Correct Answer: D. God blesses people who have pure heart

Explanation

In 1 Kings 3:5-14, when God appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered to give him anything he asked for, Solomon asked for wisdom to govern the people of Israel. God, pleased with Solomon's request, not only granted him wisdom but also gave him wealth, honour, and long life because of the purity of Solomon's heart and his desire for wisdom to govern justly. Therefore, option D reflects how God blesses those with a pure heart.

Correct Answer: B. was an exile from Judah

Explanation

Being an exile from Judah was not a reason for which Daniel suffered blackmail from his peers. In the Book of Daniel, Daniel faced opposition and blackmail from his peers because he had an excellent spirit, distinguished himself in his duties, and remained faithful in his devotion to God, including making petitions to his God. The fact that he was an exile from Judah was not a specific reason for the blackmail but rather a part of his background.

Correct Answer: C. hid the prophets of Yahweh in caves

Explanation

In 1 Kings 18:3-4, Obadiah demonstrated his loyalty to God during the persecution by hiding a hundred prophets of Yahweh in caves and providing them with bread and water. This act of protecting and sustaining the prophets amidst the threat of persecution reflects Obadiah's commitment to God and his refusal to comply with the king's idolatrous practices.

Correct Answer: C. reducing the worship of Yahweh to a very low state

Explanation

Josiah's reform aimed to strengthen the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatrous practices. Therefore, reducing the worship of Yahweh to a very low state is not consistent with Josiah's reform. The other options (making the Book of the Law a reference book, abolishing wizards and medium practices, and restoring Jerusalem to its original pre-eminence) are elements of the reforms attributed to King Josiah in the biblical accounts.

Explanation

a. Matthew 18:21-22 (RSV) states: "Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

In response to Peter's question about forgiveness, Jesus emphasizes the importance of limitless forgiveness. The number "seventy-seven times" is symbolic, indicating that forgiveness should not be limited to a specific number but should be extended generously and without bounds.

Jesus began to tell a parable to illustrate His point about forgiveness. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants." The king began the settlement, and one servant was brought before him who owed an immense amount—an astronomical sum that he could never hope to repay.

As he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made." The servant, in desperation, pleaded for mercy, falling on his knees and saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. Out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. The king showed extraordinary and unmerited mercy by cancelling the entire debt of the servant.

However, this parable took a turn. When that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii." Compared to the colossal debt he had been forgiven, this was a comparatively small amount. Yet, the forgiven servant seized his fellow servant and began to choke him, demanding immediate repayment. Hearing of this, his fellow servants were greatly distressed and reported the matter to the master. The master summoned the unforgiving servant and said, 'I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'"

In the end, the master handed the unforgiving servant over to the jailers until he could pay all his debt. Jesus concluded the parable with a powerful statement, "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Through this parable, Jesus conveyed the crucial message that since God has forgiven us of an immeasurable debt of sin, we should likewise extend forgiveness to others, no matter how small their offences may seem in comparison. The parable highlights the importance of a merciful and forgiving heart in response to God's abundant forgiveness.

b. The following are the benefits one stands to gain by forgiving others:

1.Receiving God's Forgiveness: Forgiveness opens the door for individuals to receive God's forgiveness for their own shortcomings and sins. The forgiven servant in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant experienced an extraordinary act of mercy from his master, who cancelled a massive debt. When individuals forgive others, they align themselves with the principles of mercy and forgiveness that God exemplifies. As you forgive, you also receive forgiveness.

2.Freedom from Bitterness and Unhealthy Emotions: Forgiveness is liberating. It allows individuals to experience emotional healing and freedom from the negative emotions that can accompany unresolved conflicts. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant highlights the destructive consequences of an unforgiving heart through the actions of the servant who, though forgiven generously, refused to extend the same mercy to a fellow servant. When individuals choose to forgive, they release themselves from the burdens of bitterness, anger, and resentment.

3.Building Healthy Relationships: Forgiveness is a key component in building and maintaining healthy relationships. When individuals choose to forgive, it fosters reconciliation and restores harmony in relationships. Forgiveness promotes a culture of understanding, empathy, and love. In the parable, the unforgiving servant's actions strained his relationship with his fellow servant and led to negative consequences.

Correct Answer: C. Ahab

Explanation

The reign of King Ahab is often associated with significant disobedience and idolatry in Israel which led to God's displeasure and wrath. The prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and his wife Jezebel for their promotion of Baal worship and other sinful practices. A specific incident illustrating God's wrath during Ahab's reign is the confrontation on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Ahab's reign is often considered a period of great apostasy in Israel's history.

Correct Answer: C. man

Explanation

In the creation story, according to the Book of Genesis, the responsibility to give names to all living creatures was performed by Adam. It is written in Genesis 2:19-20:

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals.

Therefore, Adam, the first man, was given the responsibility of naming the animals.

Explanation

a. In the golden era of King Solomon's reign, the land of Israel thrived under his wise and just rule. Recognising the importance of diplomatic relations, Solomon sought to establish a strong alliance with the powerful city-state of Tyre. Their collaboration played a pivotal role in the construction of the grand Temple.

King Solomon shared his divine vision with King Hiram, the ruler of Tyre; a vision to build a magnificent Temple that would honour God and serve as a beacon of faith for generations to come. Impressed by the depth of Solomon's vision, King Hiram pledged his full support. Tyre, renowned for its maritime expertise and thriving trade, possessed abundant resources and skilled craftsmen. King Hiram ordered the felling of the finest cedars from the forests of Lebanon, known for their majestic trees. These tall and sturdy cedars were transported by sea to provide the foundation for the Temple's construction. Additionally, Tyre's skilled craftsmen, led by the renowned Huram-abi, joined forces with the Israelite artisans. Together, they brought Solomon's vision to life, meticulously crafting the intricate architectural elements of the Temple.

The exchange of knowledge and expertise between Tyre and Israel enriched the project, resulting in a structure of unparalleled beauty. The alliance between Tyre and Israel went beyond the construction itself. Trade flourished between the two kingdoms, as goods and services flowed freely. This economic cooperation ensured the availability of necessary resources and financial support for the Temple's progress. Hiram agreed and decided to have his servants cut the woods into rafts and get them for shipping down the Mediterranean

Sea to Lebanon. And when this was done, Solomon was to pay by supplying food for the king's household.

The Temple became a place of worship and a symbol of divine presence. The story of Tyre and Israe?'s collaboration in the building of the Temple teaches us the power of unity, shared resources, and collective vision.

b.

1. Conflict Resolution: Diplomatic relations provide a platform for nations to engage in peaceful dialogue and negotiation. This helps to prevent and resolve conflicts. Through diplomatic channels, countries can address disagreements, find common ground, and work towards mutually acceptable solutions.

2. Economic Cooperation: Diplomatic relations facilitate economic cooperation between nations. Through diplomatic channels, countries can negotiate trade agreements, establish economic partnerships, and promote investments. This fosters economic growth, creates opportunities for businesses, and enhances the prosperity of nations involved.

3. Cultural Exchange and Understanding: Diplomatic relations foster cultural exchange and understanding between nations. Through diplomatic initiatives, countries can promote educational and cultural programs, exchange scholars and artists, and facilitate people-to-people interactions. This enhances cross-cultural understanding, appreciation for diversity, and promotes a more tolerant and interconnected global society.

4. Collaboration on Global Challenges: Diplomatic relations enable nations to collaborate on addressing global challenges such as climate change, public health crises, terrorism, and poverty. Through international cooperation, countries can pool resources, share expertise, and develop collective strategies to tackle issues that transcend national borders. Diplomatic efforts are essential in building alliances and coordinating responses to global challenges that require unified action.

Correct Answer: C. Hebrew God could only be worshipped on Hebrew soil

Explanation

Naaman's request for two mules of Israelite soil after his cure was because of the belief that the God of Israel, who healed him through the prophet Elisha, could only be worshipped on Hebrew soil. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, was cured of leprosy after following Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River seven times. After his healing, Naaman expressed his desire to worship the God of Israel and sought permission to take two mules' worth of Israelite soil back to Syria because he believed that he could only worship God on that specific soil.

Correct Answer: C. ignorantly persecuting God is acceptable

Explanation

The lesson not learned from Saul's experience is that ignorantly persecuting God is acceptable. Saul's persecution of Christians was not justified, and his encounter with Jesus led to a profound transformation and realization of the error in his actions.