For The Kingdom And The King

Jeroboam thought his wife could get a prophesy about her ill son in disguise. That didn't work out here, I think about when Adam and Eve hid from God after eating the forbidden fruit. Of course God knew where they were, just like he knew that his wife was in a disguise. You can't fool God, ever. It's been a while since I recorded this episode. Turns out uploading it and editing these take almost a...

Listen this week as we see the end of Solomon, and then quickly the demise of his son. Solomon although wise, was led astray. At the end of his life, he left God, and pursued the false god's of his hundreds of wives and concubines. This is way after the ten commandments were hands down, adultery is a very well known sin, and Solomon lived in that sin, he was soaking in it by the end of his life. T...

Listen as we read about Solomon doing the finishing touches on the temple. His prayer to God for the people of Israel and those that are foreigners who are seeking God. I changed the outgoing song a little bit today with one of my fathers favorite songs. I might start using it as the intro music for a while. Have a wonderful day children, if you have time, give your mom a call today to tell her th...

Solomon completes the building of the temple. Something his father wanted to do very badly but God wouldn't allow him to because of the blood on his hands, and the warfare he participated in. The kingdom work is never done, and I hope one day you children continue building the kingdom when I'm good and gone. 

1st and 2nd Kings is the story of the kings of Israel's united kingdom, and divided kingdom. This takes place just as King David is about to die, and David's oldest, Adonijah believes he is the next king and starts acting as such. King David is alerted to this from Bathsheba and David makes sure the entire kingdom knows his heir is Solomon. I love you all very much. 

Today we read King David's final words to Israel. Final words can sometimes be profound. I had the privilege to watch both of my parents die in front of me and was there for their final words. In the line of work that I do, clients share with me what their recently deceased loved ones have said on their death beds. It's a fascinating topic, but the only words you should truly concentrate on, is th...

Most of this episode is me just talking as I'm driving around our town running errands. Chapter 21 and 22 reveal God giving King David a choice in punishments, 3 years of famine, 3 months of being chased by enemies, or 3 days of plague. David chose the plague. The bottom line is, our sin will curse us, and God is still merciful. 

My father always said that the first person a child rebels against is his own parents. I'm glad he told me this growing up, not because I was rebellious, I wasn't. Because you children are starting to test the waters of standing up to me and your mom. It's only natural to see how far you can get with whatever boundaries we set for you. Sometimes we will set a boundary and one of you will immediate...

The next few chapters are disturbing, incest, rape, and revenge. It's like a weird independent film that I would never watch. I especially wouldn't let you watch it. I do want you three sons of mine to realize though that as future men, I expect you to be protective of your sister, even if she is older than you. I am not sanctioning murder by the way. I'm just requesting that as men, you will be m...

Listen in as King David seeks out the family of his fallen best friend and once prince of Israel, Jonathan. The kindness is so extreme, and so honoring of his best friend. Then in an about face, King David does one of the most despicable acts a man can do, and is called to account for it. When you are confronted with sin you are committing, love the people who confront you, repent from your sin, a...

David hears about the death of King Saul and his best friend Jonathan. His reaction to the news is heartbreak not elation. You'd expect David to feel some joy knowing the man who had been trying to kill him was himself dead, but David saw it differently. David mourned the death of his king, and God's anointed. This is David living out Jesus' future command to turn the other cheek and to pray for y...

Listen as we conclude the book of 1st Samuel, and also read about the conclusion of the lives of King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan. A lot happens in these chapters, King Saul continues to show why God has rejected him in these final chapters. David continues to show us why God accepts him, and blesses him. The bottom line is actions and intent speak louder than words. 

Listen while we read about David continuing to be pursued by King Saul. Multiple times David could have killed King Saul but refuses. He will not kill the Lord's anointed, and actually feels a lot of guilt for cutting a piece of cloth off of Saul's robe while he is in a cave, uhhh indisposed. The bottom line is, you are going to have people dislike you, and wish your destruction for no reason, and...

Listen as I read chapters 18-22, these chapters detail Saul's slow evolution into madness, as David's success becomes meteoric. I am always amazed at Jonathan's love and friendship of David, we could all learn from that kind of devotion. these chapters also show that despite being successful and having God with him, David did not have an easy time. Saul is constantly trying to kill him, other peop...

Probably the most popular bible story, the story of David versus Goliath. We hear the phrase "David versus Goliath" all the time in popular culture, but maybe the vast majority is getting this story wrong. I have my own take on this fight, and it's imperative that you give credit where credit is due, God was with David, period.  One thing that bothers me about this story is Saul accepting the term...

Today we read chapters 14-15, Jonathan goes on a rampage and kills dozens of Philistines along with his faithful armor bearer. Saul makes a terrible vow that ultimately will lead to his and Jonathan's death, not unlike the vow Jephthah made which lead to his daughters death.  Chapter 15 Samuel tells Saul that God commands that he destroys the Amelakites, and instead Saul allows his soldiers to tak...

Listen as we read about Saul's ascension as king of Israel. Samuel warns Israel that they are wrong for demanding a king, God still allows them to have one on the condition that Samuel warn them that the king they demand, will demand their children for war, and their livestock for his own. They still demand a king, and are given Saul, this turns out to be a terrible choice. 

Listen in as we read about Samuel's sons who because of their corruption, the Israelites demand a king to judge over them. God tells Samuel to warn them about this, but they demand a king and God allows Samuel to give them one. Eli and Samuel seem to have the same parenting issues in raising children up who do not honor the lord. It's a typical joke that it's the pastors kids who get into the most...

I am skipping Ruth, because your mother really wants to read it to you all. So I am reading the next book, 1st Samuel. This book is action packed, historical, recounts some of the most famous battle scenes in the bible, and is constantly being taught incorrectly. There are so many subtleties in this book that are missed and I hope to bring them to light to you all. The chapters I read for this pod...

We finish Judges today. I start the podcast out talking while I drive around town delivering documents to clients houses. This is a long podcast, and I would love to read more commentary about the concubine's fate in Judges 19, that threw me for a loop. The bottom line is, sin must be rooted out, and in modern times we can't raise an army for sinning, but we can raise our eyes to the Lord and ask...

SAMSON!!! A super hero character who was the warrior judge of Israel for twenty years. This old testament character gets the best and worst PR. As children we learn his strength comes from his long hair (WRONG!) it comes from his obedience to God. When his obedience fails, so does the strength God had given him. Delilah shows Samson who she is on numerous occasions, then gaslights him afterwards e...

I read through chapter 12 and discuss my father's funeral briefly. Some of you kids broke my one and only rule in the house and you guys had to deal with the repercussions of that, and you guys did spectacularly by the way. Just know that if I'm ever upset with you kids, I still love you and cherish you with all of my heart. One day you'll all be adults and my work of parenting will take more of a...

Listen as I read Judges in my hotel room down the street from your Nana's house. We are having a funeral for my dad in a couple days and I got here early to help set up the home for the service. I hope you four are getting along with each other, and I pray that you four kids remain close for the rest of your lives. 

We start Judges today. This is a rollercoaster of a book, I've heard it referred to as the tragic sequel to Joshua and that is a pretty good description of it. We took one of the names of the Judges and gave it to one of you boys. If you aren't one of my children and for some reason you're listening to this, try and figure out which Judge of Israel it is, it's one of my favorite stories. 

We finish the Book of Joshua for this podcast. I paused a few times between the chapters to discuss what the chapters meant for me. Today is the start of a three day weekend. I can't wait to spend the weekend with you all. I love you.