The Tanakh Podcast

Israel, Judah and Edom join forces to attack Moav. We shall speak about a critical historic artifact - the Mesha Stele - that gives us important context for this military campaign.

This is the chapter in which Elijah ascends heavenwards in a chariot of fire.
But is this in fact a story about Elijah, or possibly it is concerned with his protégé, Elisha?

King Ahaziyahu (Israel) has a domestic accident and is inured, bedridden and concerned for his life.
He sends messengers to the God of Ekron: "Will I live?"
Elijah is sent to intercept the King's delegates.
The critical narrative here is the question of who controls the delegates: Will the king's servants follow the king's instructions or Elijah's, in God's name?

Today we study about Yehoshafat King of Yehuda, righteous king by any assessment but also a man who seeks unity with the Northern Kingdom.
Tragically this pursuit has devastating consequences.

This is the Bible's quintessential story of governmental corruption.The King wants a Nabot's vineyard. Nabot won't sell it. How will the king obtain the vineyard? How does one commit the perfect murder? And who gets the blame?