The Tanakh Podcast

In the stories of David there is no sin greater than David's adultery and murder in this chapter. We shall see how sin leads to complication and complication to further sin as David is tempted to use his royal power to cover his own misdeeds.

David sends a diplomatic delegation to console the ammonite king Hannun after the death of his father. However Hannun humiliates David's officials. This is in essence a declaration of war against Israel as Ammon rally an entire alliance of forces to fight David's army. Yoav and his brother Avishai show their phenomenal military prowess in their management of the battle.

David decides to show his kindness and loyalty to the House of Shaul. He seeks out any remaining descendants and discovers that Mefiboshet, Yonatan's son, a handicapped man, is still alive. Through the story we meet Tziva, the caretaker of Saul's estate, who has essentially assumed control over the assets of the former king. David honours Mefiboshet by having him eat at the royal table, and he instructs Tziva to serve his master Mefiboshet. (However with Mefiboshet in Jerusalem and Tziva handling Saul's estate, the potential for indiscretion will be great. We will meet Tziva and Mefiboshet in later stories.

In Chapter 2... 1. Meet Mordechai and Esther 2. The King's search for a new queen  3. The Plot of Bigtan and Teresh

The opening chapter of the Megilla describes the lavish feasts in Shushan, and the story of Vashti. But what does this have to do with the Jews and the Purim story?

David fights on every front: Philistines, Moav, Aram, Edom, Amalek, Amon, and succeeds in growing the kingdom to a veritable empire. The chapter ends with David's growing national administration. Our discussion will focus upon the military force that David is using and its justification. 

David requests to build the Temple. God says no. Why? Is it because he has blood on his hands? Our chapter offers a different reason.

David has captured Jerusalem. But how does he bring God to the city? By making a home for the Aron - the Ark of God - in Jerusalem. But a terrible accident happens as the procession makes its way - the Ark slips and Uzzah tries to save it but is killed. What is David going to do to repair the situation? And how does this relate to the argument between David and his wife, Michal bat Shaul?

In this chapter David becomes King over the entire nation and immediately sets to create a new capital city - Jerusalem. The entire chapter depicts the way that David solidifies and stabilizes his position as monarch. Why Jerusalem? How was it captured? 

Two officers of Ish-Boshet's army come into his house and murder him in broad daylight. What do they wish to achieve? What is their motivation? In this, the third of the assassination stories, we hear yet again how David does not want to rise to the throne over the death of his political rivals. we also address two other topics: 1. Ish-Boshet's strange name. And 2. The story of the tribes of Be'erot.