Clues to Identify Kings

John Hepp, Jr.

 

Each set of clues identifies a king of Israel and/or Judah.  For each set tell “Who was this king” as soon as possible.  Answers are given at the end.

 

A.   1. A handsome man, on a journey he was anointed king by a prophet he had just met.

        2. More than once he prophesied with the prophets.

        3. He gathered an army and rescued the people of Jabesh Gilead.

        4. Right after making a sacrifice, he was rejected as king.

        5. He persecuted the man chosen to replace him.

        6. In zeal for his people he wrongly killed many non-Israelites.

        7. Just before his death he consulted with a medium.

 

B.   1. He was of much help to a king older than himself.

        2. He was the youngest of eight brothers.

        3. He lived for years in desert areas.

        4. He made into an army those who were in distress, in debt, and discontented.

        5. One of his wives previously had a harsh and evil husband.

        6. He made a Jebusite town the capital of his kingdom.

        7. His own son tried unsuccessfully to take away his throne.

        8. He made many preparations for the temple.

        9. God made an eternal covenant with him.

 

C.   1. His mother’s first marriage was to a Hittite.

        2. God called him “Jedidiah” (beloved of the Lord).

        3. At least two of his brothers tried to usurp the throne before him.

        4. Soon after he began to reign, he purged some outstanding wrong-doers.

        5. He was extremely wise and wealthy, but his marriage alliances caused division and eventual ruin.

        6. He built the temple for the Lord.

 

D.   1. Before becoming king, he was appointed by the king to supervise the forced labor of the house of Joseph.

        2. His kingship was predicted by the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.

        3. He was an Ephraimite who began to rule in Shechem.

        4. When he stretched his hand toward an opponent sent from God, his hand dried up.

        5. He created a new priesthood, a new feast, new centers of worship, and new objects to focus worship.

        6. He was the first king of Israel when it separated from Judah.

 

  E.   1. His favorite wife was Maacah, Absalom’s granddaughter.

        2. During his rule, for the first time idolatry flourished, even including male cult prostitutes.

        3. Shishak, king of Egypt, took away the shields of gold and other treasures belonging to his kingdom.

        4. The immediate cause of his first and greatest political failure was following the wrong advice.

        5. He was the first king of Judah when Israel separated from it.

 

  F.   1. His brother died as a child because God found