Observation

This question was popular among the candidates. In the part a, candidates were able to mention the positive report from Caleb and Joshua as against the ill reports of the remaining ten spies but they failed to mention the reaction of the people of Israel regarding the way they murmured against Moses which made God angry with them and decided to destroy them until Moses pleaded on their behalf. After the spies returned from their mission, candidates were expected to list the following points;

1. Solomon succeeded his father David as King of Israel
2. He instituted a system of forced unpaid labour to execute his building projects.
3. He divided Israel into twelve administrative districts each paying tax to support the royal household.
4. During the latter part of Solomon’s reign, his heart turned away from God who had appeared to him twice.
5. This came about because he married many foreign wives against God’s will
6. He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines and these women led him astray.
7. Solomon built high places for the gods of his foreign wives who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods there.
8.  He built high places for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, Molech the abomination of Ammon.
9. God was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the god of Israel
10. His marriage of foreign wives also led to the adulteration of the worship of Yahweh.
11. God was not pleased with Solomon, because he did not follow Him wholeheartedly as his father, David did.
12. God therefore decided to divide the Davidic Kingdom of Israel into two after the death of Solomon
13. The lord said to Solomon “since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and status which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant”.
14. One tribe (Judah) was to be retained for the sake of David and for the sake of Jerusalem which Yahweh had chosen.
15. Solomon who had previously been devoted to God backslided from the worship of God/ His wives turned away his heart after other gods.
16. Solomon was however assured that for the sake of his father David, the prophecy would not happen during his days but during the days of his son.

The part b was less challenging to the candidates. They drew their experiences from the contemporary society using the politicians as a yardstick and applied their knowledge in answering the part b. Those who failed the demands of the question in part b were writing about the activities and functions of politicians and political parties and these points were in great contrast to what the question asked. Expected lessons political figures can learn from the mission of the spies are;

1. The majority view and decision may not always be right, or correct.
2. Feasibility work should always be done before undertaking any major project.
3. Exaggerations should be avoided, if its purpose is to put fear in the people.
4. Nothing should be hidden from the people/Need for transparency in public service.
5. Reporting true state of affairs should be encouraged.
6. Bold and faithful people should be appointed as leaders.
7. Political leaders are not to be discouraged by negative reports/ criticisms which come their way.
8. Positive self-image/believing in one’s self, is necessary for individual and national progress. This should be encouraged by political leaders.
9. There is need to trust God in all that we do/ Political leaders should have strong faith in God in all their endeavours/ intercede for their people.
10. Fear can paralyse an individual or a nation/it can cause one to lose his or her blessings.
11. Fear can discourage someone from taking risks/making decisions.
12. Political leaders should do all they can to give their people hope and positive vision.