The Tanakh Podcast

David is a national hero. Shaul conscripts him to his army.
But with every success, Shaul's jealousy and suspicion intensify.
David is beloved. By Shaul initially; then by Yonatan, by the nation, by Michal.
But Shaul spirals downwards as suspicion becomes hostility, and then enmity. Shaul begins to plot David's murder.
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Our music is David and Saul
Youtube https://youtu.be/M_3OI-gpS9Q?si=zJsqOjACIiz0NOdQ
Lyrics - English - https://lyricstranslate.com/en/david-and-saul-david-king-and-saul-king.html
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Episode recorded January 18, 2023

David fights Goliath. The unarmed shepherd against the giant armour-clad warrior. Indeed this has become a cultural metaphor.
But what sort of David do we meet in this chpater? We shall see an ambitious, confident young man, brimming with religious faith, quite the opposite of Shaul. 
Recorded January 17, 2023

Samuel is sent to anoint a new king, and visits Yishai's family in Bethlehem. Seven sons don't find favour with God, but the youngest - David - is chosen as king and anointed by the prophet.
Meanwhile, King Saul is mysteriously being afflicted by an "evil spirit from the Lord". His solution is music. His minstrel will be none other than the young David!
Recorded January 17, 2023

Shaul is instructed by God to fight Amalek and to annihilate them.
But Shaul is derelict in his fulfillment of God's instruction. God sends Shmuel to inform Shaul that the kingdom will be taken from him.
What leads him to fail?

Music: "Va-yavo Amalek"- a Breslev Niggun for Purim (Avraham Balti and Achiya Cohen)
Originally recorded Jan 15, 2023

The Philistines attack. Saul is left with only 600 men. It is looking dire. But then Yonatan demonstrates that one can win with just 2 soldiers!
Saul doesn't use the Ark when he should and could.
Saul makes inappropriate vows (a nd almost slaughters his son).
Yonatan leads with confidence; Saul seems confused and disoriented.
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Chapter originally published January 15, 2023