I Kings/II Kings
1. The decendents of David, despite their many problems, are at
least able to keep their dynasty in power. None of the kings of
Israel are able to do so. Why?
2. What are the basic political problems confronting Ahab?
How does he attempt to deal with these problems? Why does he
fail? Is the second half of 2nd kings properly, "the tragedy of
Ahab"?
3. What are some of the important differences between the second
half of I Kings and the first half of the book? How do you
account for these differences? A different author?
Different sources?
4. What is the political impact of a man like Elijah?
5. What is the relationship between Elisha and Elijah? Who
are these "sons of the prophets" in II Kings 3? Why would such a
group arise?
6. What is the basic relationship between Israel and its
neighbors? Which nations cooperate with Israel? Which are
most often in opposition? Why?
7. How do the prophets interact with the nations surrounding
Israel? Are they in any sense traitors? Would they be
perceived as aiding Israel's enemies? Consider in particular the
story of Naaman the Syrian and Elisha.
8. What kind of man is Elisha? What seems to motivate
him? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
9. What is the role of women in the political affairs of Israel
and Judah? What motivates women like Jezebel and Athaliah?
What does the writer's beliefs seem to be about the proper conduct/role
of women in society?
10. The writer seems to divide the kings of Israel and Judah into
two groups, good kings and wicked kings. Is this a reasonable way
to summarize history? Is it fair to make such overall judgments
on a monarch's reign? Is this what we expect a historian to do?
11. What is particularly admirable in Joash, Amaziah, Azariah,
and Hezekiah, and Josiah? Why are they able to break with the
policies of their predecessors? Why are they unable to bring
about lasting reforms?
12. Would the author have been better off treating the history of
Israel and the history of Judah in separate books? Does his theme
require discussing the two nations separately?
13. Could first and second kings be appropriately titled "the
tragedy of Israel"?