COURSE SYLLABUS SOUTHEAST INSTITUTE of BIBLICAL STUDIES Course ID: BIB311 Teacher: Jody Apple Course Title: Kings of Israel & Judah Office Address: Quarter: Fall 2017 Cell Phone: 865-771-6207 Credit Hours: 5/3 Email address: japple@wedopreaching.com Class Location: C 12 Office Hours: by appointment Class Time: T/TH 8:00 AM I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: An exploration of the books of Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther as insight into Israel s history from the time of Rehoboam to the period of restoration. Emphasizing key figures, it covers the kings of Israel and Judah, the downfall and captivity of both kingdoms, and the exilic and post-exilic periods. II. III. RATIONALE: A study of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah is necessary in order to grasp: (1) the chronological development of Israel as a nation; (2) the spiritual development (and regression) of Israel as a nation; (3) how the Abrahamic covenant that played out in prior epochs (life of Moses, conquest, judges, early kingdom history) affected Israel/Judah politically, militarily, socially and spiritually; and (4) how their respective failures lead to their respective captivities, Judah's restoration and the intertestamental period. COURSE OBJECTIVES: During this course it is hoped that you will: 1. Appreciate God's scheme of redemption, 2. Realize how the intricate roles of history, providence, redemptive principles and genealogical connections relate to the Davidic seed line long after his death, 3. Understand how the sure mercies of David affected Israel and Judah when they failed to live up to God's expectations, and how God s promised blessings never truly went away even when Israel and Judah failed; and ultimately... 4. How God's redemptive scheme, in spite of Israel and Judah s respective failures still lead to the coming of the promised Messiah.
IV. REQUIREMENTS: Attention should be given to the following requirements. 1. Attendance Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class. Southeast maintains that a strong correlation exists between class attendance and academic success. Students must attend at least 75% of all scheduled class meetings or they will be dropped from the class and receive a grade of W. Every absence, whether excused or unexcused, will count when determining whether students have missed more than 25% of all scheduled class meetings (3 day a week classes = 6 classes; 2 day a week classes = 4 classes). Absences due to late registration will be included in the above percentage. Three (3) tardies will count as one unexcused absence and will apply toward the 75% class attendance section explained above. You must explain any absence to your instructor within one week of your return to class. Generally, a note from a physician is required for absence due to sickness. If no explanation is given within one week, the absence will be counted unexcused. Excused Absences: Absences for officially-approved school business and/or trips, illness generally accompanied by a doctor s note, or a death in the student s immediate family are excusable and will not be penalized provided they are explained within one week of the student s return to class; otherwise, the absence will be counted unexcused. Unexcused Absences: Penalties for absences that do not meet the excused absence criteria, stated above, and tardiness shall be left to the discretion of the teacher but must adhere to individual school parameters. 2. Make-up Work: If absent for projects or tests, all make-up work must be completed within one week of the due date/test date. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor about make-up work. 3. Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is not in keeping with Christian principles or the standards of Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies. The following are examples of academic dishonesty: Cheating: intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any form of work submitted for credit. Fabrication: intentionally falsifying or inventing any data, information, or citation in an academic exercise. Facilitating academic dishonesty: helping or attempting to help another to violate any portion of the Academic Dishonesty policy. Plagiarism: adopting or reproducing another author s ideas, words, or
statements as one s own without proper acknowledgment. Along with possible disciplinary action by the Dean of Students, a student who is dishonest in a course, at the discretion of the instructor, may be given a failing grade and dropped from the course. 4. Participation: Attendance alone is not enough. Active student participation constitutes a vital part of this course. Each student will be required to keep up with all reading, writing and class participation assignments. Class participation will include at least one student lead seminar on an assigned topic. 5. Writing: Southeast believes that an essential part of ministry involves writing. Thus, you are expected to be proficient in the English language and demonstrate it in various writing assignments. There are two ongoing writing assignments that will be part of this class: (1) write an overview of each chapter in the texts of Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther and (2) write one brief sermon outline per chapter. These writing assignments are to be kept in a notebook that will be shown to the instructor at the beginning of every week and will be graded as one full grade at the end of the quarter. Additionally there will be one ten-page paper written as an exposition of an assigned text/problem in the biblical text. This paper will be written according to the guidelines presented in the writing addendum distributed in class as an extension of this syllabus. 6. Preparation: You are expected to be prepared for each class meeting by having completed all assignments. This class will incorporate both instructor based lectures and student based seminar formats. You will be responsible for preparing, writing and leading at least one class discussion on a major biblical/systematic theology theme. 7. Memorize: There are no specific memory requirements for this class. V. METHODS AND MATERIALS 1. Method: This course will consist of reading and writing assignments (as described above), in-class instruction based upon your reading of the required texts (both texts will be used according to the list of assigned readings below) and the regular tests that will be given on specified days according to the schedule presented below. Those tests will cover materials presented/discussed/read during the course of the class since the prior test. Students are expected to be responsible for all materials presented in class, whether by instructor of fellow students, as well as all assigned readings. 2. Materials: The primary texts for this class are (1) the biblical texts of Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther; (2) Class notes distributed by the instructor and (3) the text by Victor Hamilton, Handbook On The Historical Books. Recommended: William Day Crockett s A Harmony of Samuel, Kings & Chronicles or similar harmony.
VI. EVALUATION 1. Grading Policy: Grading for this course will be according to the Southeast catalog. 2. Points (or Scale) Each test and in class presentation will be will be weighted equally. The major writing assignment will be provisionally graded as each section is turned in and will be weighted equally with texts and in class presentations. The final project will receive an additional grade equal to twice the other grades. See writing assignment addendum for further information. 3. Grade Scale: A = (93-100) B = (85-92) C = (74-84) D = (65-73) F = (below 65) 4. No extra credit is allowed for the enhancement of a grade. The course is already demanding enough and time should be spent on the mastery of the assigned material. VII. POLICIES 1. Disability: Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies is committed to providing equal opportunity in education to qualified students. Students with a disability who are prevented from meeting course requirements in the way the course is regularly taught should contact the Dean of Students. Students must provide documentation from an acceptable evaluator in order to receive accommodations. The Institute will assist students with a documented disability with appropriate accommodation and modification, but does not guarantee successful completion of a course or a program. Students must cooperate with Southeast and must take responsibility for learning. Those with an approved accommodation plan should, within the first three (3) class sessions, notify the instructor of any affected class. 2. Food/Drink in Classroom: No food is allowed in the classroom. Drinks are permitted in containers with a spill-proof top. 3. Behavior: Students represent more than themselves when attending Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies. They represent the Lord, the church, the preaching profession, and Southeast. They are expected to observe Biblical standards of conduct. 4. Dress Code: In all phases of life, students should model Christian principles. Students
should remember that modesty is the key to determining appropriate dress. The complete Dress Code is located in the Student Handbook. A student who is asked by an instructor to change clothes should comply immediately. 5. Technology: Electronic devices should be used in the classroom only for educational purposes. Appropriate uses include taking notes and any other activities deemed appropriate by the teacher. Inappropriate use of electronic devices in the classroom includes, but is not limited to, texting, surfing the internet, playing computer games, etc. Inappropriate use may result in the electronic device being removed by the teacher. Electronic devices may be prohibited by the teacher on certain occasions. For example, electronic devices may not be used during examinations. VIII. COURSE OUTLINE Date Topic Assignment Week 1 Intro, principles of OT exegesis; 1 Kgs.1-16 (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Week 2 1 Kings 17-2 Kings 12 (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #1 Week 3 2 Kings 13-1 Chr. 6 (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #2 Week 4 1 Chr 7-1 Chr 29 (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #3 Week 5 2 Chr 1-2 Chr 26 (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #4 Week 6 2 Chr 27-Ezra (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #5 Week 7 Neh-Esther (Hamilton; notebooks, outlines) Test #6; Papers Due Week 8 Review, Class presentations, Final Exam
VIII. RESOURCES - [recommendations endorsement] Arnold, Bill T., and H. G. M. Williamson. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2005. Print. Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas Of The Bible. Chicago: Moody, 2009. Print. Bright, John. A History of Israel Fourth Edition. Louisville, London: Westminster John Knox, 2000. Print. Chisholm, Robert B. From Exegesis To Exposition: A Practical Guide To Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1998. Print. Chisholm, Robert B. Interpreting the Historical Books An Exegetical Handbook (Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis). Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic & Professional, 2006. Print. Davis, John J., and John C. Whitcomb. Israel from Conquest to Exile A Commentary on Joshua 2 Kings. New York: BMH, 1994. Print. Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith (Vol 2.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2006. Print. Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology: Israel's Gospel (Vol 1.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2003. Print. Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology: Israel's Life (Vol 3.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2009. Print. Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook On The Historical Books. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001. Print. Hayes, John H., and Carl R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner's Handbook. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2007. Print. Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey Of The Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House, 2009. Print. Howard, David M. An Introduction To The Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody, 2007. Print. Kaiser, Walter C. The Promise-Plan Of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Print.
Leithart, Peter J. Deep Exegesis: The Mystery Of Reading Scripture. Waco, TX: Baylor UP, 2009. Print. Longman, Tremper, and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction To The Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006. Print. Provan, Iain W., V. Philips Long, Tremper Longman, and Philips V. Long. A Biblical History of Israel. New York: Westminster John Knox, 2003. Print. Sailhamer, John H. Introduction To Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995. Print. Stuart, Douglas K. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook For Students And Pastors. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2009. Print. Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old And New Testaments. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007. Print. Waltke, Bruce K., and Charles Yu. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, And Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007. Print. Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. Print. Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary Old Testament. New York: InterVarsity, 2000. Print. Williams, Michael James. How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens: A Guide To Christ-focused Reading Of Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012. Print. Young, Edward James. An Introduction To The Old Testament (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1989. Print.