1. Identify and explain the significance of key terms, passages, people, and themes from this section including: judges, Gideon, Samson, the book of Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Psalms - specifically Psalm 23, 51, and 139, Philistines, Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, Nathan, temple, wisdom, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.
2. Locate on a map the key places in this section, including: Israel, Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Amalek, Jerusalem, Israel's borders under Solomon, the split into the two kingdoms (north and south) after Solomon's death.
3. Know the sequence of events and match them to the proper site for this period.
Samson's enemies - Shiloh
The home of Ruth and Naomi - Jerusalem
The call of Samuel - Moab
Home of the ark of the covenant - Edom
The location of the temple - Philistia
David subdues the south - Jerusalem
4. Explain the scriptural teaching on wisdom and show from the books of Proverbs, Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes how contemporary Christians can apply biblical wisdom to their lives.
Required Readings and Study Items
(Bible software upgrade may be required for "Dictionary" and "Study Bible Notes," see "Order" button on "Cover")
1. Discovering God, Philip Yancey, pp. 48-73, Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1989 (click on the "Text" button).
2. Click on the "Text" button and then click on unfamiliar words or phrases in blue and bold type.
3. Click on the "Explore" button, open the Bible Dictionary, and do a search on the words, terms and people listed in Learning Objectives #1 and #2. Scroll through the search "hits" and read the key article(s) associated with each term.
4. Click on the "Explore" button, open the Study Bible Notes, and read the following:
A. "Theme and Theology" to the book of Ruth
B. "Title" and "Theme and Theology" to the book of Judges
C. "Title" and "Contents and Theme: Kingship and Covenant" for the book of 1 Samuel
D. "Purpose and Method" and "Teaching" for Ecclesiastes
E. "Interpretation" for Song of Songs
F. "Wisdom Literature" and "Purpose and Teaching" for Proverbs
5. Click on the "Study" button and learn:
A. Geography - "Major Areas" and "United Kingdom"
B. Books - Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs
C. Chronology - Era of the Judges, 1390 B.C. - 1050 B.C. and Rise and Development of the Monarchy, 1050 B.C. - 931 B.C.
6. Click on the "Library" button and read the "References" associated with the "Rulers" section.
7. Click on the “Links” button in this section and follow each link to other related areas of study.
8. Click on the "Facts" button and review the Bible facts associated with Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs.
Suggested Readings
1. Read Deuteronomy 17:14-17 and compare it with Solomon's activities recorded in 1 Kings 10:14-11:13. After reading these two passages, reflect upon how such a "man of God" could so blatantly disregard the written word of the Lord.
2. "Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs," by Raymond B. Dillard & Tremper Longman, pp. 119-178, 211-266 in An Introduction to the Old Testament, Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1994.
3. "Judges, Ruth, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs," by John Sailhammer, pp. 202-301, 315-361 in NIV Compact Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1994.
4. "The Books of Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes," by R.K. Harrison, pp. 680-738, 1152-1172, 976-1003, 1010-1021, 1049-1058, and 1072-1084 in Introduction to the Old Testament, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1969.
For Further Review
Go to the next page and test yourself by taking the quiz over the material which you have studied. When you have finished, check your answers by clicking on the "Answers" button.
RULERS: QUIZ
1. Having read about the life of David in the assigned and suggested readings, explain in your own words how such an individual could be a warrior, a "man after God's own heart," and yet also an adulterer and a murderer.
2. The man who served Israel as both judge and prophet in the transitional era between the time of the judges and the development of the monarchy was:
A. Samson
B. Solomon
C. Samuel
D. Saul
3. The author of numerous Psalms was:
A. Solomon
B. David
C. Moses
D. Daniel
4. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament provides the reader with:
A. a clear explanation of salvation
B. an insightful discussion of Israel's history and theology
C. a satisfying answer to the problem of pain
D. some guidelines on how to manage different aspects of life
5. The main theological lesson of the book of Ruth is:
A. The truth that participation in the coming kingdom of God is decided, not by blood and birth, but by the conformity of one's life to the will of God through the "obedience that comes from faith" (Ro 1:5)
B. That choosing the right mate automatically advances the kingdom of God
C. That loyalty is one of the highest virtues of the life of faith
D. That humble submission to and dependence upon those in authority leads to God's blessing
6. Three of Israel's enemies who were conquered during the reign of King David were:
A. The Egyptians, Philistines, and Babylonians
B. The Hittites, Edomites, and Assyrians
C. The Edomites, the Moabites, and the Philistines
D. The Philistines, the Phoenicians, and the Syrians
7. Which of the following events in Israel's history came before the others?
A. The building of the temple by Solomon
B. The conquest of Edom by David
C. The call of Samuel by God
D. The migration from Moab by Ruth and Naomi
8. The fundamental issue or theme in the book of Judges is:
A. The lordship of God in Israel Ñ i.e., Israel's acknowledgment of and loyalty to his rule.
B. The military conquest of the Promised Land
C. The origin of charismatic leaders for the deliverance of Israel
D. The judgment of God on his disobedient people
9. The book of Proverbs was written:
A. To provide a method for achieving worldly wealth
B. To give instruction on how manage life so that it will be happy and prosperous
C. To warn against foolishness in work and marriage
D. To explain the nature and meaning of suffering
10. Explain the scriptural teaching on wisdom and show from the wisdom literature how contemporary Christians can apply this teaching to their lives.
