Podcasts about Philistines

Today we're going to continue our study of this battle between the Philistines and the children of Israel. And we saw last time that there was an emphasis on two individuals. The first one was Yonatan, that is Jonathan, the son of Shaul, and also the one who carries the instruments most Bibles will say, the armor of Jonathan. What we find is that these two men were very influential in bringing about a victory for the children of Israel. And why was that?To donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

ISAIAH WAS a wordsmith. And the Hebrew word he used translated “idols,” ʾĕlîlim, identifies the spiritual nature and origin of the idols he condemned. Dr. Christopher B. Hays, citing work of A. T. Clay published in 1907, identified the origin of ʾĕlîlim as the name of the Mesopotamian deity Ellil, which was the Akkadian form of the Babylonian/Sumerian god Enlil. As Derek documented in The Second Coming of Saturn, Ellil/Enlil was the equivalent of the Canaanite father-god El, and thus “the abomination of the Ammonites,” Milcom (i.e., Molech). He was also known as Assur, chief god of the Assyrians, Dagon of the Philistines, Kronos of the Greeks, Saturn of the Romans, and probably Osiris of the Egyptians, among others. We believe this entity is also Shemihazah, leader of the sons of God in Genesis 6, whose rebellion created the monstrous Nephilim, the spirits of which became demons upon their deaths in the Flood of Noah. Isaiah, then, was condemning not carved blocks of wood or stone, but the demonic spirits they represented—the “gods” of the pagans whom the kingdoms of Israel and Judah continued to worship. We'll see as we get deeper into the Book of Isaiah that the prophet understood the nature of the entities the Israelites were interacting with. The cult of the dead was alive and well in the time of Isaiah. Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

ISAIAH WAS a wordsmith. And the word he used translated “idols,” ʾĕlîlim, identifies the spiritual nature and origin of the idols he condemned. Dr. Christopher B. Hays, citing the work of A. T. Clay published in 1907, identified the origin of ʾĕlîlim as the name of the Mesopotamian deity Ellil, which was the Akkadian form of the Babylonian/Sumerian god Enlil. As Derek documented in The Second Coming of Saturn, Ellil/Enlil was the equivalent of the Canaanite father-god El, and thus “the abomination of the Ammonites,” Milcom (i.e., Molech). He was also known as Assur, chief god of the Assyrians, Dagon of the Philistines, Kronos of the Greeks, Saturn of the Romans, and probably Osiris of the Egyptians, among others. We believe this entity is also Shemihazah, leader of the sons of God in Genesis 6, whose rebellion created the monstrous Nephilim, the spirits of which became demons upon their deaths in the Flood of Noah. Isaiah, then, was condemning not carved blocks of wood or stone, but the demonic spirits they represented—the “gods” of the pagans whom the kingdoms of Israel and Judah continued to worship. We'll see as we get deeper into the Book of Isaiah that the prophet understood the nature of the entities the Israelites were interacting with. The cult of the dead was alive and well in the time of Isaiah.

Job 18 deals with Bildad's 2nd round of arguments. Job says, "God punishes the wicked", and since you seem to be suffering punishment you, too, must be wicked. Job, Bildad says, "you keep looking for words to justify yourself. "Do you consider us to be merely stupid cattle? “Settle down, stay calm, and submit to your deserved discipline. No matter how much you protest and struggle you cannot escape the discipline of the Almighty. If you do not learn from your chastening you will disappear into obscurity with the rest of the wicked". Chapter 19 contains the most magnificent statement in the entire Old Testament of God's atonement, or the Almighty's plan to reconcile man to Himself. Job passionately replies, "I know that my Redeemer ("goel" near kinsman) lives". We learn much about the role of the "goel" in the book of Ruth. Both here, and in Ruth, we are taught of Christ's love and His desire to redeem us. Job laments the torments of his friends. The number 10 is used in the Bible, to represent a never-ending sequence (compare in Numbers Yahweh's protestations to Moses of Israel's never ceasing grumbling; also, Hebrews 3). "God", says Job, "seems to have counted me as His enemy. Why I know not. But, if only I had the opportunity I would put my case before Him. My loathsome condition has estranged me from all relatives and friends. Pity me that the Almighty's hand has been stretched out against me". From verses 23-27 we have Job's hope that a "goel" would mediate his case with God. The words have been magnificently captured in Handel's oratorio "Messiah". Our only hope lay in the Father's work of reconciliation, which was accomplished in His Son, who bore our human nature and although suffering its weaknesses and was sinless. And so, he is completely qualified as our Redeemer (Hebrews 2verses5-18). Christ Jesus will return and stand upon the earth to raise the dead in Christ to immortality. Though our bodies be destroyed in the grave ("Sheol"), yet our life will be revived when Christ Jesus comes (Colossians 3verses1-5). "In the meantime, let me be", pleads Job. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign in Judah of the wonderful king Josiah spanning the years (640 BC - 609 BC). This time was just prior to the four waves of Babylonian invasions under Nebuchadnezzar. Although Josiah was a great reformer many of the leaders remained entrenched in their wicked positions because of the longstanding evil reigns of the Kings who preceded the greatest of Judah's reformers. The name of the prophet (Zephaniah) means, "hidden of Yah" (Yah is the shortened poetic form of Yahweh) and his name encapsulates the theme of the book (see chapter 2verses3). Those righteous ones who had sought Yahweh would be hidden from His chastening Hand when the judgements came. Verse 5 tells us that the LORD would punish the remnant of the Baal worshippers - even though Josiah had purged Baal from Judah many still secretly cherished and practised that entrenched idolatry. The record in 2 Kings tells the same story. Verse 5 also speaks of the abominable worship that some still followed (see Ezekiel chapters 12 and 13 which describe the forms of worship which persisted at this time). Verse 8 singles out for punishment Josiah's sons - in particular Jeconiah called by Jeremiah, Coniah - by partly removing his association from the name of Yahweh (see Jeremiah 22verses11-30). Coniah knew not the first thing about being a faithful king (those attributes are enumerated in Deuteronomy 17; 2 Samuel 23; Psalm 72). And so, both Zephaniah and Jeremiah contrast Jeconiah with his father Josiah. Verse 9 speaks of an idolatrous practice going back to the sojourn of the ark of the covenant in Philistine territory at the time of Samuel's infancy (see 1 Samuel 5verses5). Verses 10-13 describe the people chosen for judgment and the reasons for this punishment. Verses 14-18 poetically metaphorically describe what "the day of Yahweh" would look like. Woe to those who mistakenly sought it believing that the judgments of the Almighty would fall on others and not on themselves. Chapter 3 completes Peter's 2nd letter. The first 13 verses tell of the coming day of judgment. Verses 1-5 speak of the wilful ignorance - i.e. by deliberate choice - of the coming judgments upon the wicked. The Apostle shows that despite warnings given to Noah and to those of his generation for 120 years (see also Hebrews 11verses7) those who had once been believers had chosen to abandon their faith. Though punishment seemed slow in coming it was certain. The slowness was to give time for people to repent and turn to God. Our God is not willing that any should perish (verses 8-9). Opportunity must be seized now as there will not always be opportunity. Like unsuspecting individuals those who are unready for the Lord's return will find themselves suddenly ensnared (like a thief in the night surprises those who are not prepared). Our Lord Jesus Christ describes this in Luke 21verses34-36. Paul likewise speaks of this time in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5verses1-9. The dissolution of the Mosaic order is described as the heavens and earth being dissolved. This is a common Biblical figure of speech (see Deuteronomy 32 verse 1 and Isaiah 1 verses 2 and 10). Seeing we are certain of the coming of the heavenly kingdom (Revelation 4 and 5 describe this time) Peter quotes from Isaiah 65verses17-25) that we must live righteously and in readiness for our Lord's return. So, the life and behaviour of the believer must be fashioned in conformity with our desire to be part of the kingdom of our Lord and Christ (Revelation 11verses1-9). Final words from Peter finish the letter in verses 14-18. The Apostle commends them to pay heed to the writings of Paul. The two great Apostles - Peter and Paul - stand shoulder to shoulder in their teachings and in their believing of and living the Truth. Peter's concluding words in verse 18 should be read aloud slowly and pondered. Thanks for joining us

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:28-31: "Then Samson called to the Lord and said, 'O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.' And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years." — Judges 16:28-31 Samson's life was a rollercoaster of wasted potential—flashes of power, but riddled with pride, lust, and compromise. He fought enemies, but mostly on his own terms. Until now. In his final moments, blind and humbled, Samson prayed: "O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once." Then, the text says, "he bowed with all his strength." That line changes everything. Samson finally used all his strength in God's way. For the first time, his power wasn't about proving himself, chasing pleasure, or showing off. It was about surrender. With his final act, Samson lived out the calling God gave him from the beginning—to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This is what surrender looks like: using all you have, not for yourself, but for God. And ironically, it was in death that Samson accomplished more than in life. His final words and final act remind us that true strength is never self-made—it's God-given, and it's God-directed. Our culture teaches us to spend our strength proving ourselves, building platforms, or chasing tolerance and applause. But in God's economy, your greatest strength shows up when you bow. Your calling is fulfilled when your strength is finally surrendered to His purpose. And Samson's story points us forward to Christ. Jesus, too, stretched out His arms, surrendered His life, and in what looked like defeat, He fulfilled His mission. In surrender came victory—once for all. ASK THIS: Where have you been using your strength for yourself instead of God? How does Samson's final act of surrender redefine what true strength looks like? What would it mean for you to "bow with all your strength" today? How can your surrender fulfill the calling God placed on your life? DO THIS: Pray for the courage to bow low and surrender it to Him. Write down one way you will use your strength for God's purpose this week. PRAY THIS: Lord, may I not waste the strength You've given me. Teach me to bow with all my strength—not for myself, but for You. May my final words and daily actions echo a surrender to Your purpose. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me."

Text: Joshua chapter 13: 1 When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, you are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered.
 2 This is the territory that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
 3 and the larger territory of the Canaanites, extending from the stream of Shihor on the border of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron. It includes the territory of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. The land of the Avvites
 4 in the south also remains to be conquered. In the north, the following ...

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:22-27: "But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, 'Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.' And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, 'Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.' And when their hearts were merry, they said, 'Call Samson, that he may entertain us.' So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, 'Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.' Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained." — Judges 16:22-27 The last time we saw Samson, he was blinded, bound, and grinding in Gaza. His strength was gone, his dignity destroyed, and his calling in shambles. But tucked into verse 22 is a whisper of hope: "But the hair of his head began to grow again." That single line reminds us that God wasn't done. Even in failure, grace was at work. Samson couldn't see it, but the God who set him apart before birth hadn't abandoned him. Meanwhile, the Philistines were throwing a party. They praised their false god and mocked Samson as entertainment. It looked like evil had won, that God's man was finished, that compromise had written the final chapter. And isn't that how failure feels in our lives? When you've given in, when you've lost the fight, when culture mocks you for standing on the wrong side of "tolerance"—you feel finished. Look at our own nation. We've compromised on marriage, family, and sexuality. We're mocked on the global stage for holding to biblical convictions. Closer to home, we're mocked for turning to God in prayer, ridiculed for standing up for our convictions on college campuses, and even fired for voicing biblical values in the workplace. Yet even now, God isn't finished with His people. Like Samson's hair growing in the shadows, grace is still at work—even in the dark places. If you've failed, don't believe the lie that God is done with you. Grace is often hidden, subtle, even slow—but it is always moving. The hair grows back. And let's be honest—even bald men can still make a difference for the next generation when they're surrendered to God. It's not about what's on your head; it's about who's in your heart. ASK THIS: Where do you feel like failure has the last word in your life? How does Samson's quiet restoration give you hope? Where can you see God's grace "growing back" in your own story, even if others can't see it yet? How can you encourage someone else who feels written off by failure? DO THIS: Pray and surrender it to God, asking Him to redeem it. Write down a "but God" statement (e.g., "I failed here, but God is still working.") PRAY THIS: Father, thank You that failure is never the end of the story with You. When I am humbled, remind me that Your grace is still at work. Grow in me what I cannot see, and use me again for Your glory. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Grace Greater."

_________ holds people back more than anything else. [1 Samuel 21:10-15] So David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath. [11] But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. “Isn't this David, the king of the land?” they asked. “Isn't he the one the people honor with dances, singing, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?” [12] David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. [13] So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard. [14] Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? [15] We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” [Psalm 56:1-4] For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.” 1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. [2] I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. [3] But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. [4] I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Faith is a conscious decision in spite of the _____________. [Psalm 27:1-3] The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? [2] When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. [3] Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Don't trust in your _______________, trust in God. [Psalm 23:1-4] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [2] He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. [3] He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. [4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. The only way ______ of the valley is ______________ the valley. The antidote to fear is not courage, it's _________ in God. [Psalm 34:1] I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. _______ and worry cannot be simultaneously in your mouth. [2 Timothy 1:7] YLT for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; I will trust God to ___________ me.

A new “Dragon theory” is exploding across the internet—claiming the Palestinian flag is the Four Horsemen, that Hamas fulfilled Revelation 12 on October 7, and that modern Islamic movements are the literal resurrection of ancient Philistines. But is any of this actually in the Bible? Today, we break down the viral claims, compare them with Scripture, and show what Revelation really teaches about: • The Red Dragon• The Woman in the Wilderness• The Four Horsemen• The timing of Revelation 12• Whether October 7 fulfilled prophecy• And the truth about the Philistines vs. Palestinians We're not attacking personalities—we're defending the Word of God.Let's expose confusion, celebrate truth, and make Bible prophecy make sense. ⭐️: True Gold Republic: Get The Endtime Show special on precious metals at https://www.endtimegold.com 📱: It's never been easier to understand. Stream Only Source Network and access exclusive content: https://watch.osn.tv/browse 📚: Check out Jerusalem Prophecy College Online for less than $60 per course: https://jerusalemprophecycollege.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:18-21: "When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, 'Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.' Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And he awoke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him. And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison." — Judges 16:18-21 Yesterday, Samson gave in to Delilah's toxic empathy. He mistook love for surrender, compassion for compromise. And the moment he did, the trap was sprung. His vow was broken. His strength was gone. Notice the devastating effects: Blinded: His eyes gouged out—sin always blinds us first, dulling our discernment. Bound: Shackled in bronze—compromise doesn't free you; it chains you. Ground down: Forced to grind grain in prison—the mighty judge of Israel reduced to slave labor. This is the natural progression of toxic empathy and social tolerance. When you give up righteousness to avoid being labeled "intolerant," you don't just lose ground—you lose sight. You lose freedom. You lose strength. We also see it in culture. Churches that once stood firm on God's Word now compromise to be "welcoming." Leaders soften the truth so they won't be misunderstood. Families surrender holiness in the name of keeping peace. And just like Samson, the strength departs—and many don't even realize God's presence has left the room. Look again at Gaza. It was the city Samson once strutted out of with the gates on his shoulders (Judges 16:3). Now it's the city where he's paraded around in chains. The very place where he thought he was untouchable becomes the place of his humiliation. That's the effect of compromise: What you once thought you mastered eventually masters you. ASK THIS: Where have you mistaken tolerance for love, and ended up weakening your faith? How has compromise blinded you to sin's danger? What "chains" do you feel in your life right now because of past concessions? How can you return to strength by standing firm in God's truth again? DO THIS: Write down one area where compromise has robbed you of strength. This week, resist one small cultural lie with clear, biblical truth. PRAY THIS: Father, forgive me for the places I've traded truth for acceptance. Open my eyes where I've been blinded. Break the chains where I've been bound. Restore my strength so I can walk faithfully with You again. Amen. PLAY THIS: "No Compromise."

Why Take The Longer Path?Exodus 13:17-18 “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.” But God led the people round by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the sons of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle."I was listening to a sermon on the Elevation podcast. The pastor of Elevation church, Steven Furtick, gave a great sermon called “This May Be Plan C.” When I heard him talking about one part in particular I felt like the Lord wanted me to share it with all of you. There were many things about the sermon that stood out to me but it was almost an hour long so I can't go into all of it. However, I do recommend you check out the whole sermon as it was really good. I am just going to talk about the part that has to do with this verse.Pastor Steven was talking about how God didn't take the Israelites on the shortest path out of Egypt. The verse says, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.” This makes us think that there was a way to the promised land that was shorter. And if God is explaining why He didn't take them that way, then that leads us to believe that way would have made more sense. If we are taking the quickest, easiest way, we usually don't explain why we are going that way. Everyone knows why. However, if we are taking an unexpected path, or one that is longer, we might explain why.So, why did God take them on a longer path? The verse says, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.” God knew the people were leaving Egypt but if they ran into trouble and had to fight their way out of Egypt, they might turn around and go back. Also, God knew that the Pharaoh was going to change his mind and come after them. God knew the way of the Philistines would lead them into a situation they were not ready for yet. He also knew what was coming after them and He knew that they would need the Red Sea.I wonder if you have had a time, or maybe many times in your life when you felt like God took you on the round about way to get to where you were going? You feel like there must have been an easier and quicker way to get to where you ended up. What if we trusted that God knew what He was doing? What if we look back and try to see how God might have been protecting us from taking the easy or most quickest path because we might have encountered something we weren't ready to encounter? What if God took us the way He took us because He knew we would need something from that journey or that other path.Pastor Steven talked about how sometimes the problem we are trying to wish away is actually the answer to our prayer we have be asking from God. When the Israelites got the the Red Sea, I am sure they thought it was a problem. I am sure they saw the water on one side of them and heard the army coming up behind them and they questioned why God would lead them to this body of water when there were other paths they could have taken. I am sure they were wishing they were anywhere but in front of the Red Sea at that moment. Yet God used this perceived problem to answer their prayers. He parted that sea and allowed them to walk across it on dry ground. And then he used that water, the one they thought was a problem, to swallow up their enemy.Do you have any problems in your life that might be the answer to your prayers? It may not look like it at first. You may just look at the problem and see it as a problem. However, what if you looked at it and explored how it might be an answer to your prayers? What if you look at the path that the Lord has taken you down and try to see why that path makes sense? Is there a reason God didn't take you down the quickest easiest path? Is there something you needed to go through so that you could be the person He created you to be? Is there something you needed to survive so that you could show others they will survive it too? Was there something on that other path that the Lord knew you weren't ready to face yet?When I asked the Lord what He wanted me to teach today this is what I felt like I heard, “Teach them about how they may not be where they thought they would be. They may not have taken the path they thought they would have but if they keep walking with Me and trusting in Me then they will get there in the end. Show them I am walking with them and leading them. There is a reason I led them on the path they are on. I will help them get to where they are going. It's never too late for Me to grant your heart's desire. Don't give up asking for what you truly want. I do hear you. I am working all things for your good.”I know some of you are disappointed with the way things in life have turned out. I know some of you have been asking for some pretty big things for a long time. I know some of you really need a healing or some direction. I feel the Lord wants you to know it is coming. Your healing is coming. Your trip to Africa is coming. Your heart's desires will be fulfilled. Yes, you might be on the long road to get here, but there is a reason for that. God is putting you on the road you need to be on. Trust in Him and keep walking with Him and He will lead you to where you want to go. I really feel like He wants me to emphasize that it is NEVER too late. Don't give up. Don't feel you are too old, too young, too sick, to inexperienced, to anything. It is NEVER to late for God to fulfill your dreams. Keep asking, keep walking with Him, He won't let you down.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to the podcast today. Lord, please give us the strength to keep asking. Please help us never to give up. Please help us to walk the path you put us on, not the one we think we should be on. Please help us keep walking with you and trusting you. Please help us to trust even when we don't understand. We love you Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus's Holy Name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you still have some last-minute gifts to buy, why not get your loved ones a copy of my book? CLICK HERE to order an autographed copy.  It could be a great way for them to start out the New Year, learning about how much God loves them and who He says they are. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Everything he has created is good in his sight. And his blessings and his mercies pour out each morning anew on every creature and part of his creation.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

The ArK of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines at the battle of Aphek and the priests Hophni and Phinehas are killed. The Ark proves to be quite capable of taking care of itself and the Philistines hasten to send it back to Israel.

David's long wait to become king is nearing its end. Once more, he approaches Saul as he sleeps but chooses not to harm the Lord's anointed. Despite demonstrating real courage and faith, David quickly falls into sin and despair, seeking refuge with the Philistine king, Achish, and even considering fighting against Israel alongside him. We learn here important lessons on maintaining steady faith.

Lord, your mercy reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is as high as the mountains of God. Your justice is as deep as the ocean. You save both man and animal, O Lord (Psalm 36:5-6). Amen.Zechariah is a priest burning incense in the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Suddenly, the angel Gabriel appears to him. "Whoa! This is different!" Zechariah thinks. People in the Bible are usually terrified when a holy angels appears to a sinful mortal. Gabriel says, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son for you, and you are to name him John. … He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God" (Luke 1:13, 15-16).That's a special assignment for a baby! Zechariah and his wife are old and Elizabeth is barren. Zechariah doubts the angel's words. He replies, "How can I be sure of this, because I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years" (Luke 1:18)? Gabriel doesn't like God's promise being doubted, so he answers, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and was sent to speak to you to tell you this good news. Now listen, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the proper time" (Luke 1:19-20).Zechariah is made mute during the entirety of Elizabeth's pregnancy.Fast forward nine months. The baby is born. The neighbors and relatives in the hill country of their small Judean town fill their humble home for the baby's circumcision. It's also been eight days. It's time this baby boy is given a proper name. The neighbors want to call him "Zach Jr." Elizabeth tells the crowd, "No. He will be called John" (Luke 1:60). The friends don't believe her because no one else in the family has that name. So, they appeal to Zechariah. He does what he's had to do to communicate for the past nine months. He pulls out his trusty writing tablet. He writes in his old man handwriting, "His name is John" (John 1:63).Immediately Zechariah's mouth is opened, his tongue is loosed, and he begins to speak, praising God (Luke 1:64).Now that he has his voice back, Zechariah immediately breaks into song. He praises God with the canticle we call, "The Benedictus Dominus" which is Latin for "Blessed Lord." Zechariah has been silent for nine months, but now he's got a mouthful to say. He's filled with the Holy Spirit, so he starts praising God."Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited us and prepared redemption for his people" (Luke 1:68). Perhaps you feel lonely – especially this time of the year. You don't have family nearby to celebrate the holidays with. Or there are strained relationships within your family, so even if they were nearby, you wouldn't enjoy getting together. Or you do get along with your loved ones, but death has removed them from you.Zechariah sings that Christ has visited us. The Son of God doesn't leave us alone and floundering. He has entered our lives as Immanuel – God with us.Christ has visited to redeem us. Some of you know what it's like to struggle. You've needed help with groceries and bills. Some of you know what it's like to be in a financial position to help others with a few dollars or some canned goods. Jesus visited us, not to drop a dollar or two or a few cans of creamed corn to help the needy. Jesus dropped his precious blood from the cross to redeem us. He paid the price to purchase us back from the Devil. He sets us free from sin.Notice, Zechariah uses the past tense with both of these verbs – "visited" and "redeemed." Even though the infant Jesus won't be born for a few months, and he won't be on the cross for thirty-three years, it's as good as accomplished. Though it will happen in the future – to God's people – it's already a done deal."He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, just as he said long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets" (Luke 1:69-70). A horn is a scriptural symbol of strength, like a ram's horn. Zechariah says that the Lord has raised up such a horn now "in the house of his servant David." The house of David was the royal line of that old king, the line from which Israel's kings were to come, as prophesied so long ago. That royal line had been dormant for centuries now. It was like a stump (Isaiah 11:1). No Davidic king had actively reigned in Israel for hundreds of years. But the genealogical line was still producing descendants from the house of David – plenty of descendants, just no kings coming up. Zechariah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says that has now changed."He raised up salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us" (Luke 1:71). Zechariah and the Jews were surrounded by enemies who hated them. In Old Testament times, they were surrounded and attacked by Ammonites, Amalekites, and Philistines. Later they were surrounded and taken captive by Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians. Currently, they were surrounded and ruled over by the Roman Empire. We Christians are surrounded by enemies who continually attack us and may seem to rule over us. Enemies like atheists and agnostics, doubters and deniers, the Devil and his demons, militant pagans and antagonistic opponents of the cross. They surround you attempting to get you to question and doubt. They cancel you, shout at you, belittle you, and persecute you. They can do their worst. Jesus Christ has done his best. He has rescued you from your enemies. He saves you from your opponents. He has turned them into nothing more than a minor irritation."In order to show mercy to our fathers by remembering his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham our father" (Luke 1:72-73). It's hard to trust people. They have their own agendas. They get busy. They forget. They fail. They break their promises to you. Not so with our Lord. He made a promise to Abraham that he would have a Son that would be a blessing to all people. That Son who would bless all nations was presently residing within the womb of Mary. God is always faithful to his promises. What he says he'll do, he does.Mercy is not getting the judgment we deserve. God promises you mercy through his Son. He is faithful to his promises. You receive that mercy now. You'll receive that mercy through eternity."To grant deliverance to us from the hand of our enemies, so that we are able to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days" (Luke 1:74-75). If God promises you deliverance from our enemies, you'll receive that deliverance. When your enemies are removed – or at least quieted – then you can serve God in freedom without fear. You can fulfill your vocations as Christian parents and children, citizens and students. You serve the Lord faithfully and everyone notices – especially God.You can serve in holiness and righteousness. Your past bothers you. Your guilt burdens you. Your sin weighs you down. But Jesus has already declared you holy, righteous, and without sin. He made this declaration in the manger, on the cross, and out of the tomb. Since you are released from your sins, you are free to serve God all your days.In the first half of the Benedictus, Zecheriah sings about the big picture of what God is doing – starting with the birth of John but going on to bigger things. Now in the second half of the Benedictus, father Zechariah turns to his infant son and has some words specifically directed to him. He says, "And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of God's tender mercies, by which the Rising Sun from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:76-79).Though John is in the New Testament, he is the last of the Old Testament prophets. John would be God's mouthpiece to usher in the kingdom of God, to give the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. We learn more about John's ministry during the second and third Sundays in Advent.By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah saw the big picture of God's activity in human history, culminating in what God was about to do for his people in Christ. As he sings, Zechariah ties the old covenant together with the new covenant fulfilled in the Christ Child. He recognizes God's deliverance in the past and rejoices in his work of redemption for all eternity. Through Christ's visitation and redemption, we can serve the Lord forever in holiness and righteousness.Last week we studied and sang The Magnificat – the Song of Mary. Tonight, we study and sing The Benedictus – the Song of Zachariah. Next week we study and sing The Gloria in Excelsis – the Song of the Christmas angels. These are the songs of the Christian Church. In these songs, we sing about promises made and promises kept; God's wrath on his enemies and God's mercy to his people; the past, the present, and the future.Listen to Zechariah's song. Stop doubting and believe. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Loosen your tongue. Deepen your faith. Praise God for sending his Son to visit us in the manger and redeem us on the cross. Join your voice with the saints sitting around you, the saints gathered around Christ's throne, and the voices of those who first sang these ancient canticles – the virgin Mary, the muted Zechariah, and the heavenly host. Amen.How precious is your mercy, O God! So all people find refuge in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/the-benedictus-the-song-of-zechariah/

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:10-14: "Then Delilah said to Samson, 'Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies; please tell me how you might be bound.' And he said to her, 'If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.' So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. Then Delilah said to Samson, 'Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound.' And he said to her, 'If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.' So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made them tight with the pin and said to him, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' But he awoke from his sleep and pulled away the pin, the loom, and the web." — Judges 16:10-14 Delilah wasn't subtle anymore. By now it was obvious: she was working with the Philistines to trap Samson. She asked, and he answered with half-truths and games. She tested him, and he kept breaking free. Over and over again, Samson played along. Why? Because repeated lies dull our senses. At first, you know it's a setup. You laugh it off, you toy with it, you think you're still in control. But the more you tolerate it, the less dangerous it feels. Eventually, what once seemed unthinkable becomes normal. That's exactly how sin and culture work today. We're told the same falsehoods so often, people start to believe them: "You be you." "You've got this." "Truth is whatever you feel." "Gender is just a choice." "Faith doesn't belong in the workplace. Keep it to yourself." Repeat a lie long enough, and people let their guard down. Israel did it with Gaza—tolerating an enemy they should have driven out—and generations later, that compromise still haunts them. We've seen the same thing in our time. Take marriage. Marriage was once honored in our culture as a covenant between a man and a woman. Now it's redefined, mocked, and replaced with hookup culture and hyper-sexualism in nearly every movie, ad, and classroom. Lies repeated long enough become the air we breathe, and if we're not alert, we start to tolerate what God never intended. Samson thought he was just playing games. But every laugh, every half-truth, every little compromise was softening him up for the kill. That's how lies work—they don't strike all at once; they wear you down. And we face the same danger. You can't toy with deception and expect to stand strong. Every time you entertain a lie, it dulls your discernment, lowers your guard, and prepares you for a bigger fall. Left unchecked, small lies become chains—and eventually, those chains own you. ASK THIS: Where are you letting repeated lies numb your discernment? Which cultural "half-truths" are you tempted to tolerate because they're everywhere? How has compromise in small things weakened you in bigger battles? DO THIS: Identify one lie you've started to accept without thinking. Hold it up against Scripture—what does God actually say? Replace that lie with a verse of truth (write it, memorize it, share it). PRAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes to the lies I've started to tolerate. Give me discernment to see through deception and strength to stand on Your truth, no matter how often the world repeats its lies. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Voice of Truth."

Egypt's Decline and the Rise of Israel: Colleague Eric Cline explains that while Egypt survived the collapse, it merely "coped" rather than flourished, entering a chaotic era known as the Third Intermediate Period; as Egypt retreated from the international stage, a power vacuum allowed smaller entities like the Israelites to emerge, while recent DNA evidence from Ashkelon confirms the Philistines' origins in southern Europe, likely Crete or Sardinia, showing they migrated and intermarried with local Canaanites rather than simply conquering them. 1894

Genesis 25-26   25:1 Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore to him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were the sons of Keturah. 5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; 6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. 7 These are all the years of Abraham's life that he lived, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi. 12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's slave woman, bore to Abraham; 13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt going toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives. 19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham fathered Isaac; 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children; and the Lord answered him, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why am I in this condition?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people will be stronger than the other; And the older will serve the younger.” 24 When her days leading to the delivery were at an end, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so he was named Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a civilized man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 When Jacob had cooked a stew one day, Esau came in from the field and he was exhausted; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a mouthful of that red stuff there, for I am exhausted.” Therefore he was called Edom by name. 31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” 33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore an oath to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright.   26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Live for a time in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed Me and fulfilled his duty to Me, and kept My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” 6 So Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is beautiful.” 8 Now it came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down through a window, and saw them, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she certainly is your wife! So how is it that you said, ‘She is my sister'?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘otherwise I might be killed on account of her.'” 10 And Abimelech said, “What is this that you have done to us? One of the people might easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will certainly be put to death.” 12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred times as much. And the Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and herds, and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with dirt. 16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac departed from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar, and settled there. 18 Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they argued with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over it too, so he named it Sitnah. 22 Then he moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, “At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” 23 And he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well. 26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath, and Phicol the commander of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We have seen plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, ‘An oath must now be taken by us,' that is, by you and us. So let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.” 30 Then he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they got up early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away, and they left him in peace. 32 Now it came about on the same day, that Isaac's servants came in and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 So he called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day. 34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.     BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net 

In this episode, we step into one of the most dramatic turning points in Israel's history—the birth of Samson. Before he ever lifted a jawbone or toppled pillars, Samson arrived in a time when the Philistines tightened their grip on Israel for forty long years. We walk through Judges 13 and explore the angelic announcement, the Nazirite vow, and the divine purpose placed on Samson before he was even conceived. From his name meaning “Little Sun” to the stirring of the Spirit in Mahaneh Dan, everything about Samson signaled a man set apart. But we don't stop there. We explore a fascinating possibility: could the legendary Hercules have been inspired by the real-life narrative of Samson? With the tribe of Dan deeply connected to maritime trade, the Denyen, and even early Greek culture, the ancient world may have preserved Samson's feats in mythic form. Similarities between Samson and Hercules are striking—from lion-slaying to miraculous strength to betrayal by a woman. While myth transforms the man, Scripture preserves the truth. And as we lay the historical and cultural groundwork, we prepare the stage for the extraordinary story that unfolds next in Samson's life. Highlights The Philistines oppressed Israel for 40 years before Samson's birth. Manoah and his wife encounter the angel of the Lord, echoing Gideon's story. Samson's Nazirite vow was lifelong and not voluntary. The meaning of Samson's name and its cultural implications. The Nazirite vow is explained in Numbers 6. Historical and archaeological connections between the tribe of Dan, the Denyen, and early Greek culture. Striking parallels between Samson and Hercules. The tribe of Dan's maritime influence and presence in two major locations. Samson's early life and the Spirit of the Lord beginning to stir him. Support & Feedback If you'd like to support The History of the Bible, visit our Patreon Page. Follow The History of the Bible on Facebook for updates, episode discussions, and more: The History of the Bible on Facebook Your feedback is valuable to us! Share your thoughts and insights via our feedback form. Let us know how our podcast has impacted you or someone you know by filling out our impact form. If you have concerns about any information presented, please inform us via our correction form. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow The History of the Bible on your favorite podcast platform. Your ratings and reviews help others discover the show and support the creation of future episodes. SEO Hashtags (Paragraph Style) #BibleHistory #Samson #BookOfJudges #HebrewBible #AncientIsrael #Philistines #NaziriteVow #OldTestamentHistory #BiblicalArchaeology #TribeOfDan #HerculesMyth #GreekConnections #AncientNearEast #BiblePodcast #HistoryPodcast #BiblicalStudies Sources Used ESV Study Bible ESV Archaeology Study Bible New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NLT) Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV) The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History BiblicalArchaeology.org ArmstrongInstitute.org WorldHistory.org Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines Satellite Bible Atlas by Bill Schlegel Chabad.org

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:4-9: "After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, 'Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.' So Delilah said to Samson, 'Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.' Samson said to her, 'If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.' Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber. And she said to him, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known." — Judges 16:4-9 Samson fell in love with Delilah. On the outside, it probably looked harmless—even romantic. But underneath, the Philistine rulers were using her to unravel him. Notice their strategy: not an ambush, not an outright attack, but seduction. Quiet. Subtle. Patient. That's how sin usually works. Rarely does the enemy come at you with flashing lights and a sword in hand. More often, he whispers through slow compromise, through small concessions that seem harmless—until you realize you've been tied up. And here's the irony: Samson kept playing along. He knew she was setting him up, but he continued to entertain the idea. He tolerated the danger, thinking he could handle it. That's exactly how sin works in us. What we entertain today eventually enslaves us tomorrow. This is still happening now. Just look around. Our culture seduces us with subtle compromises—porn normalized as entertainment, propaganda hidden in schools, news outlets, and governments selling the lie that we can trade truth for comfort and cultural ideologies. Like Israel tolerating Gaza for generations, many believers today tolerate little footholds of sin, thinking they won't matter. But they do. Small compromises left unchecked lead to devastating collapse. Sin doesn't usually take you out all at once. It wears you down until you give away what you never meant to lose. ASK THIS: Where are you tolerating small compromises in your life right now? Why do you think subtle temptations feel safer than obvious ones? How can you recognize when sin is "wearing you down" before it's too late? What cultural lies are you tempted to tolerate instead of resisting? DO THIS: Identify: One "small" compromise you've been tolerating. Confess: Ask God to help you shut the door before it grows. Pay attention: Is culture shaping your convictions—or is God's Word? PRAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes to the subtle compromises that wear me down. Give me the courage to resist what seems small, and the wisdom to guard what You've set apart in me. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Lord, I Need You."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 16:1-3 "Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. The Gazites were told, 'Samson has come here.' And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, 'Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.' But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron." — Judges 16:1-3 Samson walked straight into Gaza—the heart of Philistine territory—to spend the night with a prostitute. On the surface, he got away with it. At midnight, he ripped the city gates from their foundations, carried them on his shoulders, and walked away like a man untouchable. But Gaza wasn't just any city. Then and now, Gaza has been a hotspot of conflict—a place where compromise, corruption, and resistance to God's people have festered for generations. What Israel tolerated in Gaza back then still plagues them today. It's a sobering reminder that sins left unchecked don't just fade with time—they multiply. Samson thought he was strong enough to dip into enemy territory and walk away. In reality, Gaza became another crack in his armor, another step toward downfall. That's how temptation works. It whispers, "You're strong enough. You can manage this. You'll be fine." But every compromise weakens us. Every trip into enemy territory costs more than we realize. You can't flirt with sin and expect to walk away unscathed. The little compromises we excuse today often grow into the strongholds that enslave us tomorrow. God calls us not to manage temptation, but to flee from it. ASK THIS: Where are you tempted to flirt with sin, thinking you can handle it? How has "getting away with it" in the past made you careless toward temptation? What compromises have you tolerated that now feel like strongholds? What escape route do you need to take before the fire burns you? DO THIS: Identify: One temptation you've been "managing" instead of fleeing. Confess: That one temptation, honestly to God today. Action: Take one concrete step to remove access to that temptation (delete, block, avoid, or confess). PRAY THIS: Lord, I admit I've played too close to the fire. Forgive me for flirting with sin. Give me the wisdom to run from temptation and the strength to rely on You instead of myself. Amen. PLAY THIS: "God, Turn It Around."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 15:18-20 "And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, 'You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?' And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day. And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." — Judges 15:18-20 Think about the irony here. Yesterday, Samson had boasted in his own strength: "With the jawbone of a donkey, I struck down a thousand men." He took credit for God's win. But today, he's gasping for breath, parched with thirst, and he cries out: "God, You gave me this victory—are You going to let me die now?" In other words, when things went well, it was all Samson. When things went wrong, it was all God's fault. Pride when it suits him. Blame when it doesn't. Sound familiar? We do the same. We take credit for the promotion, the healed relationship, the successful project. Then the moment we hit a wall, we turn on God: "Why are You letting this happen? Where are You now?" Here's the stunning part of the story: even with Samson's pride and finger-pointing, God still provides. He cracks open rock. Water flows. Samson is revived. Grace pours out where it's least deserved. That's the heart of our God. He provides not because we always get it right, but because He is always faithful. And Samson's thirst points us forward to Jesus, who said, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again" (John 4:14). Victories won't quench your soul. Pride won't satisfy your thirst. Blame won't fix your emptiness. Only grace can. And grace flows even when you don't deserve it. ASK THIS: When have you taken credit for God's work in your life? Where are you quick to blame God when life gets hard? How does it change you to know He still provides, even when your attitude is wrong? What "thirst" do you need to bring honestly before Him today? DO THIS: Reflect: Where have you recently taken credit for God's work—or blamed Him for your struggles? Confess: Both honestly in prayer. Ask: God to meet your deepest thirst with His grace. PRAY THIS: Father, I confess my pride in taking credit when things go well and my blame when things fall apart. Yet you still provide. Thank you for pouring out grace even when I don't deserve it. Satisfy my thirst in you alone. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Living Water."

This episode challenges you to arise in faith as a Christian and antagonise every curse of the devil in your life and family. Ps Lebby ignites faith in this episode, showing how David's counter curse against the Philistine is something we can learn from. You will be blessed as you listen to this episode. For more information, please contact us at uklsi.org or via Instagram: @Lsi_uk Stay inspired. Stay informed. Stay inFaith. 

Today's Promise: 1 Samuel 7:12 Life can feel overwhelming, but hope grows when we remember where God has already brought us. In today's episode, we explore the power of looking back so we can move forward with strength. When God delivered His people from the Philistines, the prophet Samuel raised a stone of remembrance and declared, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." That simple monument became a testimony that the God who provided then still provides now. When your faith feels weak and the weight of today's challenges presses in, pause and reflect on God's past faithfulness in your life. His grace has carried you before, and it will carry you again.  Join us as we learn how revisiting God's victories in our past restores courage, builds confidence, and inspires fresh trust for whatever we face today. Let this episode strengthen your heart with the truth that God has not failed you, and He won't start now.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 15:16-17 "And Samson said, 'With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey have I struck down a thousand men.' As soon as he had finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone out of his hand. And that place was called Ramath-lehi."  — Judges 15:16-17 Samson had just experienced one of the most incredible victories in his life. Bound by ropes, surrounded by enemies, he was suddenly filled with the Spirit of God. With nothing but a donkey's jawbone, he struck down a thousand Philistines. But listen to what he says afterward. Listen carefully. "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, have I struck down a thousand men." No mention of God. No credit to the Spirit. Just Samson boasting about Samson. Sound familiar? Victory often tempts us to shift the spotlight. We crush a project at work and secretly think, "Look what I did." A relationship improves, and we say, "I finally figured it out." Even in ministry, we can pat ourselves on the back after a win instead of lifting our eyes to heaven. Pride in victory steals glory from God and puts us on shaky ground. The truth is, Samson didn't kill a thousand men because he was clever with a jawbone. He didn't snap ropes because of sheer strength. The Spirit did that. The Spirit rushed in, gave him power, and made the impossible possible. The same is true for us. Any success we enjoy—big or small—is by God's hand. Pride takes what God did and rebrands it as our accomplishment. And the moment we start stealing God's glory, we set ourselves up for a fall. But humility reverses the script. Humility says, "God did this. I'm just holding the jawbone." ASK THIS: Where in your life are you tempted to take credit instead of giving God glory? Why does success so often make us forget God's role in the victory? What would it look like to redirect praise to God in your current season? How can humility actually deepen your joy in the victories He gives? DO THIS: Identify one recent "victory" in your life. Out loud, thank God for it specifically: "Lord, You did this." PRAY THIS: Father, I confess I love to take credit for what only You could have done. Keep me humble in victory. Teach me to give glory back to You in every success. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Nothing Else."

Friday, 5 December 2025   And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:32   “And they, having gone into the boat, it ceased – the wind” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus stretched out His hand to retrieve Peter from sinking. At the same time, He told him his faith was little and asked why he doubted. The narrative continues with astonishing words, “And they, having gone into the boat, it ceased – the wind.”   A new word is seen, kopazó, to tire. Figuratively, it then means to relax and thus to cease. All three of its uses will be in relation to the wind dying down. One can see that the wind and waves were for the instruction of the disciples. If Jesus wanted to, He could have ceased the winds earlier.   Likewise, He could have let the storm wear itself out and then started across the sea. But He departed from the area of the feeding of the five thousand while it was still stormy, at a point when the men had been straining to cross for a long time.   Peter, despite his bravado, would have been tired from the long day and then the long, difficult night. His ability to focus and keep up a faithful spirit would have been diminished. All such things came into play as he croaked out to Jesus to rescue him on the water.   Once Peter's faith and ability to focus on the Object of his desire were shown to be weak, the storm was no longer needed. The winds that had distracted him gave way to calmness.   Life application: This account conveys a truth that we should all be aware of and prepared for. When our minds and bodies are tired, we can get more irritable, misdirected, prone to making mistakes, and even prone to sin, each depending on the surrounding circumstances.   When we are in such a state, we should remind ourselves to act carefully, respond to circumstances or to others circumspectly, and ask the Lord to guide us in whatever is set before us.   The main thing to remember is to be determined to fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus. The storms around us and the weariness that results from them will weaken our resolve. If we are not in a condition to go forward, we should have the wisdom to tell ourselves this or to let those we are in the battle with know that we they are not capable of handling the challenge.   This, rather than barging ahead and relying on our own strength, is a display of wisdom. As Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies, “A man's got to know his limitations.” When we fail to know our limitations and work within them, only disaster will result.   “When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 16 Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, ‘You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.'” 2 Samuel 21:15-17   David's son, Solomon, wrote that there is a time for everything under the sun. It is ok to understand that there are times to act and times to refrain from acting if we are incapable of doing so. If we fail in this, we may damage our testimony or bring harm to ourselves or others.   Lord God, give us wisdom to walk in this world in tune with who we are and with our eyes fixed steadily on Jesus. When we cannot be effective in what we plan to do, give us the wisdom to see this. If You will strengthen us for the task, we can proceed. But if it is time to step back from it, help us to know this as well. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.  

Though Abraham was unaware of it, God had been using him to witness to the Philistines. Even though they didn't worship Abraham's God, it became obvious over time that his God was powerful and blessed him abundantly (v 22), so much so that the Philistine king became frightened and came to Abraham begging him to make a covenant of friendship with him. The sad element in this story is that Abraham had nearly spoiled what God was trying to do by lying. God wanted to reveal Himself to this foreign nation through Abraham, yet Abraham's habit of lying to protect himself almost defeated God's plan. In the passage we're reading in this episode, the king came to Abraham to ask that he promise never to lie to him again (Ge 20:2-5), and in the middle of their discussion Abraham complained that a well he had dug had been stolen by Philistines. Uncomfortably aware that his honesty was no longer considered reliable, he made a dramatic gesture to emphasize that he was telling the truth this time. Jesus told His followers that our yes must mean yes and our no must mean no (Mt 5:33-37). He wanted people to know that His followers would always tell the truth and would keep their promises. Believers should never need to swear we're telling the truth because we should have no history of lying. Yet many do and, like Abraham, we damage our witness to the world. Today we'll look at why honesty is so important and remind ourselves of key attitudes which help us tell the truth. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge!  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.  

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 15:14-15 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off his hands. And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men. — Judges 15:14-15 Samson walked into Lehi tied up. Not by the Philistines, but by his own people. That had to sting. Three thousand of his brothers bound him with ropes and handed him over. To everyone watching, it looked like the end. The Philistines saw a man restrained, contained, and defeated before the fight even started. They shouted in victory before they'd even lifted a sword. Maybe you've been there. Bound not just by circumstances, but by betrayal, disappointment, or shame. You walk into a situation feeling powerless. People write you off. The enemy shouts too soon. You hear voices in your head: You'll never break free. You'll never change. You'll never win. But then—God's Spirit shows up. The text says the Spirit of the Lord "rushed upon him." Instantly, what looked impossible changed. The ropes fell away like burnt thread. The bonds melted as if they were nothing. Samson reached for the only thing nearby—a donkey's jawbone—and God turned it into a weapon of victory. You may be bound, but you are not broken. The ropes on your life are real. Addiction is real. Fear is real. Regret is real. Wounds from betrayal are real. But they are not final. The Spirit of God can snap what holds you. The Spirit can melt what seems permanent. The Spirit can turn even the most ordinary thing into a tool for victory. Your ropes don't define you. God's Spirit does. So if you're feeling tied down today—by sin, by failure, by the weight of life—you need to know: the same Spirit who rushed on Samson lives in you. And the same Spirit can set you free. ASK THIS: Where do you feel most bound in your life right now? How have you seen God's Spirit break through in the past? What would it look like to stop relying on willpower and invite the Spirit into this battle? Who in your life needs to hear that they may be bound but not broken? DO THIS: Write down the "rope" that feels like it has you tied up. Name it specifically. Share your struggle with a trusted friend and invite them to pray with you. Watch for God to use something small or unexpected (like a jawbone) as part of your freedom story. PRAY THIS: Holy Spirit, I feel bound, but I believe I'm not broken. Rush into my weakness, snap the ropes I can't break, and give me strength to walk free in Your power. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Break Every Chain."

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore one of Scripture's most familiar stories—David and Goliath—but with fresh eyes. The true drama isn't found in the size of the giant, but in the contrast between two ways of living: walking by sight and walking by insight shaped by the Word of God.Everyone in the chapter sees a giant—except David. David sees a blasphemer defying the armies of the living God, and more importantly, he sees the Lord Himself.That difference—sight versus insight—is the difference between fear and faith, paralysis and courage, human calculation and holy confidence.Key Themes1. The Power of Insight Over Visual SightGoliath mocks David, seeing only a boy with a stick.David sees a man defying God—an offense that places Goliath not against David but against the Lord of hosts.Those who rely on appearances are inevitably shaken; those who rely on Scripture are strengthened.2. The Lord Who DeliversDavid recounts how God rescued him from the lion and the bear—training ground for a giant.His confidence is not in technique, skill, youth, or courage, but in God's past faithfulness.3. The Real BattleDavid declares, “The battle is the LORD's” (1 Sam. 17:47).Victory is not achieved by sword or spear, but by divine intervention.4. The Outcome: Fear Flees, Faith AdvancesWhen Goliath falls and David uses the giant's own sword to finish the battle, the Philistines flee.What men interpret as weakness becomes the very means of God's triumph.5. The Loose Ends and the Larger PointThe chapter closes by identifying David's father, Jesse—because David's victory brings reward, promise, and recognition.Yet the deeper truth is theological:Who you are determines what you see.A heart shaped by Scripture sees reality as God defines it.The TakeawayThose who walk by sight are filled with fear.Those who walk by insight—biblical insight—are filled with faith.True courage flows not from personality or temperament, but from knowing God, meditating on His Word, and viewing every circumstance through the lens of His sovereignty.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. I Samuel 17: 12 ¶Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth–lehem–judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth–lehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge... 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

In addition to the Phoenicians, the Philistines were a seagoing people that influenced the tribe of Dan.  Archaeology and DNA confirm that the Philistines were descendants of people who had lived on Crete.  A closer look at Greek mythology shows vestigial remnants of actual historical events and people with links to the Danites. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D., All Rights Reserved

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 15:9-13 "Then the Philistines came up and encamped in Judah and made a raid on Lehi. And the men of Judah said, 'Why have you come up against us?' They said, 'We have come up to bind Samson, to do to him as he did to us.' Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, 'Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?' And he said to them, 'As they did to me, so have I done to them.' And they said to him, 'We have come down to bind you, that we may give you into the hands of the Philistines.' And Samson said to them, 'Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.' They said to him, 'No; we will only bind you and give you into their hands. We will surely not kill you.' So they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock." — Judges 15:9-13 The Philistines were furious with Samson. But instead of standing with their fellow Israelites, the men of Judah bowed to the pressure. Three thousand of his own brothers came to Samson—not to fight for him, but to tie him up and hand him over. That betrayal cuts deep. It wasn't just enemies after Samson—it was his own people. Sometimes the hardest hits don't come from outsiders, but insiders. People you trust will eventually disappoint you, but God never will. Never! Maybe you've felt that sting. A spouse who didn't stand up for you. Friends who vanished when you needed them most. A church that didn't support you. The pain is real. But Samson's story shows us something—being bound by people doesn't mean being abandoned by God. Even when those closest to you give in to fear or pressure, God's purpose is still unfolding. You might feel tied up, let down, or betrayed, but the Spirit of God is never bound. His plan doesn't stop when people fail you. ASK THIS: When have you felt most let down by someone close to you? How did that disappointment shape your faith? Where are you tempted to let betrayal define your trust in others—or in God? How does God's unbreakable faithfulness give you hope in those moments? DO THIS: Think of one disappointment still weighing on you. Take it to God in prayer, naming it honestly. PRAY THIS: Father, You know the pain of being let down by those closest to me. Thank You that when people fail, You remain faithful. Help me rest in Your unshakable presence. Amen. PLAY THIS: "You Never Let Go."

If you've ever looked at a map of the modern-day Middle East and wondered where the names came from, the history can be both fascinating and enlightening.  Did you know that “Palestine” is actually just a different spelling of “Philistine”?  And yet, there aren't any actual descendants of the Philistines living there. Today, Pastor Mark takes you on a journey through the history of the Middle East.  All of the countries and peoples you've read about in the Bible can be mapped onto current national boundaries.  And there are messages for you in each people-group.  Messages of family, and messages of mercy.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 15:6-8 "Then the Philistines said, 'Who has done this?' And they said, 'Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife and given her to his companion.' And the Philistines came up and burned her and her father with fire. And Samson said to them, 'If this is what you do, I swear I will be avenged on you, and after that I will quit.' And he struck them hip and thigh with a great blow, and he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam." — Judges 15:6-8 Look at the spiral. Samson burns fields.The Philistines burn his wife and father-in-law. Samson slaughters them back. It's eye for eye, burn for burn, blow for blow. And the body count keeps rising. This is how anger works. It rarely stays small. It grows teeth. It multiplies. It escalates until everyone loses. Payback feels powerful—but it always makes situations worse. You know this cycle. A word said in anger leads to another. A jab at the family gathering explodes into a feud. A cold shoulder stretches into years of silence. Nobody remembers how it started, but everyone's still bleeding. The way of Christ is different. He broke the cycle. Instead of retaliation, He chose surrender. Instead of lashing back, He absorbed the cost. At the cross, He stopped the spiral so peace could start. And that's the invitation to us: don't add fuel to the fire. Be stronger. Be resolved. Be the one who ends the cycle. ASK THIS: Where are you stuck in a back-and-forth cycle of conflict right now? How has anger made things bigger than they ever needed to be? What would it cost you to stop escalating and choose peace? How can Jesus' example shape your response? DO THIS: Identify one conflict that's escalating. Decide today: "I will not add fuel." Take a humble step to break the cycle—apologize, soften your tone, or listen first. PRAY THIS: Lord, I don't want to live in the spiral of payback. Help me stop adding fuel. Give me the humility and courage to be a peacemaker like You. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Peace Be Still."

We trace David's campaigns in 1 Chronicles 18–20 and show how every victory points beyond tactics to trust. Strategy matters, but the source of real triumph is God's purpose and power, culminating in a hope that points from David to Jesus.• focus on Judah's history through David's reign• key wars against Philistines, Moabites, Arameans and Ammonites• Joab's two-front strategy and disciplined courage• dedication of tribute and plunder to the Lord• siege of Rabbah and the weight of kingship• giants defeated and fear dismantled• theological theme that God gives the victory• call to fight God's battles, not personal vendettas• practical steps to fight well with Scripture and integrity• David as a shadow of Christ's greater kingdomSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Steve Winton from Lakeland, FL. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 15:3-5 "And Samson said to them, 'This time I shall be innocent in regard to the Philistines, when I do them harm.' So Samson went and caught 300 foxes and took torches. And he turned them tail to tail and put a torch between each pair of tails. And when he had set fire to the torches, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines and set fire to the stacked grain and the standing grain, as well as the olive orchards." — Judges 15:3-5 Samson is furious. His wife's father gave her away to another man, and now humiliation burns inside him. So he cooks up a plan—literally. He ties torches between the tails of 300 foxes and lets them loose in Philistine fields, torching grain and olive orchards. For Samson, it felt like justice. For the Philistines, it was destruction. And shortly, the retaliation would escalate. That's the way revenge works—it feels satisfying for a moment, but it never ends there. It multiplies the misery. Revenge never heals your hurt; it multiplies it. When you've been betrayed or wronged, the urge to "get even" screams loud. We daydream about comebacks, plots, or even just the perfect cutting words. And for a moment, it feels powerful. But it never brings peace—it only fans the flames of bitterness. Samson's fire scorched the Philistines, but it also scorched his future. His revenge didn't settle the score; it made the fight bigger. God calls us to a better way. Romans 12:19 says, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" God can handle justice better than you ever could. Revenge chains you to anger; forgiveness frees you to live. ASK THIS: Where are you tempted to "get even" right now? How have you seen revenge backfire in your life before? Why is it so hard to trust God with justice? What might forgiveness free you from today? DO THIS: Write down the name of the person you want revenge on. Pray: "God, vengeance belongs to You. I give this into Your hands." PRAY THIS: Lord, You see the hurt in my heart. I want revenge, but I choose to release it to You. Free me from bitterness, and help me trust You with justice. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Battle Belongs."

Welcome back to the podcast! We're in week number five of our series on David!--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Big Idea:God's route to His promises is rarely efficient—it's fruitful. When Ziklag burns and hope falters, don't quit. Strengthen yourself in the Lord, inquire of the Lord, and obey the Lord—and you'll find the promise is closer than you think.ARTICLE When life feels slow, confusing, or painfully inefficient, many of us wish God acted more like a navigation app. Apps like Waze or Google Maps always chase the fastest route from Point A to Point B. But God doesn't choose the fastest route; He chooses the forming route. That truth sits at the center of David's story in 1 Samuel 27–30. After twenty years of running from Saul, David was exhausted. Scripture says “David kept thinking to himself…” (1 Samuel 27:1 NLT). His inner narrative was slipping, and discouragement was shaping his choices.We've all been there—moments where shortcuts look tempting, where God's promise looks distant, and where the path feels like a zigzag instead of a straight line. But David's journey shows us how to stay faithful when you're one step away from giving up.Settling for ZiklagDiscouragement often begins with unsubmitted self-talk. David “thought to himself” that Saul was going to kill him and concluded that escaping to the Philistines was his best option (1 Samuel 27:1–2 NLT). Without God's voice grounding his heart, David drifted into enemy territory.That's how he ended up in Ziklag.Ziklag—likely meaning “zigzagging”—was a Philistine town that became David's base for about sixteen months (1 Samuel 27:6–7 NLT). For a man who had been running for years, Ziklag felt like success. He finally had stability, safety, and a loyal army. It looked like arrival.But Ziklag wasn't the promise. It was provision—but not inheritance. God had spoken something bigger over David's life: a kingdom, a throne, and divine leadership over Israel. Ziklag was comfortable, but comfort can quietly become compromise. Sometimes the most dangerous place isn't the valley—it's the almost.Don't confuse the interim with the inheritance. Don't let a tired heart write your theology. God's promises may take time, but delay is not denial.When Ziklag BurnsThen came the breaking point. While David and his men were away, the Amalekites raided and burned Ziklag to the ground, kidnapping every woman and child (

The book of Judges shows us what life looks like when a people try to live without God. Israel was religious, but their religion had drifted far from the God of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua. Judges tells us bluntly that a generation arosewho did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel(Judg. 2:10). Surrounded by nations with kings, Israel wanted one too. Wanting a king wasnt the problemGod had already promised a coming ruler from Judah:The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples(Gen. 49:10). He even gave instructions for Israels future king in Deuteronomy 17. The issue wasnt the idea of kingship, but Israels motivation. They wanted a king not to be more like God, but to be more like the nations. Their first king, Saul, looked the parttall, strong, impressivebut his heart was far from God. He cared more about preserving his image than obeying the Lord. The breaking point came when God commanded him to destroy the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a brutal nomadic tribe who had been Israels sworn enemies since the days of Moses, attacking Israel from behind when they were weak and exhausted (Ex. 17). Instead of obeying fully, Saul spared their king and kept what pleased him. So the Lord said through Samuel: Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrificesAs in obeying the voice of the LORD?Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice,And to pay attention than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination,And insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry.Since you have rejected the word of the LORD,He has also rejected you from being king. (1 Sam. 15:2223) Saul finally confessed,I have sinned because I feared the people and listened to their voice(1 Sam. 15:24), but the damage was done. Samuel told him the kingdom had been torn from him and given toa neighbor of yours, who is better than you(v. 28). That neighbor was a young Judean shepherd named Davidsomeone no one expected. When Samuel arrived at the home of Jesse (Boaz and Ruths great-grandson), he assumed Israels next king would look like one of Jesses oldest sons. But God corrected him:Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart(1 Sam. 16:7). After seven sons passed by without Gods approval, Samuel asked,Are these all the boys?Only then did Jesse mention his youngestDavidso overlooked that even his family hadnt considered him. But when David appeared, the Lord said,Arise, anoint him; for this is he(v. 12). And from that moment on,the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward(v. 13). David Was Gods Man The first time we are invited to look into Davids heartand to see what set him apart from everyone elseis in 1 Samuel 17 when he faced Goliath in battle. While Israels army stood frozen on the front lines, David had only been sent to deliver food to his brothers. The Philistines had proposed a champion-to-champion battle: Goliath against anyone Israel dared to send. The stakes were highthe losing side would become the servants of the winner. No one in Israel wanted to step forward. After Goliath roared,I defy the battle lines of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together!Saul and all Israel weredismayed and extremely afraid(1 Sam. 17:1011). For forty days, the giants taunts filled the valley. And for forty days, young David went back and forth between tending his fathers sheep and tending to his brothershearing the escalating tension firsthand. Eventually David had heard enough. Offended by Goliaths insults against God and His people, he asked,What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes the disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he has dared to defy the armies of the living God?(v. 26). When word reached Saul, David was brought before the king. Without hesitation, he said,May no mans heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine(v. 32). David stepped forwardnot with armor, experience, or military strengthbut with confidence in Yahweh. Armed only with a staff, a sling, and five stones, David stood as Israels champion. Goliath mocked him, saying,Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?and cursed him by his gods (v. 43). He then threatened,Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals(v. 44). But Davids response revealed everything about his heart and his source of confidence: But David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a saber, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you and remove your head from you. Then I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that this entire assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lords, and He will hand you over to us! (1 Sam. 17:4547) Davids confidence was not in his ability, but in Gods character. The God who had rescued Israel before would rescue them again. David slung one stone, struck the giant in the forehead, and killed him with what seemed like nothing more than a slingshot. There was no earthly guarantee that David would defeat Goliath. But he knew God had promised Abraham that Israel would represent Him among the nations, and that a king would one day rise from Judah, the one to whomthe scepter shall not depart and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples(Gen. 49:910). David trusted that Gods purposes could not be stopped by a Philistine giant. David Was Israels Flawed King Under Davids leadership, Israel finally defeated and subdued the Philistinesthe nations greatest threat throughout the time of the Judges and during Sauls reign. David had been one of Sauls most successful military commanders, and the women of Israel even sang,Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands(1 Sam. 18:7). Under Davids rule the borders of Israel expanded, and the promises made to Abraham appeared closer than ever to becoming reality. Some of the high points of Davids reign include making Jerusalem the capital of Israel, bringing the ark of the covenant back into the city as the visible sign of Gods presence, preparing the way for Solomon to build the temple, and establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center of the nation. David wanted God to be at the center of everything Israel did, reflecting Gods covenant at Sinai where the people were called Godstreasured possession, Hiskingdom of priests, and Hisholy nation(Exod. 19). But David is also remembered for one of the darkest moments of his lifehis adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband in a desperate attempt to cover up his sin. Uriah, one of Davids most loyal soldiers, was a man devoted to his king and to Israel. He also happened to be married to a woman of striking beauty named Bathsheba. We are told in 2 Samuel 11 that while Israels army was out fighting, David remained in Jerusalema decision that placed him exactly where temptation could reach him. What follows is one of the most sobering accounts in Scripture: Now at evening time David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the kings house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent messengers and inquired about the woman. And someone said, Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? Then David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he slept with her.(2 Sam. 11:24) Soon after, Bathsheba sent word back to the king:I am pregnant. David never imagined his sin would come to light so quickly. Like many who try to hide their sins, he moved from temptation to adultery, and from adultery to deception. He brought Uriah home from battle, attempting to manipulate him into sleeping with his wife so the pregnancy would appear legitimate. But Uriah refusedhe would not enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers risked their lives. With his plans unraveling, David chose a darker path. He wrote a sealed letter to Joab, the commander of the army, and sent itin Uriahs own hand as messenger. The letter read: Place Uriah at the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck and killed (2 Sam. 11:1415). It was a death warrant. And David made Uriah carry it. Uriah died just as David intended, and for a moment the king must have felt deep reliefhis sin was concealed. But the covering of sin never hides it from God. The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and when the truth broke through Davids self-deception, he finally said,I have sinned against the LORD.[1] The difference between David slaying Goliath and Davids failing with Bathsheba was not his strength, his ability, or his statusit was his dependence on God. When David trusted God, giants fell. When David trusted himself, David fell. We Need a True and Better David It was before Davids great sin with Bathsheba that God promised him that through his linage would come another king in 2 Samuel 7:1216; this moment is one of the most breathtaking moments in the entire Old Testament. Before a flawed king of whom God knew would fall terribly. The One David worshiped exclusively announced that the hope promised to Adam and Eve, the covenant repeated to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that would one day burst into reality through one of Davids descendants: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:1216) This covenant echoes the very promises God made to Adam and Eve, and later to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a promise given specifically to Judah, and its path can be traced through some of the most unlikely people in Scripture. It moved forward throughTamar, a Canaanite woman surrounded by scandal. It continued throughRahab, another Canaanite woman who married Salmon of Judah and became the mother of Boaz. Boaz then marriedRuth, a Moabite widow, and they had a son named Obed. Obed fathered Jesse, and from Jesse came David. Consider the astonishing depth of God's grace, mercy, and loveHe chooses to accomplish His purposes through people with significant flaws. The covenant God was fulfilling through them is what theologians refer to as an unconditional covenanta promise not reliant on human strength, virtue, or even obedience, but founded solely on the perfect will of our good and holy God![2] Think about the weight of the promise made to David: Aforever throne that will never be compromised by sin.Aforever kingdom that will never be overcome by evil.Aforever King whose righteousness will never need improvement. Israel didnt just need a brave king, or a talented king, or even a repentant kingIsrael, and indeed the entire world, needed a perfect King. A King who would never fail, never fall, never waiver, and never walk away from God the way David did on the roof that night. And here is where the grace of God overwhelms:God chose to fulfill His forever covenant promise through the very place of Davids greatest failure. Bathshebathe woman David exploited, the woman whose husband he murdered, the woman whose story began with sinis the very woman God folded into the line of redemption. Bathsheba bore David five sons; the first was conceived through their affair and was taken from them by God through death. Of the other four sons listed in Scripture, was Solomon and the last child listed was Nathan. ThroughSolomon, the royal line flowed to Joseph, throughNathan, the line flowed to Mary. And standing at the end of both genealogies is the One the prophets longed forJesus, the Son of David. Jesus is the King that David could never be. He is the flawless Son whom God promised.He is the Shepherd-King of Ezekiel 37 who gathers the broken, restores the wandering, and rules with justice and compassion. He is the One who never surrendered to temptation, never hid His sin, never needed to be confronted by a prophetbecause He lived in perfect dependence on the Father every moment of His earthly life. Every one of us knows what it is to stand in front of a Goliathan addiction, a fear, a bitterness, a woundand feel small. And every one of us knows what it is to stand on the roof like David, spiritually lazy, drifting, self-confident, and one decision away from disaster. But Gods purpose was never for David to be the hero of IsraelDavid was the signpost, not the destination. His victories pointed to the kind of dependence God wants from us, and his failures pointed to the kind of Savior we desperately need. The remarkable message of the gospel isnt simply that God offers us another chance, but that He provides us with a greater Kinga true and better David. This King never surrendered to temptation, never acted out of pride, and never misused His power for harm. Instead of taking anothers life to hide His wrongdoing, He willingly gave His own life to atone for ours. Jesus, as the Son of David, is the true and better Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Boaz, and David. He is the King David could never be. And to the weary and the woundedto the Davids who have fallen, and to the Bathshebas whose stories have been marked by anothers sinHe speaks: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:2830). [1] David is remembered as a great king, but also as a deeply flawed man. And yet, Scripture still calls hima man after My heart(Acts 13:22). [2] Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you wrongdoers. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure... (Isa. 46:8-10).

Part 7 of the series in 1 and 2 Chronicles. David's victories over the Ammonites, the killing of Philistine giants and his sin in taking a census and building of an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan

From the Fields to the Throne - David's story is a powerful reminder that even though he became Israel's greatest king, he was never meant to be the ultimate King. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, David defeated the EVIL WITHOUT—standing boldly before Goliath and the Philistines. But years later, on a quiet rooftop in Jerusalem, he was confronted by the EVIL WITHIN—the internal enemies of pride, lust, and self-reliance. As “a man after God's own heart,” David's victories and failures reveal three truths we desperately need today: 1. When David relied on the Holy Spirit, he could defeat both the EVIL WITHOUT and the EVIL WITHIN. When he didn't, he fell hard. 2. Despite deep failure, David always returned to God through confession and repentance - And you can too! 3. God's promises never fail. His promise to send a King through David's line was fulfilled in Jesus—the true Shepherd King who conquers sin and evil forever. This message is Part 4 of our Advent series: Jesus in the Old Testament. Follow the series to see how every part of Scripture points to Jesus and the hope we have in Him. If this encourages you, consider liking the video, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who needs hope today. Scripture List: 1 Samuel 16 1 Samuel 17 2 Samuel 7.16 2 Samuel 11.3

Genesis 20-21   20:1 Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he lived for a time in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent men and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You kill a nation, even though blameless? 5 Did he himself not say to me, ‘She is my sister'? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will certainly die, you and all who are yours.” 8 So Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants, and told all these things in their presence; and the people were greatly frightened. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. 12 Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife; 13 and it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, ‘This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”'” 14 Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Look, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is your vindication before all who are with you, and before everyone you are cleared.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his female slaves, so that they gave birth to children. 18 For the Lord had completely closed all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.   21:1 Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. 2 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham named his son who was born to him, the son whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have given birth to a son in his old age.” 8 And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking Isaac. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be an heir with my son Isaac!” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son Ishmael. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and your slave woman; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. 13 And of the son of the slave woman I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.” 14 So Abraham got up early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water, and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “May I not see the boy die!” And she sat opposite him, and raised her voice and wept. 17 God heard the boy crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. 22 Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do; 23 so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my descendants, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have resided.” 24 Abraham said, “I swear it.” 25 But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized. 26 And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 But Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?” 30 He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness for me, that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, got up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham resided in the land of the Philistines for many days.     BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT) God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Think of the time when a giant Philistine was taunting the armies of Israel. Everyone was paralyzed with fear. So, whom did God select? He chose a shepherd boy who had been sent by his father to take food to his brothers on the front lines. This young shepherd went out to face the heavily armored giant with a few stones and a sling—and more importantly, with faith in God. David was the person God used to turn the tide of battle and give Israel victory. At another time in Israel’s history, when the people were immobilized by fear because of their enemies, God found a man threshing wheat. His name was Gideon, and he was convinced that God had called up the wrong guy. But God selected him because he didn’t trust in his own ability. Gideon had to trust in God. He, too, won an unlikely victory for his people. In 1 Samuel 16:7, we read these words: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (NLT). It’s a simple yet extremely effective strategy. If God were to choose the people we would expect—the strong, the powerful, the talented, the ones who look like they just walked out of central casting for a spiritual hero role—to accomplish His work, our focus would be on them. Instead, God favors the small, the humble, the unlikely, so that we can more clearly see His hand at work. After God refused to remove a physical affliction from the apostle Paul, Paul wrote, “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NLT). If you have faith in God, if you believe that He can use you, and if you’re willing to take a step of faith here and there, then God can do incredible things through you. He is not looking for ability but availability. He can give you ability in time. But God is looking for someone to say, “I would like to make a difference where I am. Lord, I am available.” And in this season of thanksgiving, let’s praise God not only for using ordinary people like us to accomplish extraordinary things but also for making us aware of the potential we possess through Him. Reflection question: What can God accomplish through you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was younger, I thought it improper to ask God to help me meet writing deadlines. Other people have greater needs, I told myself. Family problems. Health crises. Job letdowns. Financial needs. I’ve faced all those things, too. But meeting a writing deadline seemed too small to take to God. I changed my view, however, after finding multiple examples in the Bible of God helping people regardless of the challenge they faced. In one story, the Israelites were dismayed because they faced an attack at Mizpah by their enemies, the Philistines. “[The Israelites] said to Samuel, ‘Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines’ ” (1 Samuel 7:8). In response, Samuel sacrificed a lamb to God, crying out to Him on Israel’s behalf, “and the Lord answered him” (v. 9). “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (v. 10). Later, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ” (v. 12). Samuel placed the stone to commemorate God helping His people. Ebenezer means “stone of help.” Asking God for help is always proper. Let’s call out to Him today.

"God didn't lead them the Way of the Philistines lest they see war" - but they did see war! They had a direct confrontation with the Egyptian military! Why did God orchestrate a head-on collision with Pharaoh and his chariots just days after they had freed themselves from Egypt?

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Paul Davis from Stewartstown, PA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 14:4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. — Judges 14:4 Samson just made a terrible choice—demanding a Philistine wife. To his parents, it looked like rebellion, a total collapse of God's plan. And honestly, they weren't wrong. But then the writer adds this line: "It was from the Lord." Now, that doesn't mean God approved of Samson's sin. But it does mean Samson's failure didn't derail God's purpose. God was still moving the story forward. And this is where so many of us stumble. We think, "I blew it. That affair. That addiction. That habit I can't kick. That thing I said I'd never do again—I did it. God's done with me." Men and women both carry this lie: that past sin or current struggle is the period at the end of their story. But God writes commas where we write periods. He takes the mess and makes it part of His mission. Your sin may disqualify you, but God's grace requalifies you. God never excuses sin. Sin always wounds. But sin doesn't get the final word—God does. Think about it: if God can weave Samson's lust into His larger purpose, if He can turn Peter's denial into boldness, if He can transform Paul the persecutor into Paul the preacher—don't you think He can redeem your story too? So stop living like you've been benched. Your are not benched. God wants you in the game. Confess. Repent. Then trust that God's hand is bigger than your failure. ASK THIS: Where do you feel like sin has put a period at the end of your story? Do you believe God can weave even your failures into His plan? How does Samson's story challenge your view of God's sovereignty? What step of faith could you take today to live as if grace is bigger than sin? DO THIS: Write down one sin you think has disqualified you. Read 1 John 1:9 and thank God that forgiveness is real. Replace the lie, "God is done with me," with the truth, "God is still working in me." Share this truth with one person who feels stuck in shame. PRAY THIS: Father, I often believe the lie that my sin is the end of my story. Remind me today that grace has the final word and that You are still working through me. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin."

Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the LORD2 Samuel 23:16 ESV

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Brad Cook from Florien, LA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 14:1-3 "Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. Then he came up and told his father and mother, 'I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.' But his father and mother said to him, 'Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?' But Samson said to his father, 'Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.'" — Judges 14:1-3 Samson is supposed to be Israel's deliverer. God had set him apart from birth. Yet his story begins with three little words: "I saw her." That's desire talking. Not prayer. Not obedience. Just raw appetite. His parents tried to speak wisdom, reminding him of God's call and boundaries. But Samson steamrolls their counsel: "She is right in my eyes." Sound familiar? Our culture preaches this same sermon every day: "If it feels right, do it. If it looks good, grab it." But following every impulse never leads to freedom—it leads to chains. Samson thought he was chasing love, but really, he was surrendering his future to lust. What you chase will control you. If you chase money, it'll run your life. If you chase approval, you'll be enslaved to other people's opinions. If you chase lust, it'll eat away at your soul. Every man and woman wrestles here. Maybe it's the late-night scroll, the car you can't afford, or the relationship you know isn't wise. The pull feels so strong. But here's the warning—unchecked desire will drive you further than you ever planned to go and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. Instead, surrender your desires to the One who made you. Don't ask, "What feels right to me?" Ask, "What is right in God's eyes?" ASK THIS: What desires tend to hijack your decision-making? Whose counsel do you usually ignore when you're set on something? Where are you tempted to say, "It's right in my eyes," even when God says otherwise? What's one area where you need to stop chasing and start surrendering? DO THIS: Take a pause before making your next big decision. Ask: "Am I chasing this because it feels right in my eyes or because it's right in God's eyes?" Call one trusted friend and share one area where you feel your desires tugging. Ask them to pray for you this week. PRAY THIS: Father, you know the desires that pull at me. Teach me to want what You want, not what feels right to me. Keep me from trading Your will for my cravings. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Give Me Jesus + Closer."

Join us as Pastor Mark teaches through 1 Samuel 14, comparing Jonathan and Saul's different approaches to God's plan in the battle against the Philistines. If you like what you hear, or want to learn more visit our website, www.hopeinanderson.com

Graham Cooke reveals why intimacy with Jesus is our greatest weapon in spiritual warfare, how David's worship on hillsides created the shield that protected him against Goliath, and why we need to seriously upgrade our rejoicing, thanksgiving, and exultant worship. Discover why worship isn't optional and how Jesus' greatest miracle wasn't His signs and wonders, but His unwavering dedication to the Father's will.**Key Scriptures:**+ Romans 8:16-17. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."+ 1 Samuel 17:34-37. "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.' Moreover David said, 'The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'"+ Psalm 23:1-4. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."+ John 5:19. "Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.'"**Want to explore more?**

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible! I think it's because the Israelites enemies thoughtthat they had won, yet really God had the last word! The Philistines discovered that God ispowerful, more powerful than their god Dagon.Year A Quarter 4 Week 47All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: Father Lead Me Day by DayWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: SummerPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible! I think it's because the Israelites enemies thoughtthat they had won, yet really God had the last word! The Philistines discovered that God ispowerful, more powerful than their god Dagon.Year A Quarter 4 Week 47All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: Father Lead Me Day by DayWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: SummerPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com