Podcasts about Philistines

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.

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."

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

Rumors rise, a palace falls, and a son turns the nation against its king. In the middle of the chaos, a quiet outsider steps forward and makes a vow that still stirs the soul: “Wherever you go, I go.” We unpack the story of Itai from 2 Samuel—why a Philistine would risk everything to stand with David—and what his fierce fidelity teaches us about leadership, discernment, and friendship when the pressure's on.This five-minute start to your day offers a potent challenge: be the person who doesn't bail at the first sign of trouble. Choose fidelity rooted in truth, not noise. If you've been longing for simple, grounded wisdom to cut through today's outrage cycle, this reflection on Itai's character will help you recalibrate what loyalty looks like in real time. Listen now, share it with someone who could use courage today, and if it resonated, subscribe and leave a quick review so others can find the show.We would love to hear your comments. Send us a Text MessageSupport the show

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

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Dove in the Distant Oak.” A miktam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.   1  God, be merciful to me because people are chasing me. The battle has pressed me all day long.   2  My enemies have chased me all day. There are many of them fighting me.   3  When I am afraid, I will trust you.   4  I praise God for his word. I trust God. So I am not afraid. What can human beings do to me?   5  All day long they twist my words. All their evil plans are against me.   6  They wait. They hide. They watch my steps. They hope to kill me.   7  God, do not let them escape. Punish the foreign nations in your anger.   8  You have recorded my troubles. You have kept a list of my tears. Aren't they in your records?   9  On the day I call for help, my enemies will be defeated. I know that God is on my side.   10  I praise God for his word to me. I praise the Lord for his word.   11  I trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?   12  God, I must keep my promises to you. I will give you my offerings to thank you.   13  You have saved me from death. You have kept me from being defeated. So I will walk with God in light among the living.    

Sometimes our problems in life seem overwhelming and insurmountable.  Goliath of the Philistines was such a problem for Saul and Israel.  They cowered in fear at this nine foot war machine.  But David, the shepherd lad, had the answer.  It was found in his heart, in his long-practiced skills, and in his God.

In Genesis 26 Isaac was run out of Gerar because he had become too powerful. As he moved, he reopened the wells his father had dug and which the Philistines had plugged up. As he did so, the Philistines drove him off and claimed the wells for themselves. In the story of Abraham and Isaac's wells and the Philistine's reaction, we have the entire plan of salvation and the basis of all the antisemitism in the world today. Consider the hatred that would cause herdsmen to stop up wells in the desert.

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

In Chapter 15, Samson takes revenge on the Philistines after his wife is given away. Chapter 16 is the love story with Delilah, who exposes the secret of his strength. Samson prays for God to avenge the loss of his eyes, ultimately dying as he brings down the Philistine temple in his final act.

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

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Colin Steen from Brendon, SD. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 13:4-5 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.— Judges 13:4-5 Samson's story didn't start with his strength—it started with his calling. Before he was even born, God marked him as a man of God— a Nazirite. Every detail of his life—what he ate, what he drank, even his haircut—was a daily reminder that he belonged fully to God. Samson wasn't called to blend in. He was called to stand out. And so are you. Everything in our world pressures us to blend in. It's easier to laugh at the crude joke than to walk away. It's easier to stay quiet than to speak the truth. It's easier to chase comfort, money, or approval than to live differently for God. Blending in feels safe—but it sidelines us from the very purpose for which God created us. If you belong to Jesus, you are set apart. You don't need a Nazirite vow to prove it. The cross already marked you. Your life isn't random—it's consecrated. God has chosen you, not to fit in, but to shine in a dark world. Don't trade your calling for convenience. You are set apart. Live like you belong to Him today. Be a little bolder! ASK THIS: Do I believe my life is truly set apart for God? Where am I tempted to blend in instead of standing out? How can I reflect God's ownership over me in everyday choices? DO THIS: Pick one area where you've been blending in—at work, at home, or in friendships. Today, take one small but bold step to live differently because you belong to God. PRAY THIS: Lord, remind me that I am Yours. Give me the courage to stop blending in and the strength to live as one set apart for You. Let my life reflect Your holiness in every area. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Set Apart."

Send us a textIn this episode, we follow the remarkable story of the Ark of the Covenant's return from Philistine captivity — a moment that revealed both the foolishness of human superstition and the sovereignty of God. Through this ancient account, we discover a simple truth: God will not be mocked, and what is holy must be treated as holy.But the lesson doesn't stop in 1 Samuel. We can also trace a parallel to the New Testament church at Corinth, where Paul warns believers not to dishonour the Lord's Table. What connects these two moments — separated by a thousand years — is the same call to reverence, humility, and love in the presence of a holy God.Join us as we explore:Why the Philistines' “experiment” revealed their ignorance of true worship.How Israel's curiosity led to disaster — and what it teaches us about reverence.The striking parallel between the Ark and the Lord's Supper.What it means today to honor Christ in our worship and relationships.This is a call to remember that holiness is not a relic of the past — it is the heartbeat of a life lived with God.Key Scriptures:1 Samuel 6:1–21; & 1 Corinthians 11:17–34Catch On Fire PodcastsThis channel does a deep dive into the scriptures so as to teach what it means to be...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport 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

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

In this episode, we dive deep into the mysterious people known as the Philistines — one of Israel's greatest and most persistent rivals. Where did they come from? Were they truly the crude warriors we often imagine, or was there more to their story? We'll uncover their origins, their connection to the Sea Peoples, and how they built one of the most advanced and artistic cultures along the Mediterranean coast. From iron weapons to fortified cities, their influence reshaped the ancient world — and forever changed Israel's history.   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. If you'd like to support The History of the Bible, visit our Patreon Page. Follow us on Facebook for updates, discussions, and behind-the-scenes content. 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.   #Philistines #BibleHistory #AncientIsrael #OldTestament #BiblicalArchaeology #SeaPeoples #BiblePodcast #Archaeology #AncientWorld #Gath #Gaza #Ashdod #Ashkelon #Ekron #HebrewBible #HistoryOfTheBible #Canaan #BiblicalStudies #AncientNearEast #ArchaeologyPodcast   Episode's Sources https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/plants-and-the-philistine-cult-at-gath/ https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/philistine-religion https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dagan https://biblearchaeology.org/research/judges-united-monarchy/3850-dagon-the-philistine-fish-god https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Beelzebub https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-philistines-ancient-records-archaeological-remains-and-biblical-traditions

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Andrew Leck from Rosehill, KS. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 13:2-3 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son." — Judges 13:2-3 In Israel's darkest moment, God zeroed in on a barren woman from an obscure tribe. She had no children, no status, and no future by cultural standards. Yet it's here that the angel of the Lord appeared, promising not only a son but a son who would begin to save Israel from the Philistines. This is God's pattern throughout Scripture: He delights in breaking into barren, hopeless places—Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth—and now Manoah's wife. Where human strength fails, divine power shines through. We all know what "barrenness" feels like. It may not be a womb, but it could be a dream that won't come alive, a marriage that feels stuck, a career that's dried up, or a prayer that seems unanswered. Barrenness whispers to us all, "Nothing will ever change." But God specializes in stepping into impossible situations. He doesn't just comfort us in our emptiness—He often uses it as the very stage to display his power. That's what he did here: from a barren woman came Samson, a deliverer. And from another barren womb centuries later came Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer. Never despise those barren seasons. They may be the very soil where God plants his greatest miracles in your lives. Instead of despairing, bring your barrenness to him in prayer today—write it down, speak it out, and surrender it. Hope grows when we put our barrenness into his hands. ASK THIS: Where do I feel barren or hopeless in life right now? Do I believe God can step into that place with power? How can I shift from despair to expectation in my prayers? DO THIS: Write down one area of life that feels barren. Instead of hiding it, bring it before God in prayer today, asking Him to show His power in what feels impossible. PRAY THIS: Lord, meet me in the barren places of my life. Where I see hopelessness, bring Your promise. Where I see emptiness, bring Your power. Help me trust that You can do the impossible. Amen. PLAY THIS: "We Need A Miracle."

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

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Alan Klech from Henderson, TX. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 13:1 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. — Judges 13:1 Here we go again. The cycle repeats: Israel turns from God, God hands them over, and they taste the bitter fruit of sin. This time, the oppressors are the Philistines, and their domination lasts 40 years—longer than any other oppression in Judges. It's a sobering reminder that God allows His people to feel the weight of their choices. He won't compete with idols forever. When His people abandon Him, He removes His protection and allows them to experience bondage, not because He hates them—but because discipline can do what comfort cannot. Sin always promises freedom but delivers slavery. What feels harmless at first—just a click, just a drink, just a word—soon grows into something that controls you. What begins as pleasure becomes a prison. This is where we have to consider our own lives. Maybe it's anger that erupts too easily. Maybe it's that private struggle with lust you keep telling yourself you can manage. Maybe it's the habit of chasing approval or numbing pain with distraction. Whatever it is, you already know the truth: what you thought you controlled is now controlling you. Let's not be a community that rationalizes with sin—it will always enslave you. And God loves you too much to let you live comfortably in sin. He will let you feel its chains until you finally turn back to Him. The issue isn't whether sin will enslave you—it's how long you'll stay chained before you let God set you free. ASK THIS: What sin patterns keep pulling me back into bondage? Where am I mistaking temporary pleasure for real freedom? Am I learning from discipline—or ignoring God's warnings? DO THIS: Name one area of your life where sin has become a cycle. Confess it to God today and, if needed, bring it into the light with a trusted believer. Freedom begins where sin is exposed. PRAY THIS: Father, forgive me for returning to the sins that enslave me. Break the chains I've built for myself, and teach me to walk in the freedom that only comes from You. Amen. PLAY THIS: "No Longer Slaves to Fear."

Study Passage: Exodus 13:17-14:3117 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 change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. (ESV)1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw theEgyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

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

Friday, 14 November 2025   And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Matthew 14:11   “And his head, it was carried upon a platter, and it was given to the damsel, and she carried to her mother” (CG).   In the previous verse, it was noted that Herod sent and he beheaded John in prison. It next says, “And his head, it was borne upon a platter.”   The word pheró, to bear, is introduced here. HELPS Word Studies says, “properly, to bear, carry (bring) along, especially temporarily or to a definite (prescribed) conclusion (defined by the individual context).”   Once John was beheaded, it was placed upon a platter, being carried to its now rightful owner according to the oath made by Herod. It next says, “and it was given to the damsel.”   Something new concerning Herodias' daughter is seen here. She is called a damsel, a little girl. It explains why she went to her mother (as recorded in Mark) to determine what she should ask for when the oath and offer were extended to her by Herod.   From the prison where John was beheaded, it was borne by an attendant and taken to Herodias' daughter. She was the one who had pleased Herod in the dance and to whom the promise was made. Therefore, the burden of carrying it to its final destination was accomplished by her. As it says, “and she bore to her mother.”   Nothing beyond this is recorded concerning what happened to the head. Some extra-biblical comments about it have been made, but the Bible itself is silent on the matter.   Life application: In the story of the life of King David, the account of David encountering Goliath on the battlefield is recorded. There it says –   “So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.” 1 Samuel 17:48-51   A bit later, it says, “And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent” (1 Samuel 17:54).   To understand the significance of what occurred in that account, sermons from the Superior Word detail the events and their typological significance in detail. One thing that can be deduced about the beheading of John is connected to that account concerning Goliath.   Everything about the law is associated with death. God gave Adam a law in the Garden of Eden. Adam violated that law, and it brought about his death (Genesis 2:17), and it also brought about death in humanity (Romans 5:12). Even Jesus, who was under the Law of Moses, died in fulfillment of it. It was a necessary death for grace to be bestowed.   John the Immerser was the final prophet under the law. He was the herald of the coming of Christ. As such, he was destined to die as an example of the law's power of death over life. Only in coming to Christ's completed work is the matter reversed, and life, meaning life in Christ, prevails over death.   As terrible as the account concerning John the Baptist is, we are being instructed in the difference set forth between Adam's failure and Christ's victory. This includes the death of John, who proclaimed law to the world.   The law had to come to an end for grace to be bestowed. John is the one who brought it to that point. Jesus is the One who then acted, completing the task and offering something far more glorious to the people of the world. Let us never forget the lesson of law vs. grace. Hold fast to the grace of God as it is revealed in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, our Lord.   Lord God, in the end, it is all about what You are doing in Christ Jesus for the people of the world. Help us to remember this and to hold fast to this truth. We don't need more law! What we need is grace. Thank You for the grace offered through His completed work. Amen.

Listeners on the Best of Spectator playlist can enjoy a section of the latest episode of Quite right! but for the full thing please seek out the Quite right! channel. Just search ‘Quite right!' wherever you are listening now.This week: a crisis at the BBC – and a crisis of standards in our schools.Following the shock resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, Michael and Maddie ask whether the corporation has finally been undone by its own bias, and discuss how it can correct the leftward lurch in its editorial line.Then: Labour's new education reforms come under the microscope. As Ofsted scraps single-word judgements in favour of ‘report cards', could this ‘definitive backward step' result in a ‘dumbing down' that will rob the next generation of rigour and ambition? And will ‘Bridget Philistine's' war on education undo the positive legacy of the Conservatives on education?And finally, in Hollywood, actress Sydney Sweeney refuses to apologise for comments made in an interview last week – she now finds herself a heroine of the anti-woke age. Are we finally past peak woke?Produced by Oscar Edmondson.To submit your urgent questions to Michael and Maddie, go to: spectator.co.uk/quiteright Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a text Ever heard of a graveyard where the coffins are shaped like humans—some lifelike, others downright bizarre? In this episode, we dig into the secrets of the Philistines at Beit Shean: a crossroads of kings, conquerors, and cultures. It's biblical drama, ancient mysteries, and archaeological surprises—buried, literally, in the dirt of the Holy Land. Support the show

In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan and his armor-bearer take a bold leap of faith. Just the two of them against a Philistine army. But with hearts fully entrusted to God, their small step led to a miraculous victory. When faith is activated through prayer and right motives, the impossible becomes possible. Don't wait for the numbers, trust God, step out, and believe for the miraculous.

The battle lines were drawn, and the task seemed impossible. Who could stand against the giant Philistine? But a young boy filled with faith stepped forward, ready to face this daunting threat. This week, we examine an epic moment in God's word that highlights the important connection between faith and vision.

There are seasons when God asks you to strike again. The first prayer loosens the ground. The second builds faith. The third opens the way for His power to finish what He began. In 2 Samuel 5, David once more faced the Philistines. He waited for the Lord's direction, moved as instructed, and saw the enemy scattered across the land. What began as resistance ended in complete victory because he followed through until the work was done. Sometimes we mistake movement for completion. But the Lord of breakthrough does not stop at relief. He brings resolution. He calls us to stay in obedience until every stronghold has fallen and every promise is fulfilled. Thank you Ken Fish for joining us again and reminding us that breakthrough is never partial when we walk in full obedience to God's word.   Listen in now to hear Life Center Church's latest Sunday message from Guest Speaker Ken Fish.   ⛪️ Connect with us ⛪️  https://www.lifecenternyc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lifecenternyc/

There are seasons when God asks you to strike again. The first prayer loosens the ground. The second builds faith. The third opens the way for His power to finish what He began. In 2 Samuel 5, David once more faced the Philistines. He waited for the Lord's direction, moved as instructed, and saw the enemy scattered across the land. What began as resistance ended in complete victory because he followed through until the work was done. Sometimes we mistake movement for completion. But the Lord of breakthrough does not stop at relief. He brings resolution. He calls us to stay in obedience until every stronghold has fallen and every promise is fulfilled. Thank you Ken Fish for joining us again and reminding us that breakthrough is never partial when we walk in full obedience to God's word.   Listen in now to hear Life Center Church's latest Sunday message from Guest Speaker Ken Fish.   ⛪️ Connect with us ⛪️  https://www.lifecenternyc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lifecenternyc/

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Saul behaves proudly over the victory against the Philistines, making rash vows, becoming emotionally led, and God resists Him.

In this episode, we dive deep into the mysterious people known as the Philistines — one of Israel's greatest and most persistent rivals. Where did they come from? Were they truly the crude warriors we often imagine, or was there more to their story? We'll uncover their origins, their connection to the Sea Peoples, and how they built one of the most advanced and artistic cultures along the Mediterranean coast. From iron weapons to fortified cities, their influence reshaped the ancient world — and forever changed Israel's history.   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. If you'd like to support The History of the Bible, visit our Patreon Page. Follow us on Facebook for updates, discussions, and behind-the-scenes content. 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. Highlights The Origin of the Philistines The Connection to the Sea Peoples Iron Weapons and the Fall of the Bronze Age The Five Cities of Philistia Art, Architecture, and Aegean Influence #Philistines #BibleHistory #AncientIsrael #OldTestament #BiblicalArchaeology #SeaPeoples #BiblePodcast #Archaeology #AncientWorld #Gath #Gaza #Ashdod #Ashkelon #Ekron #HebrewBible #HistoryOfTheBible #Canaan #BiblicalStudies #AncientNearEast #ArchaeologyPodcast   Episode's Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Philistine https://armstronginstitute.org/30-uncovering-the-bibles-buried-civilizations-the-philistines https://biblehub.com/exodus/13-17.htm https://www.worldhistory.org/Sea_Peoples/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ancient-dna-sheds-new-light-biblical-philistines-180972561/ https://thewitness.org/who-were-the-philistines/ https://armstronginstitute.org/1015-israels-philistine-foes  

The post Displeasing The Philistines – 1 Samuel 29:6-7 – November 1, 2025 first appeared on Enduring Word.

The October 7th attacks of Hamas on Israel were an unprecedented, surprise incursion by land, sea, and air that stunned the world and prompted Israel to declare war. The attacks, which included massacres in Israeli communities and a music festival, resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and the capture of some 251 hostages. This deadly terrorist attack was years in the making, but the underlying conflict goes back much further. It starts with the 1948 formation of Israel and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the wars that began there, an event known to Palestinians as the Nakba (Arabic for "catastrophe"). But the roots of the conflict extend even further—to Ottoman-era conflict between Jewish and Arab residents, the Bar Kokhba revolts in the 2nd century AD, and battles between ancient Israel and its enemies, tracing back all the way to the Iron Age wars between Israelites and the Philistines. The October 7 attack is seen by some as an echo of the cyclical theme of persecution and existential threat against the Jewish people chronicled in the Old Testament, recalling narratives like the Exodus and attacks on ancient Israel. The modern conflict specifically originates in the same coastal region once controlled by the Philistines—an ancient people who lived on the southern coast of Canaan from the 12th century BC until their demise in the 7th century BC. Furthermore, the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 AD) was the third and final major Jewish-Roman war, resulting in a devastating defeat for the Jewish population of Judea and leading to the Roman renaming of the province to Syria Palaestina. Today’s guest is Dinesh D'Souza, the director and executive producer of The Dragon's Prophecy. His documentary utilizes archaeological discoveries, suggesting a historical parallel and continuation of conflict. This shows how current global instability and the conflict over Israel are part of a larger story concerning the destiny of nations. We also look at the intersection of religion, history, and current events to see how the last 3,000 years explain what’s happening today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.