History · 26 stories
Stories
Solomon Anointed King
As aging David grows frail, his son Adonijah seizes the throne, but Nathan and Bathsheba prompt David to reaffirm Solomon, who is anointed amid great rejoicing while Adonijah flees and receives a conditional pardon.
14 parts
David's Final Charge to Solomon
Dying David charges Solomon to obey God and settle old debts, then dies after forty years' reign, leaving Solomon firmly on the throne.
5 parts
Solomon Secures His Kingdom
Solomon eliminates rivals Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, removes Abiathar from the priesthood, and secures the kingdom firmly in his own hand.
10 parts
God Grants Solomon Wisdom
Solomon humbly asks God for wisdom to lead Israel, and God grants him unmatched discernment, wealth, and honor beyond all kings.
7 parts
Solomon's Judgment
Two mothers dispute a living infant before Solomon, whose shrewd sword test reveals the true mother and proves his God-given wisdom to all Israel.
5 parts
Solomon Builds the Temple
Solomon forges an alliance with Hiram of Tyre to secure cedar from Lebanon, organizes a vast labor force of Israelite workers alongside tens of thousands of burden-bearers and stonecutters, and quarries the great foundation stones — until at last, in the four hundred and eightieth year after the exodus, construction of Yahweh's house begins, the stones so perfectly dressed at the quarry that no iron tool is heard at the rising temple.
4 parts
Building the Inner Sanctuary
In the fourth year of his reign Solomon begins raising Yahweh's house — measuring out its dimensions, dressing the stone at the quarry so no iron rings at the site, and lining every interior surface with cedar and gold — and seven years later, with cherubim spreading golden wings across the innermost sanctuary, the whole structure stands finished.
7 parts
Solomon Dedicates the Temple
Solomon gathers all Israel to bring the ark into the completed temple, witnesses Yahweh's glory fill the house, and dedicates it with prayer and vast offerings before sending the people home rejoicing.
12 parts
God's Covenant With Solomon
God appears to Solomon a second time, accepting the temple and promising an eternal throne—but warns that turning to other gods will mean exile, ruin, and disgrace for Israel.
4 parts
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
A foreign queen journeys to Jerusalem to test Solomon's legendary wisdom, is overwhelmed by all she sees, and exchanges lavish gifts before returning home.
4 parts
Solomon's Heart Turns Away
Solomon's many foreign wives slowly draw his heart to other gods, provoking Yahweh to announce the kingdom will be torn from his dynasty.
6 parts
Solomon's Adversaries Rise
Three adversaries rise against Solomon—Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam—the last receiving a prophet's promise of ten tribes before fleeing Egypt to await his moment.
5 parts
The Kingdom Divided
Rehoboam's harsh rejection of the people's plea triggers a northern revolt, splitting Solomon's united kingdom as Jeroboam rises to rule Israel and only Judah remains with David's line.
8 parts
Jeroboam's Golden Calves
Fearing political loss, Jeroboam installs golden calves, unlawful priests, and rival festivals, leading all Israel into false worship.
5 parts
The Man of God at Bethel
A man of God boldly confronts Jeroboam's altar at Bethel with signs and judgment, then dies on the road home after an old prophet deceives him into breaking God's command.
9 parts
The Fall of Jeroboam's House
Jeroboam's persistent sin brings a divine verdict through the prophet Ahijah: his dynasty will be destroyed, his ill son dies on cue, and his reign ends in condemnation.
5 parts
Rehoboam and the Fall of Judah
Rehoboam's reign over Judah spirals from idolatry into Egyptian invasion and loss of the Temple treasures, ending in perpetual war and his death.
6 parts
King Asa Reforms Judah
Asa deposits dedicated silver, gold, and utensils into Yahweh's house, then faces a crisis when Baasha of Israel blockades Judah by fortifying Ramah; Asa strips both treasuries to buy a Syrian alliance, Ben-Hadad attacks Israel's north to draw Baasha away, and Asa's people dismantle the abandoned blockade and use its stones and timber to fortify Geba and Mizpah.
5 parts
From Baasha to Omri
A succession of conspiracies and short-lived kings—Baasha, Elah, and Zimri—gives way to Omri, who seizes Israel's throne and founds Samaria as its new capital.
10 parts
Elijah and the Drought
Elijah stands before Ahab and declares that no dew or rain will fall except at his word; then, driven east to the brook Cherith, he is kept alive by ravens bringing bread and meat each day until the brook itself dries up and the drought forces him onward.
2 parts
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath
Elijah stays with a Sidonian widow whose jar of flour and jug of oil miraculously never run dry, then when her son falls gravely ill and stops breathing, Elijah carries the boy to his room, prays over him, and restores him to life — and the widow declares that Elijah is truly a man of God.
5 parts
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
Elijah ends Israel's drought by challenging and defeating Baal's prophets in a fire contest on Mount Carmel, turning the people back to Yahweh before rain returns.
14 parts
Naboth's Vineyard
Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard, Jezebel schemes to have Naboth killed, and Elijah confronts Ahab with divine judgment — though Ahab's repentance delays the doom to his son's generation.
12 parts
Ahab Defeats Ben Hadad
Besieged Samaria and outmatched, Ahab trusts a prophet's word and his small strike force routs Ben Hadad's vast Syrian alliance in a stunning midday victory.
3 parts
Ben-Hadad Defeated at Aphek
After Syria schemes to fight Israel on the plains, Yahweh proves he rules hill and valley alike as Israel routs a vast Syrian army at Aphek and Ben Hadad flees into hiding.
4 parts
Ahab Spares Ben-hadad
After Ahab spares defeated Ben Hadad and makes a covenant with him, a disguised prophet tricks Ahab into condemning himself, declaring his life will forfeit for the one God devoted to destruction.
3 parts