Answer Key – Weeks 16-20

Week 16

In 1 Kings 19:11–13, how did God choose to speak to Elijah, and what can we learn from this about hearing God’s voice?
God spoke to Elijah through a gentle whisper rather than through the wind, earthquake, or fire. This reminds us that God often speaks quietly through His Word and by His Spirit, calling us to slow down, listen carefully, and draw near to Him.

In 2 Kings 2:9–12, what did Elisha ask for before Elijah was taken to heaven, and what did this reveal about his desire to serve God?
Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. He was not seeking fame or position, but the strength and spiritual help needed to continue the work God had called him to do. His request revealed a deep desire to faithfully serve the Lord and carry on Elijah’s ministry.

In 2 Kings 5:10–14, what was Naaman told to do to receive healing, and why was it difficult for him to accept at first?
Naaman was told to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be healed of leprosy. At first, he was offended because the instruction seemed too simple and humble for a great military commander like himself. His struggle reveals how pride can keep people from obedience, while faith often requires humble submission to God’s way.

Week 17

In 2 Kings 19:14–19, what did Hezekiah do with the threatening letter from Assyria, and what can we learn from his response?
Hezekiah took the letter into the Temple and spread it out before the Lord in prayer. Instead of responding with panic or relying only on human strength, he brought his fears directly to God. His response reminds us to seek the Lord first when facing overwhelming situations and to trust Him with the battles we cannot control.

In 2 Kings 22:8–13, what did Hilkiah discover in the Temple, and why was King Josiah troubled when it was read to him?
Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law in the Temple. When Josiah heard it read, he realized how far the nation had drifted from God’s commands and understood that judgment would come because of their disobedience. His sorrow revealed a tender heart that took God’s Word seriously.

In 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, why does Jabez stand out from his brothers, and what does his prayer reveal about the way he viewed God’s work in his life?
Jabez stood out because he was described as more honorable than his brothers, and because he turned to God in prayer. He asked God for blessing, guidance, protection, and help. His prayer reveals a humble dependence on the Lord and a desire for God’s hand to be at work in every part of his life.

Week 18

In 1 Chronicles 16:8–12, what are God’s people called to remember, and why is this important?
God’s people are called to remember His wonderful works, His miracles, and His faithfulness. Remembering what God has done strengthens faith, encourages gratitude, and helps believers trust Him in present and future difficulties.

In 1 Chronicles 17:11–14, what promise did God make about David’s offspring, and who ultimately fulfilled it?
God promised that one of David’s descendants would establish an eternal kingdom and throne. While Solomon partially fulfilled this promise, it ultimately points to Jesus Christ, whose reign will never end.

In 1 Chronicles 21:26–27, how did God respond to David’s sacrifice at the threshing floor, and what did this reveal about God’s mercy?
God answered David by sending fire from heaven upon the altar, showing that the sacrifice had been accepted. Afterward, the judgment on Israel was stopped. This revealed God’s mercy and His willingness to forgive when people humbly repent and turn back to Him.

Week 19

In 1 Chronicles 28, David gave Solomon the plans for building the Temple. Where did the plans come from, and why wasn’t David chosen to build it?
David explained that the plans for the Temple were given to him by the Spirit of God. Although David desired to build the Temple, God told him he would not build it because he had been a man of war and had shed much blood. Instead, Solomon was chosen to build a house dedicated to peace and worship.

In 2 Chronicles 7:1–3, what happened after Solomon finished praying, and how did the people respond when they saw it?
After Solomon prayed, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. When the people saw this, they knelt with their faces to the ground and worshiped the Lord, praising Him for His goodness and enduring love.

In 2 Chronicles 20:20–22, who did Jehoshaphat place at the front of the army, and what happened as they began to sing and praise the Lord?
Jehoshaphat placed singers at the front of the army to praise the beauty of God’s holiness. As they began to sing and praise the Lord, God caused confusion among their enemies, and the opposing armies turned against one another. The victory came through trusting and worshiping God.

Week 20

In 2 Chronicles 34:18–21, how did King Josiah respond when the Book of the Law was read to him, and why was he so troubled?
When Josiah heard the Book of the Law, he tore his robes in sorrow and humility. He was troubled because he realized the people had disobeyed God’s commands for many years and that judgment was deserved because of their sin.

In Ezra 3:10–13, why were some people rejoicing while others were weeping at the laying of the temple foundation?
Many people rejoiced because the Temple was finally being rebuilt after the exile. Others, especially the older men who remembered Solomon’s Temple, wept because the new foundation seemed small compared to the former glory. The moment was filled with both gratitude for restoration and sorrow over what had been lost.

According to Ezra 7:10, what three things had Ezra devoted himself to regarding the Law of the Lord?
Ezra had devoted himself to studying the Law of the Lord, obeying it, and teaching its commands and decrees to Israel. His example shows the importance of not only learning God’s Word, but also living it out and sharing it with others.