Send us a Text Message.David is a man of action. So much so, that one gets the impression that he thrives in motion and cannot be still. From herding sheep and delivering food to his brothers on the front lines as a boy to hiding in caves to escape Saul and protecting the Philistines for pay while secretly sabotaging Israel’s enemies. The man is clever and makes good use of his time. But all of that is over. David is king. He doesn’t have to do it all. He has people, who have peopl...

Send us a Text Message.There are 55 chapters in 1 and 2 Samuel and, without a doubt, 2 Samuel chapter 7 is the most important. In fact, this chapter ranks as one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible because, in this chapter, God will make a covenant with David.It will be the 4th and last Covenant made in the Old Testament. There is just one covenant in the New Testament making 5 total. A covenant is a binding agreement between God and His people.Thank you for being a part of the...

Send us a Text Message.So much happened in our last episode: Joab killed Abner, David cursed Joab, Baanah and Rekab killed Ish-Bosheth, and David killed Baanah and Rekab.Despite all of the killing, David managed to unite the two kingdoms. And Israel finally became one nation under David, a king after God’s heart. This event fulfilled prophecy from the past and pointed Israel toward the future prophecy of Jesus. In 2 Samuel 5, the united nation gets a new capital.Thank you for being a part of ...

Send us a Text Message.In 2 Samuel 2-3, David listens to God's plan for his nation but not everyone is on board. Joab and Abner start a civil war over their disagreement. After some bloodshed, Abner wants to switch teams and asks to join team David. David makes peace with him, hoping to reunite Israel as one nation. But, Joab is not on board with David’s plan. And so, 2 Samuel 3 brings us justice, conspiracy, and a lot of hopeful PR solutions.Thank you for being a part of the club.Show N...

Send us a Text Message. 2 Samuel 2 begins well on David’s part, but for Israel, it’s what we have come to expect—messy. For the next 5 chapters, Israel will fight through the transition from Saul to David. Welcome to Season 10! Thank you for being a part of the club.Show NotesBlogThe Tribal Allotments of Israel MapThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book ClubLike, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan...

Send us a Text Message.The books of 1 and 2 Samuel are the story of Israel’s leadership transition from judges to the first 2 kings: Saul, who failed due to pride and disobedience, and David, a man after God’s heart. The 2 books were originally one book and are named after Samuel, the prophet God used to establish Israel’s monarchy.Most of 1 Samuel was a contrast between Saul and David. Saul was the king the people wanted. He was a bad example of a king because while he looked good on th...

Send us a Text Message.David is playing a dangerous game with a lot of moving parts. He is a mercenary soldier deceiving his employer, Achish who just happens to be in league with 4 other powerful Philistine leaders. At this time, Achish and their friends are attacking David’s people the Israelites. Achish believes David has been raiding the Israelites, when in fact, he was raiding the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites. Achish may be fooled about David, but the Amaleki...

Send us a Text Message.For over a year, David bides his time with the Philistines. Living in Ziklag and raiding Canaanites instead of Israelites. Until a huge contingency of Philistines begins to form for a battle against the Israelites, Achish calls up David and his men to take part. Thank you for being a part of the club.Show NotesBlogDavid's Flight from SaulThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book ClubLike, comment, or mess...

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, David will face his 3rd and final test in the wilderness. This last test is a temptation, like the first, to avoid suffering. Specifically another temptation to kill Saul and end his torturous time in the wilderness. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogDavid's Flight from SaulThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book...

In this episode, two stories are going to take place: Samuel is going to die and David will have his second test in the wilderness. (The second test is the temptation to avenge himself.) David was anointed but not appointed king.  As a threat to the current king, David was treated as a defector, an outlaw, resulting in disrespect and ill-treatment by many. It was a difficult position to be in and the contempt is going to get to him. In this test, David will be tempted to kill those who...

In the next 3 episodes, while David is in the wilderness, he is going to have 3 tests. The first test is the temptation to avoid suffering. The second test is the temptation to avenge himself. The last test is a temptation, like the first, to avoid suffering. Will he pass all three? Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogDavid's Flight from SaulThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or...

In 1 Samuel 22 and 23, David flees Saul, picking up 400 followers and his family along the way. King Saul searches for a mole and pursues David. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks...

 In 1 Samuel 20 and 21, David is on the run from Saul a man who should love him. Saul is his wife’s father, his best friend Jonathan’s father, and his king, the king whom David loyally served and even risked his life for. And as you would expect, David is frustrated. Every military action he has taken has been to serve Israel. Why is Saul doing this? What is he supposed to do? Fight back or dodge spears forever? How is this affecting the army and the people? What must they be thinking? It...

In 1 Samuel 18 and 19, David has been transformed overnight from a pesky inquisitive baby brother to a celebrated hero, honored court member, and soon-to-be royal family member. His resume will continue to grow as we read through the 1st and 2nd Samuel.  But as David’s story builds, a contrasting subplot is being developed. The demise of Saul, the king the people wanted, compared to the rise of David, the king God wanted. Saul, the Bad Shepherd of the people, is contrasted with David the Good...

When we left Saul and David,  Saul was suffering mentally from an evil spirit. David was summoned to soothe Saul’s nerves on the recommendation of a servant who said he played the lyre well and the Lord was with him. It worked; the music was soothing to Saul. Saul liked David and made him an armor bearer. And in 1 Samuel 17, walks Goliath. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible...

 In 1 Samuel 16 and 17, the reign of Saul as king of Israel does not end overnight. It was a gradual process; much happened in between, with several lessons for us.  Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our...

Even though Saul has been told that his descendants will not be king and that God has chosen another man to replace him, that person has not been revealed, and Saul is still the king.  1 Samuel 15 shows the door still open for Saul to redeem himself in some way in whatever days he has left. An opportunity to find favor with the Lord arrives in the form of an order from Samuel to destroy the Amalekites. Can Saul do the right thing?  Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe...

In 1 Samuel 13 and 14,  the Israelites are hopeful that Saul is the answer to the long-awaited promise made in Genesis. While it looks to them that Saul is the king--often called the "second Adam"--he is not. His fall comes fast. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an...

In 1 Samuel 10, 11, and 12, our story has a back-and-forth feel like a game...a chess game. Each team now has a king. Team Israel has a king – Saul. Team God has a king – God and a voice -- Samuel. Let's study the rise of King Saul together. Thank you for being part of the club. BlogBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website...

 In the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel, we learn the story of Samuel himself. In the following six chapters, we learn of the first King of Israel, Saul.  Israel once again is not satisfied by having the one true God as their king. They want a human ruler and so the search begins...and ends with Saul. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book...

When we open today in 1 Samuel 6,  the Israelites have lost the ark and are suffering without the presence of God. The Philistines have gained the ark but are suffering with the presence of God! Samuel is nowhere to be seen...yet. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook...

Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of 1 Samuel, are part of what is called the ark narrative because they tell the story of the Philistine's victory over Israel and their possession of the ark of the covenant.  Samuel is absent from these chapters. The focus is on the failure of Eli and his sons as spiritual leaders.  The loss of the Ark of the Covenant was a visible symbol of Israel’s broken covenant with God.   In chapter 7, Samuel is reintroduced to lead Israel to repentance and deliverance from...

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of 1 Samuel, the story transitions from Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel who will be the future prophet and priest, to Eli, the current high priest. The story of Eli's wicked family is a sad contrast to Samuel's faithful family. Hophni and Phinehas are not qualified to lead the people. But God has provided one last judge to lead Israel and transition the nation to a king.  Samuel grows into the judge, priest, and prophet God called him to become. Thank...

In chapter 1 of the Book of 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah.  At this point in her life, her husband is not enough to bring her joy. She is overwhelmed by her barrenness and prays to God in her distress. We see God provide Hannah with a blessing in the form of a son, whom she names Samuel. What Samuel becomes to Israel is where our story gets more interesting! Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineFeasts and Festivals...

In this final episode from the Book of Ruth, we will bring Ruth’s story full circle back to Christmas because Ruth's genealogy leads to Christ. For those of you who have listened to all of season 8, the 4 regular episodes and 4 bonus Advent episodes, it is our prayer that the focus of these episodes on hope, love, faith, and joy has given your season memorable meaning. I know I will never celebrate Christmas again without thinking of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz! Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:  The...