Short Essays for 2nd Test (one of the following questions will
be on the test):
- What were the political and economic reasons behind the division
of the kingdom after the death of Solomon? What, according to
the Deuteronomistic Historian, was the main reason the kingdom
divided?
- When was the History of David's Rise written? What major
points was it trying to make? How did it make them?
- What was the main purpose for the writing of Chronicles,
and what are its major themes?
- Briefly describe how the accounts of the occupation of the
land in Joshua and Judges are in tension with each other. How
does a geographical study help us to understand these differences
and tensions? Which account do the "facts" of archaeology
support? In your answer, state briefly what can be said with
some degree of probability about what actually happened with
respect to the occupation of the land at the beginning of the
Iron Age.
- Briefly describe the similarities and differences in how
the author of Chronicles and the author of Kings portray Hezekiah,
Mannasseh, and Josiah. How do historical data help us understand
these differences? How are the authors of Chronicles and Kings
historians if they pick and choose what evidence to include in
their story?
- Discuss the origination of the monarchy in Israel and Judah.
In your answer, include discussions of whether the monarchy arises
late in comparison to other nations, the idea of the kingship
of Yahweh, and the kingships of David and Saul.
- Briefly describe what is meant by the term "Deuteronomistic
History." In your answer, include an explanation of how
the book of Deuteronomy functions are both an introduction to
the Deuteronomic History and as part of the Pentateuch. Also
include an explanation of why scholars of identified the Deuteronomistic
History and describe its major components.