Study
Guide Answers
Matthew Henry
Chapter 1
1.
Why
is the term “testament” or “covenant” used to describe the Bible? Answer: This is called a testament, or covenant (Diatheke)(NT:1242), because it
was a settled declaration of the will of God concerning man in a federal way,
and had its force from the designed death of the great testator, the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world, Rev 8:8.
2.
What does the word “Pentateuch” refer to? Answer: The first five books
of the Bible.
3.
List
the threefold description of the Scriptures according to Jesus. Answer: Law, Prophets, and Psalms.
4.
When
was Genesis written? Answer: While some think, when Moses was in Midian,
for the instruction and comfort of his suffering brethren in Egypt: it is
probable that he wrote it in the
wilderness, after he had been in the mount with God.
5.
List
six things the book of Genesis introduces.
Answer: (1) Creation of the world (2)
The entrance of sin (3) The entrance of death (4) The invention of the arts (5)
The rise of nations and (6) The beginning of the Church.
Exodus
1.
In
what two ways was Moses a servant of the Lord? Answer: Moses
used his pen to serve the Lord by recording history and his used his rod of
authority to guide the people of God.
2.
What does the term “exodus” mean?” Answer:
A departure, or going out.
3.
Give the spiritual significance of the term “exodus.” Answer: No sooner have we made our entrance into the world than we must think
of making our exit, and going out of the world. When we begin to live we begin
to die.
4.
State the two major divisions of the book. Answer: I.
The accomplishment of the promises made before to Abraham (chapters 1-19). II.
The establishment of the ordinances which were afterwards observed by Israel
(chapters 20-40).
5.
What
New Testament passage states that Moses wrote of Christ? Answer: John
5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Leviticus
1.
What
three historical accounts are recalled in Leviticus? Answer: (1) The consecration
of the priesthood (chapters 8-9). (2) The punishment of Nadab and Abihu
(chapter 10). (3) The ecclesiastical laws of God.
2.
What
do the ecclesiastical laws regulate?
Answer: These laws regulated the
sacrifices and offerings of Israel.
3.
Where
does the term “Leviticus” come from and what does it mean? Answer: The term comes from
the Septuagint and refers to the priestly tribe of Levi.
4.
Does
Leviticus suggest that there is a proper way to worship the Lord? Explain. Answer: In the divine appointments with God there are particular forms to
follow.
5.
How
might a New Testament believer apply the teachings found in Leviticus? Answer: While the New Testament Christian is freed from the yoke of ceremonial
law, the ancient laws strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4
1.
What
is the origin of the title of the book and why is it so named? Answer: While the other titles for the books of the Old Testament come from
the Septuagint, this title comes from the English. The title comes because of
the numbers of the children of Israel which are so often mentioned.
2.
How
many times was the Exodus Generation numbered and where? Answer: (1) At Mt. Sinai
(chapter 1) and (2) on the plains of Moab thirty nine years later (chapter 26).
3.
What
is contained in the historical part of the book? Answer: (1) The numberig and
organization of the tribes (chapters 1-4). (2) The dedication of the altar and
Levites (chapter 7-8). (3) The travels of the nation (chapter 9-10). (4) The
murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander for forty years
in the wilderness (chapter 11-14). (5) The rebellion of Korah (chapters 16,17).
(6) The history of the last year of the forty (chapter 20-26) (7) The conquest
of Midian, and the settlement of the two tribes (chapter 31, 32). (8) An
account of their journeys (chapter 33).
4.
What
did the laws set forth in Numbers regulate? Answer: (1) Laws about the
Nazarites, etc (chapter 5,6). (2) Laws about the priests’ charge, etc. (chapter
18,19). (3) The feasts (chapter 28, 29). (4) The vows (chapter 30). (5) Their
settlement in Canaan (chapter 27, 34, 35,36).
5.
Give
the spiritual application of this book to Christians today. Answer: Hebrews 4:1 provides an application of the book to ourselves. Let us
fear lest we seem to come short.
Deuteronomy
1.
What
major event is recorded in the last chapter of this book? Answer: The death of Moses.
2.
What
does the word “Deuteronomy” signify? Answer:
Literally, the Second Law or the second
time the Law was given.
3.
Why
was the Law repeated? Answer: The men of the Exodus generation to which
the law was first given were all dead, and a new generation had sprung up.
4.
State
one attribute of God manifested by the giving of the Law. Answer: In compassion to the
infirmities of the people, the laws of more common concern are delivered a
second time.
5.
State
one spiritual application of Deuteronomy. Answer:
What God has spoken once we have need
to hear twice, to hear many times, and it is well if, after all, it be duly
perceived and regarded.
6.
List three ways the book was to be magnified and
honored. Answer: (1) The king was to write a copy of it with his own hand,
and to read therein all the days of his life, ch. 17, 18, 19. 2 (2) It was to be written upon great stones
plastered, at their passing over Jordan, Deut 27:2-3. (3) It was to be read
publicly every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles, by the priests, in
the audience of all Israel, Deut 31:9, etc.
7.
In which chapter is a song sung? Answer:
Chapter 32.
8.
How
much time is covered in the book? Answer:
Two months.
9.
How
should the last words of a person be treated? Answer: With great respect.
10.
How
did Jesus use this book of the Bible? Answer: The Lord answered the devil’s temptations
with direct quotations from Deuteronomy.
Joshua
Chapter 6
1.
List
some of the “lost” books of the Bible. Answer:
(1) The Book of Jasher (2) The Chronicles
of the Kings of Israel and Judah (3) The Book of Gad (4) The Book of Nathan and
(5) The Book of Iddo.
2.
Who
might be the author of Joshua? Answer: Ezra the scribe.
3.
In
what three ways is Joshua shown to be the leader of Israel? Answer: (1) He led the
people of Israel into Canaan. (2) He led the people in the conquest of Canaan.
(3) He led the people in the distribution of the land that was conquered.
4.
How
is the providence of God revealed?
Answer: (1) In the kingdom of nature,
(2) in punishing the Canaanites when the measure of their iniquity was full,
(3) by His faithfulness to His covenant with the patriarchs, and (4) by His
kindness to His people Israel, notwithstanding their provocations. (5) We may
see him as the Lord of Hosts determining the issues of war, and (6) as the
director of the lot, determining the bounds of men's habitations
5.
How
is Joshua a type of Christ? Answer: He bore our Savior’s name and serverd as a
high priest (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; Zech.
6:11-12). Joshua saves God’s people from the Canaanites as Jesus promised to
save His people from their sins. Christ, as Joshua, is the captain of our
salvation, a leader of commander of the people, to tread Satan under their
feet, to put them in possession of the heavenly Canaan, and to give them rest,
which (it is said, Heb. 4:8), Joshua did not.
Judges
Chapter 7
1.
How
many years are covered in Judges?
Answer: Two hundred and ninety nine
years.
2.
List
12 of the Judges of Israel. Answer:
(1)
Othniel
of Judah
(2)
Ehud
of Benjamin
(3)
Barak
of Naphtali
(4)
Gideon
of Manasseh
(5)
Abimelech
his son
(6)
Tola
of Issachar
(7)
Jair
of Manasseh
(8)
Jephtha
of Manasseh
(9)
Ibzan
of Judah
(10)Elon of Zebulun
(11)
Abdon
of Ephriam
(12)
Samson
of Dan
3.
How
many tribes are represented by the Judge?
Answer: Eight.
4.
Characterize
the Judges of Israel. Answer: They do not appear here either so great or
so good as one might have expected the character of such a peculiar people
would be. We find them wretchedly corrupted, and wretchedly oppressed by their
neighbours about them.
5.
Describe
the government of Israel during the days of the Judges. Answer: The government of
the judges was not constant, but occasional. The judges were raised up and
animated by the Spirit of God to do particular service to the public when there
was occasion, to avenge Israel of their enemies, and to purge Israel of their
idolatries, which are the two things principally meant by their judging Israel.
6.
What
was the name of the woman who judged Israel? Answer: Deborah.
7.
Spiritually,
who was the true king of Israel? Answer:
During the government of the judges, God
was in a more especially manner Israel’s king; so Samuel tells them when they
were resolved to throw off this form of government (1 Sam. 12:12).
8.
In
Hebrews 4:12, who are the four judges honored? Answer: (1) Gideon (2) Barak
(3) Samson (4) Jephtha
9.
Ho
might be the author of the book of Judges?
Answer: The prophet Samuel.
10.
What
should a Christian be thankful for?
Answer: Christians should be grateful
for magistrates both supreme and subordinate, for they are ministers of God
unto us for good.
Chapter 8
1.
Who
might have written Ruth? Answer: The prophet Samuel.
2.
What
is the design of the book? Answer: (1) To lead individuals to recognize the
hand of Providence and, (2) to lead people to Christ.
3.
Give
the most important descendant of Ruth.
Answer: The Messiah.
4.
What
does Ruth typify? Answer: In Ruth there is the anticipation of the
calling of the Gentiles in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our
Lord.
5.
What
city is the setting for the story of Ruth?
Answer: Bethlehem.
1 Samuel
Chapter 9
1.
Describe
the contents of 1 and 2 Samuel. Answer:
These books record the fall of Eli and
the rise of Samuel. A full account of his birth, childhood, life and government
is provided. The life of Saul is then followed by the rise of David to power.
2.
What
is the title of those works in the Latin Vulgate? Answer: The First and Second
Book of the Kings.
3.
What
is the title of those works in the Septuagint? Answer: The First and Second
Book of the Kingdoms.
4.
Who
is the author of these works? Answer:
It is probable that Samuel wrote the
history of his own time, and that, after him, some of the prophets that were
with David (Nathan as likely as any) continued it.
5.
What
official position did Eli and Samuel hold in the nation? Answer: They were priests
unto the Lord.
2 Samuel
1.
Who
were the enemies of David? Answer: The enemies of David included Saul, the
Jebusites, and the Philistines.
2.
Against
whom did David ultimately sin? Answer:
David against Urriah the Hittite and
against the Lord God (Psalms 51).
3.
What
was the sin of Ammon? (chapter 13)
Answer: He molested his sister.
4.
Who
was Absalom and what did he do? Answer:
Absalom was the favored son of David and
the handsome crown prince. He led a rebellion against his father to take the
throne by force.
5.
For
what sin of David did thousands of Israelites die? (chapter 24) Answer: Lifted up with pride David counted the people of Israel, not to take a
census but to inflate his own ego. It was a great sin in the sight of God.
Chapter 11
1.
Who was Solomon? Answer: Solomon was the second son born to David and
Bathsheba who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Beloved by God, Solomon was
chosen to follow David to the throne of Israel.
2.
What
caused the nation of Israel to be divided?
Answer: The many wives of Solomon
took his heart away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord
divided the kingdom of Israel.
3.
Describe
the character of the kings of Judah.
Answer: The many wives of Solomon
took his heart away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord
divided the kingdom of Israel.
David the devout
Solomon the wise
Rehoboam the simple
Abijah the valiant
Asa the upright
Jehoshaphat the religious
Jehoram the wicked
Ahaziah the profane
Joash the backslider
Amaziah the rash
Uzziah the mighty
Jotham the peaceable
Ahaz the idolater
Hezekiah the reformer
Manasseh the penitent
Amon the obscure
Josiah the tender
hearted
Jehoahaz
Jehoiakim
Jehoiachin
Zedekiah all wicked
4.
What
did David want to build for the Lord?
Answer: David wanted to build a
Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant.
2 Kings
Chapter 12
1.
Who
was Elijah and what are some of the miracles he performed? (chapters 17-19) Answer: Elijah was a 9th
century prophet of God who ministered during the reign of King Ahab. He fed a
widow and her son, restored the child back to life when he died, called fire
down from heaven, and prayed that it not rain for three years. The rains ceased
until he prayed again.
2.
How
did Elijah leave earth? (chapters 1-2)
Answer: Elijah ascended into heaven
in a chariot of fire.
1.
List
some of the miracles of Elisha. (chapters 3-7) Answer: (1) The miracle of
Jordan (2) The miracle of the healed waters (3) The miracle of judgment upon
irreverent young men. (4) The miracle of the flood (5) The miracle of the
Shunammite’s son (6) The miracle of the poisoned food (7) The miracle of the
healing of Naaman (8) The miracle of the healing of Gehazi (9) The miracle of
the swimming axhead (10) The miralce of open and blinded eyes and (11) The
miracle of the siege
2.
Compare
and contrast Hazael and Jehu. Answer:
Hazael and Jehu were both anointed as
rulers and appointed to be instruments of God. Hazael would be used of the Lord
to bring correction to Israel while Jehu would bring destruction to the house
of Ahab (chapters 8-10).
3.
Describe
the reign of Hezekiah. (chapters 18-20)
Answer: The reign of Hezekiah was
both good and glorious.
1.
Who
was the king that destroyed Jerusalem? (chapters 24-25) Answer: Nebuchadnezzar
Chapter 13
1.
Who
is the author of the Chronicles? Answer:
Ezra has been suggested.
2.
According
to legend what happened to the Law?
Answer: It was burnt and destroyed so
that Ezra was divinely inspired to write it all over again.
3.
When
were the Chronicles written? Answer:
Following the Babylonian Captivity.
4.
Describe
the contents of the Chronicles. Answer:
We have in 1 Chronicles (1) a collection
of sacred genealogies (2) A repetition of the history of the translation of the
kingdom from Saul to David and the triumph of David’s reign (3) An original
account of the settlement David made of the ecclesiastical affairs and the
preparations for the building of the Temple.
5.
What
preparations did David make for the building of the Temple? (chapters 22-29) Answer: David provided Trees and stones along with silver and gold for the
Temple.
Chapter 14
1.
List
four empires that once ruled the world.
Answer: Babylonian, Persian, Greek,
Roman
2.
Who
was Rehoboam? (chapters 10-12) Answer:
Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and his
successor on the throne f Israel. His mother was Naamah, an Ammonitess (1 Kings
14:21). Born c. 975 BC, Rehoboam was about forty-one years old when he began to
reign. Because he was foolish in his political polices the kingdom was divided.
3.
What
great spiritual lesson is to be learned from the lives of the kings? Answer: The Lord honored those who honored God. Those who rebelled against
righteousness knew the heavy hand of Divine discipline.
4.
List
the books of the Bible written after the Babylonian captivity. Answer: Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
5.
What
is one thing that the Christian can be certain of concerning the Bible? Answer: We may be confident that the foundation of God stands fast.
Ezra
1.
What
is the theme of Ezra? Answer: The history of this books if the
accomplishment of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the return of the Jews out of
Babylon at the end of seventy years.
2.
What
does the book of Ezra foreshadow?
Answer: The narrative foreshadowed
the deliverance of the gospel church out of the New-Testament Babylon.
3.
What
troubles did the Jew meet with when they returned to Jerusalem? (chapters 3-6) Answer: Tremendous personal and physical opposition concerning the rebuilding
of the Holy City and the Temple.
4.
What
did Ezra force many men to do? (chapters 9-10) Answer: Divorce their
foreign wives.
5.