Correct Answer: D. Zedekiah

Correct Answer: A. The dwellers in Samaria

Correct Answer: B. the High had no power to impose the death penalty

Correct Answer: C. Hoshea

Explanation

(a) Demands made of prospective disciples (Mat. 8:18 - 22, Luke 9:57 - 63,14:25 - 33):

(i) A teacher of the law came to Jesus and expressed his desire to follow him where ever he went.

(ii) Jesus' reply to him was: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

(iii) Another would-be disciple told Jesus to allow him first to go and bury his father.

(iv) But Jesus told him to leave the dead to bury their own dead and follow him to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

(v) Luke's account also presents a disciple who wanted to follow Jesus but wanted permission to go back and say farewell to his family.

(vi) Jesus replied "No one who puts his hand on a plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God".

(vii) He also said that if anyone would follow him and did not hate his father, mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, he could not become a disciple.

(viii) If one wants to build a tower, one must first sit down and estimate the cost to se one has enough money to start and complete it to avoid being mocked by people

(ix) Secondly, a king whose military strength does not measure up to that of his enemy, must immediately negotiate for peace.

(x) Jesus, in essence, did not want a naïve commitment that expected only blessings

(xi) Thus, whoever cannot take his cross to follow Jesus is not worthy of him

(xii) To follow Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication and willingness to obey him and his cause.

(b) Attributes to be exhibited by disciples:

(i) Commitment

(ii) Truthfulness

(iii) Open mindedness

(iv) Obedience

(v) Steadfastness

(vi) Diligence

(vii) Self-control

(viii) Endurance

(ix) Perseverance

(x) Humility

(xi) Selflessness/Self denial

(xii) Sacrifice

(xiii) God fearing

(xiv) Renouncing materialism

(xv) Ready to undergo persecution and suffering.

Explanation

(a) Joseph took his pregnant wife, Mary, from Nazareth to Bethlehem in response to the emperor's order concerning the census. In Bethlehem, there was no more room in all the inns and Joseph, therefore, took Mary to a manger where she gave birth to her son, Jesus Christ. Angels of God proclaimed the birth to shepherds who went to the manger and saw the child. After eight days, the child was circumcised and named Jesus.

He was duly brought to the temple in Jerusalem for the rite of purification (of the mother) during which the appropriate sacrifice was offered. In the temple was a devout or righteous man, Simeon, to whom it was revealed that he would not see death until he had seen Christ. When the parents of Jesus came into the temple, Simeon took Jesus in his hands and blessed God. Then he said the "Nunc Dimittis", praising God for his glory which he was vouchsafed to behold. He prophesied that Jesus was set for the rise and fall of Israel but that a sword would pierce through many souls. The parents marvelled at all that Simeon said about the child, but kept it all in mind. There was also an old (widowed) prophetess, Anna, who came into the temple at that moment and gave thanks to God for the child, Jesus.

(b) Reasons for the rituals of circumcision and the temple presentation are:

(i) As a Jew by birth, Jesus was by law expected to be circumcised on the eighth day.

(ii) This was in accordance with the covenant entered into by God and Abraham or a physical symbol of the covenant.

(iii) It was also a Mosaic stipulation that a Jewish son who opened his mother's womb must be presented to God in the temple.

(iv) Sacrifices of purification (for the mother) were to accompany this with a concessional provision for poor parents, of two turtle doves or two pigeons instead of the usual sheep or goat (Lev. 12 Vs 8)

Correct Answer: A. Rephidium

Correct Answer: A) sincere shock and sorrow

Explanation

The question is asking about David's attitude towards Abner's death. Abner was a captain in Saul's army, and he was killed by Joab, David's general. The options given are sincere shock and sorrow, gladness for the death of an enemy, hypocritical shock and disbelief, and disappointment for unrealized dreams.

The correct option is A, sincere shock and sorrow. David was genuinely saddened by Abner's death, and he even composed a lament for him. David saw Abner as a valiant warrior and a potential ally, and he was devastated by his untimely death. David also punished Joab for killing Abner, showing that he did not condone violence against his enemies.

It is important to note that David's attitude towards Abner's death was not just based on personal feelings, but also on political considerations. Abner's death threatened to destabilize the fragile peace between the northern and southern tribes of Israel, and David needed to show that he was committed to maintaining unity and order. Therefore, while David was genuinely saddened by Abner's death, he also acted in a way that was politically astute.

In contrast, options B, C, and D are incorrect. David did not feel gladness for the death of an enemy, as he saw Abner as a potential ally. He also did not express hypocritical shock and disbelief, as his sorrow was genuine. Finally, he did not feel disappointment for unrealized dreams, as he did not have any particular aspirations related to Abner's life or death.

Overall, the correct option is A, sincere shock and sorrow, and it is important to understand the political context in which David's attitude towards Abner's death was expressed.

Correct Answer: B. women who went to the tomb

Correct Answer: D. sending him gifts