Bible crossword: 1 and 2 Kings

Based on material in chapter 9, Discovering the Bible by Alex Varughese

Challenge: Can you solve this crossword puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese

ACROSS

4 King of Judah who was forced to witness the murder of his sons by the Babylonians, after which he was blinded and taken as a prisoner to Babylon
6 Successor to Elijah who picked up Elijah's "prophet mantle" as he disappeared into the heavens in a fiery chariot
11 Assyrian king who lifted his siege of Jerusalem when God intervened in a miraculous way
12 Bathsheba's son who succeeded his father David as king and then built the Temple in Jerusalem

DOWN

1 Wife of Ahab. She promoted the worship of Baal in Israel
2 Assyrian king who forced Israel to pay a large tribute or tax
3 King of Israel (northern Kingdom) who married a Phoenician king's daughter who was an ardent worshiper of Baal
5 Prophet of Yahweh who had a showdown with 450 prophets of Baal
7 King of Judah (who became king when he was 8) that our textbook says served God with undivided loyalty and more wholeheartedly than any other king
8 First king over the northern ten tribes who broke away to form a separate kingdom
9 King of Judah who led religious reforms, including the removal of Baal altars and Asherah poles. With the Lord's help, he successfully resisted an Assyrian siege of Jerusalem
10 Solomon's son who saw the kingdom split apart when he became king

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities, edited by Alex Varughese and published by what is now The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Lessons from 1 and 2 Kings for Today

The Bible books of 1 and 2 Kings remind us of the consequences of both faithfulness and disobedience. In the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah, wev witness the relationship between human decisions and divine judgment. The stories of leaders like Solomon, who experienced both great wisdom and tragic downfall, and prophets like Elijah and Elisha, who boldly confronted kings and stood firm in their faith, illustrate the importance of fidelity to God's commands. These narratives can challenge us to examine our own lives. They should cause us to reflect on the choices we make and the impact they have not only on ourselves but also on those around us. Ultimately, these two Bible books urge us to prioritize righteousness and seek God's guidance in all aspects of our lives.

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