The Family Bible Journey Podcast

David is annointed King of Judah, but not of Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth is made king of Israel by Abner, Saul's general. A short civil war breaks-out, but the house of Saul is too powerful for the house of David. Nonetheless, God is working out his plan, slow as it may be, to give the kingdom to David.

Jesus teaches his disciples to wait patiently on him, even when life stinks! We hear of God's patience and power in three parables. These parables are taught around the story of a woman who had a disabling spirit for 18 years. May we, like her, find hope and confidence in Christ, even when life stinks.

Saul's last act of desperate defiance is suicide. His boys killed in battle, himself mortally wounded, he ends his own life. A tragic end to a story that began with so much hope and promise, all because he refused to listen to the Lord.

With the Lord no longer answering his prayers, Saul consults with a medium to conjure old Samuel up from the grave. From beyond the grave, Samuel predicts the fall of Saul and his family. This story of the medium of En Dor allows us to reflect on the reality of dark spiritual forces in the world.

This all-time favorite parable turns the world upside-down as the master serves his servants. Too often, people in positions of power or authority serve themselves, neglecting the common good. As God's children, God's character is seen in us when we serve others, as He has served us.

A wise woman Abigail interceeds with David on behalf of her arrogant husband and convinces David that showing mercy is a better way to get your way than acting in wrath. In the very next chapter, David has opportunity to kill Saul, but chooses mercy instead. Despite David's propensity towards violence, he exercises much mercy in these chapters.

David, even while hiding from Saul, rises to rescue the town of Keilah. Betrayed by those he rescued, he retreats to En Gedi, where he gets a chance to take the life or his arch-enemy Saul. Instead, he shows Saul mercy, buying a slight reprieve by a ninja-like act of bravery.

Jesus takes time, on His journey to Jerusalem, to teach His disciples the blessing of setting their hearts on the things of God. It is too easy for us to get distracted, and miss out on the Lord's blessing. Putting first things first keeps us on track and living into the Lord's will for our lives.

Saul is so consumed by his anger that he orders the execution of many priests. He accuses them of treason for aiding David. These innocent prophets die for their righteousness, and so become a great encouragement for us to stand up against evil, regardless of the consequences.

David and Jonathan grow close, even while Jonathan's father King Saul tries, on a number of occasions, to kill David. Here we learn a lesson of true friendship. David and Jonathan will love each other with undying love, even though the anger of Saul and the events of life separate them for the foreseeable future.

The Lord's Prayer is God's will for us in the form of promise. We are thankful for God's unconditional love. But sometimes we forget that our challenges and issues are no problem for God. Jesus reminds us of God's love, even when we can't see it.

David becomes a folk hero when he slays Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. Saul, who blessed David before the battle, begins to despise the young shepherd boy. But as Saul loathes David, Jonathan loves him and the two quickly become best of friends.

When Saul spares Israel's enemies, the Lord rebukes him and rejects him as king. A fearful Samuel is sent to anoint a new king, one who will have a heart for the Lord. David is anointed, then called into Saul's service, where he will be well prepared to become king himself.

Jesus challenged even His disciples when He showed them how God sees people. Many who had been blessed to hear His teaching and see His miracles were condemned in their unbelief. Many outsiders were welcome in His kingdom. Even His dear friend Martha risked missing out on His blessings, when she was so busy doing good, that she forsook the greater blessing.

Saul loses the Lord's blessing because the man who began as a humble king grows so much in pride that he no longer listens to the Lord. Saul's son Jonathan, meanwhile, rallies the troops and leads them to a great victory over their foes. This victory was clouded by Saul's egotistical wrath that threatened even the life of his son, whose heroic bravery had won the day for Israel.

Upon giving them a king, Samuel renews Israel's covenant with God and plans to retire. They now have a king to govern them. Sadly, his retirement will be punctuated by interruptions caused by Israel's first unfaithful king.

Jesus rubs people the wrong way when He sets His mind on the Father's will of going to the cross. The crowd, the disciples, the Samaritans all miss the point. If Jesus is misunderstood, what should we expect when we set our minds on God's will for us?

Saul is humble and timid, even though he is tall, strong and handsome. In a comical fashion, he is announced as Israel's king. His kingdom begins with wisdom and mercy, two traits he will lose over the course of his reign.

Samuel laments Israel's thirst for a king, thinking that they had rejected his leadership. God tells Samuel that they rejected not their high priest, but God Himself as King over them. God gives the people a king, as they ask, but promises they are going to get more than they bargained for.

As Jesus turns His attention towards Jerusalem, we consider how victory in this life often feels more like defeat. As great as Jesus's healings, exorcisms and resurrection miracles were, He came to heal and raise all people, not just a few. In order to do this, He was bound and determined to go to the cross in Jerusalem.

When God smites the family of Eli, a bunch of unholy priests who were leading Israel astray, the holy Ark of God falls into the hands of the Philistines. Here we learn how God defended His honor, and how the Philistines show God more honor, in some ways, than Israel.

The books of Samuel could be called "The Book of Saul," and "The Book of David," respectively. Samuel was the last of Israel's judges. In this episode, we are introduced to the prophet called by God to anoint Israel's first two kings.

The death and resurrection of a little girl gives us a glimpse of how we will, as God's people, both die and rise again in faith. This story is so important that it appears in all three synoptic gospels. It gives us hope for the end, as this little girl shows us both how to die and how we will rise again.

Boaz is a faithful man who notices the kindness and generosity of Ruth, who is an immigrant widow. He cares for her. He marries her. Their love story is a true redemption story. God will so bless their family that the two will become great-grandparents of the Shepherd King of Israel, David.

Naomi left Isreal in hopes of a brighter future in Moab. Her hopes were dashed when her husband and both sons died an early death. But when she turns back to Israel, her daughter-in-law Ruth proves to be a faithful daughter, even in the face of extreme poverty.