2 Chronicles 5 - 1:05 . 1 Kings 8 - 4:18 . Psalm 110 - 18:18 . Today’s reading contains the second-longest chapter in all of Scripture, which is 1 Kings chapter 8, and it’s long for a great reason: King Solomon gets excited and is full of prayer and praise as he conducts the first worship gathering at the Lord’s temple. Though the tabernacle existed before the temple, this is the first permanent structure built for the worship of God in a particular geographic location. As you can imagine, it’s ...
Jul 10, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 126
2 Chronicles 3 - 1:05 . 2 Chronicles 4 - 4:04 . 1 Kings 7 - 7:56 . Psalm 108 - 16:56 . Today we’ll conclude our readings about the construction of the Lord’s temple and the king’s palace built under Solomon’s rule, stopping short of the dedication of the temple which we’ll begin in our next episode. Remember, before the construction of this temple, Israel had worshipped the Lord under the tabernacle, a mobile worship center comprised of varying poles, beams, curtains, cloths, and furniture that ...
Jul 07, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 125
2 Chronicles 2 - 1:05 . 1 Kings 5 - 5:39 . 1 Kings 6 - 9:42 . Psalm 108 - 16:17 . We finished Song of Songs in our last episode which means we are back into the narrative of King Solomon. As always, the Lord God makes good on His promises, and Solomon flourishes under the Lord’s lavish provision. Blessed with peace on every side and abundant wealth, Solomon sets His mind on things above and gets to work. Knowing that the Lord had promised David a son who would come from his family and would esta...
Jul 06, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 124
If you are a mature and well-developed Christian, Paul charges you to be humble and patient with those who are weaker. It can be tempting to use your knowledge of Scripture or your insight into counseling or your experiences in the faith in such a way that talk down to those who have not become strong in those areas. As we remain humble in our maturity, we mirror Christ, for lived to serve, pleasing others to the glory of God and not seeking to be served during his earthly ministry. Lastly, Paul...
Jul 05, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 123
Song of Songs 1 - 1:02 . Song of Songs 2 - 3:59 . Song of Songs 3 - 8:02 . Song of Songs 4 - 10:08 . Psalm 106 - 13:30 . We’re taking a brief hiatus from the narrative of Solomon to read through Song of Songs, which was either written for Solomon or written by Solomon. This is a song about the thrills of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy. In our overly sexualized society, the moral pendulum can sometimes swing to the other side until we wrongly treat sex as something that is to be shunned or a...
Jun 30, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 122
1 Kings 2:28 - 1:08 . 1 Kings 3 - 5:16 . 1 Kings 4 - 11:37 . 2 Chronicles 1 - 16:55 . In our last episode, Solomon’s brother Adonijah tried to take the throne while David was on his death bed. His plan failed, and Solomon successfully ascended to the throne. During the attempted coup, Adonijah recruited Abiathar the priest and Joab, David’s former commander. Since then, Adonijah has been executed, Abiathar has been banished, and today. Joab will be executed. Later, the Lord appears to King Solom...
Jun 29, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 121
1 Chronicles 29:10 - 1:08 . 1 Kings 1 - 6:33 . 1 Kings 2 - 18:01 . Today we’ll be reading about the death of King David from two sources. The first will be from 1 Chronicles as we conclude that book. In this reading, we’ll hear a prayer that David gives in the assembly of the leaders of Israel, followed by a brief account of Solomon coming to power as king. Our second reading will be from 1 Kings, which gives a much more dramatic perspective on what took place during that transition of power. Da...
Jun 28, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 120
1 Chronicles 27 - 1:05 . 1 Chronicles 28 - 8:01 . 1 Chronicles 29 - 13:42 . As the book of 1 Chronicles comes to a close we’re given a look at an assembly of all the leaders of Israel. In this gather, David gives glory to God for his many blessings, and charges Solomon to build the Lord’s temple. In so doing, he also makes it clear that, of his many sons, Solomon is to become king, appointed by the Lord God Himself. He passes the plans for the temple on to Solomon and declares that he will be gi...
Jun 27, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 119
1 Chronicles 24 - 1:03 . 1 Chronicles 25 - 5:09 . 1 Chronicles 26 - 10:05 . Psalm 105 - 15:49 . As David prepares to pass the crown to his son Solomon, his heart and mind continue to be fixed on God’s glory, particularly through the building of the temple and structuring it properly. David has spent years of his life amassing materials for it’s construction, and not only that, he has also drawn up architectural plans, built instruments, and created systems for all who work in and around the temp...
Jun 26, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 118
1 Chronicles 21 - 1:03 . 1 Chronicles 22 - 8:07 . 1 Chronicles 23 - 12:24 . Psalm 104 - 17:22 . In his latter days, David charges his son Solomon to build the temple for the worship of God, and this is when we learn a few pieces of new information. First, we learn that the Lord did not allow David to build the temple because his hands had shed so much blood and because he had waged great wars. We also realize that David looked forward to the building of the temple even though he himself couldn’t...
Jun 23, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 117
2 Samuel 23 - 1:02 . 2 Samuel 24 - 8:44 . Psalm 103 - 14:40 . Now that the account of King David has essentially come to a close, the author recording the account is looking back on David’s life to record some of the events that happened during David’s lifetime that were not included in the chronological story line. These accounts include the execution of members of Saul’s family and battles against the giant descendants of Goliath, both of which were covered in our last episode. Today’s episode...
Jun 22, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 116
2 Samuel 20 – 1:01 . 2 Samuel 21 – 6:26 . 2 Samuel 22 – 12:31 . Psalm 102 – 19:36 . In a foreshadow of coming division, a man named Sheba divides the rest of Israel from Judah, and David sends Amasa to gather troops. Remember, David has just been reinstated as king after his son Absalom turned against him to take the throne for himself. During that period, Absalom appointed Amasa as the new leader of his army, a position once held by Joab. Joab is the man who killed David’s son Absalom, and Davi...
Jun 21, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 115
2 Samuel 18 – 1:02 . 2 Samuel 19 – 9:36 . David’s son Absalom is a handsome young man who has won the hearts of Israel by deception, telling them that King David had no time for them but he would grant justice if only he were in charge. Absalom devises a coup to overthrow David, but his father catches wind of his plot and flees before he arrives. Today, David’s men prepare for battle and meet the forces of Absalom’s Israelite troops. He “goes out on a limb” as it were and fights against his fath...
Jun 20, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 114
2 Samuel 15 - 1:02 . 2 Samuel 16 - 9:41 . 2 Samuel 17 - 14:47 . After killing his brother at a family dinner, Absalom fled to another country, and was only brought back after Joab convinced David to do so by way of a theatric analogy. Today, Absalom begins a plan to win the hearts of the people and turn Israel against his father, the king. Learning of this impending insurrection, David flees Jerusalem with all of his people, save a handle of men who serve as spies. Nathan prophesied that the Lor...
Jun 19, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 113
2 Samuel 13 - 1:05 . 2 Samuel 14 - 10:01 . Psalm 101 - 17:47 . Today’s reading includes an account of sexual violence, so listener discretion is advised. The sexual sin that began in David’s heart and was executed in front of his household is now spreading throughout his family, as his sons begin to use their own power to satisfy their own lust and perversity. David’s son Amnon lusts after Tamar, his own half-sister, and plots to rape her at the encouragement of his friend Jonadab. When David di...
Jun 16, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 112
2 Samuel 11 - 1:04 . 2 Samuel 12 - 8:06 . 1 Chronicles 20 - 15:19 . Psalm 100 - 17:26 . Throughout the Old Testament, we meet men of varying backgrounds who set out to obey the Lord and deliver God’s people. Time and again, God’s people rejoice and revel in their hero, but inevitably, these men fall and are shown to be sinful. David is no exception. Luxury and boredom turn into lust, which turns into an abuse of power, then adultery, then deception, then second-hand murder. Though he tries to hi...
Jun 15, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 111
2 Samuel 8 - 1:06 . 2 Samuel 9 - 4:18 . 2 Samuel 10 - 8:22 . 1 Chronicles 18 - 14:39 . 1 Chronicles 19 - 15:29 . Psalm 99 - 19:31 . In today’s readings, we’ll cover some of David’s military exploits. As he and his forces are victorious over their enemies, the reader is to understand that the Lord is with him in battle. The narrative thus far has established that David prioritizes the right worship of God. Much like the gospel accounts, we’ll read parallel narratives when we read portions from 2 ...
Jun 14, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 110
2 Samuel 6 - 1:06 . 2 Samuel 7 - 6:47 . 1 Chronicles 17 - 12:57 . Psalm 98 - 18:25 . As we are reading chronologically, there will be a number of passages that cover the same event or span from different perspectives. Today, we’ll read the account of the return of the ark that was covered in 1 Chronicles, followed by the Lord’s covenant with David from both accounts. After King David reestablishes the tabernacle, he returns to his own home, a palace made of cedar, and thinks “Why does God dwell ...
Jun 13, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 109
1 Chronicles 13 - 1:02 . 1 Chronicles 14 - 3:26 . 1 Chronicles 15 - 6:41 . 1 Chronicles 16 - 11:28 . Now that David is king, he intends to reinstitute the proper worship of God at his tabernacle, which means that the ark of the covenant needs to be retrieved. When the ark almost falls in transit, one man reaches out to grab it, which is not permissible by God’s law. The Lord strikes him dead, which both angers and terrifies David. Scared to bring it to Jerusalem, he leaves it in Gath. After stay...
Jun 12, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 108
1 Chronicles 11 - 1:01 . 1 Chronicles 12 - 8:12 . 2 Samuel 5 - 14:48 . In our reading from 1 Chronicles, David is established as king, and the author takes his coronation as an opportunity to chronicle the exploits of David’s men who had been with him in the wilderness, and who continued with him in his new kingdom. Now that David has been recognized as king, it’s time for him to begin to establish his kingdom. In 2 Samuel 5, David consults the Lord before he goes into battle, and the Lord respo...
Jun 09, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 107
1 Chronicles 7 - 1:01 . 1 Chronicles 8 - 7:14 . 1 Chronicles 9 - 12:12 . 1 Chronicles 10 - 18:24 . We’re still working through a list of names, but thankfully things get a little more interesting this week as the lists are broken up by historical accounts and records of what people did and when. Part of our reading covers the genealogies following the exile, which, admittedly, doesn’t fall within the chronological timeline, but that’s not our aim. Remember, we began 1 Chronicles with Adam, Seth,...
Jun 08, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 106
1 Chronicles 4 - 1:02 . 1 Chronicles 5 - 7:09 . 1 Chronicles 6 - 12:32 . We’re reading through the genealogies handed down over the centuries that trace God’s people from Adam & Eve all the way through the exile to Babylon. Remember that each name represents a lifetime and a family: real people with real lives who either trusted in the Lord or who were stiff-necked and rebelled against the Lord. One day you and I may just be names on a list to those who come after us, but what the Lord accom...
Jun 07, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 105
1 Chronicles 1 - 1:01 . 1 Chronicles 2 - 6:55 . 1 Chronicles 3 - 14:40 . Psalm 97 - 17:50 . Wait, weren’t we just in 2 Samuel. YES! This is where we’ll start alternating back and forth between Old Testament history books as we seek to read chronologically. We won’t be aligning historical events verse by verse, but we will be trying to align chapters so that the overall historical context is understood. That means we’re going to spend some time in 1 Chronicles as well as 2 Samuel for a bit. So ab...
Jun 06, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 104
2 Samuel 3 - 1:03 . 2 Samuel 4 - 10:34 . Psalm 95 - 13:44 . Psalm 96 - 15:11 . In our last episode, we covered the aftermath of King Saul’s death, including a scramble for power and position by Abner, the commander of Israel’s army. After losing a battle against David’s men, Abner fled on foot and was chased down by Asahel. Abner killed Asahel, but escaped to live another day. Today, Asahel’s brother Joab seeks revenge against Abner, but he does so without David’s approval. Later, two assassins ...
Jun 05, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 103
2 Samuel 1 – 1:03 . 2 Samuel 2 – 6:12 . Psalm 93 – 13:40 . Psalm 94 - 14:37 . After Saul’s death, an Amalekite man comes to David claiming that he is the one who killed Saul, thinking he will be rewarded for his deed since Saul pursued David for so long. To say that David is displeased with this report, however, is an understatement. After a period of mourning for the house of Saul, David is anointed king in Judah, but Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, has other plans. He crowns Saul’s son Is...
Jun 02, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 102
1 Samuel 29 - 1:02 . 1 Samuel 30 - 3:34 . 1 Samuel 31 - 9:35 . Psalm 92 - 12:04 . When we last left King Saul, he had consulted a medium when he didn’t hear from the Lord, where he learns that he and sons will die the following day. David almost joins the Philistine forces in the impending war against Saul, but the commanders don’t trust David like King Achish does. Returning to their settlement at Ziklag, they find their territory decimated and their families taken captive. After consulting the...
Jun 01, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 101
1 Samuel 26 - 1:02 . 1 Samuel 27 - 6:52 . 1 Samuel 28 - 5:46 . Today, Saul sets his sights on David once more, bringing three thousand men with him, but David again has compassion on him. David and his men defect from Israel and escape to Philistine territory, where Achish, the king of the Philistines gives David the city of Ziklag. Later, as Saul faces the Philistine armies, he becomes fearful and tries to consult the Lord, but God does not respond. Being more concerned for himself than for God...
May 31, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 100
1 Samuel 24 - 1:03 . 1 Samuel 25 - 5:46 . Psalm 91 - 16:47 . At every turn, it seems that Saul is hot on David’s trail until, at long last, he unwittingly happens upon the cave where David is hiding. Saul doesn’t realize, however, that David and his men are there. Saul ventures away from his troops and enters the cave to relieve himself. David takes advantage of this opportunity, but not in the way you might expect from someone who is being hunted down by the ruler of a kingdom. Later, David is ...
May 30, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 99
Saul starts to crack under pressure and becomes increasingly paranoid, imagining that David could strike at any moment. He accuses his men of not caring about him and conspiring against. Doeg the Edomite speaks up, remembering that he had seen David get supplies from Ahimelech. In a rage, Saul visits Ahimelech, accuses him of treason, and assigns Doeg the task of slaughtering an entire city of priests and their families. Only one priest escapes the massacre, and he flees to David. Later, Jonatha...
May 26, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 98
1 Samuel 19 - 1:02 . 1 Samuel 20 - 5:54 . 1 Samuel 21 - 14:58 . Psalm 89 - 18:23 . In our last episode, King Saul’s jealousy and hatred for David began to grow as David successfully conquered the Philistines in battle time after time. Saul began plotting David’s demise, but his plans to see him killed were all foiled. Today, Saul’s rage becomes clear to everyone. Saul instructs his son Jonathan and all of his men to kill David. Jonathan and David are close companions, however, and Jonathan helps...
May 25, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 97
