Scripture and Tradition Bible Studies

Job's three friends have proven worthless and unwise indeed. So, after proclaiming an incredible hymn of wisdom and its origin in God, Job demands that God answer him in powerful courtroom language that God will answer in ways that Job couldn't quite anticipate. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "God Meets Job in Court (Job 28-42)," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

After seven days of silence, Job finally opens his mouth to speak. He doesn't curse God, as Satan said he would, but he does curse his own life and the day of his birth. This begins a series of dialogues in which Job's three friends try to find answers to his suffering. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Seeking Answers to Suffering (Job 3-27)," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Job 1-2 is called is prologue for the books and it forms the crucial backstory to why Job suffers as he does. Job is described as one of the wealthiest, but also most righteous people, living. He is truly a role model of virtuous non-Israelites. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Satan's Accusations and Assaults," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Job is one of the greatest works in the Bible, and in world literature. This first lesson covers such important introductory topics to the Book of Job such as title, biographical details of Job's person, authorship, dating, structure, key themes and typology. Job is such an important book that it's worthwhile laying the foundation for the work that lies ahead in our study. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Book of Job," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

This final lesson ends with a tremendous, celebratory shout of joy and praise! After all the ups and downs, victories and defeats, as well as blessings and curses for Israel during these past five books, the Psalter calls upon everything that breaths to "praise the Lord"! That is the perfect way to end our journey through the Psalms! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 16, "Psalms 137-150," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalms 120-136 form the 2nd Cycle of the 5th Book of the Psalter. Within this collection is the very special "Psalms of Ascent" that pilgrims would sing as they enter the Holy City of Jerusalem. These psalms are extremely typological of our own earthly pilgrimage to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 15, "Psalms 120-136," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalms 113-119 form what is called the Egyptian Hallel Psalms, or the Passover Collection. They were sung by Christ himself at the Last Supper before he fulfilled each of them so powerfully in the Passion. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 14, "Psalms 113-119," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Book 5 is the final section of the psalter. It's the longest, but happiest of all five books. Psalm 107 serves as the "overture" of the remaining psalms that focus on the restoration of Israel from exile in a New Exodus. God has redeemed his people from all sorts of adversities, thus they give thanks for his merciful love and offer thanksgiving sacrifices. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 13, "Psalms 107-112," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

God will assuredly have mercy on Israel in exile and restore Zion, but repentance must come first. In Psalm 101, David leads his people towards repentance with a statement of intent to purge his house of evil and pursue righteousness in all things. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 12, "Psalms 101-106," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Book 4 begins with Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses. Now that King David is gone, and the people are in exile, it's time for Israel to look back farther into history for advice on how to manage their crisis. His advice is to repent, turn to God in praise, and make the best of a short life. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 11, "Psalms 90-100," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalm 82 speak of how God sits in judgement against the corrupt leaders of Israel, who are called "gods" because they receive God's own authority to rule the people justly and righteously. Because they abuse such divine authority they will be judged and die like any other man. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 10, "Psalms 82-89," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Book 3 of the Psalter begins with Psalm 73. These are the darkest psalms of the psalter as the Davidic kingdom, Jerusalem, and the Temple have been destroyed and the people lament to God asking how long his anger will continue. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 9, "Psalms 73-81," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

To call God "Rock" means more than just stating metaphorically that he is sturdy and secure. There are Exodus and Temple images behind this description that Psalms 62-64 allude to, making this title even more beautiful. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "Psalms 62-72," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalm 50 teaches that the todah/thanksgiving sacrifice is superior to all others and God calls us to offer it up regularly to him with sincere hearts. That is the context in which Psalm 51, the greatest of the penitential psalms, is to be read. David is the model worshipper, truly repentant of his sins. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "Psalms 50-61," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

As the deer seeks living waters, so too does my soul seek for you, my God. Such beautiful language and imagery begins the second book of the psalter, which focuses on the glory of the Kingdom of David, where God himself dwells from Zion. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "Psalms 42-49," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The Psalms proclaim that the man who confesses his sins is freed from guilt and truly blessed. To hold onto our sins causes us terrible suffering that affects our entire person. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "Psalms 31-41," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalm 22 is one of the most famous christological prophecies in the Old Testament. Jesus quotes it from the cross intentionally to show that his passion and glorification was graphically foretold and is now fulfilled. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "Psalms 22-31," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalms 11-21 continue to develop the main themes of Psalms 1-2, which are the way of the righteous vs. the way of the wicked, and the suffering, yet righteous king who cries out to God for deliverance from his enemies. These psalms beautifully depict how we are to trust in God and praise him no matter the situation. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Psalms 11-21," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Psalms 1-2 form the introduction for the entire Psalter and are incredibly important for understanding its major themes and lessons. Indeed, Psalm 2 is so crucial that it is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Psalms 1-10," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The Psalms are arguably the most popular book of the Old Testament. Indeed, St. Thomas Aquinas says that they contain the whole of Theology within them and St. Anthanasius says they are a mirror for the soul! It's worth our time to study them! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Psalms," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

2 Maccabees closes on a very high note with the story of how God's great mercy is poured out upon his people because of the faithful prayers of the Jewish martyrs. God's wrath turned to mercy. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "Wrath Turns to Mercy (2 Mac 8-15)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Maccabees: Zealous For The Faith." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

2 Maccabees zooms in on the story of the rededication of the Temple and the crushing Hellenistic persecution with some pretty gruesome and yet inspiring details missing in 1 Maccabees. The book opens by connecting the events of Hanukkah with past stories of Israel's temple. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "Faithful Saints and Martyrs (2 Mac 1-7)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Maccabees: Zealous For The Faith." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

After the death of Judas Maccabeus, his brothers Jonathan and Simon carry the torch to further free Judea from the Greek tyranny. As they make great strides towards freedom, even forming what became known as the Hasmonean Dynasty, proverbial cracks begin to form in the foundation which will ultimately lead many argue whether or not their rule is legitimate. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "From Maccabees to Hasmoneans (1 Mac 9:23—16:24)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Maccabees: Zealous For The Faith." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The persecutions leveled by Antiochus IV against the Jewish people lead to the courageous resistance movement under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus. For the first time in salvation history we see serious religious persecution and martyrdom of God's people. Many suffer and die willingly for the faith, but just war is also an option to defend God and country. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Defending God and Country (1 Mac 1:1-9:22)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Maccabees: Zealous For The Faith." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The era of Hellenization was fierce, both in terms of the oppression against the Jews, and with respect to the zealous faith of God's people who chose to fight for God, the law, and the Temple! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Maccabees," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Maccabees: Zealous For The Faith." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Queen Esther proves to be incredibly brave and heroic by approaching King Ahasuerus on her own. She is risking her life by doing so, but it is worth the risk to save the lives of her people. Yet, we see once again how God listens to the heartfelt prayers of his saints and governs all things according to his purposes. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Esther Intercedes for the Jews," from Dr. Nick's course, "Esther: The Intercessory Queen." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

God reveals the upcoming days of persecution and battle in an apocalyptic dream to a faithful Jew named Mordecai. In this dream, two dragons will battle each other and the righteous people will overcome the wrath of the nations. Such is the plot for the rest of the book of Esther, where God will providentially care for his people even when they face imminent genocide. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "The Jews Face Imminent Genocide," from Dr. Nick's course, "Esther: The Intercessory Queen." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The Book of Esther records another epic story of how God delivers his people from disaster through an unlikely source. However, reading Esther can be very confusing in English Bibles because of the manuscript tradition that mixes up many of the chapters and verses. Let's examine why that is. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Book of Esther," from Dr. Nick's course, "Esther: The Intercessory Queen." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The situation couldn't be bleaker for the Jews in Bethulia. They're hungry, thirsty, and desperate. It's precisely at this moment that God will use Judith, a wise, beautiful, and brave widow, to deliver his people. Her actions are not only significant for her city, but point to the greatest act of salvation for all of humanity. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Judith Delivers the Jews," from Dr. Nick's course, "Judith: Blessed Among Women." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Judith 1-7 forms the first half of the book which focuses on painting a portrait of the enemy, who by all accounts is overwhelmingly powerful and unstoppable. Nebuchadnezzar sends his commander-in-chief Holofernes to subdue all peoples who oppose him. Everyone submits quickly to this juggernaut, except for the Jews. They pray and work hard to defend themselves, but things have become desperate and now they must trust God until the very end, or surrender as well. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Holofernes Wars Against the Nations," from Dr. Nick's course, "Judith: Blessed Among Women." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Judith is an epic account of how God delivers his people from conquest through the wisdom and resourcefulness of Judith, a wise and beautiful heroine. However, before diving into the text, it's very important to lay the foundation for the book of Judith in terms of its title, authorship, dating, literary genre, main themes, typology, etc. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "An Introduction to the Book of Judith," from Dr. Nick's course, "Judith: Blessed Among Women." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Tobit's epic saga began in lesson 2 with "God's faithful suffering in exile." We've come full circle now and see "God's faithful rejoicing in exile." Sorrow has turned to joy, misery to praise. Hidden in the story are phenomenal typological connections as Tobit represents Israel and Tobias represents Jesus. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "God's Faithful Rejoicing in Exile," from Dr. Nick's course, "Tobit: God's Faithful Remnant in Exile." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Confident that God will hear his prayer for a quick death, Tobit prepares his son Tobias for a journey to retrieve a silver deposit he made years prior. Though blind, Tobit sees far clearer than anyone on what true wealth is and isn't. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Raphael Heals God's Faithful in Exile," from Dr. Nick's course, "Tobit: God's Faithful Remnant in Exile." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Tobit was a righteous man his entire life, both before and after he was exiled from the Northern Kingdom. He is faithful to God, the Temple, the law, and his kinsmen. He is the model Israelite. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "God's Faithful Suffering in Exile," from Dr. Nick's course, "Tobit: God's Faithful Remnant in Exile." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Tobit is a fantastic book. It's a true historical account filled with powerful religious truths about how God provides for those who are faithful to Him, his law, and each other. Indeed, Tobit's very name points to God's goodness! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "An Introduction to the Book of Tobit," from Dr. Nick's course, "Tobit: God's Faithful Remnant in Exile." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The Southern Kingdom of Judah continued to exist for approximately 150 years after Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC. During that time there were some terrific highs and terrifying lows for the Davidic Kingdom. We see some phenomenal efforts at reform in the reigns of Hezekiah and Josiah, but it's too little too late for a people who seem hell-bent on rejecting God's call for repentance. Babylon will come to Jerusalem to destroy the city and Solomon's temple, a truly tragic and horrific event. The Kingdom has completed its path from "glory to exile" in 586 BC. Yet, God always gives hope through the ministry of the prophets! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 10, "The Exile of the Southern Kingdom" (2 Kings 18-25)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

God was patient and gentle with Israel for 200 years. Over and over again he called Israel to repent of their sins and come to him with open arms. Yet, they never did. The consequences of such impenitent, hard hearts was exile, just as Moses had foretold in the Book of Deuteronomy. Thus, the Kingdom of Israel in the North fell to the mighty Assyrian Empire in the war 722 B.C. Even in this calamitous event, God still promised the hope of restoration! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 9, "The Exile of the Northern Kingdom" (2 Kings 14-17)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

After the ministries of God's prophets Elijah and Elisha, Israel still persists in sin. As a consequence, further curses of the Deuteronomic covenant are unleashed resulting in war, famine, draught, and general unrest. God purges the House of Ahab through King Jehu, but the house of David is nearly wiped out as a consequence. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "Approaching Exile" (2 Kings 8-13)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

If Elijah is "the father of the prophets," as we saw in Lesson 6, then his firstborn son will be his young protégée Elisha, who faithfully proclaims repentance and mercy to Israel. Elisha's ministry further develops the themes of the New Exodus begun by Elijah. The typological connections with Jesus abound as Elisha is an amazing prefigurement of Jesus Christ. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "Elisha: The Spiritual Firstborn Son" (2 Kings 1-7)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Elijah is the first of the great prophets in the Old Testament. In fact, he is called "the father of prophets" and for good reason. All of his miracles and deeds look backward to Moses and the Exodus on the one hand and on the other hand they point forward to Jesus Christ, the one who accomplishes the true and definitive Exodus! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "Elijah: The Father of Prophets (1 Kings 17-22)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Because of Solomon's sins, the kingdom was to be torn away from him as the prophet Ahijah foretold. However, this tearing away should be understood as a "divorce" between the Davidic king and the tribes of Israel. This terrible split was brought about by the abusive and violent words of Rehoboam, Solomon's very unwise heir, and won't be remedied until the new son of David, Jesus Christ, comes to heal this deep wound and lovingly bring Israel back to himself. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "The Divorce of David's Kingdom (1 Kings 12-16)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Solomon was given an abundance of grace, blessings, and wisdom to bless not only Israel, but all the gentile nations surrounding him. And that is exactly what we see happening at the high point of his life right before his tragic fall from grace. Because Solomon is a type of Jesus we will see these high points of his reign perfectly fulfilled by Jesus, who will bring salvation to the whole world. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "Solomon's Fall From Grace (1 Kings 9-11)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The construction of the Temple is arguably the high point of the entire Old Testament. It marks the occasion when Israel finally has "rest" from her enemies all around her in order to enter into the "Sabbath Rest" of covenantal communion with God in holy worship. The Temple is not just for Jews, however, but also for all the nations who will hear of God's holy name and come to worship him as well.Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Solomon's Glorious Temple (1 Kings 5-8)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The beginning Solomon's reign was marked by some key dramatic problems, but he proved to be both humble and wise to establish the kingdom that was destined for him. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Solomon the Wise (1 Kings 1-4)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

It is always helpful and productive to spend some time looking at the introductory topics of a new book. We'll quickly cover issues like the title, dating, authorship, etc. of 1-2 Kings, but spend more time understanding the crucial key themes and typological connections that we'll study in various parts of this course. The connections between the overarching structure of 1-2 as it relates to the ministry of Jesus is especially interesting! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "An Introduction to 1-2 Kings," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Kings: The Glory and Exile of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

David's return to Jerusalem was not the triumphant victory and relief many thought it should be. He regained his throne but at the cost of his Absalom's life. Fully aware that such violence was the temporal consequences of his own sins, David must carry on to preserve the peace and unity of his kingdom. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 10, "David's Final Years (2 Sam 19-24)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

David's sins are infamous, but how could he have committed such crimes after all that God had done for him throughout his life and sworn to him through the covenant just a few chapters prior? David's fall teaches us a lot about how to avoid similar grave sins by being occupied with good things and weeding our gardens. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 9, "David's Fall From Grace (2 Sam 11-18)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

The theological highpoint of both books of Samuel, and arguably even of the entire Old Testament, is the Davidic Covenant found in 2 Sam 7. God has been establishing covenants with his people going all the way back to Adam. Now, in the final covenant of the Old Testament, God is doing something truly spectacular with David and his progeny that will only be perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. To understand the Davidic covenant is essential to understand the new and eternal covenant of our Lord. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "The Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7-10)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

David trusted in God with heroic patience for many years while running from Saul before he became king, but when he did it was only over the tribe of Judah from Hebron. He had to wait many more years before he could become king over all 12 tribes. Once that happened, he made Jerusalem his political and religious capital, fulfilling many significant passages of Mosaic Law. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "David Enthroned in Jerusalem (2 Sam 1-6)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

David's many years in exile were undoubtedly very painful, stressful, and confusing. His king and father-in-law relentlessly pursues David all over the country to kill him for no reason at all. Yet, David never lifts a hand against Saul and thereby proves that David is faithful and loyal whereas Saul is not. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "David in Exile (1 Sam 21-31)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

David, unlike Saul, is a king unlike all others. His heart belongs to God and therefore God is with him in all that he does. He is anointed king and goes to fight Israel's enemies, most famously the giant Goliath. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "David: A King Unlike All Others (1 Sam 16-20)," from Dr. Nick's course, "1-2 Samuel: The Rise of the Davidic Kingdom." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.