We are so freaking back. We're joined by Seattle University professor emeritus Wes Howard-Brook, author of works like Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond, to discuss:

• King Solomon wasn't actually all that wise ...
• ... and the cutting-a-baby story isn't about what a great guy he was.
• In fact, the Bible's authors meant for us to view Solomon as just another Exodus pharaoh!
• How the David-Solomon story is The Godfather.
• And a whole bunch of other stuff about the Bible's overarching theme of love vs. imperialism.

Thank you for listening! Support this show by GIVING US A REVIEW ON YOUR PODCAST APP PLEASE OH PLEASE, joining our ⁠Patreon⁠ (where we post monthly episodes, usually on "fun" stuff), and following our ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠Bluesky⁠ accounts. Also, here's where to get Jason's novel.

Hello! Let's sprint through a big (but action-packed) portion of the Book of Samuel and then focus on the story of King David and Bathsheba.

• Almost everything you've ever heard about this story has nothing to do with what's actually in the Bible, but what else is new?
• Around the 40-minute mark, we're joined by creator April Ajoy (of TikTok, Instagram, the Evangelicalish podcast, and more) to discuss the way this story constantly gets argued about by the internet's angry Christian men. Plus we talk Rapture trauma, childhood persecution fantasies, and other fun stuff!!! To be clear, this is the fun part of the episode.
• Let's also mostly wrap up the story of David, a boy who became a kingpin seemingly parodied by his own propaganda and just about the weirdest guy ever to pick as a supposed model for Jesus. His story's not quite done, but next time, we'll turn toward the original Finance Instagram bro: King Solomon.

Intro song: k.d. lang's cover of "Hallelujah"

Thank you for listening! Support this show by GIVING US A REVIEW ON YOUR PODCAST APP PLEASE OH PLEASE, joining our Patreon (where we post monthly episodes, usually on "fun" stuff), and following our Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky accounts.

We're back in the Book of Samuel, starting in chapter 18, where giant-killer David meets Israel's other war hero, Prince Jonathan. To quote Taylor Swift, sparks fly. Platonic sparks, your Sunday school teacher assures you.

• There's a case these two were just extremely affectionate political allies. That case has been made, and we're not very interested in it. 
• Interpret this story however you want. We're completely convinced this was the Bible's first great romance. Thanks. 
• We're also joined by popular YouTuber, podcaster, and theologian Mason Mennenga to discuss how this story is just one of many examples that show scripture reflects how we view it.
• Support this show, if you like, by joining our Patreon, where we post monthly episodes on related stuff (CCM cringe/nostalgia, explaining Christian-ese language, ranking '70s Rapture movies, what the Bible *actually* says about abortion, etc.). Joining will also get you into our Discord. We're also on Instagram and Twitter!

Pre-intro: "The More I Seek You" as performed by Maple City Worship