. In this context, being "set-apart for God's service" means being selected or designated for a sacred role or duty in service to God. It implies being chosen and empowered by a higher authority for a divine purpose, indicating a special and elevated status.

The given statement is false because in the biblical story, David does not defend himself when confronted by Nathan about his adultery with Bathsheeba and murder of Uriah. Instead, David acknowledges his sins and expresses remorse for his actions. He accepts responsibility for his wrongdoing and seeks forgiveness from God.

The given statement states that the voice Samuel heard calling to him three times in the night was Eli's. However, this is not true. In the biblical story, Samuel hears a voice calling to him in the night, but initially mistakes it for Eli's voice. After realizing it is God calling him, Samuel responds to the voice. Therefore, the correct answer is False as the voice Samuel heard was not Eli's.

The statement is true because Samuel, Saul, and David played significant roles in transitioning Israel from a group of tribes ruled by judges into a unified kingdom ruled by kings from Jerusalem. Samuel was a prophet and judge who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. However, Saul's reign was marred by disobedience, and David was chosen by God as his successor. David successfully established Jerusalem as the capital and unified the tribes of Israel under his rule, laying the foundation for a centralized monarchy.

The statement contradicts the biblical account where Jonathan, Saul's son, was a close friend and ally of David, not someone who helped Saul hunt him down. Therefore, the answer is false.

In the books of Samuel and Kings, the arch-nemesis of Israel is the Philistines. Throughout these books, the Philistines are portrayed as a constant threat to the Israelites, engaging in battles and conflicts with them. They are depicted as a powerful and formidable enemy, often oppressing and conquering the Israelites. The Philistines are mentioned in various stories and events, such as the famous battle between David and Goliath. Their presence and antagonistic relationship with Israel make them the clear arch-nemesis in these biblical books.

In the book of Samuel, the author presents Saul and David as character studies for readers to reflect on themselves. These two individuals serve as foils, highlighting each other's contrasting qualities and actions. Saul, the first king of Israel, represents a flawed and insecure leader who fails to obey God's commands. On the other hand, David, who becomes the next king, is portrayed as a faithful and courageous individual who seeks God's will. By comparing these two characters, readers are encouraged to examine their own strengths and weaknesses, and to strive for righteousness and obedience.

Saul consults a medium at Endor and conjures up Samuel. This event is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the book of 1 Samuel. Saul seeks guidance from the deceased prophet Samuel, as he is desperate for advice and direction. Despite the prohibition of consulting mediums or practicing witchcraft, Saul seeks out the medium at Endor and manages to communicate with Samuel through her. This encounter plays a significant role in Saul's downfall and eventual death in battle.

The statement suggests that among all the anointed offices, the position of king holds the highest significance. This implies that the role of a king was considered to be the most important and powerful among all the anointed positions.

The statement suggests that Saul's death was caused by his enemies killing him in battle. However, this is not true. According to biblical accounts, Saul actually died by falling on his own sword after being critically wounded in battle. This act was a result of his despair and fear of being captured alive by his enemies. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

David and Solomon, two significant figures in biblical history, committed sins that had long-lasting consequences. These sins ultimately resulted in the downfall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Their actions and choices had a profound impact not only on their own lives but also on the future generations and the nation as a whole. This answer suggests that the statement is true, indicating that the sins of David and Solomon indeed had far-reaching effects that eventually led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

David's sons repeating the sins of their father refers to them committing the same actions or behaviors that David himself had done. In this case, committing sexual sin and murder are examples of sins that David himself had committed. However, rebelling against the king is not specifically mentioned as a sin that David had committed, therefore it is not a way in which his sons repeated his sins.

Zion is often used as a poetic and symbolic name for the city of Jerusalem. It has deep historical and religious significance, representing the spiritual and national homeland of the Jewish people. Throughout history, Jerusalem has been referred to as Zion in various religious texts and songs. Therefore, the correct answer is the city of Jerusalem.

Saul's story shows us the importance of reflecting on our own character flaws to avoid hurting ourselves and others. Saul, as the first king of Israel, started out with great potential but allowed his pride and disobedience to lead him astray. His inability to acknowledge and address his character flaws ultimately resulted in his downfall and the loss of his kingship. This serves as a lesson for us to be self-aware and humble, constantly evaluating our actions and attitudes to prevent harm to ourselves and those around us.

The Israel-Philistine-Ark of the Covenant debacle illustrated that God is not Israel's trophy. This means that God is not a possession to be used for personal gain or to boost one's ego. The incident with the Ark of the Covenant showed that God cannot be controlled or manipulated by humans, and that He does not exist to serve their purposes. Instead, God demands reverence, obedience, and humility from His people. This event serves as a reminder that God is not to be treated as a mere object or symbol of power, but rather as a holy and sovereign being.

The consequence of David's decisions was that his family and kingdom fell apart, Uriah was murdered, and David's baby son died. However, Bathsheeba becoming barren is not mentioned as a consequence of David's decisions.

Solomon's downward slide was not contributed by using slave labor to build his palace and the temple. This answer implies that the use of slave labor did not have a negative impact on Solomon's decline.

Before becoming king, David was not a farmer. This is evident from the fact that David was famously known as a shepherd boy, as mentioned in the Bible. He was chosen by God to be the future king of Israel and was anointed by the prophet Samuel. David's skills as a shepherd, soldier, and musician are well-documented, but there is no mention of him being a farmer before becoming king.