Baldhead Bible Podcast

We take a break from the story of Elijah to follow some events from the life of King Ahab. We are working our way through the book of First Kings, and the writer of First Kings stops the story of Elijah to look at another dumb move from Ahab. It involved a guy named Ben-Hadad the II and one of the Sons of the Prophets getting punched in the face. Listen on to find out more about this unique story and another important lesson on the sovereignty of God.

Elijah just defeated 450 prophets of Baal; he just ran 30 plus miles in the power of the Lord and outran Ahab's chariot. He saw the Lord rain down fire from heaven, he saw the Lord raise a young lad from the dead, and he saw the Lord provide rain, gallons of it as His word. But when he receives a threat from Queen Jezebel, it makes him so afraid he begins to run and run and run in fear. Why? What is it about Jezebel's threat that makes Elijah so fearful? Listen to this week's episode to find out.

This story recounts Elijah taking on the prophets of Baal. On the outside, that is all it looks like: a struggle between Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal. But in reality, it is a clash of supernatural forces, and it reveals the bigger struggle of Yahweh against the forces of darkness that strive to destroy all that is good and holy. Listen on as we see this grand battle play out at this decisive moment in the grand narrative of God working the long plan of salvation out in the lives of His people.

Elijah is living with a widow and her son. He is enjoying the family life and the endless pancakes. But then tragedy strikes. In the middle of this tragedy, God works a miracle through Elijah, reminding those who listen that God should always get the glory even in the middle of difficult times.

Elijah is on the run, being hunted by Ahab and Jezebel. Where is he going to hide for three years until this famine ends? Where in Northern Israel can he go not to be found? Well, maybe the Lord knows the best place to send him is not somewhere in Israel but somewhere outside of Israel. Gentile territory. And who better to take care of Elijah than the poorest member of society at that time. Man, when God works, He likes to work in ways that give Him the glory. And in this week's story, there is no way a man could have thought this up. Listen on to hear more of the miraculous story of God's provision for Elijah and this poor widow.

Elijah. One of the great heroes of the Bible. We have done a four-part series on Elijah before, but we would like to look at his story afresh. A verse by verse retelling of the whole of Elijah's story. It also is an important part of the story of I Kings and the story of Israel in general. Elijah is a man that God asked to stand up against a culture going in the opposite direction of where Yahweh wanted his people to go. And yet, he had the bravery and determination to do what God asked him to do, no matter the cost. We need more Elijah's today.

The Kingdom of Israel is divided between Judah in the Southern half and Israel in the North. Judah is a mixed bag of King's: some good and some bad. But Northern Israel has nothing but bad Kings. They all did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. And they did it continuously. Culminating in the worst of the lot so far: King Omri. The Bible says he did more evil than all who went before him. So that is it. The worst. The Moat (Mostevil of all time). Except Omri wasn't the worst. Oh no. The worst, the King who took Israel to the greatest depths of depravity they had ever known, took the throne after his father Omri died. And this week, we meet him and his cruel and evil wife. The Bible states that King Ahab and Queen Jezebel did more evil than all who went before them, and they established Baal worship in Northern Israel to such an extent that the worship of Yahweh nearly became extinct. The future for righteousness and good and for following Yahweh seem bleak. The outlook is less than rosy. What will happen,

Five Kings of Northern Israel, and five Kings that it was said of them that they did evil continuously. What sins do you have to commit that the Lord writes EVIL over your story? It comes down to one basic thing, and you know what it is? Well, listen to this week's podcast to find out.

This week we get to learn about a King called Asa. We nearly named one of our sons after him and his inspiring story. I hope this week's story will encourage you to not give up on doing what is right, even though no one around you wants to. You can easily get discouraged when you feel you are the only one trying to live for the Lord. I hope Asa's story will encourage you to keep doing the hard work of righteousness and NOT GIVE UP.

Two Kings who had every chance to do great. They were given blessing upon blessing by God. All they had to do was follow God and Him alone, and their thrones and reigns would be established forever. But their choices revealed their true hearts, and at the end of their lives, they were known as men who did evil in the sight of the Lord. Why? What was their great downfall? Listen on to find out.

Rehoboam is the King of Judah; Jeroboam is the King of Northern Israel. Sadly, Jeroboam is leading the 10 northern tribes away from the worship of Yahweh towards worshipping false gods. He began his own priesthood and his own sacred and high places. He created two golden calves where the people of Northern Israel came to pay homage to these false gods. Today's story shows God's grace to call His people back, but it also shows how quickly a people can choose to apostatize. Ultimately, Jeroboam is left with the choice: listen to the Lord and live, or listen to the voice of men and die. Which will Jeroboam choose? And what does a Lion have to do with it? Listen on to find out.

Rehoboam is the son of King Solomon and has inherited the throne from Father. At the age of 41, he ascends the throne and is now King of Israel. He heads to the town of Shechem to be crowned, but waiting for him is his Father's adversary: Jeroboam. Jeroboam has a proposal for him, and answering Jeroboam will change the course of both their lives. Listen on to find out how.

King Solomon has been granted wisdom from God. God has also blessed him with wealth beyond comprehension and success on every front for the nation he rules. God has rewarded him again and again, giving Solomon blessing upon blessing. So what does Solomon do in response? He starts worshipping other gods. Why did he do that? And how dumb can the wisest man in the world be? Listen on to find out.

Solomon is now the ruler of Israel. He inherits a kingdom that has its problems, but he also inherits a kingdom on the verge of breathtaking prosperity. Solomon sees the task before him, and it must seem daunting. But what is he to do? How is he to manage it all? He goes to sleep, overwhelmed by the thought of ruling as King, and then something happens. Something truly amazing. What is it? Listen on to find out.

This is the final chapter in David's story here on earth. The man who went from shepherd boy to King, from the sweet psalmist of Israel to murderer. He was a complicated individual. But through it all, this one thing was constant, he was passionately loyal to one God and one God only: Yahweh. As usual, David cannot just go quietly into that good night. Hear the exciting last days of David on this week's podcast.

David is near the end of his life as we come to the end of 2 Samuel. In this story, we hear about David's last great transgression against the Lord, that of taking a census improperly. But there are some fascinating dimensions to this story that you have to hear, such as why the Lord incites David to sin by taking this census? Why is it the Lord inciting David in 2 Samuel, but in the parallel passage in I Chronicles 21, Satan is doing the inciting? And how did the Angel of the Lord factor in carrying out God's judgment against Israel? Make sure to listen to find out.

David is nearing the end of his life, and he is officially getting old. As David comes to the end of his life, he wants to remind the world of the 37 mighty men that helped him rise to power and his battles against Saul and later the Philistines. Who were these mighty men? What did they do? Listen on to hear stories of some of their exciting exploits.

We are nearing the end of the life of David. In many ways, his story is coming to an end. The writer of 2 Samuel now pulls some exciting moments from David's life and places them in conjunction with a beautiful Psalm written by David. One of those moments that the writer picks is David and his men fighting giants named Goliath and Ishbi Benob. And one unusual giant who could probably type this summary a lot faster than me. Turn to 2 Samuel 21 - 22 to follow along.

David won and defeated Absalom. He is now KIng, for a second time. Great. But now what? How will David retake the throne? Will Israel accept him back with open arms? Is there another usurper around the corner waiting to try to stab David in the back? Listen on to this week's episode to find out.

David has to fight. Absalom has amassed his army of 12,000 soldiers and is ready to take on David's army of only 2 - 4,000 men. Vastly outnumbered, David will surely lose this battle. Or will he? David is considered a military genius, and he has a plan. Plus, he has Yahweh on his side; could he ever lose? Listen on to find out what happens.