18 - Samuel and Saul

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold! To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams."
- 1 Samuel 15:22

Hey David, don't freak out...but there's a nasty spider on your back. I think I can get him!
source: Il Guercino Saul and David

You know, I kinda feel bad for Saul. The guy gets a bum rap in the Bible because he doesn't do things through the proper channels and behaves like...well, a king! Of course EVERYONE just loooves David, Mr. I'm so awesome with my Dennis the Menace slingshot, but does anyone ever thank Saul for his accomplishments? No! Guy sees one witch in Endor...yes the town was called Endor, and everyone hates you!
So from me to you Saul, I got your back man

MP3 Download

Music Credits
Michael Levy - Psalm 114 (Ancient Traditional Melody, c.2nd century CE)

Resources
Map of the Philistine Pentapolis
British Journal of Psychiatry: Diagnosing King Saul
David and Saul by Julius Kronberg
Samuel turning away from Saul...see how everyone's a jerk to him?

17 - Judges

"Speak, you that ride on white donkeys, you that sit in judgment and walk along the road.
Instead of the shouting of archers among the wells, there they laud the righteous acts of Jehova. The righteous acts of His rule over Israel.
Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song!
Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away!"
The Song of Deborah, Judges 5:10-12

What do you mean that's not the right Samson? Do YOU want to tell him that?
source: The Venture Bros.

L'Shana Tovah! That's Happy New Year in Hebrew! Which applies for the upcoming holiday. Of course, the real Jewish New Year is Rosh Hashanah and I'm pretty sure the saying applies there too...or you can just say Happy Rosh Hashanah...ok we're moving on.

The events of this episode revolve around the Books of Joshua and Judges, where the Israelites are getting comfortable in their new land and forcing out the previous inhabitants. Lotta fighting in this one too! If you're in the mood for a little storytime than this will be a good'un for you.

See you next year!

MP3 Download

Music Credit
Michael Levy - Firn Di Mekhutonim Aheym

Resources
Tribal Allotments of Israel. Good map!
Kingdoms around Israel. The map shows a divided Israelite nation, which won't happen until post-Solomon.
Ehud about to strike down Eglon
Deborah woodcut by Gustave Dore...but where's the palm tree?
Samson and Delilah by Guercino (note that she is depicted holding the scissors, when it's the soldiers who do the cutting!)
Medieval woodcut of Samson and Delilah (note again she's holding the scissors - but look at the anachronism! Samson looks like a weenie!)
The Blinding of Samson by Rembrandt