Talking Scripture

→ Watch on YouTube

→ Detailed Show Notes

(00:00) An overview of these chapters. The kingdom of Israel divides when Solomon’s son Rehoboam refuses to reduce the burden on the northern tribes.
(06:55) A brief history of the Lost Ten Tribes in the north and Judah in the south.
(10:48) Jeroboam, worried that his people will turn their hearts towards the leaders in the south when they go to the temple in Jerusalem, decides to build rival sanctuaries in Dan and Bethel.
(13:25) Do not take counsel from your fears or be fooled by an imitation.
(19:18) A man of God warns Jeroboam against false worship, prophesying of a future day when Josiah will destroy it.
(22:17) What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? Could Shishak of Egypt have taken this treasure from the Jerusalem temple?
(29:13) Elijah, an embodiment of great power, is a type of many prophets. All prophets are types of Christ.
(31:49) Elijah seals the heavens and is fed by a raven. He goes to Zarephath and asks a widow woman for her barrel flour and jar of oil, promising they will never become empty during the famine.
(40:30) Elijah raises the widow’s son from the dead. Jesus duplicates the miracles of Elijah.
(43:28) Obadiah, part of Ahab’s court, saves 100 prophets from Queen Jezebel and also helps Elijah.
(47:29) Obadiah and Elijah’s “50” can be seen as part of a bigger picture, as members of a choral arrangement that were connected to the temple and the sacred drama in many ancient cultures.
(52:37) Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven. They fail.
(57:14) At times the Lord will manifest miracles to show his might and prove that he is God. The Book of Mormon is that proof for us today.
(1:03:40) The famine ends and Queen Jezebel seeks the life of Elijah. In his loneliness, Elijah experiences deep sadness, believing that the prophets are dead. At times, we may feel as Elijah did. Being with the Saints and remembering the truth of the gospel message can bolster our resilience.
(1:11:44) Elijah’s experience with the still small voice of the Lord.
(1:18:17) Ahab, king of Israel, is attacked by the Syrian army. A prophet tells Ahab that Israel will win. Ahab later desires the vineyard of Naboth, who refuses to sell his land. Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, orchestrates a conspiracy to frame Naboth for blasphemy, and Ahab acquires the land through deceit. Elijah comes to inform Ahab that Ahab’s line will cease, that Jezebel will be eaten by dogs, and that Ahab’s blood will be licked up by dogs in the very spot where Naboth was killed. Time vindicates the prophets.

→ For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

→ Enroll in Institute

→ YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

The post Ep 378 | 1 Kings 12-22, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 29-July 5) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube

→ Detailed Show Notes

(00:00) An overview of these chapters.
(04:11) David stays in Jerusalem instead of going to war with his troops. He lies with Bathsheba and then tries to cover his sin by arranging for the death of her husband, Uriah. Reading this story through the lens of the honor culture in the ancient Near East.
(08:13) David’s fall helps us see the lines of defense we can put in place to prevent us from breaking the law of chastity.
(19:10) Chaos ensues in David’s family because of his example. Nathan pitches a legal case to David where a wealthy man steals a poor man’s little lamb. Nathan says, “Thou art the man!” He prophesies chaos in the House of David as a consequence of his choices.
(20:05) David’s son Amnon takes his sister Tamar by force. Tamar’s other brother Absalom kills Amnon in revenge. Absalom rebels against his father David and declares himself the king. David’s general Joab slays Absalom.
(28:24) In the Book of Mormon, Jacob rebukes those who excuse themselves in committing sins like David and Solomon. Their immoral transgressions broke the hearts of their wives. Their children lost confidence because of their bad examples.
(31:30) The last four chapters of 2 Samuel are an appendix containing diverse materials arranged in a chiastic order.
(35:47) Solomon becomes the king. He asks the Lord for a wise and understanding heart.
(38:42) Two mothers contend over a baby and Solomon determines who the true mother is. His wisdom and understanding exceed that of all men, but then Solomon begins to worships false gods. Our strengths can also be our downfall.
(44:24) The First Israelite Temple is built by Solomon. We can find increased divine assistance when we attend the temple and partner with the Lord.

→ For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

→ Enroll in Institute

→ YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

The post Ep 377 | 2 Samuel 8-24; 1 Kings 1-11, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 22-28) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube

→ Detailed Show Notes

(00:00) The story of David and Goliath. The Hebrew and Greek versions of 1 Samuel 17 render different accounts of Goliath’s height. An overview of Goliath’s weapons and armor.
(05:10) Goliath as a symbol of the unconquerable foes that we all face. David employs six strategies to defeat Goliath that can also be applied to our challenges.
(13:53) The sword of Goliath as an article of kingship and evidence that God is with us.
(16:25) King Saul is jealous of David and is obsessed with killing him.
(26:32) Jonathan is a true friend to David, even though he has reason to be jealous of his success.
(29:56) David continues his quest of goodness, yet Jonathan is not threatened.
(32:26) David has opportunity to kill Saul, but doesn’t.
(32:55) Nabal rebuffs David and refuses to give him food. Abigail acts as a peacemaker, thus saving Nabal’s life.
(36:11) King Saul consults with the Witch of Endor for revelation. He interacts with the ghost of Samuel, who has died. This experience with the spiritualist medium destroys hope.
(39:31) The Philistine leaders send David away during their attack on Saul’s forces. David goes to Ziklag and finds that his city has been sacked by the Amalekites and his family has been taken captive. David rescues all the people and shares the spoils of war.
(41:58) The Philistines defeat Israel. King Saul and his sons are slain.
(43:19) The rise of King David in 2 Samuel.
(46:47) Uzzah is smitten for steadying the Ark.
(51:03) David acts as both king and priest in his return to Jerusalem. He wears the ephod and offers sacrifice.
(53:50) David obtains the threshing floor, where the Ark will rest. The threshing floor can be seen as the foundation stone, the heart of the Holy of Holies and a symbol of Jesus Christ as Savior of the world.
(55:43) David desires to build a temple for the Lord. Nathan prophesies that the House of David will continue forever. This prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
(1:02:13) David is not to build the temple, but his son Solomon will built it.

→ For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

→ Enroll in Institute

→ YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

The post Ep 376 | 1 Samuel 17-31, 2 Samuel 1-7, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 15-21) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube

→ Detailed Show Notes

(00:00) Israel wants to have a king like everyone else. Saul is chosen.
(07:41) Forms of unrighteous dominion.
(11:14) Saul was chosen as Israel’s first king for his goodness, but falls into unrighteous dominion.
(24:18) Jonathan, King Saul’s son, is victorious in battle but disobeys his father.
(27:38) King Saul builds altars. He disobeys Samuel’s specific instructions. To obey is better than to sacrifice.
(39:55) The Lord tells Samuel to find Jesse, as he is the father of the future king of Israel. This shepherd’s son is David, founder of the “House of David.” Three traditions of David’s ascent to the throne are given.
(41:53) Samuel is told by the Lord to not look upon David’s outward appearance. God sees the intent of our hearts, not just our actions.

→ For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

→ Enroll in Institute

→ YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

The post Ep 375 | 1 Samuel 8-16, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 8-14) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube

→ Detailed Show Notes

→ Timestamps:
(00:00) Ruth, a Moabite, becomes a central character in Israel’s history as the great-grandmother of King David, through whose line comes Jesus Christ. Her story shows that God is the God of the whole world.
(10:52) After becoming a widow, Ruth goes to Bethlehem and gleans in the fields of Boaz. The Law commanded that owners “not reap the corners of their fields,” thus providing for the poor.
(13:53) How Boaz symbolizes Christ and how Ruth represents all of us coming unto him to be redeemed.
(23:15) Ruth proposes marriage to Boaz. The threshing floor as a symbol for covenants and the temple. Jesus says “I will gather my people as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.”
(29:46) The other kinsman that has claim upon Ruth can be seen as a symbol of Jesus reconciling and paying our debts for the things that have claim on us. God will compensate us for the difficult times in our lives.
(33:03) All the characters in the story of Ruth are demonstrating hesed, or covenant love. The image of the circle and square coming together as a symbol for the union of heaven and earth.
(38:46) In the Book of Samuel, Hannah comes to the tabernacle at Shiloh to pray for God to give her a son. Like Hannah, all of us experience times of deprivation, even when it is a righteous desire we seek.
(43:02) Hannah’s prayer led to the birth of Samuel and then an even more abundant blessing of many children. God is bounteous in his loving kindness.
(45:39) The Song of Hannah as a triumphant song of praise and overcoming adversity. It gives reference to the King, but there is no monarchy yet. This song can be seen as a prophecy of the Savior and contains temple imagery.
(49:13) Eli’s sons reject the Lord, so Samuel will take their place as High Priest.
(50:08) The Lord calls young Samuel to be a prophet, but he doesn’t immediately understand. Eli helps him open his ears. Sometimes we brush off impressions as coincidence, but oftentimes they are revelation.
(54:32) Samuel is recognized as a prophet. Prophets advise Israel’s kings and when they listen to the prophet they are blessed.
(57:42) The Israelites are defeated by the Philistines. Eli and his sons die. Samuel exhorts Israel to serve the Lord and the Philistines are subdued.

→ For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

→ Enroll in Institute

→ YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

The post Ep 374 | Ruth; 1 Samuel 1-7, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 1-7) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.