BIBLE
WOMEN
LESSON
25
Of
the Old Testament
The
Jewish Age
The
Division to the Captivity
388
Years; 1 Kings 11 & 12; 2 Kings 25
(References
in 1 Kings)
PERIOD
OF DECLINE
ZERUATH—Full
Breasted
1.
She was the mother of what subtle
son (11:26)?
2.
Her son was whose servant
(11:26a)?
3.
Her son became what in
THE
WIDOW OF ZAREPATH (of
1.
What was happening in the land
(17:8-24)?
2.
What great man was sent there, to
be sustained (17:1, 9)?
A.
On reaching there, what did he ask
of her (17:10-11)?
B.
She readily obeys, but what was
the added request (17:11)?
C.
What did John say of God’s
commands (1 John 5:3)?
D.
What is to be sought first in all
things (Mat 6:33)?
3.
When she reveals her plight, what
were the depths (17:12)?
A.
The prophet assures her with one
more request. How was that a trial
for her (17:13-14)?
B.
How long was the meal and oil
promised to last (17:14)?
C.
Who fed on this “scant supply”
and for how “many days” (17:15)?
D.
What promise here was fulfilled
(17:16)?
1.
What reference did Jesus make to
this event (Luke 4:25-26)?
2.
Who is the widow indeed (1 Tim
5:5)?
4.
Later, what sadness befell this
faithful widow (17:17)?
A.
Thinking her loss was due to sin,
what did she say to Elijah (17:18)?
B.
*Now relate the story of the
raising of the boy (17:19-23).
1.
Who also in a similar way raised a
young man (2 Kings 4:34: 32a)?
2.
In the New Testament times, who
did the same (Acts 20:9-10)?
3.
Of what is the widow now fully
convinced (17:24)?
POINTS
TO CONSIDER:
1.
How are widows to be cared for (Exodus 22:22-24; 1 Cor
7:8-9, 32)? Notice the term
“widows who are widows indeed,” and “in the LORD.”
2.
Read 1 Tim 5: 3-16 and see how verse 10 relates to the widow
of Zarephath.
3.
Consider James 1:27 in the light of the widow.
4.
Elijah was only sent to one widow (Luke 4: 25-26).
JEZEBEL—WITHOUT
COHABITATION
She
is directly named 22 times in 1 and 2 Kings.
There is one more reverence in Revelation which may or may not be the
same person, but the reference reflects her type of behavior.
1.
She was the daughter of what idolatrous king (16:31a)?
2.
She was the wife of what weak and wicked king (16:30-31)?
A.
Name two of her sons who become kings of
B.
What about the character of these two sons (22:52: 2 Kings
3:2)?
3.
She influences her spineless husband to do what (16:31-33)?
4.
Can you verify that she moved her husband to high-handedness
(21:25)?
5.
In her thirst for blood, how did she treat the prophets of
God (18:13)?
A.
In turn, how did Elijah rid
B.
What threat did she send to Elijah (19:1-2)?
C.
*Tell of her plot to kill Naboth and take his vineyard
(21:1-16).
D.
*For this, recite Elijah’s prophecy against her
(21:21-24).
1.
*Show how his prophecy was literally fulfilled (22:34-39; 2
Kings 9:35).
2.
*Also tell how Jehu was to complete God’s vengeance upon
her (2 Kings 9:7-10).
6.
What horrible things did Jezebel practice (2 Kings 9:22)?
A.
How near did she come to supplanting the true worship
(19:13-14, 18)?
B.
Are heartless women sometimes worse than heartless men?
Student responses will differ.
1.
On the other hand, if they are god-fearing, do they
sometimes excel men in goodness? Student
responses will differ.
2.
If a woman surrenders her feminine nature, is she more
brutal than a man? Student
responses will differ.
7.
How did she seek to conquer and disarm Jehu (2 Kings
9:30-31)?
A.
Her purpose was thwarted, how was vengeance meted to her (2
Kings 9:32-35)?
B.
How completely was the prophecy of Elijah fulfilled (2 Kings
9:36-37)?
C.
*How completely was His word fulfilled in Ahab’s house (1
Kings 21:20-24; 2 Kings 9:6-10; 2 Kings 10:1-11; 2 Kings 9:35-37; 2 Chr 22:7-9)?
(References
in 2 Kings)
WIDOW
OF THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS
1.
What distressing appeal did she make to the prophet when a
creditor came to take her two sons (4:1)?
2.
She was reduced to what extreme poverty (4:2)?
3.
*Tell how safety and security were made possible (4:3-7).
A.
To whom should all appeals be made (Mat 6:6; Phil 4:6)?
B.
What is God’s appeal for the widows (Isa 1:17)?
OPTIONAL
ASSIGNMENT:
Using this account as an example, study how slavery came into being in the
Israelite nation. You may use verses
I have provided or use your own research FROM SCRIPTURE.
This is not a requirement for the class, but I would encourage your
participation. Please understand
that the Law itself did not promote such practice, but the abuse of that law did
(Lev 25:39-40; Lev 25:48; Neh 5:2-5; Neh 10:31; Jer
34:14-20; Mat18:25; Mat 18:30; Mat 18:35).