Today we finish up 2 Samuel, and look back at David's successes, failures, and God's presence throughout his life. We also talk about weird ways the Biblical story is sometimes chopped up into books, chapters, and verses.

Questions for reflection this week:

- How do we wrestle with God's presence in our good times and bad times?

- What can we learn from David's final words?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The David Story by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393320770)

- The Bible Project's overview of 2 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined by the Rev. Jared Houze, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Amarillo, Texas). We continue through 2 Samual as we talk about scandal, intrigue, tragedy, and the worst pain imaginable.

Questions for reflection this week:

- Where have you seen God redeem broken and hurting parts of your life?

- How is God present with us in unimaginable suffering?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The Rev. Jared Houze (http://www.standrewsamarillo.org/)

- Michael Longley's poem "Ceasefire" (https://poetryarchive.org/poem/ceasefire/)

- The David Story by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393320770)

- The Bible Project's overview of 2 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we continue 2 Samuel! We talk about young leadership, hearing God in the voice of those around us, and gratefulness in the hard times.

Questions for reflection this week:

- How do I find the gratefulness today, just as David did?

- Who in my life helps me hear God?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The David Story by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393320770)

- The Bible Project's overview of 2 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we dive into 2 Samuel and the life of David! We talk about war, lamentations, and God's hope in the mess.

Questions for reflection this week:

- How can we use David's lament for Saul and Jonathan in our own process of lament?

- What can we learn about resilience from the life of David?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The David Story by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393320770)

- The Bible Project's overview of 2 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstrip

Today we're joined by Dr. Steven Bishop, associate professor of Old Testament, came to the Seminary of the Southwest. We talk about David faithfulness, David's failures, and God's rescue of us from trouble.

Questions for reflection this week:

- What do we learn about ourselves from David's successes and failures?

- How have you seen God snatch you from trouble?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- Dr. Steven Bishop (https://ssw.edu/about-southwest/faculty/steven-bishop/)

- The David Story by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393320770)

- The Bible Project's overview of 2 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by the Gig Bad Bishop, the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle. We talk about our Bible stories, the Biblical story, the parts we play in the overarching Christian story, and why Bishop Doyle decided it was a good idea to ordain Alan.

Questions for reflection this week:

- What changes when we read the Bible through the hermeneutic (lens) of love?

- What does God call us to do when life gets hard?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- Bishop Andy Doyle (https://www.epicenter.org/bishop-diocesan-candrew-doyle/)

- If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk (https://johnpavlovitz.com/if-god-is-love-dont-be-a-jerk/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we wrap up 1 Samuel, as the story turns to David! We talk about our readiness, our feebleness, and God's continued faithfulness.

Questions for reflection this week:

- Have you ever felt unprepared for something, but had to go through with it?

- Why does God seem to call folks who don't think they're equipped?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The Bible Project's overview on 1 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined by the Rev. Katherine Harper, Associate Rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Ala. We talk about wanting our own way, regret, grief, and God's love through all the hard times.

Questions for reflection this week:

- Why are we so prone to want things our own way?

- What would it mean if God felt regret?

- How have you been assured of God's love in the midst of hard times?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The Rev. Katherine Harper (https://www.ssechurch.org/clergy-staff)

- Prayers for Children (https://books.google.com/books/about/Prayers_for_Children.html?id=9SxkmAoyVa0C)

- The Bible Project's overview on 1 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined again by the Rev. Canon Jimmy Hartley, Canon Pastor at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, S.C.! We talk about Hannah's Song, Samuel's call, and God's presence with us even in the hard times.

Questions for reflection this week:

- How can we assure ourselves, and others, of God's presence in hard times?

- How can we help each other discern God's call in our lives?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The Rev. Canon Jimmy Hartley (https://www.trinitysc.org/about/clergy-staff)

- The Book of Longings, by Sue Monk Kidd (https://suemonkkidd.com/books/the-book-of-longings/)

- The Bible Project's overview on 1 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined again by the Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins! Dr. Tony helps walk us through 1 Samuel, situating the book in the larger narrative, and helping us find our place in the story.

Questions for reflection this week:

- What does 1 Samuel tell us about God's call for flawed people?

- How can we look at the larger narrative of scripture, and not just focus on individual stories?

Links mentioned in today's episode:

- The Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins, Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Greenwood (https://www.fbcgwd.org/our-staff/)

- 1 Samuel Overview (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/1-samuel-overview_149.pdf

- The Bible Project's overview on 1 Samuel (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-samuel/)

- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe