The Tanakh Podcast

#304 | Melakhim Aleph ch.15 - Rechavam. Aviyam. Assa (Kings of Judah)

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

#303 | Melakhim Aleph ch.14 - Yerovam's Wife and the Blind Prophet

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

#302 | Melakhim Aleph ch.13 - New Religion

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 legitima

#301 | Melakhim Aleph ch.12 - The Kingdom Splits

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, disd

#300 | Melakhim Aleph ch.11 - Solomon's Sins

"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?

#299 | Melakhim Aleph ch.10 - Power and Wealth

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

#298 | Melakhim Aleph ch.9 - A Story of Twenty Cities

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 t

#297 | Melakhim Aleph ch.8 - The Temple Dedication

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 Te

#296 | Melakhim Aleph ch.7 - Royal Buildings. Who is the King?

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

#295 | Melakhim Aleph ch.6 - The Temple. A New Era

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 doe

#294 | Melakhim Aleph ch.5 - An Imperial Capital

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 rela

#293 | Melakhim Aleph ch.4 - Government and Taxation

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 iden

#292 | Melakhim Aleph ch.3 - Wisdom and Justice

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 cor

#291 | Melakhim Aleph ch.2 - Solomon's Enemies

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 Davi

#290 | Melakhim Aleph ch.1 - "Long Live King Solomon!"

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

#289 | 2 Samuel ch.24 - Who Chose Jerusalem? David or God?

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?

#288 | 2 Samuel ch.23 - David. Man of Song or of War?

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

#287 | Samuel ch.22 - David's Song

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 he

#286 | 2 Samuel ch.21 - Revenge and Loyalty

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

#285 | 2 Samuel ch.20 - The Revolt of Sheva Ben Bichri

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, b