Lenny Goldberg Bible Classes

While at Ziklag, David and his men raid the Negev, kill the inhabitants, and bring the spoil to Achish. Daivd misleads Achish, telling him that he's raiding Jewish areas.

David leaves the land of Israel for the land of the Philistines, and makes an arrangement with Achish the King of Gat.

David speaks to Saul from afar and rebukes him. Saul is remorseful, but David doesn't trust him.

After taking King Saul's spear and water and crossing to the other side, David rebukes Saul's Captian of the Host - Avner Ben Nir

While the entire camp is asleep, David and Avishai descend to the army camp and take Saul's spear and water vessel. Why?

David and Avishai make the daring move into King Saul's well-protected army camp

At the end of ch. 25, King Saul marries Michal off to Paltiel ben Lysh. Isn't Michal married to David? How does David take her back as a wife?

Avigail tells her husband Naval what happened, and Naval goes into a 10 day coma before dying. David then proposes to Avigail and marries her.

After Avigails's convincing speech, David agrees not to continue with his rampage against Naval.

Avigail intercepts David and tries to convince him not to go through with his plan to wipe out Naval's household

After getting word of what happened between Naval and David's men, Avigail springs into action to save the situation

After Naval harshly rejects David's messengers, David takes his 400 men to wipe out Naval and his household. 

While Naval is having a "chag HaGez" - a sheep shearing party, David takes the opportunity to send his men to get some food.

David lets Saul know he could have killed him, Saul admits his guilt, breaks down and cries...

After cutting the corner of his coat, Saul exists the cave to rebuke King Saul

David and his men are trapped in a cave in Ein Geddi, and then King Saul walks in alone. Now, Saul is the one who's trapped....

The Zifites inform as to David's whereabouts, and King Saul gives chase. David is trapped, and only a miracle can save him.

While in the Zif desert, Yonatan visits David, and the Zif residents squeal to King Saul on David's whereabouts.

The residents of the Jewish city Kiela need help from the looting Philistines.

King Saul rules that the priests in Nov collaborated with David, and puts them to death

After King Saul's speech, Doeg reveals what he saw in Nov between David and Achimelech

400 men of dubious character join David in the Judean desert

David departs Nov, and arrives in the Philistine city of Gat, ruled by King Achish

David seeks help from Achimelech, the priest at Nov, the city of priests

Following the purification of the Temple on the 25th of Kislev, the local heathens attacked the Jews throughout the land of Israel.

After getting scolded at the Rosh Chodesh table by his father, Yonatan warns David of the impending danger

David and Yonatan's plan goes into effect when David's vacant seat is noticed by King Saul on Rosh Chodesh

David and Yonatan work out the details of how they are going to communicate Saul's response at the Rosh Chodesh meal

David turns to Yonatan to help him find out where his father is holding.

With King Saul in pursuit, his daughter Michal helps David escape through the window. Saul continues the chase and ends up "prophesizing" on the floor.

Yonatan convinces his father that David should not be harmed, but it doesn't last...

King Saul offers David his daughter Michal, on the condition that he brings back 100 foreskins of the Philistines. David is happy to oblige

By chucking a spear at him, by sending him out to dangerous wars, by dangling his daughters as bait, King Saul tries to get David killed

David and Yonatan make a pact. Saul becomes the sworn enemy of David when he hears the Jewish women praise him. What were they singing, anyway?

King Saul suddenly doesn't seem to know who David is. What's going on?

David knocks out Goliath with a slingshot, in the first round. He then cuts off Goliath's head to finish off the job.

King Saul gives David the green light and dresses David in his armor. But David prefers doing it his way.

King Saul tries to convince David that he is forbidden by Jewish law to fight Goliath. David has the answers. In the meantime, David's older brother, Eliav, tries to take the air out of his sails...

David arrives to the battlefield and encounters Goliath for the first time.

Why didn't Yonatan step up to fight the blaspheming giant? We learn about David's father Jesse, and why David wasn't in Saul's army at the time. 

This iconic Bible episode opens up with a physical description of Goliath, and his proposal to the Jewish army. 

David is brought to the palace to soothe King Saul's evil spirit. 

David is anointed by the prophet Shmuel in Bethlehem. A spirit of G-d passes over him, and departs from King Saul

We review what made David an outcast in his family. What are his origins?

Shmuel arrives at the house of Jesse, prepared to anoint one of his sons.... they all pass before Shmuel, except one, whose tending the sheep

King Saul tries to save face, requests that Shmuel doesn't leave him... Shmuel proceeds to hack King Agag into pieces.

King Saul fails in his mission to wipe out Amalek. What was the "mercy" involved here? Why is Saul paralleled to what happened in the days of Elijah the prophet? Why is Samuel the prophet taking it so hard?

Saul is commanded by the prophet to wipe out Amalek, but is having problems with this particular mitzvah. 

Why didn't the Urim and Turim answer King Saul. Why did the lottery fall on Yonatan if he didn't eat intentionally?

While chasing the Philistines, Saul bounds the people by an oath that they will fast until the battle is over

With odds against the Jewish army, Yonatan decides to go on offense. We also examine why the first king of Israel chosen wasn't from the tribe of Yehuda

With the Philistines mobilizing and his troops diminishing, King Saul has to wait for the prophet Shmuel for seven days.

Jonathan smites the Philistine garrison in Geva Binyamin, and all hell breaks loose.

Shmuel continues his rebuke, and brings examples in Jewish history 

Shmuel chastises and warns the people for requesting a king in his farewell message.

On the east bank of the Jordan River, the Jews of Yavesh Gilad are attacked by KIng Nachash of Amon, who threatens to make of them one-eyed slaves.

Saul is chosen as King from amongst his brethren in a public forum. Is his modesty over the top?

Samuel the prophet anoints Saul, and tells him of the signs he will encounter on his way

Samuel takes Saul under his wing, and sets up a banquet for him.

In his search for his lost donkeys, Saul is trying to track down Shmuel the Prophet

The verses explain why G-d chose Saul to be Israel's first king.

What is the role of the Jewish King?

Shmuel has grown old, the people want a change in leadership

The Philistines attack while Shmuel has assembled them. 

Shmuel gathers the children of Israel for a prayer session and preparations for war

The Jews of Beit Shemesh are also hit hard by the Holy Arc

The Philistines consult with their spiritual leaders regarding what to do with the Holy Arc

The Holy Arc creates havoc in the land of the Philistines

For Eli and his daughter in law, the national catastrophe of the Arc's capture trumps any personal considerations

The Philistines defeat the Children of Israel, and take the arc. A man of the tribe of Benjamin hurries to Shilo to bear the tidings.

The Jews take the arc from Shilo into battle with them, after suffering initial defeat at the hands of the Philistines.

Shmuel receives a prophecy, and eventually becomes a prophet, and changes the culture in Israel.

The young Shmuel hears G-d's voice for the first time, and thinks it is Eli who is calling him.

We finish off Ch. 2, where the man of G-d metes out the punishment of the House of Eli

Eli rebukes his sons,  but to no avail. G-d hardened their hearts from repentance. Why?

Hofni and Pinchas, the priests in Shilo, sin to the Lord, and they are rebuked by their father Eli

Chana brings a song of thanks and praise to Hashem after the birth of her child.

This first chapter introduces us to the parents of Shmuel, who make the trip to Shilo during the holidays. Chana, the wife of Elkana is barren, and she prays fervently for a son. Her prayers are answered when Shmuel is born. She "donates" him to the Lord. 

After 37 years in a Babylonian prison, the Evil Merodach releases King Yehoyachin. What is the symbolism of this event?

The King of Babylonia allows a remnant to remain in Judea, under the supervision of Gedalia ben Achikam

Nevuzadaran, the Chief Butcher of the Babylonian King slaughters without mercy. He miraculously becomes a convert to Judaism. 

Nevuzadaran, the Chief Butcher and servant to Nevuchadenzzar, burns down the Temple and pillages the vessels

In this final chapter of the Book of Kings, Jerusalem is besieged as the Babylonian exile gets underway

We examine the complex relationship between King Zedkiyahu and the Prophet Jeremiah. We also learn about the oath that Zedkiyahu made to the King of Babylon

As the Babylonian exile approaches, King Zedkiyahu is chosen by the Babylonian king to rule Judea. 

King Yehoyachin as seen in the Rabbinic literature

The Babylonian exile gets underway

Babylon overcomes Judea and Egypt in the days of Yehoyakim

Some of the rabbinic literature about the evil King Yehoyakim

King Yehoachaz is anointed after the death of King Yoshiyahu. 

We try to pinpoint where King Yoshiyahu's religious revolution fell short.

King Yoshiyahu confronts Pharo Necho of Egypt, who is passing through his land, and is shot down.

King Yoshiyahu initiates a mass aliyah to the Temple on Passover

King Yoshiyahu unwittingly fulfills an ancient prophecy

The verses show us step by step how King Yoshiyahu cleanses Judea, and then moves on to Bet El

We examine the usual excuses dismissing us from building the Temple, and then we get to the real obstacle

King Yoshiyahu goes on a rampage to cleanse Judea of idol worship

KIng Yoshiyahu, in an effort to thwart the imminent destruction, holds a huge Torah rally

King Yoshiyahu inquires of the prophet Hulda, and gets the bad news.

What do the Bible critics say about the found Torah scroll in the days of King Yoshiyahu

The righteous King Yoshiyahu is presented with a newly discovered Torah scroll. He rents his garments. What is going on?

What made Amon worse than Menashe and Achaz? Why do wicked kings enjoy longevity?

We address the issue - if he repents, why is he still considered a king that has no portion in the world to come? Why did the decree of the destruction of Judea remain? Why isn't his repentance mentioned in Kings?

A shiur on the Judge Samson.

Besides idol worship, King Menashe shed innocent blood during his reign

A shiur on David and Goliath. How is this connected to Chag HaShavuot and Megilat Ruth

Explaining how King Menashe, the son of the righteous King Hezkiyahu, could stray so far from the path

What was Rabbi Shimeon Bar Yochai? Why do the masses flock to his gravesite in Meron?

Menashe, kind of Judea, brings in the Baal, Ashera, alters of foreign deities into the Temple.

In this shiur, we look at the oral traditions which deal with King Hezkiyahu.

What did King Hezkiyahu do wrong in receiving the Babylonian monarch? What warranted such severe punishment

Reviewing the basics of Pesach :    Redemption, Vengeance, Self-Sacrifice, The Pesach Korban today

Is it OK to test Hashem and ask for a sign? How did Hezkiyahu and Gideon get away with it?

Why is the righteous King stricken with a deadly illness?

King Saul fails to wipe out Amalek as commanded, which eventually brings on the evil Haman, the Purim villain. 

The king of Assyria is murdered by his son. Which one?

How do historians and professors explain the fall of Sanchreev outside the walls of Jerusalem?

Isaiah answers the prayers of King Hezkiyahu - Sanchreev will fall. 

In this shiur we take a deep dive into the concept of National Kiddush Hashem and Hillul Hashem

King Hezkiyahu turns to Isaiah the prophet for council. Sanchreev leaves the Jews alone temporarily, but blasphemes the Lord on his way out. 

King Hezkiyahu prays to Hashem, and send emissaries to Isaiah the prophet 

The Assyrian representative winds up his speech, blaspheming the Lord of Israel

The apostate, Ravshakeh, goes on a 20 verse rant intended to demoralize the Jews of Judea, and turn them against their king.

Hanukah is widely celebrated by secular and religious Jews, but often for very different reasons.  Another interesting subject: Judah Macabees brit with Rome - why did he do it? Was it worthwhile?

Is the Book of the Macabees a legitimate source? What is the true story of Hanukah?

After conquering Lachish, the Assyrians set their sights on Jerusalem

Hezkiyahu rejects his father's "derech". He prepares for the imminent confrontation with Assyria.

How is King Hezkiyahu compared to King David?

How can a priest from Bet El teach the new heathens in Samaria to worship G-d properly? 

Why are the 10 tribes accused of tearing away from the Kingdom of David, if the split was a decree from G-d. Why did lions attack the new inhabitants who entered Samaria?

The Tanach enumerates further the sins of the Kingdom of Israel causing their exile -  forsaking the statutes, rejecting the prophets, worthless pursuits, Molech worship, bowing to the stars, witchcraft

Where did they go wrong? What's the difference between a prophet and a seer?

We take a dive into the Book of Isaiah to get the prophet's perspective on Assyria. We begin to review the the demise of the Ten Tribes.

Why were the tribes of Israel exiled during the reign of a righteous King? What are the implications for the Jews of the exile today?

Achaz makes some strange alterations to the Temple. Why? And if he so wicked, why isn't he enumerated as one of the three Kings who has no share in the World to Come (along with Menashe, Ahab and Yeruvam ben Navat)?

The wicked King Achaz is so impressed by the altar in Damascus, he builds a replica and replaces the original in the Temple

For the complete picture of events, we dive into the book of Isaiah, Chronicles and Kings.

Achaz, the wicked Judean King, is attacked by both Aram and Israel.  A complete picture of the episode can only be provided by diving into the Book of Chronicles and the Book of Isaiah. 

We learn about Yotam, both in Kings, Chronicles, and the oral traditions. 

Menachem Ben Gadi, Pekachia, Pekach and Assyria invasion. 

How did Yehu's dynasty end? Why did the rebellion against the Israeli monarchs emanate from the east bank of the Jordan?

What was the attraction of the incense burning on the altar? What can be wrong with being a "lover of the land?" 

We take a deep dive into Chronicles to learn about King Uziyahu. He was a powerhouse, until he was stricken with Tzaraat...

Why would someone call his son "Yeruvam"? Why did Yeruvam enjoy such great national prosperity if he was not a righteous king? What does Yona the prophet have to do with all this? What are the redeeming qualities of King Yeruvam?

King Yehoash goes to Bet Shemesh, the territory of Judea, and soundly defeats the Judean army.  The temple treasury is pillaged. We then sum up both kings Amazyiahu and Yehoash. 

We learn from Chronicles some major events in King Amazyiahu's war against Edom. Then, Amazyiahu takes on Yoash the King of Israel. We discuss the motivations behind this, and try to interpret King Yoash's parable about the thistle and the cedar. 

Kings Amatziyahu, King of Judea is the subject. He executes the assassins of his father Yoash, wars with Edom.

G-d delays the inevitable exile of the Kingdom of Israel because of the brit avot.  We review Jeremiah Ch. 31 to see how it relates to the ten tribes. 

Before Elisha the prophet passes away, he instructs King Yoash to shoot an arrow out the window eastward, and then to pound the arrows into the ground. What are the meanings of these symbols? Finally, Elisha performs a miracle while in the grave!

We continue learning about King Yehoachaz, who is replaced by his son Yoash. Why do the kings of Israel and Judea have identical names? Yoash visits the prophet Elisha, showing great reverence for the prophet. 

King Yehoachaz, the son of Yehu ben Nimshi takes the throne. He continues in the sinful ways of Yeruvam son of Navat. We review the sin of Yeruvam, and try to figure out who the "savior" is, that is mentioned in verse 5. 

Regarding King Yohash, the narrative in Chronicles is vastly different than the narrative in the Book of Kings. Why? What caused Yohash to suddenly stray from the righteous path?

After repairing the Temple, the end of the chapter describes how Yoash is attacked by the armies of Aram. After opening the Temple treasuries to bribe the King of Aram, Yohash is executed by his servants. What happened and why?

King Yohash is described as a righteous king. He starts to repair the Temple, which had deteriorated over time.

In a perfectly executed rebellion directed by Yehoyada the Priest, Atalya is Executed, Yoash is Crowned as the new king of Yehuda. Yehoyada then leads the charge to trash the Baal worship that had been established in Yehuda during Atalya's wicked reign.

We summarize Yehu Ben Nimshi's reign. Was he a tzadeek? How does he go down in Bible history?

The priest Yehoyada steps up to rebel against Ayalyia. He enlists allies and plans a rebellion in cooperation with the priests and soldiers.  The goal is to crown the 7 year old Yoash. 

Atalyia, the mother of the slain King Achaziyahu exterminates the offspring of the royal family. Yehoshaeva, the sister of the king, saves the day.  Why did Atalyia do it?

Yehu feigns that he is loyal to the Baal, drawing all the Baal worshipers to the Temple of Baal. He then proceeds to destroy them all, including their idols.  

Who is Yehonadav ben Reichav? Why does Yehu want to ally himself with him? What is the significance of their relationship

The heads of Ahab's 70 sons are severed and placed in a basket, and delivered to Yehu. He then kills the relatives of King Achaziayhu, the king of Judea who he encounters coincidentally. 

King Yehu sets his sights on Ahab's 70 sons in Samaria. He writes letters to the Ahab loyalists, and gives them an ultimatum

Yehu continues his rampage, and kills Jezebel, leaving her body for the dogs. 

The new King of Israel, Yehu, kills Yehoram with his bow and arrow, and throws his body into the field of Navot. He also kills Achaziyahu, the king of Yehuda on the fly. 

Yehu starts the rebellion, and is on his way to kill King Yehoram, son of Achav, in his first move to wipe out the House of Ahab. On his way to Yehoram, he is described as riding like a madman. 

Upon being anointed, Yehu is giving the charge to strike down the house of Ahab, whom are the masters of Yehu, who serves as a general in their army.  Ahab and Jezebel are cursed.

Yehu, who at the  time was a general in King Yehoram's army, is secretly annointed by the disciple of Elisha.  He is hesitant to tell his soldiers about it.

Two evil kings of Judea are discussed - Yehoram and Ahaziyahu.

The scripture teaches that Yehoram son of Yehoshafat was an evil king. Here we end the string of righteous kings ruling in Judea. 

Elisha goes to Damascus and prophesies that Hazael will replace Ben Hadad as king.  Through prophesy, Elisha knows the cruelty Hazael will impose on Israel. 

The Shunammite woman has her property stolen while she was away.  Through a great coincidence, the king orders that her property be returned. 

The gatekeeper who doubted Elisha's prophesy is trampled at the gate.  We examine the reason why the last two chapters repeat what was already in the narrative. Finally, what is the significance that the salvation come about through lowly lepers? 

During the brutal siege, Elisha guarantees a surplus of food.  Four Jewish lepers outside the city walls find the camp of Aram abandoned, and eventually report it to their brethren. 

When Aram lays a seige on Samaria, famine and shocking cannibalism ensues. The King of Israel  blame Elisha for the tragedy.

When Elisha warns against Aram's ambush, they try to capture the prophet, but no avail. Elisha eventually leads Aram to defeat. 

As the prophets are building a new yeshiva, one of their tools falls into the water, and Elisha pulls off another miracle.

Elisha curses his servant Gehazi. In this shiur, we go over Trachtate Sota (uncensored version) where the rabbis discuss Gehazi and Jesus to learn important lessons. 

Elisha refused Naaman's gift, but Elisha's servant Gehazi chases down the Aramean general, lies to him, and takes a gift

Acting on the advise of his wife's servant, Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram goes to the land of Israel to seek a cure for his leprosy. Elisha obliges, but a lot happens on the way

The prophets are starving and we see various miraculous ways in which Elisha sustains them.

Elisha returns the child to life. We see that for a miracle to work, one has to assert maximal effort, and make it seem as "natural" as possible.

A prominent woman from Shunem offers to Elisha the hospitality of her home, and Elisha blesses her with a son. The son suddenly dies, and she goes to Elisha for help. 

Elisha helps a widow (of the prophet Ovadia) who has lost all her possessions . Elisha performs a miracle, where an unending flow of oil flows into vessels she prepares. In this class, we learn some of the rules of miracles. 

In this class, we examine the bizarre ending to chapter three. What did the King of Moav actually do, and what brought wrath upon Israel, causing them to return to their land?

Kings Yehoram, Yehoshafat and the King of Edom consult Elisha when their battle plan goes awry.  The prophet predicts victory. Moab is indeed routed, but there is one crazy ending to this story. 

When Mesha King of Moav rebels against the Israeli King Yehoram, the King allies himself to Yehoshafat king of Judea for war. 

After Elijah descends, it's Elisha's turn to lead. He demonstrates supernatural powers.

While Elijah and Elisha are at the Jordan River, Elisha requests twice his spirit. Elijah then ascends into the heavens in a blaze of glory.

Elisha stays close to his mentor Elijah before the latter's eventual ascent to heaven. They make the rounds to Bet El and then Jericho

Elijah descends from the mountain,  and faces Achaziyahu. He rebukes the king for worshipping the Baal Zvuv (Lord of the Flies), and prophesies his death. 

Elijah intercepts King Achaziyahu's messengers, they come after him, and are devoured by fire from the heavens. 

King Yehoshafat's righteous reign

King Ahab disobeys the real prophet, and goes to battle. He is wounded by an inadvertent arrow, but props himself up in his chariot so as not to demoralize the people.

In this shiur, we examine the problematic alliance between Yehoshafat and Ahab

Michiyahu, the true prophet prophesies disaster for Ahab, and is challenged by the false prophet, Zedekiah ben Chenaanah

King of Judea, Yehoshafat, travels to Samaria to meet with King Ahab. They both inquire of the prophets whether they should go to battle against Aram.

Elijah rebukes Ahab with a fearsome curse, and Ahab humbles himself and repents.

Jezebel sets up a bogus trial with false testimony to kill the innocent Navot. Ahab proceeds to occupy the vineyard.

King Ahab craves Navot's vineyard, but is rebuffed.  His wife Jezebel comes to the "rescue". 

What does the parable of the two prophets come to teach us? 

King Ahab triumphs, but Aram prepares a new attack. A prophet assures Ahab and Aram is routed.

Ahab caves in to Ben Hadad. When Ben Hadad oversteps and boasts, G-d promises victory for King Ahab and the Jewish army. 

Elijah's vision continues. Hashem reveals Himself to Elijah in different ways, and sends Elijah to annoint kings and a prophet.

Elijah is forced to flee, journeys into the wilderness and has a Moses-like revelation on Mount Sinai

In dramatic fashion, Elijah brings down fire from the Heavens. The people repent, rain finally pours down, and Elijah escorts King Ahab back to Jezreel

Elijah and Ahab gather the people for a showdown at Mount Carmel between the G-d  of Israel and the Baal

Elijah the prophet appears before Ahab in the midst of a severe famine. Their conversation is epic.

When the son of the Zarephath woman dies, Elijah restores him to life.

First we get into the prohibition of building in Jericho, which Ahab was punished for. Elijah rebukes Ahab and flees to the Cherith Brook where he is fed by ravens.

Omri wins the power struggle and takes the throne. He consolidates his sinful reign. His son Ahab rules after him, continuing the wicked ways of the Kings of Israel.

King Baasa's ignominious death, his son Ela takes over.  Zimri assassinates Ela and chaos ensues

The scripture quickly describes these three kings. Was the civil war between King Asa of Judea and King Baasha of Israel a bad thing?

The righteous King Asa rules for 41 years. He had constant wars with the Basha the King of Israel

What kind of King was King Aviam son of Rehavam?

King Rechavam's Kingdom declines, he is punished when Egypt loots his kingdom

Achiya give further as to the fate of prophesy. Yeruvam child dies and merits a huge burial. What was special about Yeruvam's child? 

Yeruvam's wife visits the prophet Achia HaShiloni to learn the fate of her son. The prophet lays down a frightening prophesy concerning the house of Yeruvam.

We try to reveal the motive of the false prophet who deceived the true prophet. There are many different opinions amongst the commentators. After all that has transpires, King Yeruvam does not repent from his evil ways. 

A false prophet pursues the true prophet. This is one bizarre story, as the old (false) prophet deceives the Man of G-d, and it ends badly. 

A prophet denounces King Yeruvam's idolatry. Yeruvam is punished, and the prophet departs back to Judea, where he came from .

For political purposes, King Yeruvam establishes idol worship in his kingdom.

The Kingdom splits in two, with King Rechavam son of Solomon leading the tribe of Yehuda and Binyamin , and Yeruvam  ben Navat ruling over the rest of the tribes

Rechavam, son of Solomon, is crowned king in Shchem.  He takes counsel with his advisors on how to deal with the tribes of Israel.

After a 40 year reign, Solomon dies and is buried in the City of David

The prophet Achia HaShiloni ordains the split in the kingdom, Yeruvam is annointed King over the tribes of Israel

The decree of the split in the Davidic dynasty is given. Various antagonists to Solomon begin popping up.

Solmon's many wives lead him astray.  Was he actually an idol worshipper as the verses indicate?

King Solomon's unparalleled wealth and magnificent throne, horses and chariots

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, and comes to Jerusalem to test him with riddles. She returns to her land impressed

G-d repays his pledge to Solomon, Solomon repays Hiram

King Solomon blesses the people and brings offering before Hashem as he concludes the dedication of the Temple and celebration.

King Solomon continues his prayer, and explains the purpose of the Holy Temple

King Solomon prays for the success of the Temple and Davidic dynasty.

King Solomon gathers the elders of Israel and brings up the Arc of the Covenant from the City of David

King Solomon build his palace, hall of justice and ornamental pillars. Then he builds the "sea" (see picture).

We continue with the building of Solomon's Temple - the Cherubim, entrance doors and courtyard walls

King Solomon begins building the Temple in the fourth year of his reign. 

Who were these laborers who build the First Holy Temple? How were there still so many gentiles in the land?

King Solomon's covenant with King Hiram of Tyre. Also, why didn't King David build the Holy Temple?

This chapter delves into the depths of King Solomon's wisdom, and what it entailed.

King Solomon's huge dominion, massive wealth and excess of horses

King Solomon sets up ministers and regional commissioners to oversee the kingdom

King Solomon in his wisdom reveals who the real mother is.

King Solomon goes to the central altar of Givon and has a vision and a request

Why did King Solomon marry the daughter of Pharo? Where was his halachic justification? What do the sages about this union? 

Shimei breaks the "house arrest" that Solomon gave him.

King Solomon sends Binyahau to kill Yoav. This episode delves into the multifaceted personality of Yoav ben Zruriya, aided by the midrashim of our sages.

King Solomon  eliminates Adoniyahu and banishes Evyatar the Priest

David passes away after a 40 year reign. Before he dies, he warns his son Solomon about Shimi ben Gera, the Benjaminite. Afterwards, Adoniyahu asks Bat Sheva to intervene on his behalf, to convince King Solomon to allow him to marry Avishag the Shunamit

We end chapter 1 where Adoniyahu begs King Solomon for a pardon after his failed rebellion. We begin chapter 2 where David gives his son Solomon valuable advice on how to run the kingdom. 

According to King David's instructions, King Solomon is anointed, Adoniyihau gets the bad news.

Natan advises Bat Sheva, and they team up to convince King David to take action against Adoniyahu. The class emphasizes the different approach each one takes to shake King David out of his slumber.

With King David bedridden, his son Adonyahu takes the opportunity to claim himself as heir to the throne.