An 'Alex Trebek' Old Testament Quiz -- #13

Answer: Who is Elisha?

2 Kings 4:8-10 in the NKJV tells of a "notable" woman in Shunem discussing plans with her husband to install a bed in their house to be used by Elisha whenever he visited their community. No names are given for the woman and her husband. The chapter goes on to tell of Elisha miraculously raising the woman's unnamed son from the dead.

Answer: Who is Enoch?

Enoch was taken up to heaven and did not die a natural death, according to Scripture. Genesis 5:24 in the NKJV simply states, "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."

Meanwhile, Hebrews 11:5, in the New Testament, explains Enoch's departure this way: "By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

Genesis 5:22 states Enoch was three hundred and sixty-five years old when he departed and he was the father of Methuselah. The same verse states Enoch had other sons and daughters, but they are not named.

Answer: Who is Gomer?

It might come as a surprise to some, but Hosea, a prophet, received divine instructions to marry a harlot. To this end, Hosea married Gomer, as per Hosea 1:2-3.

According to the passage in the NKJV, it was fitting for Hosea to marry a harlot "for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD."

For the record, the NIV Bible, refers to Gomer as a "promiscuous woman" rather than a harlot.

Answer: Who is Keturah?

Genesis 25:1 tells of Abraham taking Keturah as his wife, presumably after the death of Sarah. Abraham and Keturah were the parents of six sons -- Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Little is known about Keturah as she is mentioned in passing reference.

Answer: Who is Ahaziah?

Ahaziah died from injuries sustained after falling through an upper room lattice at his palace. He had served as king for two years and there was no heir. After Ahaziah's death, Jehoram became king. Much of Ahaziah's story is told in 2 Kings 1:1-17.

It must be pointed out Ahaziah is also the name of a man who served as king of Judah for one year.

Answer: Who is Naomi?

After the deaths of her husband Elimelek and her two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Naomi called herself Mara, which means 'bitter'. Details can be found in Ruth 1:20-21. (In the NIV, Chilion is called Kilion.)

Scripture states Mahlon's widow was Ruth and she opted to stay with her mother-in-law, even though Naomi suggested it would be best for her to return to her home in Moab. Meanwhile, Orpah, who had been married to Chilion, opted to leave Naomi and Ruth and return to her home in Moab.

Answer: Who is Othniel?

Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, was the first judge of Israel. Othniel and Caleb were the sons of Kenash. Othniel was married to Achsah.

Judges 3:10-11 states Israel had forty years of peace under his leadership. Apparently, the major reason for peace was the fact the LORD empowered Othniel to lead the Israelites to a convincing military victory over Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia. (In the NIV, it refers to Mesopotamia as Aram Naharaim.)

Answer: Who is Samson?

Samson, the super strong judge of Israel, killed a large number of Philistines when he ended his life. Scripture tells of Samson being betrayed by his lover Delilah and becoming a prisoner of the Philistines. The secret to his immense strength was his long hair and when Delilah had his locks sheared, Samson lost his power.

However, the 16th chapter of Judges tells of Samson having his final hurrah when his hair had partially grown back. The account in the NKJV states his Philistine captors were offering "a great sacrifice" to Dagon, their god, when they decided to bring out Samson to display to the people.

Their plan would severely backfire when they placed Samson by pillars that supported the temple. Scripture states Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple and after pushing with all his might, he was able to cause the temple to collapse. Samson died in the collapse along with a large number of Philistines.

Judges 16:30 in the NKJV states: "So the dead that he [Samson] killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life."

Answer: Who is Ezra?

Ezra is the correct answer. According to Scripture, Ezra was a priest and a scribe who received approval from king Artaxerxes to lead a group of Israelites living in exile back to Jerusalem. Details about Ezra, the son of Seraiah, receiving permission from the king are found in the seventh chapter of Ezra.

Answer: What is Amos?

Using Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and NIV, Amos is the third book in the order of appearance in the Minor Prophet section. (In the Hebrew Bible, the books are known as the Twelve Prophets.)

Here's the order the books appear in the Minor Prophet section, using the KJV: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.