The Tanakh Podcast

Israel, Judah and Edom join forces to attack Moav. We shall speak about a critical historic artifact - the Mesha Stele - that gives us important context for this military campaign.

This is the chapter in which Elijah ascends heavenwards in a chariot of fire. But is this in fact a story about Elijah, or possibly it is concerned with his protégé, Elisha?

King Ahaziyahu (Israel) has a domestic accident and is inured, bedridden and concerned for his life. He sends messengers to the God of Ekron: "Will I live?" Elijah is sent to intercept the King's delegates. The critical narrative here is the question of who controls the delegates: Will the king's servants follow the king's instructions or Elijah's, in God's name?

Today we study about Yehoshafat King of Yehuda who seeks unity with the Northern Kingdom but pays a heavy price.

This is the Bible's quintessential story of governmental corruption. The King wants a Nabot's vineyard. Nabot won't sell it. How will the king obtain the vineyard? How does one commit the perfect murder? And who gets the blame?

In our chapter Ahab goes to war with Aram - twice. Each time, God sends a prophet to support Ahab. Is God on Ahab's side? Have things shifted in Ahab's royal court?

After Elijah's great victory on Mt. Carmel, Elijah is thrust into deep crisis - he goes into the desert to end his own life! Why is Elijah so despondent? And what does God try to teach him?

What is the purpose of Elijah's duel at Mt. Carmel. What does it seek to achieve? And why do we hear about Achav's official - Ovadiah - in such detail?

Eliyahu decrees a famine, a drought, that endures for three years! Why did he do it? Was God commanding Eliyahu or was Eliyahu instructing God?

Our podcast today describes the Northern Kingdom; how after 50 years of great volatility and insecurity, it finds wealth, power and political stability under the royal house of Omri and Achav. But at what spiritual price?

In this chapter we encounter the histories of the Kings of Judah - Rechavam, Aviyam and Assa. What is happening in Judah during this period?

Jeroboam's son is sick. He asks his wife to disguise herself and approach the prophet. Why doesn't Yerovam go himself? Why did she need to wear a disguise? And what did the prophet say to her?

Yerovam has become king in the North. But he needs a new religious center. If the prople keep celebrating their holidays at the Temple in Jerusalem, he will lose legitimacy. Yerovam builds two new Temples in Dan and Bethel setting up a golden calf (!) in each shrine. But, the Tanakh tells us that this was a grave error. Chapter 13 reveals the people's confusion. Is Yerovam legitimate or illegi...

Solomon is dead. The people come to crown his son Rechavam (Rehoboam) and ask for a tax break. Rechavam takes bad advice and responds to the people in an imperious, disdainful manner. In response, the northern tribes revolt and split from Rehoboam's kingdom, forming their own State and appointing Yerovam (Jeroboam) as king. This is the moment that split the kingdom, never to be reunited.

"In his old age, his wives turned away Solomon’s heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to God." How did the wisest of men make such a blunder? Did Solomon actually serve idols?

Our chapter describes Shlomo as a powerbroker in the region, controlling trade and accruing great wealth. But are these the correct priorities?

Our chapter speaks of twenty cities that Shlomo transfers to Hiram king of Tyre. Why is Solomon giving away land in the Land of Israel? Why was Hiram unsatisfied with the cities? What might we learn about the state of the economy during the latter Solomonic years?

Chapter 8 describes the festive dedication of the Temple. Our podcast discusses aspects of Solomon's magnificent prayer: 1. Does God reside in the Temple? 2. Is the Temple a Jewish institution or a universal house of prayer?

Why are Solomon's royal buildings subsumed in the account of the Temple? Is this good news or bad news?

Why does our chapter note that we are 480 years (12x40) since the Exodus? Why is Solomon using a new system of months, never used previously (or subsequently!)? Why does Solomon create huge cherubs and attach them to the floor of the Temple? We will try to answer all these questions in our podcast today.

Our chapter describes the way that Solomon develops the Kingdom of Israel to an imperial capital. Solomon controls the region, has the most powerful army, and warm relations with neighboring leaders like Hiram of Lebanon. He also begins the construction of the temple. But above all, Solomon turns Jerusalem to a center of world wisdom and technology. What is the purpose of all these achievements? W...

On the face of it, this is a chapter about government and taxation. But on the deeper read we can identify some riveting social history behind the bare statistics

Solomon loves God. When God asks Solomon what his deepest wish might be, it is the ability to guide and judge the nation. "Tzedek and Mishpat" is possibly Judaism's core value, and the principle of justice is the highest virtue to which a king of Israel could aspire.

David instructs Solomon to ensure that both Yoav and also Shimi Ben Gera die a bloody death.  Is David casting his unfinished business on Solomon?  We contend that David is in fact warning a young an untested Solomon that enemies are waiting, plotting his downfall after King David's death. He instructs him to "be strong and be a man" or else, he will soon find the throne taken from him.

Chapter 1  gives us a conmpetition to succeed King David. Who will be king - Adoniya or Solomon?