Historical Books 5-15-06
Zondervan Commentary
Historical narrative of a highly selective nature only one segment of history
shows intent of God’s reaction of people consequences for their decisions
- Abraham – Ester / Joshua Ester (Ester-divine protection of God over people
- Jews have gotten over the fact that their is no mention of God
- History – as a national recognized people began at Mt. Horeb = Mt. Sinai (out of
Egypt)
Items that are looked at if the people are to be recognized as a nation
Social Structure / Organization
Political Borders
Religion
Way of Life
Diet
Culture
-
History of Israel is a Theological History
History details the chosen people of God thru relationship with Him and His plan
for the existence.
Historical Books – Seven Violations of God’s Commands
First Violation – They made two calf idols, Bethel and Dan (Ex. 32:4, 1 Kng. 12:28-29
Second Violation – They created an Asherah pole (1 Kng. 14:15, 23)
Third Violation – They bowed down to the starry host’s (Duet. 17:2-5)
Fourth Violation – They worshipped Baal the storm god (1 Kng. 16:31)
Fifth Violation – They scarified their children in the fire (Duet. 12:31)
Sixth Violation – They practiced divination and sorcery (Duet. 18:10-12 – 1 Sam. 28:3-7
witches)
Seventh Violation – They sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kng.
21:20)
The spirit of the historical books – they sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the
Lord.
The foundation in the Pentateuch, but most history is in the historical books.
Two books for Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles because the scrolls were not big enough.
Chronological Overview of Israel’s History
Abraham to Christ
Abraham to Moses
600 years
Moses to David
400 Years
David to Nehemiah
600 years
Nehemiah to Christ
400 years
Twelve Old Testament History Periods
1. Antediluvian
duration unknown
2. Postdiluvian
duration unknown
3. Patriarchal
215 years
4. Egyptian
430 years
5. Wilderness
40 years
6. Conquest
40 years
7. Judges
324 years
8. United Kingdom
112 years
9. Divided Kingdom
210 years
10. Judean
135 years
11. Exile
70 years
12. Post Exile
106 years
Historical Books Revolves Around Four Axes
1. Kingship – Manmade Kings were a disaster
2. Prophets – called people to repent
3. The Sanctuary – It was designed to be the dwelling place of God on earth (A rock
Abraham was going to sacrifice his son their. Now it is a Moslem Mosque with a
gold dome.
4. Worship – Was the standard by which a person’s accomplishment would be
judge.
Interpreting Biblical History
1. Regarding Old Testament narratives as just stories of those who live in Old
Testament times.
2. Treating the narratives as allegories which teach mysterious truths regarding
spaceships, extra-terrestrials, pre-Adamic races, angels fathering children etc.
3. Attempting to identified some direct / specific lessons or moral
4. Formulating doctrinal propositions based solely on Old Testament narratives, i.e.
Sabbath, worship, dancing
5. Spiritual biblical narratives, incidents, prophecies, etc i.e. replacement theology,
double portion theory
6. Interpreting scripture by importing outside information instead of hermeneutically
interpreting a context
7. Failing to compare scripture with scripture for further interpretation and
application
8. Interpreting scripture based solely on person experience
9. Rejecting concern of root meaning in history, in history in favor of the more
dynamic –and reader – oriented, postmodern approach i.e. the reader decides
meaning by his own knowledge, pre-conceptions, experience, or circumstances
(Kabalah = out of Judaism)
Willaim Menzies, Spirit and Power (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2000), 63-67
Declare,
The a-historical stance and epistemological skepticism of postmodernism is
extreme and leads to relativism.
Theological Overview
Israel’s spokespersons, historians, prophets, scribes, etc. were passionately
monotheistic and anionic
monotheistic = the doctrine or belief that there is only one God
anionic = characterized by an active and especially surface-active anion
They were aware of the existence of local God’s
Baal
Asthoreth
Chemosh
Milcom
Dagon
However, they believed that one God – Yahweh ruled over-all
All other pretenders to deity were: worthless, non-entities
They also believed that the true God of Israel had revealed himself to man
through:
The Torah
Prophets
Priestly Oracles, i.e. Urim / Thumin
Dreams
Visions
-
-
The Pentateuch lays the foundation for the coming of Christ Gen. 3:15 Seed of a
women will crush your head and Abraham was informed: And in thy seed shall all
the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice.
The historical books relate the preparation for His coming
Of David’s seed would sit on the throne of an eternal Kingdom
The prophets shaped and molded a faithful remnant who kept faith alive
Israel was called to be a light to the nations through the Messiah
Historical Narratives
By its nature it is incomplete, not all things are answered
Narratives usually record what happen, not necessary what should have happened.
If they would Obey Him
1. No nation would ever invade their land
2. Their families would multiply safely in health
3. Their crops would have abundant harvest
4. Their herds and flocks would multiply
5. They would prosper and be in health
6. God would live among them in the place of His choosing
Joshua the Man
- Son of Nun
- Moses died and Joshua was appointed to lead them into possess the land (Josh.
1:2)
- One of the two adults who left Egypt to enter Canaan
- His final speech shows his godly character
- He trusted completely in the land
Joshua the Book
Book of Joshua is divided in two parts
Chapter 1-12 Conquest of Canaan
Chapters 13-24 Division of the land among the tribes
Covers a period of about 25 years
Joshua = was a type of Christ
5:13 – Angel of the Lord with a sword = Christophany
1. Yahweh = A man of war
2. This is the victory that has overcome the world
Theological Themes
1. The book is a lesson on the covenant faithfulness of Jehovah
2. Demonstrates the importance of the written word of God (Josh. 1:8, 8:32
3. Points out the utter failure of human effort apart from divine directives
4. A commentary on God’s holiness and His Judgment of sin
Land of Canaan
- God’s choice of land for his people
- Named after fourth son of Ham
- Average width 65 miles
- At widest point 100 miles
- Greatest length 180 miles
Four Special Features
1. Isolation – seas, mountains on north, deserts on south and east
2. Central of all ancient world powers, land bridge for travel – Egypt, Babylon,
Assyria, Greece, Rome
3. Making it to be a central witness to all the world
Limitations – unsuitable for political ambitious / It was fruitful – capable of producing all
that the people would need.
Geography – Four Parallel Strips
1. Eastern maritime coastal plain
2. Central mountain range
3. Jordan river valley
4. Plateau on east side of the Jordan
Seven Tribes Occupied Canaan at the time of the conquest
1. Hatties – near Hebron, mingled with the Amorites
2. Canaanites – sea coast
3. Hivites – near shechem
4. Perizzites – central and southern
5. Girgashities – near sea of Galilee
6. Ammonites – eastern plateau
7. Jebesities – central highland
The Israel’s were commanded to destroy all the inhabitants of the land because:
1. God knew these nations would teach these nations to sin
2. God gave this land to Abraham according to his sovereign will and choice
3. The Canaanites lost right to the land because of wickedness
4. Moral depravity demands judgment ( Lev. 18:21-23, Duet. 12:30-32)
5. Losing territory is punishment for sin
6. Day of repentance expired, they had rejected the witness of God’s goodness and
judgment
-
No other nation has rivaled the Canaanites on the measure of blood and
debauchery
1500 years later, Rome condemned its practices
Sodom was example of the cities of this civilization (not even 10 righteous
persons could be found among its inhabitants)
Four Types of Preparation
1. Verbal Communication 1422 BC
2. Military Preparation
3. Logistical Preparation
4. Spiritual Preparation (circumcision and pass-over)
The narrative is what they did, not what they should have done.
5-16-06
Joshua 12 - The writer talks about the victory regarding Israel taking over a city. They
would kill every men, women, child, and priest.
Joshua 13 – There is more land available. – Ephraim / Mannasa
Important Theological Themes - Book of Judges
I Failure through compromise
II A commentary on the nature and characteristics of spiritual apostasy
III Consequences of Apostasy in everyday life
IV Covenant failures of Israel’s contrasted with faithfulness
The law was established, so why would God replace Joshua with another leader? God did
not replace Joshua, so that the people would follow Him. God would lead through the
chief priest. Instead they took the law into their own hands. We are doing today in the
local church, what God wanted the Israelites to do. Their hearts were not right.
Book of Judges
Theme: Defeat and Deliverance
Joshua: Book of victory
Judges: Book of defeat
Joshua had died, but God renamed the leader of Israel. Because of incomplete victories,
judges were raised up for deliverance and guidance. Judges were chosen from different
tribes. Their leadership probably often overlapped. As the people drifted into
disobedience, God allowed their enemies to overcome them. Canaanites were left to test
Israel’s obedience.
Author unknown – perhaps Samuel
Date: circa (c.a.) 1020 BC
Years covered: about 400 years
Thesis
Incomplete obedience produces a spiritual degeneration
Synopsis
1. Judges describes the Israelites failure to live under Yahweh’s rule as their King.
2. Incomplete obedience ruined their attempts to possess the land.
3. It subjugated them to neighboring nations as part of God’s chastening.
4. When Israel repented, God provided a judge (a military figure) to deliver them from
her oppressors.
5. Each cycle of disobedience moved Israel to a lower level of spiritual experience
(which was reflected in the lives of the judges as well).
6. By recording selective stories from Israel’s history, judges warns about the
consequences of disobedience.
Application
- Sin always carries consequences
- God forgives when we repent (but sins consequences might reduce our spiritual
accomplishments below what they could have been.
Application
- Forgiveness is wonderful
- Obedience is better
Servitude
The first scene of servitude in chapter 3
The children of Israel died evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot their God, and served
Baal and the Idols (7)
Ashtaroth – plural of Ashtoreth: figures of the goddess of fertility, a.k.a. Astarte, Venus,
Artemis, Ester, and others.
Israel became slaves of a Mesopotamian King – Cushan – rishathaim for eight years
13 judges in the book of judges
Othniel - 1st judge
Defeated the Mesopotamian King
Israel had rested 40 years
Ehud – 2nd Judge
People did evil again
They served Eglon, king of Moab
Ehud eventually assassinated Eglon, a very fat King
Israel had rest for 80 years
Shamgar – 3rd Judge
Slew 600 Philistines with an oxgoad
Delivered Israel
Deborah – 4th Judge
Prophetess
Judged 40 years
Led Barak and his armies against Sisera
Song of Victory
- A song of how God gave the victory to Israel and how the king of Canaan was
defeated.
- A tribute to Jael, who drove the tent peg through the head of Sisera.
- A note of sorrow concerning the mother of Sisera.
Evil Again
Judges Chapter 6
Verses 1-6
- God sold them into the hands of the Midianities for 7 years.
- God sent an unarmed prophet when the people complained.
The Prophet
- Reminded them of God’s grace
- God’s great deliverance from Egypt
- Instructions to not fear the local God’s
Gideon – 6th Judge
Judges 6:11
-
Threshing wheat in secret
Angel of the Lord told Gideon to go and save Israel because:
The Lord is with you, a mighty man of valor
Gideon’s army reduced to 300 men, carrying a clay pot with a candle inside
The spirit came upon Gideon
The Lord defeated the Midianities – rest in the land.
Gideon’s Fleece
Needed Assurance
Show’s God’s patience
Apostasy in Israel
- Gideon took many wives
- Gideon made a gold ephod
- The people began to worship it
- Named one of his sons Abimelech = my father is king
- Israelites played the harlot with Baal and remembered not the Lord their God
Abimilech
Judges Chapter 8
Ruled Israel primarily around the area of Shechen
- not a judge
- because an oppressor of Israel
- Israel’s apostasy punished by civil disorder
- Killed all but on of the sons 70 sons of Gideon
- Ruled as if he was king
Tula – 7th Judge
Judges Chapter 10
1159 BC
Served 23 years
Saith indicates that Tola was the divinely ordained successor of Gideon
He arouse to save Israel after Abimelech died
Jair – 8th Judge
Judges Chapter 10
1136 BC
Served 22 years
What is indicated by the fact that Jair had 30 sons. Smith indicates that the polygamous
marriages and the lifting his sons to places of prominence suggests degeneration in the
concept of judgment.
Eli – 9th Judge
1 Samuel Chapter 4
Judged Israel 40 years in Shiloh
He was also a High Priest
Jephthan introduced as youth with troubles
- Son of a harlot: ran from half brother
- Leader of an outlaw gang
- Elders of Gidcad requested him to defeat the Ammonite invaders
- He agreed if they would make her ruler
- God gave him victory over the Ammonites
Jepthan – 10th Judge
1096 BC
Served 6 years
Hid foolish vow
- Biblical ref. Judge 11:29-40
- See Smith Pages 174-176
- Did not sacrifice his daughter
1. That Jephthah would grant her two months time to lament her virginity. Would
have been out of keeping with the account that she was to be put to death.
2. To mourn one’s virginity does not mean to mourn because one has to die a virgin,
but because one has to live and remain a virgin.
3. In the account of the fulfillment of the vow “and she knew no man” is not in
harmony with the assumption of an artificial death.
4. If Jephthah had sent his daughter up in smoke, the author probably would have
said so.
5. Had Jephthah killed her, she would have became a burnt sacrifice to the vile deity,
Moloch, rather than to the holy and righteous Yahweh.
3 Minor Judges
Judges Chapter 12
Not much is known about them
Ibzan – 11th Judge
About 7 years
1105 BC
He had 30 sons and 30 daughters
Secured spouses from “outside”
Probably limited to Zebulun and tribal areas nearby.
Elon – 12th Judge
10 years
Only held title
Accomplished very little
Abdon – 13th Judge
About 8 years
Helped Ephrain gain some tribal prestige Polygamist
Had 40 sons and 30 grandsons
Samson – 14th Judge
Judges Chapter 13
1096
Birth announced to parents by The Angel of the Lord
Samson’s mother had been barren
Samson was to be a Nazirite from birth
Parents were instructed to keep the boy from strong drink and anything unclean
Samson = God sought to use him against the Philistines. He loved a Philistine woman
and requested his parents to get her for his wife.
Some feats of strength
Killed a lion
Killed 30 Philistines
Caught 300 jackals and burned the fields of the Philistines.
Killed 1000 Philistines with a jawbone from a donkey
Ripped doors of the city gates and carried them into the mountains
Snapped new ropes binding his wrists
Samson was finally captured after Delilah cut off his hair
Put into prison were his hair grew
Finally avenged himself by overturning supporting pillars of a big hall where the
Philistines were being entertained by sports
Defeat and death occur because Samson continued to consort with those he was born to
defeat
The Samson Syndrome
1. Ignore your heavenly calling (by)
2. Living for your sensual appetites
3. Despise the holiness God requires
4. While satisfying your earthly desires
5. And marginalize your kingdom effectiveness by seeking pleasure in another
kingdom
Avoiding the Samson Syndrome
1. Love the Lord
2. Meditate on His word
3. Obey Him
4. Serve Him
Period of Eli
His house doomed to fall
His sons worthless follows
Stole the Lord portion of the people’s sacrifices
Eli did not remove his sons
Book of Samuel
Theme – Samuel, Saul, and David
Author – unknown
Samuel born 1126 BC
Descended from Levi
Replaced Eli as Priest
Referred to as: Initiating the prophet order (Acts 13:20, Heb. 11:32)
1st and 2nd Samuel is one book written on two scrolls
1st Samuel relates the birth of the monarchy
2nd Samuel narrates the expansion of the kingdom into a world power
Samuel’s career forms a bridge
His name means – “Heard by God”
Story’s of Samuel’s
- Birth
- Dedication
- Calling – Probably in his teen-age years
Hannah’s HORN exalted?
Period of Eli
Judges 40 years
His house was doomed to fall
- Sons were worthless
- Stole God’s portion of sacrifices by the people
- Lay with women who assembled to serve (Ex. 38:8)
- Refused to listen to correction of their father
- God had already determined to kill him
The end of Eli’s rule
Philistines attacked the Ark was carried into battle where it was captured
Eli’s sons killed in battle
92 years old Eli fell off a bench and broke his neck when he learned of the Ark’s capture
His daughter-in-law gave birth and named her son Ichabod
Dagon
The Ark was placed in the temple of Dagon
Dagon – Father of Baal
- God of rain and grain
- Also called fish God
- Pictured as having the body of a fish with hands and head of a man
- Primary god of the Philistines
- Defeated by Yahweh in his own house
Dagon
- Found by priest prostrate before the Ark in worship
- Set upright by priests
- Next morning his head and hands were found broken off
- Severed heads and hands
- Philistines decided to send the Ark home
Monarchy
- People of Israel demands a king like the nations around them
- God told Samuel that they had rejected God, not Samuel
- Saul, a great warrior, anointed king
- Became self-seeking
- Intrudes into the office of priest
- God rejects Saul because of his disobedience and insolence
- Philistine once again attacked Israel
- Jonathan’s bold assault (14)
Samuel becomes priest
- Samuel becomes prophet and priest (3:19-20)
2 Samuel
- Author unknown (Possibly: Nathan, and/or Gad (1 Chron. 29:29)
- Covers a period of about 40 years
- Book opens with David mourning Saul and a special tribute to Jonathan
- Killed a soldier who claimed he had slain Saul
- David showed his respect for the King and reluctance to become involved in vengeance
- Chapter 2: David received as king of Judah
- Lived in Hebron
Outline
David’s reign over Hebron (1-4; 1 Chron. 3:1-4) 1028 BC
a. Accepted only by Judah initially
b. Saul’s general, Abner, set up Isbosheth as ruler over northern tribes
c. Fighting between the two factions ensued
d. Joab was supporting David
e. Abner and Isbosheth had a quarrel over one of Saul’s concubines
f. Abner switched his support to David
Joab
- Strongly opposed DFavid’s acceptance of Abner
- Joab pretended to have a private talk with Abner, then killed Abner
- Although David became angry, this was another step in David’s assumption of the
trone
- Isboseth was killed by two Benjaminite brothers, his own men as he took a nap at
noon time
David
Three times executed or pronounced judgment upon those who presumed to act in
David’s favor
- The Amalekite messenger (1:13)
- Joab (3:28)
- Baanah and Rechab (4:9)
The Northern tribes accepted David as their king
David’s Family at Hebron
- Ahinoam – Jezreelite: Amnon
- Abigail – Nagal’s widow: Chileab
- Maacah – Daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur: Absalom
- Haggith – Adonijah
- Abital- Shephatiah
- Eglah-Ithream
David’s Anointings
By Samuel (1 Sam. 16:13)
- A prophetic act to signify that he was God’s choice to be king of Israel
By Men of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4)
- Signified that he was their choice to be king over Judah
By Elders of Israel (2Sam. 5:3)
- Signified that he was the Elder’s choice to be king over all of Israel
Jerusalem
Captured from the Jebusites (5; 1 Chron. 11:4)
Became capital city of Israel
- More centrally located
- Influence neutrality between Judah and Ephraim
- A site of historical importance
 Home of Melchizedek
 Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac on Mariah
- Strategic for military defense
Outline
David’s Reign over Israel
- Had many sons and daughters, some with concubines (5:13; 1 Chron. 3:5)
- Continued gaining victories over Philistines (5:17; 1 Chron. 14)
 1st Philitine invasion intended to capture David
 2nd invasion repelled by the famed “sound of a going in the trees”
Center of Worship
Attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (6; 1 Chron. 13-15)
- Mistakenly placed the Ark on the cart
- Uzzah was killed when he attempted to stead the Ark when an ox stumbled
- David sent the Ark to the house of Obed-edom, a Levite
-
After three months, David moved it to Jerusalem
Michal, his wife, accused him of immodesty because of his dancing ahead of the
Ark procession
Apparently, David never had relations with her again because she never had any
children
Temple to be Built
David wanted to build a temple, but God would not allow him to do so (7; 1 Chron. 17)
1014BC
The Prophet Nathan informed David:
- 1st God had not requested a house
- 2nd David was to be ruler over all the people
Concerning the temple
- God would give people rest
- God would build the house of David which would stand forever
- One of David’s descendants would be chosen to build the temple
House of David
- Although David could not build the house of God, God promised David that He
would build David’s house
- David’s house would stand- be established forever
- Christ is the promised descendant who will forever reign (2Sam. 7:11)
OUTLINE OF PROMISED SEED
CHRIST
House of
David (2
Samuel 7:16)
Tribe of Judah
(Genesis 49:10)
Nation from Abraham
(Genesis 12:3)
Semitic Branch of the
Human Race (Genesis 9:26)
The Human Race (Genesis 3:15)
CHANNELS OF REDEMPTION
Geographical Territory
Expanded the Kingdom (8; 1 Chron. 18)
- Tribute began flowing into the treasury
- Distant kings swore vassal allegiance to David
- David brought the Philistines under control
- Conquered the Moabites, Armeans, and Edomities
COVENANT COMPARISON
Description
Recipient
Outstanding Aspect
Fulfillment
Symbol of Christ
ABRAHAMIC
DAVIDIC
Abraham
(Genesis 12:1-3)
David
(2 Samuel 7:11-17)
Spiritual Blessing
(Galatians 3:14)
Political
Rulership
(Luke 1:30-35)
First Advent
of Christ
(John 1:29)
Second Advent
of Christ
(Revelation 5:5)
Lamb to Be
Sacrificed
(Revelation 5:12)
Lion to Reign
as King
(Revelation 5:5)
Bureaucratic Growth
- Kingdom growth necessitated new administrative positions
- Joab-Military commander
- Jehoshaphet-Recoeder of royal recorda
- Zadok (Priest under Saul) & Ahimelach (son of Abiathar, David’s priest)- shared
priesthood
- Seraiah-secretary of royal proclamations
- Benaiah – commander of King’s body guard, a military unit
- David’s sons- Chief ministers
Mephibosheth
- Became lame at 5
- Nurse begam to run after hearing of death of Jphathan and Saul, dropped him
- David allowed Mephibosheth to live and eat in the King’s house
Bathsheba
- David’s great sin of adultery (11-12)
- Sent her husband (Uriah) to front of battle line, where he was killed
- David married her
- Nathan the prophet spoke to David:
- God gave him, wives, prosperity, and the nation. Would have given him much
more
- Because of the murder and adultery:
- Sword will never depart from Davis’s house
- Others will get David’s wives
David Repented
- David repented and the Lord let him live
- The child born unto David shall die
- God stuck the child with diseases and the child died on the 7th day
- David entreated to the Lord to heal him, but He would not
- Solomon born to David and Bathsheba
- David’s son Ammon, raped David’s daughter Tamar- Evil against David raised up
by God, because of his sin (12:11)
Absalom
- Killed Amnon (13-18)
- Led rebellion against David kingdom, almost succeeded in taking over
- The military tide turned against him
- He was killed by Joab while fleeing
- Hair caught in a tree
- Joab ran a spear through him as he dangled from the tree
Continuation of Trouble
- A Benjamite, who revolted against David, was finally overcome after much
bloodshed
- Famine for three years ended after restitution had been made to Gibeonites who
were mistreated by Saul
- Seven of Saul’s descendants were hung
- David made a final champaign against the Philistines
David’s Final Days
- Last prophetic words (23)
- Roll of David’s mighty men (23)
- Three days of pestilence (24; 1 Chron. 21:1-17)
Nature and Theme
- 1st and 2nd Kings were divided in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament
- 1st Kings shows how the people of Israel related to its kings
- 1st Kings begins with the death of David-ends with the death of Ahab
-
Kings
-
Some of the Kings of the southern kingdom of Judah were righteous- those who
walked in the ways of David
Not one of the northern kings was righteous-they walked in the ways of their first
king: Jereboam
Relates the rise and fall of Israel’s monarchy
Covers c.a. 400 years (1000-600BC)
Although human kings reigned, there is evidence of the presence of Yahweh
Prophets represented the voice of God to the kings and the nations
Author of both books of kings-unknown (Jewish schalars believed that Jeremaih
wrote them)
First Kings
- Theme: The United Kingdom-Divided
- Traces the history of the nation’s linkage with the house of David
- Just before David dies, his son Adonijah tries to usurp the throne
- David declares Solomon is king
- With the help of Bathsheba, Nathan, and David’s mighty men, Solomon is
anointed King
Loose Ends
- Adonijah was slain (2:13-35)
- Abiathar deposed because he supported Adonijah (26-27)
- Joab slain by Solomon at Davis’s request (28-34)
- Shimei slain because of his mistreatment of David (36-46)
Solomon
- Solomon’s Kingdom (1-2) established
- Solomon’s reign (3-11)
- Wisdom and possessions (3-4)
- Began consolidating peace with other nations by marrying daughters of their
rulers (3:1)
- Solomon at Gibeon (9)
- Example of his wisdom (16-28)
- Solomon appointed 11 cabinet members
- Solomon’s reputation spreads
- Begins to prepare to build the temple (Ch. 5; 2 Chron. 2)
- Conscripted his labor force
- Began building the temple (2 Chron. 3)
- God reconfirmed His blessings upon Solomon (6:11-13)
The Temple
- Took seven years to complete
- Dedication (8; 2 Chron.5-which describes the glory of God filling the house
- Fame of Solomon spreads
-
Queen of Sheba visits
Solomon’s wealth grew (10; 2 Chron. 9)
Solomon forsakes God (11)
THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Prepared by: Paul L. Williams, D. Min.
I. Background
A. The setting is in the Persian kingdom during the diaspora following the Babylonian
invasion of Judah.
B. It involves Mordecai who brought up his cousin Kadassah, called Esther, whose
parents were dead.
C. Ahasuerus (Greek-Xerxes) was king of Persia 486-455 BC
1. Character of Ahasuerus
a. Put to death his bridge engineers because their work was damages by a storm
b. Repudiated his queen, Vashti, because she refused to appear before him at a banquet
c. Ordered massacre of whole Jewish people to gratify Haman’s hatred of Mordecai
2. In the third year of reign
a. He held an assembly of his officials to arrange the Grecian war (Herod 7.7)
b. Feast at which he commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him. She refused,
c. Queen Vashti was dethroned and banished from his presence
3. In the sixth year of his reign
a. Returned defeated from Grecian wars
b. Consoled himself by pleasures of his harem
c. Remembered Vashti and her banishment
d. Fair and young virgins were sought for him to choose a queen from among them
4. In the seventh year of his reign: Ester pleased him and he made her queen
D. Mordecai the Benjamite
1. Brought up WEster
2. Urged her not to identify her ethnic heritage
3. Was in the King’s service in the court
4. Overheard a plot to overthrow the king’s chronicles
II AUTHORSHIP
A. The author is not stated and must be considered unknown
B. Some scholars think Mordecai was the author
1. Minute details written by one who lived in Shushan and probably at court
2. The author has intimate knowledge of the private affairs of Ester and
Mordecai and points to Morecai authorship
3. As Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah who held offices under Persian kings
wrote accounts of national affairs, so Mordecai should have recorded the
events in Ester.
4. Most Jews and many other names such as Vatablus, Carpzovius, and Aben
Ezra,
5. No other person is ascribed as author.
III USE OF THE BOOK ESTER
A. Read as an account of the providential care of the Israelities by God. The account
relates how Ester and Mordecai stopped the plans of the chief minister, Haman, to
destroy all Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus to whom Ester was married.
B. Haman wanted all Jews to die because Mordecai would not bow down to him. In
the end Haman is hanged on his own gallows prepared for mordecai and the
Jewsm were allowed to defend themselves amd killed all who attacked them.
C. Read in synagogues, in the evening and morning of the feast of Purim, celebrating
the overthrow and death of Haman, but only from a parchment scroll.
D. Read in some communities in the home so the women may hear the reading
because they too were saved by the miracle.
IV MAJOR TEXTUAL AND CRITICAL ISSUES A.
A. Canonical Exclusion
1. Historical criticism
a. The are no confirmations of events in Ester from any other source
b. Historically of the book is in question
c. Source of Jewish festival “Purim” has not been established
2. Literary critics
a. Connection between the term “Purim” and the festival itself is never clearly made,
b. Age of Modecai would be 100+ years, making it unlikely he could be involved in
the events as is recorded in the book. Some read the text as though he had been taken
captive along with Jeconiah in the first deportation from Jerusalem to Babylon,
c. There is no mention of God in the book.
d. Additions to the Masoretic text not found in Greek text (Septuagint) were produced
with the translation of Ester. Six passages not found in the Hebrew text were added to
form a specifically religious element.
1) Prayers of Ester and Mordecai
2) Royal edicts of Haman and Mordecai
3) God is mentioned over fifty times as well as prayer, temple, and dietary laws.
e. These additions, found in the Apocryphal document, :Additions to Ester,” do not
find a receptive audience in Judaism or Christianity because of the gratuitous nature
of the main text.
B. Canonical Inclusion
C. 1. General, though sometimes reluctant, agreement that it provides a historical
ground for the feast of Purim because of the continuity of the celebration of this
festival to the present time.
2. Arguments that Purim had origins in non-Jewish feasts are insufficient to discount
the document.
3. The derivation of the Hebrew from AKKADIAN “PURU” which means “lot” has
brought solution to the term “Purim.”
4. A recognized high litery skill
5. Historically, the author shows genuine historical knowledge of the Perim court
and there is a lack of Hellenistic elements. This dares the document in early 4th
century BC
6. Mordecai was not taken captive with Jeconiah. It was his great grandfather Kish
(Ester2:5,6). It is estimated that this would make mordecai 50-60 years old at the
time of these events. He also could have been the Mordecai of Ezra 2:2.
7. II Maccabees refers to Purim as the “Day of Mordecai”, lending acceptance of the
document.
8. Joseph refers to it as one of the 22 canonical books that trace the course of history
from the creation to Ahasuerus, the son of Xerxes.
9. The character of Ahasuerus fits the description of him.
10. Received by Jews with great favor.
V CHRONOLOGICAL TIME TABLE
By the time Ester, some captives of Judah had already returned to Judah. Cyrus, Ezra 1:1,
had made a decree to allow them to return. This was c.a. 538B.C. This puts Ester’s
becoming queen about 60 years after the return of the first group of captives. See the
following table
First deportation of Jews to Babylon 608 B.C.
Less 70 years in captivity
70
Cyrus Decree
538 B.C.
Ester became queen (Subtract)
479 B.C.
Captives had already begun returning 59 years before Ester became queen
VI CONCLUSION
While there are many questions about the authorship and historical ties of Ester, there
seems to be enough weight in other areas to include the book in the canon of scripture. It
does in no way take away from any other narrative or doctrine in Scripture.
Ester was very popular among the Jewish community because it was an excellent record
of the preservation of Jews, viewed as miraculous. It provides strong canonical warrant
for religious significance of Jewish people in an ethnic, secular sense. During the period,
theirs was a major issue because they saw the events as proof that God would eventually
restore them to their homeland.
The document maintains a literal sense on the same level with semantics with no attempt
to extend representative reading of the story in order to embrace the whole account.
Old Testament canonical inclusion, guards against attempts to spiritualize Israel.
Brevard Childs says, “the canonical shape of Ester has built into the fabric of the book a
theological criticism of all forms of Jewish nationalism which occurs whenever
“Jewishness” is divorced from their sacred traditions which constitute the grounds of
Israel’s existence under God (p.606).
HISTORICAL BOOKS CONCLUSION
The historical books record the core history of the Israelites. From the entrance into
the land of promise, to the development of national government and established worship
in Jerusalem.
God’s chosen people rejected Him and worshiped pagan gods, even in the Temple in
Jerusalem where God dwelt on the Mersey seat.
The kingdom divided because of Solomon’s involvement with pagan gods, to the
extent of worshipping gods, who demanded child sacrifice. The Israelites were accused
of, and charged with, sacrificing God’s children to those gods. As a result, Jerusalem
became known to God as a “bloody city” (Ezek. 22; Rev. 17, 18); and He sent them into
captivity to Assyria and Babylon.
Hosea reveals that God symbolically considered Israel joined to Him as a wife. But
because of her harlotry, He had divorced her (see also Isaiah 1:21). She would remain
away from Him until she realized that life with Him was superior to any other way of life.
During that time of estrangement, Ezek. 21:25-32 relates that there will be no Davidic
king over Israel until the Messiah comes to reign.
By this we know that even though God brought the remnant back to Jerusalem from
captivity (Ezra & Nehemiah), and helped them rebuild the Temple and the city, He had
not yet entered again into the same husband/wife relationship with them. That will
happen only when Jesus Christ/Messiah returns to earth and re-establishes the nation of
Israel in their land.
The restoration of Israel t her former status as the wife of God is seen in the words of
Hosea:
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak comfort to her.”
“I will give her, her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope,
She shall sing there,
As in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.”
“I will betroth you to Me forever;…
And you shall know the Lord. …
I will sow her for Myself in the earth”
(Hosea 2:14-23 NKJV).
The fantastic future is described as a groom sings a love song to his glorious bride:
“The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save; He will
Rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you with singing”
(Zephaniah 3:16 NKJV).
“Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20 NKJV)