2026 IJMB CRS past questions paper I

 

QUESTIONS

1. Advance restoration benefits of the Ark of God to Israel.

2. Explain at least four (4) criteria for the Canonicity of the Old Testament.

3. Examine what Samuel did for Israel as a prophet.

4. Discuss the lessons that Israel learnt following the defeat of the Ammonites.

5. Narrate David's private anointing and his service in the palace of King Saul.

6. Discuss God's promised blessings and restoration according to Prophet Isaiah.

7. Examine the building projects King Solomon embarked upon.

8. Discuss the reasons for the war of Israel against the Amalekites.

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ANSWERS

Question 1: Restoration benefits of the Ark of God to Israel

The Ark of the Covenant, having been captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4), brought calamity upon its captors, leading to its eventual return to Israel. Its restoration brought the following benefits:

1. Restoration of God's presence among His people: The Ark symbolised the presence of Yahweh; its return signified that God had not abandoned Israel despite their earlier defeat and sin.
2. Deliverance from divine judgment: As long as the Ark remained among the Philistines, it brought plagues and affliction upon them (tumours, destruction by the Dagon idol); its return relieved Israel of the disgrace associated with its capture.
3. Renewal of national and spiritual identity: The Ark's return reminded Israel of God's covenant faithfulness and re-established a rallying point for national worship and unity.
4. Restoration of confidence in Yahweh's supremacy: The events surrounding the Ark (the fall of Dagon, the plagues on the Philistines) demonstrated God's power over pagan gods, restoring Israel's confidence in their God as supreme over all nations and their idols.
5. Preparation for future worship: The Ark's eventual placement (first at Kiriath-jearim, later brought to Jerusalem by David) laid the groundwork for centralised worship, later fulfilled in the building of the Temple.
6. A call to repentance and covenant renewal: The Ark's return, under Samuel's leadership, was accompanied by a call to Israel to put away foreign gods and return wholly to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3), leading to spiritual revival.

Question 2: Criteria for the Canonicity of the Old Testament

1. Divine inspiration/Authority: The book must be recognised as having been divinely inspired, carrying the authority of God speaking through a prophet or recognised spokesperson, rather than being merely a human literary work.
2. Authorship by a recognised prophet or man of God: The book must be traceable to a prophet, priest, or leader recognised by the community as a legitimate spokesperson for God (e.g., Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah).
3. Consistency with existing revelation: The content of the book must be doctrinally and theologically consistent with previously accepted scripture, without contradiction.
4. Widespread acceptance and usage by the community of faith: The book must have been widely read, used in worship, and accepted as authoritative by the Jewish community (the people of God) over time.
5. Demonstrated life-transforming power: The book must exhibit a unique spiritual power to edify, instruct, and transform the lives of those who read and apply it, marking it as more than ordinary literature.

Question 3: What Samuel did for Israel as a prophet

1. He served as the last of the Judges and transitional leader, bridging the period of the Judges to the establishment of the monarchy.
2. He led national revival and repentance: At Mizpah, Samuel called Israel to put away foreign gods, fast, and confess their sins, leading to spiritual renewal (1 Samuel 7).
3. He interceded for Israel in prayer: Samuel prayed for Israel, notably during the battle at Mizpah against the Philistines, resulting in God's miraculous intervention (thunder that routed the Philistines).
4. He served as a circuit judge: Samuel administered justice for Israel, travelling annually between Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah to judge the people's disputes.
5. He anointed Israel's first two kings: Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, and later anointed David as Saul's successor, playing a crucial role in the establishment of the monarchy.
6. He served as a prophetic counsellor and moral guide: Samuel confronted Saul over his disobedience (e.g., regarding the Amalekites and the unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal), holding the king accountable to God's commands.
7. He established/trained a school of prophets: Samuel is associated with the founding of prophetic communities (companies of prophets) that continued spiritual instruction in Israel.

Question 4: Lessons Israel learnt following the defeat of the Ammonites

Under King Saul's leadership, Israel defeated the Ammonites who had threatened Jabesh-Gilead (1 Samuel 11). Lessons learnt include:

1. The importance of unity: Israel's tribes rallied together as one nation under Saul's call to arms, demonstrating that unity among God's people brings strength and victory.
2. God empowers appointed leadership: The victory affirmed Saul's kingship and demonstrated that God works through divinely appointed leaders to deliver His people when they act in obedience.
3. The value of decisive, courageous leadership: Saul's swift, decisive response (summoning Israel through the symbolic act of cutting oxen into pieces) inspired the nation to unite and act promptly in the face of threat.
4. The importance of trusting God for deliverance: The victory over a militarily superior enemy showed Israel that God, not merely military strength, was the true source of their deliverance.
5. The need for magnanimity and forgiveness after victory: Following the victory, Saul showed mercy by refusing to allow the execution of those who had earlier doubted his kingship, teaching Israel the value of grace and unity over vengeance and division.
6. Confirmation and celebration of the monarchy: The victory led to the public confirmation/renewal of Saul's kingship at Gilgal, teaching Israel that success in leadership is validated through action and results, not merely appointment.

Question 5: David's private anointing and service in the palace of King Saul

David's private anointing (1 Samuel 16:1-13):
After God rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience, He sent Samuel to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king. Samuel examined Jesse's sons one by one, but God instructed him that outward appearance was not the criterion — "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). After the first seven sons were passed over, Jesse's youngest son David, who was tending sheep, was sent for. Upon seeing him, God confirmed to Samuel that David was the chosen one. Samuel anointed David with oil in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David powerfully from that day forward. This anointing was private, known only within the family and Samuel, not publicly announced, as David would not become king for many years afterward.

David's service in Saul's palace:
After Saul was troubled by a distressing/evil spirit, his servants recommended a skilled musician to soothe him, and David was brought to the palace on account of his skill in playing the harp (lyre). David played for Saul whenever the evil spirit troubled him, bringing relief and refreshment to the king. Saul grew to love David greatly and made him his armour-bearer. David later distinguished himself further by defeating Goliath in single combat, which elevated his status and led to him being given a permanent position in Saul's court and army, where he served with great success, being set over the men of war and gaining favour with all the people, as well as with Saul's own household (including close friendship with Jonathan and marriage to Saul's daughter Michal).

Question 6: God's promised blessings and restoration according to Prophet Isaiah

1. Restoration from exile/captivity: Isaiah prophesied that God would gather His scattered people and bring them back to their land (Isaiah 11:11-12; 40:1-2), offering comfort after judgment.
2. The coming of a righteous Messiah/Deliverer: Isaiah foretold the birth of a special child/ruler (Immanuel, Prince of Peace) who would establish an everlasting kingdom of justice and righteousness (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).
3. Spiritual renewal and forgiveness of sin: Isaiah promised that God would blot out Israel's transgressions and restore right relationship with Him (Isaiah 1:18; 43:25).
4. Restoration of peace and prosperity: Isaiah's prophecies depict a future of abundant peace, where nations would no longer train for war, symbolised by swords being beaten into ploughshares (Isaiah 2:4).
5. Renewal of creation/transformation of nature: Isaiah describes a future where the wilderness blossoms, the desert becomes fruitful, and even natural enmity among animals ceases — the wolf dwelling with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35:1-2).
6. Comfort for the suffering/afflicted: Isaiah's prophecies (particularly Isaiah 40 and the Servant Songs) offer comfort, healing, and hope to a downtrodden and exiled people, assuring them that their suffering would end and God's glory would be revealed.
7. Restoration of Zion/Jerusalem: Isaiah promised the physical and spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem as a centre of worship and light to all nations (Isaiah 60).

Question 7: Building projects King Solomon embarked upon

1. The Temple of the Lord (First Temple/Solomon's Temple): Solomon's greatest project, built in Jerusalem over seven years, to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the central place of worship for Israel (1 Kings 6).
2. His own royal palace: Solomon built an elaborate personal palace complex, which took thirteen years to complete, larger in scale than the Temple itself (1 Kings 7).
3. The House of the Forest of Lebanon: A large building constructed using cedar pillars (resembling a forest), used partly as an armoury and treasury.
4. The Hall of Pillars and the Hall of Judgment (Throne Hall): Built for administering justice and royal audiences.
5. A palace for Pharaoh's daughter (his wife): A separate residence built for one of his foreign wives.
6. Fortification of key cities: Solomon fortified and rebuilt cities such as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer, strengthening Israel's defensive infrastructure.
7. Store cities, chariot cities, and cities for horsemen: Solomon built cities to house his military resources, chariots, and cavalry.
8. Millo and the wall of Jerusalem: Solomon strengthened Jerusalem's fortifications, including the structure known as the Millo.

Question 8: Reasons for the war of Israel against the Amalekites

1. Divine command/judgment for historical hostility: God commanded Saul (through Samuel) to attack the Amalekites as judgment for their ancient hostility toward Israel — specifically, their unprovoked attack on the Israelites during the Exodus journey from Egypt, ambushing the weak and stragglers (1 Samuel 15:2; referencing Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
2. Fulfilment of a long-standing divine decree: God had earlier declared that He would have war with Amalek from generation to generation and would ultimately blot out their memory from under heaven (Exodus 17:14-16); the war under Saul was the appointed fulfilment of this decree.
3. To test and demonstrate Saul's obedience to God: The command served as a direct test of Saul's willingness to fully obey God's instructions without compromise, which Saul ultimately failed by sparing King Agag and the best livestock, leading to his eventual rejection as king.
4. To remove a persistent threat/oppressor of Israel: The Amalekites had a long history of raiding and oppressing Israel and other nations in the region; their defeat was intended to secure Israel's safety and remove a recurring military and economic threat.
5. To execute divine justice on a wicked nation: The Amalekites' persistent hostility and cruelty toward Israel and other vulnerable peoples marked them for judgment, and their destruction was framed as an act of divine justice rather than mere territorial conquest.