Bible Talk — A podcast by 9Marks

9Marks

A podcast by 9Marks, with Alex Duke, Sam Emadi & Jim Hamilton. read less

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1 Kings 5: On the Bible's Memory Palace Which Prepares Us for Phase 1 of Solomon's Temple-Building Project (Ep. 115)

1 Kings 5: On the Bible's Memory Palace Which Prepares Us for Phase 1 of Solomon's Temple-Building Project (Ep. 115)

The story of the Old Testament is the story of God's people returning to God's presence. The building of the temple significantly advances that story. In 1 Kings 5, we get Phase 1 of Solomon's construction project. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Episodes

1 Kings 5: On the Bible's Memory Palace Which Prepares Us for Phase 1 of Solomon's Temple-Building Project (Ep. 115)

1 Kings 5: On the Bible's Memory Palace Which Prepares Us for Phase 1 of Solomon's Temple-Building Project (Ep. 115)

The story of the Old Testament is the story of God's people returning to God's presence. The building of the temple significantly advances that story. In 1 Kings 5, we get Phase 1 of Solomon's construction project. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

1 Kings 3:16–4:34: On a List of People, a List of Stuff, and Solomon's Platinum Age (Ep. 114)

1 Kings 3:16–4:34: On a List of People, a List of Stuff, and Solomon's Platinum Age (Ep. 114)

Solomon is wise. Solomon is wealthy. Solomon is worth listening to. This is his Platinum Age, better than anything that came with his father David. Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 3:16–4:34.

1 Kings 2:12–3:15: On Solomon’s Snake-Stomping Shrewdness and Snake-Handling Stupidity (Ep. 113)

1 Kings 2:12–3:15: On Solomon’s Snake-Stomping Shrewdness and Snake-Handling Stupidity (Ep. 113)

We all know the story about Solomon pleading with the Lord for wisdom. But do you remember how it begins? It’s surprising.Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 2:12–3:15, which highlights Solomon’s shrewdness and his sinfulness.

1 Kings 2:1–12: On David’s Deathbed Charge, Solomon’s Moses-Like Transition, and the Looming Threat of a Man-Less Throne (Ep. 112)

1 Kings 2:1–12: On David’s Deathbed Charge, Solomon’s Moses-Like Transition, and the Looming Threat of a Man-Less Throne (Ep. 112)

King David is on his deathbed. What does he say to his son? “Be strong. Follow the Lord and all his ways. If you don’t . . .”Jim Hamilton, Alex Duke, and Sam Emadi chat about 1 Kings 2:1–12.

1 Kings 1: On David's Decline, Adonijah's Absalomization, and Solomon's Donkey-Shaped Pattern (Ep. 111)

1 Kings 1: On David's Decline, Adonijah's Absalomization, and Solomon's Donkey-Shaped Pattern (Ep. 111)

Bible Talk begins a new book! In this episode, Alex chats with Jim and Sam about 1 Kings 1.

2 Samuel 23–24: On David's Final Words, the Temple's Future Address, and 1–2 Samuel's Messianic Finale (Ep. 110)

2 Samuel 23–24: On David's Final Words, the Temple's Future Address, and 1–2 Samuel's Messianic Finale (Ep. 110)

The end of 2 Samuel is odd: it portrays the king at cruising altitude and then describes his bumpy descent. What's going on here? Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about the messianic finale of 2 Samuel 23–24.

2 Samuel 21–22: On a Reincarnated Goliath, a Chiastic Cheat Code, and David as the "New Israel" (Ep. 109)

2 Samuel 21–22: On a Reincarnated Goliath, a Chiastic Cheat Code, and David as the "New Israel" (Ep. 109)

We've entered 1–2 Samuel's epilogue, which rewinds the clock to mighty deeds of mighty men and gives us a chiastic cheat code that reveals some fascinating connections between King David and all that's gone before.

2 Samuel 19–20: On David’s Unraveling Reign, Joab’s Bloodthirsty Lawlessness, and Subtle Details from the Royal Court (Ep. 108)

2 Samuel 19–20: On David’s Unraveling Reign, Joab’s Bloodthirsty Lawlessness, and Subtle Details from the Royal Court (Ep. 108)

By now, David’s reign is beginning to unravel. In fact, these chapters are beginning to remind us not of 1–2 Samuel, but of the book of Judges. Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 2 Samuel 19–20.

2 Samuel 17–18: On the Son's Demise, the Father's Despair, and the Hunt for Meaningful Connections (Ep. 107)

2 Samuel 17–18: On the Son's Demise, the Father's Despair, and the Hunt for Meaningful Connections (Ep. 107)

A father should never have to mourn the death of his son. But that's precisely what happens here. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 2 Samuel 17–18.

2 Samuel 15:13–16:23: On David's Exodus Reversal and Accidentally Stealing from C. S. Lewis (Ep. 106)

2 Samuel 15:13–16:23: On David's Exodus Reversal and Accidentally Stealing from C. S. Lewis (Ep. 106)

A messenger comes to David and gives him bad news: "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom." Then David flees—and in doing so he fails as both father and king.

2 Samuel 14:1–15:12: On a Convoluted Conversation and a Kiss that Ends in a Coup (Ep. 105)

2 Samuel 14:1–15:12: On a Convoluted Conversation and a Kiss that Ends in a Coup (Ep. 105)

Absalom is a smarmy guy who makes himself seem powerful and compassionate. King David, meanwhile, stays quiet while his kingdom nears collapse.

2 Samuel 13: On the Hateful Misanthrope and the Hateful Milquetoast (Ep. 104)

2 Samuel 13: On the Hateful Misanthrope and the Hateful Milquetoast (Ep. 104)

The story of Amnon, Tamar, and the subsequent terrible fallout is ultimately a story about two fake loves. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi talk through 2 Samuel 13.

2 Samuel 12: On Nathan's Brave Parable, David's Belated Repentance, and the LORD's Merciful Response (Ep. 103)

2 Samuel 12: On Nathan's Brave Parable, David's Belated Repentance, and the LORD's Merciful Response (Ep. 103)

At the beginning of 2 Samuel 12, King David is in a dark place. Even worse, he doesn't seem to know it. By the end of 2 Samuel 12, he's back where he belongs and he's writing Psalm 51. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

2 Samuel 11: On David, Bathsheba, and the Long-Awaited Avalanche (Ep. 102)

2 Samuel 11: On David, Bathsheba, and the Long-Awaited Avalanche (Ep. 102)

For a while now, we've been tracking the avalanche in the distance. Now, with the story of David and Bathsheba, it's finally here.In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi chat about 2 Samuel 11.

2 Samuel 8–10: On Horse Math and Mephibosheth’s Honor in David’s Golden Age (Ep. 101)

2 Samuel 8–10: On Horse Math and Mephibosheth’s Honor in David’s Golden Age (Ep. 101)

After the mountain top of 2 Samuel 7, we get David’s Golden Age. He’s successful, he’s subduing the LORD’s enemies, and he’s showing surprising mercy to helpless people like Mephibosheth. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 2 Samuel 8–10.

2 Samuel 7: On the Mountain Top of the Old Testament Which Teaches Us, Yet Again, That the Bible Is Amazing (Ep. 100)

2 Samuel 7: On the Mountain Top of the Old Testament Which Teaches Us, Yet Again, That the Bible Is Amazing (Ep. 100)

To celebrate our 100th episode, we did something a little different. But the conversation—on perhaps the mountain-peak of the whole OT—ended up at the same place: the Bible is amazing.Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi chat about 2 Samuel 7.

2 Samuel 4–6: On Being Blameless in the Battlefield . . . But Not in the Bedroom (Ep. 99)

2 Samuel 4–6: On Being Blameless in the Battlefield . . . But Not in the Bedroom (Ep. 99)

After the squelching of Ish-bosheth's insurrection, David is anointed king over a united kingdom and the nations are streaming to the city of Zion. And yet . . . the author wants us to know that something's not quite right in the state of Israel. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 2 Samuel 4–6.

2 Samuel 1–3: On Bill Buckner's Obituary, Ish-Bosheth's Failed Coup Attempt, and a Parable of a Prodigal Soldier (Ep. 98)

2 Samuel 1–3: On Bill Buckner's Obituary, Ish-Bosheth's Failed Coup Attempt, and a Parable of a Prodigal Soldier (Ep. 98)

In 2 Samuel 1–3, the inaugural moments of King David's reign are full of stomach-stabbings, failed coups, and heartfelt laments. And through it all, King David remains upright and unscathed. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

1 Samuel 29–31: On the Rise of David and the Death of Saul, Which Is Also Anti-Evangelistic Beheading (Ep. 97)

1 Samuel 29–31: On the Rise of David and the Death of Saul, Which Is Also Anti-Evangelistic Beheading (Ep. 97)

When you get to the end of 1 Samuel, you realize how Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–10) really does frame everything that's to come.

1 Samuel 26–28: On the Witch of Endor's Surprising Success, the Ghost of Samuel's Final Sermon, and the King of Israel's Meal with the Devil

1 Samuel 26–28: On the Witch of Endor's Surprising Success, the Ghost of Samuel's Final Sermon, and the King of Israel's Meal with the Devil

Alex chats with Jim and Sam about the witch of Endor and the rest of 1 Samuel 26-28.