Who Am I? Old Testament Characters -- #3 Quiz

Answer: Adonijah

Adonijah is the correct answer. While David was advanced in years, Adonijah set himself up as king. Bathsheba, David's most famous wife and mother of Solomon, however, thwarted Adonijah's plans and Solomon became king, as per David's plans. In 1 Kings 2: 25, Solomon instructs Benaiah to kill Adonijah, and so ends the story of a would-be king.

Answer: Miriam

Miriam is the correct answer. No one knows for certain, but many theologians believe she was the one who watched from a distance when Moses was placed in a basket along the banks of the Nile River, as per Exodus 2:4. Miriam is known for leading a victory song by the women after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. According to Exodus 15:20, she took a tambourine in her hand and "all the women followed her with, tambourines and dancing." According to Numbers 12:1-5, Miriam was struck with leprosy after she and Aaron opposed Moses.

However, after Moses cried out to the Lord to heal her, Miriam was cured of her leprosy and re-instated in the Israelite camp.

Answer: Eliab

David's oldest brother was Eliab. However, it appears Eliab had little appreciation for David. The 17th chapter of 1 Samuel contains the account of David battling and defeating Goliath. Verse 28 tells of Eliab burning with anger. Just prior to David's spectacular victory, Eliab, in the NIV Bible, states: "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

Answer: Ezekiel

Ezekiel is the prophet who reported seeing wheels in a vision. Details about his vision can be found in the first chapter of Ezekiel. The vision is not unlike that reported by John in Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. Ezekiel's report, in a nutshell, is about seeing living creatures and the glory of the LORD. According to the Bible encyclopedia Web site Biblos.com, Ezekiel means "God strengthens." He was among the Jews exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, according to information from various Web sites.

Answer: Malachi

Malachi wrote the last book in the Old Testament, but not much is known about him. According to the Web site Meaning-of-names.com, Malachi means "messenger of God" or "my messenger." Notes in the NIV Study Bible, state some theologians believe "Malachi to be only a title that tradition has given the author." In other words, Malachi might not be the prophet's real name. Malachi was one of the 12 minor prophets listed in the Christian Bible.

They include Josea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habukkuk, Zephania, Haggai, Zecchariah, and of course, Malachi.

Answer: Ishmael

Ishmael's mother was Hagar, an Egyptian servant of Sarah. Because Sarah was unable to conceive, she gave permission to her husband Abraham to sleep with Hagar and as a result Ishmael was born. This account can be found in the 16th chapter of Genesis, where Abraham was known as Abram and Sarah was known as Sarai. (Their names were changed to Abraham and Sarah in the 17th chapter.) The account of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away is documented in the 28th chapter of Genesis. Ishmael is considered to be the founder of the Arab nations.

Answer: Queen Vashti

Queen Vashti was deposed after she refused to obey a request of King Xerxes. In Esther 1:10, it states the king asked Queen Vashti to wear her royal crown and come before him to "display her beauty" to the people and the nobles. Esther 1:12, in the NIV Bible, states: "But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come.

Then the king became furious and burned with anger." It was the end for her and a new beginning for Esther who would become queen.

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was burning with uncontrollable rage after he learned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had refused to bow down and worship and image of gold he had made that measured 90 feet high and 9 feet wide, according to the third chapter of Daniel. So he ordered the three Jewish men to be bound and thrown into a fiery furnace. According to Scripture the furnace was so hot the flames killed the soldiers who were attempting to take Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to their doom.

However, the trio was not harmed by the immense heat and Nebuchadnezzar, after seeing a fourth men in the furnace who looked like "a son of the gods" ordered their release.

The story ends with the king singing the praises of "the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!" The three men, according to Scripture, were subsequently promoted by the king.

Answer: Elijah

Elijah's sudden departure is recorded in 2 Kings 2:11-13, while he was walking along with the prophet Elisha. The NIV Bible records Elijah being taken up to heaven in this way: "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, 'My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!' And Elisha saw him no more.

Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart." Elijah is well known for many things, but perhaps the best known story involving him is his duel with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, as recorded in the 18th chapter of 1 Kings.

Answer: Nehemiah

Nehemiah is the correct answer. However, not much is known about his personal life, apart from the fact he had a brother called Hanani and their father was Hacaliah, as per Nehemiah 1:1-2. Facing gigantic odds, Nehemiah successfully rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem.

In Biblical times, walls around cities were a common feature as they were used to keep occupants safe from intruders. Although Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, it is not unanimous he wrote the Old Testament book that bears his name.

Some believe Ezra wrote the book, relying on Nehemiah's memories. Those who believe Ezra wrote the book point out Nehemiah 7:5-73 and Ezra 2:1-70 are almost identical.