OLD TESTAMENT
BIBLE STORIES
BOOK II
(For Beginners)
FROM SAUL TO
THE RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY
REV. C. HANKO
Adopted for use in the Protestant Reformed Churches
by the Synod of 1980
Reprint: 2000
PREFACE
This book is the second in a series of
three, intended for catechumens ranging from the ages of six to eight years.
Since there is a rapid development in a
child between the ages of six and eight, this book has been arranged so that the younger
children may learn the first part of the lesson, as much as they are capable of learning,
while the older children learn all of it.
You will notice that the references to
points of doctrine are placed as much as possible in the last two questions, since these
are intended mainly for the older children.
Even as the first book, this book can be
used along with Suffer Little Children, written
by Mrs. G. Hoeksema, for use in the lower grades. The
history is treated approximately in the same order, and many of the texts for memory work
are the same.
I wish to express my sincere
appreciation to the teachers and parents who so readily gave of their time and effort to
offer valuable suggestions in preparing the manuscript.
Rev. C. Hanko
LESSON 1
Saul Is King
I Samuel 10-15, 28, 30
1. What did
They asked for a king like the other
nations had.
2. Why did they want a king like the other
nations had?
They wanted to be like the other
nations.
3. Why was it wrong for them to want such a
king?
Because they did not want God as their
king.
4. Did God give them a king?
Yes, He gave them Saul, of the tribe of
Benjamin.
5. Was Saul able to fight the enemies of
Yes, God made him strong to fight, and
gave him the victory.
6. What victory did God give to Saul?
He delivered the people of Jabesh-gilead
from the Ammonites.
7. How did Saul disobey God?
He made a sacrifice when he should have
waited for Samuel.
8. What other sin did Saul commit?
He did not destroy all the Amalekites as
God had commanded.
9. How did God punish Saul for these sins?
The Spirit of God left him, so that he
was afraid to fight.
10.
How did Saul die?
He fell on his own sword in a battle
with the Philistines.
Memory verse: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
I Samuel 15:22
LESSON 2
David Is Anointed
I Samuel 16-30
1. Whom did Samuel anoint as king in place
of Saul?
God told Samuel to anoint David, of the
tribe of
2 What did David do when he was a
boy?
He cared for his father’s sheep.
3. How did David show that the Spirit of
God was in him?
David fought against the giant Goliath.
4. What did David say to Goliath?
“I come to thee in the name of the
Lord of hosts.” I Samuel 17:45
5. Why was Saul angry when David killed
Goliath?
Saul was jealous of David.
6. How did Saul show that he was jealous?
Saul tried to kill David.
7. How did Saul try to kill David?
Twice he threw his spear at David.
8. Why did David not kill Saul when he
could have done this?
Because Saul was the Lord’s
anointed.
9.
Did Saul ever harm David?
No, for the Lord was with David wherever
he went.
10.
What did David write ?
David wrote many beautiful Psalms.
Memory verse: “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.” Psalm 59:1
LESSON 3
David Is King
II Samuel 2-12
1. Who became king after Saul died?
David became king, first over
2. How did the Lord show that He was with
David as king?
God gave him the victory over all
3. What did David bring to
David brought the ark of God to
4. Why did he bring the ark to
So that the people could worship God
there.
5. What other plans did David have for
David wanted to build a beautiful temple
to the Lord.
6. What did the Lord tell David?
The Lord told him that his son would
build the temple.
7. Which great sins did David commit?
He took Uriah’s wife and had Uriah
killed in battle.
8. How did God punish David for these sins?
The son that was born to him died.
9. How did David show true sorrow for these
sins?
He said, “Against thee, thee only,
have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.”
Psalm 51:4
10.
How was David a type of Christ?
He fought the battles of the Lord
against God’s enemies.
Memory verse: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1
LESSON 4
The Sin of Absalom
II Samuel 15-19
1. Who was Absalom?
Absalom was one of the sons of David.
2. What did Absalom do?
He tried to take the kingdom from his
father.
3. Why was this wrong of Absalom?
Because God had made David king.
4. What did David do when he heard this?
David fled with his army across the
5. Did Absalom come to fight David?
Yes, he came with a large army to fight
David.
6. How did Absalom die?
His head was caught in a tree and Joab
killed him.
7. Why did David weep when he heard that
Absalom was dead?
David knew that Absalom was a wicked
son.
8. Did David return to
Yes, the people were glad to take him
back as their king.
9. What sin did David commit?
He numbered the people.
10
Whom did David anoint to be king after him?
His son Solomon, as God had promised.
Memory verse: “Thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me.”
II Samuel 22:49
LESSON 5
Solomon Is King
I Kings 1-11
1. What did Solomon ask of the Lord?
Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s
people.
2. Did the Lord hear his prayer?
Yes, God made Solomon the wisest man who
ever lived.
3. What did God give him besides wisdom?
God gave Solomon great riches and honor.
4. How did Solomon show his wisdom?
When two mothers wanted the same baby,
Solomon showed which one was the real mother.
5. What did Solomon build in
Solomon built a large and beautiful
temple.
6. Who came to visit Solomon?
The queen of
7. What sins did Solomon commit later in
life?
He married many heathen wives and served
their idols.
8. How did God show that He was displeased
with Solomon?
He said that He would take ten tribes
away from Solomon.
9
How did Solomon show his wisdom in
writing?
He wrote proverbs, many of which are in
the Bible.
10.
How was Solomon a type of Christ?
He was a type of Christ as the prince of
peace.
Memory verse: “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26
LESSON 6
Rehoboam Is King of
I Kings 12-14
1. Who became king after Solomon?
His son Rehoboam became king.
2. What did the people ask of Rehoboam?
They asked him to lower their taxes.
3. What did Rehoboam answer them?
He told them that he would make them pay
more taxes than before.
4. What did the ten tribes do?
They left Rehoboam and made Jeroboam
their king.
5. Which tribe stayed with Rehoboam?
6. What were the two kingdoms called?
The
7. Was Rehoboam a God-fearing king?
No, his heathen mother taught him to
serve idols.
8. How did God punish Rehoboam for his
sins?
The king of
9. What does this sad history teach us
about our early training?
It is important to learn to serve God
when we are young.
10.
What does it teach us regarding God’s faithfulness?
God always preserves His church, as He
has promised.
Memory verse: “And
unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before
me in
LESSON 7
Jeroboam Is King of
I Kings 12-14
1. Who became king of the ten tribes?
Jeroboam became their king.
2. Why
did Jeroboam want to keep the people from going to the temple in
He was afraid that the people would go
back to Rehoboam.
3. What
did Jeroboam do to keep the people from going to the temple?
He set up two golden calves, one in
4. What
did Jeroboam tell the people about these calves?
That
5. Why
was this a terrible sin?
It led
6. For
what other reason was it wrong?
God had commanded
7. How
did God warn Jeroboam and the people?
He sent a prophet to cry against the
altar at
8. What
did the prophet say about this altar?
He said that a king of
9. Did
this actually happen?
Three hundred years later Josiah did
that very thing.
10. Did Jeroboam seek help from his golden calves
when his son was sick?
No, he sent his wife to a prophet of
God, who said that her son would die.
Memory verse: “Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness.” Psalm 5:4
LESSON 8
Elijah Goes to Ahab
I Kings 17
1. What does the Bible say about the kings
of
They walked in all the sins of Jeroboam,
who made
2. What king especially walked in those
wicked ways?
King Ahab who married the heathen
princess Jezebel.
3. In what other way did Ahab show his
wickedness?
He made the people serve Baal and killed
God’s prophets.
4. How did God warn Ahab of his wickedness?
God sent the prophet Elijah to tell him
that God would send no rain upon the land.
5. What happened when there was no rain?
There was a great famine, so that the
cattle died and the people had no food.
6. How did God care for Elijah during the
famine?
The ravens brought him food at the brook
Cherith.
7. Where did God send Elijah after the
brook dried up?
To a poor widow in
8. How did the Lord care for Elijah and the
widow?
God gave them meal and oil every day.
9. How did the Lord show that He gives
everlasting life?
God raised the widow’s son from the
dead.
10.
What lesson does God teach in caring for Elijah and the widow?
God teaches that He gives us our daily
bread.
Memory verse: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
LESSON 9
Elijah and
I Kings 18
1. How long did the famine in
The famine lasted three and a half
years.
2. What had wicked king Ahab been doing
during this time?
Ahab was looking for Elijah to kill him.
3. What did the Lord command Elijah to do?
God commanded him to go to Ahab.
4. What did Elijah tell Ahab?
Elijah told him to gather all the people
at mount Carmel.
5. What were the people of
They were told to pray to Baal to bring
fire on their altar.
6. Did Baal bring fire on their altar?
No, for Baal was only an idol.
7. What did Elijah then tell the people to
do?
He told them to pour water on and around
his altar.
8. What did the prophet do after that?
He prayed to God, and God brought fire
from heaven.
9. Were the people afraid?
Yes, in fear they cried out, “Jehovah
He is the God.”
10.
Did God send rain upon the land?
Elijah prayed and the Lord sent much
rain on a thirsty land.
Memory verse: “I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.”
Isaiah 46:9
LESSON 10
Jehoshaphat Is King of
II Chronicles 14-20
1. Name two God fearing kings of
King Asa and his son Jehoshaphat.
2. How did Asa show that he feared the
Lord?
He broke down the idols that the people
had made.
3. How did the Lord show that He was with
Asa?
The Lord destroyed a large army from
4. Did Asa always trust in the Lord?
No, when
5. What did Jehoshaphat do for
Jehoshaphat taught the people to serve
the Lord.
6. What great sin did Jehoshaphat commit?
He joined with wicked Ahab to fight the
Syrians.
7. What did Ahab’s false prophets tell
these kings?
Four hundred prophets told them they
would win the battle.
8. What did God’s prophet Micaiah say?
He said that Ahab would be killed and
9. Did Ahab go to battle anyway?
Yes, but he did not dress like a king.
10.
How was Ahab killed?
God guided an arrow of the enemy which
killed him.
Memory verse: “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god.” Psalm 16:4
LESSON 11
Elisha Is Prophet in
II Kings 2-5
1. How did Elijah’s life on earth end?
God took him to heaven in a whirlwind.
2. Who became prophet after Elijah?
Elisha, the chief servant of Elijah.
3. What great miracle did Elisha perform?
He raised the son of a Shunammite woman
from the dead.
4. Who came to Elisha to be healed?
Naaman, a Syrian captain, who was a
leper.
5. How did he hear of Elisha?
A Jewish girl told him about the
prophet.
6. What did Elisha tell Naaman to do?
He told Naaman to wash in the river
7. Was Naaman cured of his leprosy?
Yes, he was healed, and he also believed
that God was the true God.
8. What sin did Elisha’s servant
Gehazi commit?
He asked Naaman for presents of gold and
clothing.
9. Why was this wrong of Gehazi?
The gifts of God cannot be paid with
money.
10.
How was Gehazi punished for this sin?
The leprosy of Naaman came on Gehazi.
Memory verse: “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7
LESSON 12
Elisha Promises Food to
II Kings 6, 7
1. Why did God still send prophets to
wicked
God sent prophets because there were
still God’s people in
2. Why could not the king of
The prophet Elisha always told the king
where the Syrian army was.
3. What did the king of
He sent his army to capture Elisha.
4. Did the army capture Elisha?
No, the Lord struck the army with
blindness.
5. Did
Yes, the army encamped around the city
of
6. How did this trouble the people of
The people were hungry because no food
could be brought in.
7. Were they very hungry?
They were so hungry that two women ate a
baby.
8. What did Elisha promise the king?
He promised that there would be plenty
food the next day.
9. How did this come about?
The Lord drove away the Syrian army
during the night.
10.
How could there be plenty of food for the people?
The army of
Memory verse: “Behold,
he that keepeth
LESSON 13
Jehu Is King of
II Kings 9, 10
1. Who was king in
Jehoram, the son of Ahab, was king.
2. Who was king in
Ahaziah, the wicked son of Athaliah.
3. Who was anointed to be the next king of
Jehu, the captain of
4. What was Jehu told to do?
Jehu was told to kill all the sons of
wicked Ahab.
5. Who was the first one that Jehu killed?
Jehoram, the king of
6. Whom else did he kill?
Ahaziah, the king of
7. What happened to Jezebel, Ahab’s
wife?
Her servants threw her out of a window,
and the dogs came and ate her flesh.
8. Were there still more that Jehu killed?
Yes, he killed all the sons of Ahab and
all those who worshiped Baal.
9. Did Jehu do all this in zeal for God?
No, Jehu did all this for his own honor.
10.
How did Jehu show that he was a wicked king?
He soon caused
Memory verse: “But
Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of
LESSON 14
Jonah Is Sent to
Book of Jonah
1. Who was Jonah?
Jonah was a prophet of God in
2. What did God command Jonah to do?
God commanded him to go to
3. Why did Jonah refuse to go to
At that time
4. What happened to Jonah when he ran away
on a ship?
God sent a fierce storm on the sea.
5. What did Jonah offer to the men on the
ship?
He offered to die that their lives might
be spared.
6. Did Jonah drown when the sailors threw
him into the sea?
No, for God had prepared a large fish to
swallow him.
7. Did Jonah die inside the fish?
No, Jonah prayed to God, and God
delivered him.
8. What happened when Jonah preached to
Many of the people repented and turned
to the Lord.
9. Of what was Jonah’s stay in the
fish a sign?
It was a sign that Jesus would be in the
grave three days and three nights.
10.
Of what was the repentance of
That God would gather His church from
other nations.
Memory verse:
“The men of
LESSON 15
Joash Is King of
II Chronicles 22-24
1. Who was Athaliah?
Athaliah was the daughter of wicked
Ahab.
2. What more do we know of Athaliah?
She was the mother of Ahaziah, king of
3. What did she do when she heard that
Ahaziah was killed?
She killed her grandchildren, so that
she could be queen.
4. Did she kill all her grandchildren?
No, the Lord caused baby Joash to be
spared.
5. Where was Joash kept hidden?
In the temple, where the God-fearing
Jehoiada was priest.
6. How old was Joash when he was made king?
He was seven years old when he was made
king.
7. What happened to Athaliah?
She was killed when she came to the
temple to see what was happening.
8. What important work did Joash do?
He taught the people to worship God in
the temple.
9. Did Joash always do what was right in
God’s sight?
He did what was right only as long as
Jehoiada lived.
10.
What evil did he do?
Joash turned to idols and killed God’s
prophet.
Memory verse: “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21
LESSON 16
Hezekiah Is King of
II Chronicles 29-31
1. Name another good king in
Hezekiah, whose name means “God is
mighty.”
2. What
was the first thing that Hezekiah did?
He broke down the heathen altar that
stood in the temple.
3. What
else did he do?
He prepared a passover feast, which had
not been held for a long time.
4. What
do we read of this passover feast?
That it was the greatest that had ever
been celebrated.
5. What
helped to make it the greatest feast?
Hezekiah sent messengers into the ten
tribes to invite
6. Were
the people of
A few did, but most of them laughed at
the messengers and mocked them.
7. Who
came from
Those came who still feared the Lord.
8. What
did these people from
They destroyed many of the idols in
their own land.
9. Why
did God call these people out of
Because the time had come that God would
punish
10. What happened to wicked
The Assyrians came and led them away
into captivity.
Memory verse: “And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.”
II Chronicles 29:30
LESSON 17
Hezekiah Becomes Sick
Isaiah 36-39
1. Who came to fight against Hezekiah?
The army of
2. What did the captain of the army say to
the people?
He said that
3. Why did this captain think that they
must not trust in their God?
Because no other god could stand up
against his army.
4. What did Hezekiah do?
He told Isaiah all that this wicked man
had said.
5. How did Isaiah answer the king?
He told the king that God would lead the
captain away as an animal is led away.
6. How did the Lord show His power over
God killed the whole army in one night.
7. When Hezekiah was sick, what did Isaiah
tell him?
Isaiah told him that he would die.
8. Why did Hezekiah pray to God to let him
live?
The king had no son to follow him on the
throne.
9. How did God answer Hezekiah’s
prayer?
God added fifteen years to his life and
gave him a son.
10.
Why was it so important for him to have a son to follow him on the
throne?
Because Jesus was to be born of the
royal line of David.
Memory verse: “The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day.” Isaiah 38:19
LESSON 18
Manasseh Is King in
II Chronicles 33
1. Who became king after Hezekiah?
Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh.
2.