8.0  Israel Becomes Two:
The History of the Northern Kingdom

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(Last revised: 10/30/01)
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8.1 Introduction
8.1.1 Method of Approach
8.1.2 The Problem of Chronology
1. Identify the two pivotal dates for the development of chronologies for the Old Testament.
2. Describe how OT chronologies can be developed.
8.2 The Division of the Kingdom (922-783 B.C.E.)
8.2.1 Rhoboam's Folly (1 Kings 12:1-19)
1. Describe the factors which contributed to the negative reaction of the Northern tribes to Rehoboam.
8.2.2 Jeroboam (I, 922-901 B.C.E.) Becomes King of Israel (1 Kings 12:20-24)
8.2.3 Jeroboam's Reign (1 Kings 12:25-14:20)
1. Summarize the advantages and disadvantages that Jeroboam had as he began to reign over the Northern Kingdom.
8.2.4 The Parade of Kings in Israel (1 Kings 15:25-16:20)
8.3 The Dynasty of Omri (876-842 B.C.E.)
1. Describe why Israel was called the "land of Omri" for many years after that king's reign.
8.3.1 Israel and Her Neighbors
1. Describe the international scene that existed during the dynasty of Omri.
8.3.2 The Influence of Omri (1 Kings 16:21-28)
1. Explain the significance of Omri's move to make Samaria his capital.
8.3.3 The Reign of Ahab (I, 869-850 B.C.E.) (1 Kings 16:29-22:4)
1. Summarize the reign of Ahab as king.
8.3.3.1 The Canaanite Fertility Religion
1. Describe the worship of Baal among the Canaanites and why it appealed to the Israelites.
8.3.3.2 Elijah Among the Prophets
1. Summarize the characteristics found among all of Israel's great prophets.
2. Define the various Hebrew words related to the idea of prophet.
3. Explain the concern for the future among the great prophets of Israel.
8.3.3.3 Elijah Confonts Ahab (1 Kings 17:1-24)
8.3.3.4 The Contest on Carmel (1 Kings 18:1-46)
1. Describe the issues present in Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
8.3.3.5 An Angry Woman and a Scared Prophet (1 Kings 19:1-21)
1. Explain the different ways Jezebeel and Ahab related to Elijah and why.
8.3.3.6 Ahab and Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:1-43)
8.3.3.7 Ahab, Naboth, and Elijah (1 Kings 21:1-9)
1. Describe the nature and significance of the episode with Naboth for Israelite society.
8.3.3.8 Two Kings and a Courageous Prophet (1 Kings 22:1-40)
1. Identify Micaiah ben Imlah and his significance.
8.3.3.9 Ahaziah (I, 850-849), Lijah, and Elisha (1 Kings 22:51-2 Kings 2:25)
8.3.3.10 Jehoram (Joram) of Israel (849-842 B.C.E.) (2 Kings 3:1-27)
8.3.4 Stories about Elisha (2 Kings 4:1-9:14)
1. Compare the ministeries of Elijah and Elisha.
8.4 Jehu to Jeroboam II (842-746 B.C.E.)
8.4.1 Bloody Jehu (I, 842-815 B.C.E.) (2 Kings 9:1-10:34)
1. Describe the nature and effects of Jehu's purge of the house of Omri.
8.4.2 Two Israelite Kings and the Death of Elisha (2 Kings 13:1-25)
8.4.3 Jeroboam II (I, 786--746 B.C.E.) (2 Kings 14:23-29)
1. Describe the international conditions that made it possible for Israel and Judah to flourish during the reigns of Jeroboam II and Uzziah.
2. Evaluate the non-religious aspects of the reign of Jeroboam II.
8.5 Israel's Eighth-Century Prophets: Amos and Hosea
1. Describe at least three ways the eighth-century prophets were different from earlier prophets.
8.5.0 The Principles of Hebrew Poetry
1. Compare Hebrew poetry and American English poetry.
8.5.0.1 Parallelism
1. Define poetic parallelism as used in Hebrew poetry.
8.5.0.1.1 Synonymous Parallelism
1. Describe synonymous parallelism and give examples.
8.5.0.1.2 Antithetical Parallelism
1. Describe antithetical parallelism and give examples.
8.5.0.1.3 Formal or Synthetic Parallelism
1. Describe synthetic parallelism and give examples.
8.5.0.2 Meter
1. Define Hebrew meter and describe how it was used.
2. Describe the Qinah and its significance.
8.5.1 Amos: The Shepherd from Tekoa
8.5.1.1 The Times
1. Describe the situation in Israel that gave rise to the ministry of Amos.
8.5.1.2 The Man
1. Summarize all that is knowable about the prophet Amos.
8.5.1.3 The Book
1. Briefly summarize the contents of the book of Amos.
8.5.1.3.1 The Introduction (Amos 1:1-2)
8.5.1.3.2 Look at what the neighbors are doing (Amos 1:3-2:5)
1. Assess what the oracles against the nations say about Amos' doctrine of God.
8.5.1.3.3 You are even worse, Israel (Amos 2:6-16)
8.5.1.3.4 Hear this word (Amos 3:1-5:17)
1. Describe the religious life of the Israelites that Amos condemned.
2. Explain how worshipping God could become sinful.
8.5.1.3.5 The day of the Lord is upon you (Amos 5:18-27)
1. Describe the concept of the Day of the Lord in the preaching of Amos.
8.5.1.3.6 Woe to the wealthy (Amos 6:1-14)
1. Explain how the condemnation of the wealthy in Israel could relate to wealthy Americans.
8.5.1.3.7 The visions of Amos (7:1-9:4)
1. Summarize the content of the five visions of Amos.
8.5.1.3.8 A better day (Amos 9:10-15)
1. Describe the concept of a better day in the preaching of Amos.
8.5.1.4 Amos: A Summary
1. Assess the importance of Amos as a prophet.
8.5.2 Hosea: The Prophet with the Broken Heart
1. Compare the ministeries of Amos and Hosea.
8.5.2.0.1 The Rise of Assyria
1. Describe the rise of Assyria as a world power during this time.
8.5.2.1 Israel (745-721 B.C.E.)
1. Describe the political stability during this period of Israel's history.
8.5.2.1.1 The parade of kings in Israel (2 Kings 15:8-31)
8.5.2.1.2 Pekah (I), Jotham (J), Ahaz (J), and the Syro-Ephraimitic War (2 Kings 17:27-16:20; see also Isa. 7:1-25)
8.5.2.1.3 Hosea (I, 732-722/21 B.C.E.) Israel's last king (2 Kings 17:1-41)
8.5.2.2 The Man
1. Summarize the life of Hosea the prophet.
8.5.2.3 The Book
1. Briefly summarize the contents of the book of Hosea.
8.5.2.3.1 Marriage and a family (Hos. 1:1-2:1)
1. Evaluate the various interpretations of God's command to Hosea to marry a prostitute.
8.5.2.3.2 Unfaithful wife -- unfaithful people (Hos. 2:2-23)
1. Explain the connection between Hosea's family life and the Israelites.
8.5.2.3.3 The purchase (Hos. 3:1-5)
8.5.2.3.4 Judgment Must Come, But There Is Hope (Hos. 4:1-14:9)
8.5.2.3.4.1 The Lord's lawsuit (Hos. 4:1-3)
1. Describe the legal terms used by Hosea in making his case against the Israelites.
8.5.2.3.4.2 The guilt of the religious leaders (Hos. 4:4-10)
8.5.2.3.4.3 The harlotry of the people (Hos. 4:11-5:2)
8.5.2.3.4.4 The result of idolatry (Hos. 5:3-7)
8.5.2.3.4.5 War on the horizon (Hos. 5:8-14)
8.5.2.3.4.6 False repentance (Hos. 5:15-7:2)
8.5.2.3.4.7 Anarchy in the country (Hos. 7:3-7)
8.5.2.3.4.8 Ephraim is a half-baked cake (Hos. 7:8-16)
8.5.2.3.4.9 False worship and false friends (Hos. 8:1-14)
8.5.2.3.4.10 The judgment to come (Hos. 9:1-17)
8.5.2.3.4.11 Increased altars -- increased sin (Hos. 10:1-8)
8.5.2.3.4.12 Judment must come (Hos. 10:9-15)
8.5.2.3.4.13 The Lord still loves Israel (Hos. 11:1-11)
8.5.2.3.4.14 Judgment must come (Hos. 12:1-13:16)
8.5.2.3.4.15 A plea to return (Hos. 14:1-8)
8.5.2.3.4.16 A wisdom saying (Hos. 14:9)
8.5.2.4 Summary on Hosea
1. Summarize the significance of the prophet Hosea.
8.5.2.5 The Death of the Northern Kingdom
1. Describe how the northern kingdom came to an end.

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