The Tanakh Podcast

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?

Music: Zusha - Festival

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? Why is this critical to Solomon's game plan?

On the face of it, this is a chapter about government and taxation, the organization and administration of the kingdom and its financial bouyancy.

But a deeper read identifies some riveting social history behind the bare statistics, which will have ominous effect a generation on.

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?

The final chapter of Samuel gives us yet another sin of David, and another admission of guilt! And a story resonant of the Akeida. What does it all mean?

This chapter gives us David's final song - "The spirit of God spoke through me" - and David's dauntless thirty-seven warriors. Who is David - the man of war or the man of God?

David's Song "on the day God saved David from all his enemies and the hands of Saul."

This would appear to be a song from an earlier period in David's life. Why is it here?

How does this song relate to the other two songs in the book of Samuel: Channah's song (or prayer) and David's eulogy for saul?

How does the theology of this song relate to the trials and tribulations of David's life?

Music. Yonatan Razel: "David"

An ancient unrequited sin leads to a 3 year drought.

David Seeks God; God points to the Gibeonites who were slaughtered by King Saul.

Now they demand that David hand over 7 of Saul's descendents.

They want Revenge. May David comply? Will David comply? Can a child be killed for his father's sin?

David finds himself with another revolt on his hands.

He tries to avoid having Yoav - the man who killed his son Avshalom - lead the army.

First, he appoints Amassa, but Amassa disappoints.

Second he appoints Avishai. But Avishai defers to his older brother Yoav.

In the end it is Yoav who puts down the revolt.

Yoav is depicted here as a complex character. He is open to the moral call of the "wise woman" who stops his plans of collective punishment, but he murders Amassa - an act which David resents.

Avshalom is dead. The rebellion is over. Or is it?

The instability continues as the tribes of Judah and Benjamin vie for prestige of leading David back to Jerusalem and tribal tensions flare leading to further volatility.

Today we discuss David's conflict of interests and his mixed messages when his army has to face down the forces led by Avshalom.

David instructs Yoav not to kill Avshalom, whereas Yoav instructs the army to kill Avshalom. Who was correct?

Today we discuss two advisors: Achitophel and Hushai. Achitophel seems to be the man who's views are always correct, whose perspective is always wise and insightful. However in our story Avshalom follows Hushai's counsel and rejects Achitophel. We shall propose that Achitophel has a burning personal agenda that skews his thinking.

The mutiny continues.

Our chapter contains four scenes, four encounters: Two as David flees Jerusalem; two as Avshalom enters the city.

Avshalom is back in Jerusalem. He wastes no time at boosting his popularity and discrediting his father, King David.

Soon after, he asks for permission to sacrifice in Hebron, the city in which David was crowned, and he launches a mutiny against his father.

David and his close circle abandon the city, preferring to flee rather than thrust Jerusalem into war and bloodshed.

We will examine David's state of mind before and during this tragic and challenging moment.