Bible Talk — A podcast by 9Marks

In this episode of Bible Talk, the author serves up a sandwich made up of bad Israelite meat and good Judean bread. Bible Talk is brought to you by 9Marks and Southern Seminary. To learn more about Southern Seminary, visit https://www.sbts.edu

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex, Jim, and Sam pivot to video, while Israel and Judah pivot toward civil war and eventual exile.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

In 2 Kings 13, we get two evil reigns—Jehoahaz and Jehoash—and two weird things—which involve some misguided arrows and some life-giving bones. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert. Bible Talk is brought to you by 9Marks and Southern Seminary. To learn more about Southern Seminary, visit sbts.edu.

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2025

As 2 Kings has gone on, it's been harder and harder to tell the difference between Israel and Judah. They intersected, and then they intermingled. So we might ask: Is there really any meaningful difference between the two? Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss 2 Kings 11–12. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert. Bible Talk is brought to you by 9Marks and Southern Seminary. To learn more about Southern Seminary, visit sbts.edu.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025

In this episode of Bible Talk, Jim, Sam, and Alex talk about 2 Kings 10, where Jehu continues to administer justice to God's long-promised enemies. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

Bible Talk is back for another season! In this episode, Jim, Sam, and Alex discuss 2 Kings 9 and the bloody end of Jezebel's wicked reign, which the Lord had promised years and years ago. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

In 2 Kings 8, we realize that the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah have become indistinguishable in almost every way, from their behavior to their birth names. What’s going on in this enigmatic chapter? Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

In 2 Kings 6–7, we get a floating axe-head and a Syrian siege and an angelic army. But why? Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2024

In 2 Kings 5, we witness two surprising reversals: a foreign, leprous general becomes a servant of the LORD; meanwhile, a servant of the LORD becomes a leper. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024

In 2 Kings 3–4, Elisha is not a mere miracle worker—he’s a true prophet, and listening to him will lead Israel back to Yahweh. Jim Hamilton, Alex Duke, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2024

In 2 Kings 1–2, Elijah ascends to heaven on a chariot of fire and Elisha curses 42 scoffers just before two she-bears rip them apart. What!? Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

First Kings concludes with the death of a wicked king and the scattering of a nation that’s beginning to look a lot like . . . Egypt. Listen in as Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss 1 Kings 21–22.

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024

In 1 Kings 20, we get the story of Ahab vs. Ben-hadad, of a battle between Israel vs. Syria. But is that it? Does this chapter give us anything more than military history? Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

At this point in 1 Kings, we’re faced with a question: how will the Lord work through a beaten-down prophet in a disobedient nation? Through his Word. Listen to this episode of Bible Talk as Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss 1 Kings 19.

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2024

It doesn’t take long for Elijah to be hurried into a battle with the prophets of Baal. But it’s not Elijah who is fighting — it’s Yahweh. Listen as Alex Duke, Sam Emadi, and Jim Hamilton discuss 1 Kings 18.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2024

In 1 Kings 17, a new main character comes onto the scene. And he reminds us of someone we’ve seen before.  Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2024

At first, 1 Kings 15 looks like a mostly chronologically organized list of mostly bad kings. But there’s more going on. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2024

As the prophet looks at the future of Jeroboam's dynasty, he doesn't see excitement; he sees excrement. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 14.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2024

In 1 Kings 12, King Jeroboam sets up his bootleg religion at his satellite campus. It's blasphemous. And then, in 1 Kings 13, a liar gets a prophet mauled by a lion. It's bloody. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2024

In 1 Kings 12, the new King of Israel sure looks a lot like the old Pharaoh of Egypt. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2024

Bible Talk is back! Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 1 Kings 11 and the downfall of King Solomon.

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2024

When the Queen of Sheba shows up, Solomon’s reign takes her breath away. His people are blessed, his coffers are full, and she seems to trust the Lord. But is this the beginning of the end? Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 10.

Transcribed - Published: 26 June 2024

When we read the Old Testament, we’re tempted to see characters as either all good or all bad. But when we get to 1 Kings 9 and see Solomon’s interactions with Hiram the King of Tyre, well, it’s more complicated than that. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2024

The glory of the LORD has filled the Temple. So . . . now what? How do God's people actually use it?  In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton about 1 Kings 8:31–66, which doubles as a kind of user's manual for the temple.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2024

The biblical storyline takes a leap forward when the LORD’s glory fills the Temple. While this moment is significant, it also becomes clear that the Temple isn’t the end goal. Listen to Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 1 Kings 8:1–30.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2024

The Lord's presence has more or less been a nomad since Genesis 3. But with the temple, he's about to have a permanent address (kind of). In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 6–7.

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2024

So . . . Jim Hamilton had a wild idea: let's do a whole episode on 1 Kings 6:1. Alex Duke was dubious, even aghast. But he and Sam Emadi obliged. This conversation is the result.  In this episode of Bible Talk, they talk about burn layers and interpretive priority and Indiana Jones.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2024

The story of the Old Testament is the story of God's people returning to God's presence. The building of the temple significantly advances that story. In 1 Kings 5, we get Phase 1 of Solomon's construction project. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2024

Solomon is wise. Solomon is wealthy. Solomon is worth listening to. This is his Platinum Age, better than anything that came with his father David. Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 3:16–4:34.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2024

We all know the story about Solomon pleading with the Lord for wisdom. But do you remember how it begins? It’s surprising. Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Kings 2:12–3:15, which highlights Solomon’s shrewdness and his sinfulness.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2024

King David is on his deathbed. What does he say to his son? “Be strong. Follow the Lord and all his ways. If you don’t . . .” Jim Hamilton, Alex Duke, and Sam Emadi chat about 1 Kings 2:1–12.

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2024

Bible Talk begins a new book! In this episode, Alex chats with Jim and Sam about 1 Kings 1.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2024

The end of 2 Samuel is odd: it portrays the king at cruising altitude and then describes his bumpy descent. What's going on here? Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about the messianic finale of 2 Samuel 23–24.

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2024

We've entered 1–2 Samuel's epilogue, which rewinds the clock to mighty deeds of mighty men and gives us a chiastic cheat code that reveals some fascinating connections between King David and all that's gone before.

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2024

By now, David’s reign is beginning to unravel. In fact, these chapters are beginning to remind us not of 1–2 Samuel, but of the book of Judges. Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 2 Samuel 19–20.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2024

A father should never have to mourn the death of his son. But that's precisely what happens here. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 2 Samuel 17–18.

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2024

A messenger comes to David and gives him bad news: "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom." Then David flees—and in doing so he fails as both father and king.

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2024

Absalom is a smarmy guy who makes himself seem powerful and compassionate. King David, meanwhile, stays quiet while his kingdom nears collapse.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2024

The story of Amnon, Tamar, and the subsequent terrible fallout is ultimately a story about two fake loves. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi talk through 2 Samuel 13.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2024

At the beginning of 2 Samuel 12, King David is in a dark place. Even worse, he doesn't seem to know it. By the end of 2 Samuel 12, he's back where he belongs and he's writing Psalm 51. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2024

For a while now, we've been tracking the avalanche in the distance. Now, with the story of David and Bathsheba, it's finally here. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi chat about 2 Samuel 11.

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2024

After the mountain top of 2 Samuel 7, we get David’s Golden Age. He’s successful, he’s subduing the LORD’s enemies, and he’s showing surprising mercy to helpless people like Mephibosheth. In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 2 Samuel 8–10.

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2023

To celebrate our 100th episode, we did something a little different. But the conversation—on perhaps the mountain-peak of the whole OT—ended up at the same place: the Bible is amazing. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi chat about 2 Samuel 7.

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2023

After the squelching of Ish-bosheth's insurrection, David is anointed king over a united kingdom and the nations are streaming to the city of Zion. And yet . . . the author wants us to know that something's not quite right in the state of Israel. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 2 Samuel 4–6.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2023

In 2 Samuel 1–3, the inaugural moments of King David's reign are full of stomach-stabbings, failed coups, and heartfelt laments. And through it all, King David remains upright and unscathed. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2023

When you get to the end of 1 Samuel, you realize how Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–10) really does frame everything that's to come.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2023

Alex chats with Jim and Sam about the witch of Endor and the rest of 1 Samuel 26-28.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023

In 1 Samuel 25, David is face-to-face with a foolish man who thinks he’s a king. As readers, we’re face-to-face with a vital question: What kind of king will David be? Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss (and have their biggest argument yet!).

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2023

The cat-and-mouse game between David and Saul continues and, in the quiet darkness of a cave in the wilderness, it reaches a shocking climax. We don't get revenge. We get . . . a reunion? In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke chats with Jim Hamilton and Sam Emadi about 1 Samuel 23–24.

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2023

David's now a fugitive on the run. But he's not alone. He's got the support of his best friend Jonathan. He's gathered to himself Israel's strugglers and stragglers. Oh, and he's also got Goliath's sword. Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi discuss 1 Samuel 20–22.

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2023