REL/JSP 302 Second Temple Judaism

First Jerusalem Temple

Readings questions on 1 Samuel 4-6, 2 Samuel 6; 1 Kings 5:15-6:38; 12:1-33

These readings from the Hebrew Bible all involve the founding of temples or the loss and restoration of a sacred object (the ark) that belonged in a temple or shrine. As you read them, consider:

1. Why was the ark important to the people of Israel?
2. Why was the ark or the temple of God important to Israel’s kings?
3. Why do you think the ark and temple were important to the writers of these stories? Why did they write them? What effect did they expect them to have on people who heard or read them?
4. Why do you think later Jews and Christians have continued to preserve these stories in their scriptures?