Books Of Kings

During the brief reign of Ahaziah of Israel, the Moabites rebelled and launched a genocidal invasion of both Israel and Judah. Elijah condemns Ahaziah for his cosmopolitan polytheism, and Jehoshaphat is delivered by God from a Moabite-led coalition.   Music by Kevin MacLeod.

In 852 BC, Micaiah brought his satirical brand of prophecy to Samaria, and Ahab was killed by the forces of Ben-hadad at the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead. His reign had been nothing if not consistent. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

We dive into the Battle of Qarqar of 853 BC and discuss the major players arrayed on the Levantine side, including the Aramaeans, Israelites, Arabs, and Egyptians. We have a good laugh about the mental somersaults that some 19th century scholars used to dance around the Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III, which corroborates details in the Books of Kings. Also, how did the Germanic-looking ancient Libyans end up in North Africa? Music by Kevin MacLeod.

The Deir 'Alla Inscription, discovered in 1967, is a knockdown demonstration that the Pentateuch contains genuine historical information, preserved in significant detail for centuries before the Pentateuch was compiled.   Music by Kevin MacLeod.

The Battle of Qarqar was fought between a Levant-Egypt alliance, including Ahab and Ben-Hadad, and the rising Assyrian Empire. To set the stage for the battle, we review the bloody conquests of Ashurnasirpal II and Shalmaneser III recorded on the Kurkh Monoliths. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Ian and Caleb break down National Geographic's excellent single-issue edition "Kings of the Bible." Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Ian and Caleb discuss ground-breaking new archaeological evidence for the story of Naboth’s vineyard at Jezreel. Also, why is Jesus so fond of wine-making metaphors? They also review the archaeological and extrabiblical textual evidence for Ahab and the Omrides. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Despite being given a spectacular victory by God, Ahab continues to model the opposite of godly manhood, demonstrating the contempt of the biblical authors for cowardice. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

What begins as an introduction to the wars of Ahab and Ben-hadad becomes a wide-ranging discussion of Christian pacifism, godly masculinity, and the biblical view of enmity. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Through the well-known contest on Mount Carmel, Elijah attempted to kickstart a reactionary monotheistic revolt against the Omride regime. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

In which Ian and Caleb discuss Hillary Clinton’s recent reference to Ahab and Jezebel, and Caleb explains to Ian how to analyze Kanye West lyrics. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Who was the historical Elijah the Tishbite, and how do we know that the Bible reliably describes his ministry? Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Asa's son and successor, Jehoshophat, united the houses of David, Omri, and Ithobaal into a single family tree. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

The Assyrian Empire was one of the most disgusting civilizations in the Ancient Near East. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

As Asa expanded Judah’s geopolitical power, Israel began a slow descent into internal instability. Meanwhile, in the east, a new threat began to rise. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

In this sprawling one-hour episode, we review the tragic career of Jeroboam and narrate Abijam’s epic defeat and invasion of Israel around 907 BC. We also weave in a range of topics including Old Testament theodicy, epistemology, Thomas Jefferson, and Ivan the Terrible. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

The story of the unnamed Man of God in 1 Kings 12-13 is sometimes seen as the most inscrutable story in the Bible. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Around 1200 BC, the entire Near East was invaded by aliens: mysterious “Sea Peoples” who crossed the Mediterranean from the north. The ensuing collapse cleared the way for the rise of Israel and Judah. Meanwhile, the descendants of one group of Sea People—the “Peleset”—almost certainly became the biblical Philistines.    Music by Kevin MacLeod. All copyrighted material is fair use.

Easter is not a pagan holiday. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

The late tenth century saw a three-sided war between Judah under Rehoboam, Israel under Jeroboam, and Egypt under the Libyan pharaoh Shishak. Music by Kevin MacLeod.