The Tanakh Podcast

Alex Israel
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May 1, 2023 • 9min

Melakhim Bet ch.14 - King Amatziah. Civil War

King Amatziah is successful by any measure. He follows God. He has defeated Edom. So why does he get embroiled in a costly civil war?
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Apr 30, 2023 • 7min

Melakhim Bet ch.13 - Elisha's Legacy

In this chapter we witness Elisha's death. But not before Elisha has announced the demise of Aramean oppression. What do we make of Elisha's role? Why did he resort to miracle making like no other prophet? What is the peculiar relationship between Elisha and the period of Aramean dominace over Israel?
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Apr 29, 2023 • 12min

Melakhim Bet ch.12 - Yoash of Yehudah. Checks and Balances

Yoash was crowned at age 7. For his early years, the priests were most certainly in charge of the kingdom. But later in life, Yoash decides to challenge the priests, and to forge his own direction. It doesn't happen without opposition.
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Apr 26, 2023 • 8min

Melakhim Bet ch.11 - Athalia. The Killer Queen

Queen Athalia - "the evil" - kills all her progeny because she wants to rule. Luckily one heir to the throne is snatched form the massacre. This chapter will describe the counter-coup by the priests to restore the Davidic line.
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Apr 25, 2023 • 11min

Melakhim Bet ch.10 - A Gory Mutiny

Yehu's revolt is possibly the most explicitly violent episode in Tanakh. Why does the text revel in all the gory details? Is this to endear Yehu to us, or to offer a note of caution?
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Apr 24, 2023 • 10min

Melakhim Bet ch.9 - Jehu's Revolution

Elisha instigates yet another assassination in our chapter! Elisha sends a disciple to annoint Jehu, a senior army officer. Jehu proceeds to assassinate the King of Israel, the King of Judah, and the evil Jezebel! Who is this man?
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Apr 22, 2023 • 10min

Melakhim Bet ch.8 - Instigating an Assassination

Elisha travels to Syria, and instigates the assassination of the King Ben-Hadad. Why is Elisha getting involved in a foreign court?
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Apr 22, 2023 • 12min

Melakhim Bet ch.7 - Siege and Salvation in Shomron

Samaria is under siege. There is no food. Women are consuming their dead children. The King wishes to blame Elisha. Elisha responds with the news that within 24 hours the siege will end. Meanwhile, outside the city, four lepers approach the enemy camp...
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Apr 19, 2023 • 10min

Melakhim Bet ch.6 - Gehazi. Religion and Power

Today, we consider the character of Gehazi - Elisha's estranged assistant.
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Apr 18, 2023 • 11min

Melakhim Bet ch.5 - Na'aman

Aram's army captain has leprosy. His cure will come from an unlikely source :- Elisha! But what in particular makes Na'aman pledge to worship no deity other than the God of Israel?

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