Daniel P Warner

Season One – The Rise and Fall of the House of Saul

Prelude – The People Demand a King

The people of Israel want to be like the other nations. They demand that the last great judge, the prophet Samuel, anoint their first king and unite the tribes.

The Last Untainted Judge – end of an era

The last great judge, Samuel, who restored godliness and routed the Philistines, sees his influence wane, setting the stage for the first king of Israel. The main reason? Corruption…

Careful what you wish for – the people demand a king

A distraught Samuel, feels rejected by the people, and consults with God. He’s told that they are not rejecting Samuel, but are rejecting God, who should be the only king they need. Told to give the people what they want, Samuel issues a fiery warning.

Season one – Fall of The House of Saul

King Saul rises to power as the first king, but quickly turns from God. The house of Saul is replaced by the House of David.

Too Good to be True – The demise of Saul

Once a humble man, Saul’s arrogance grows with every victory, culminating in outright disobedience to God after what should have been a glorious victory over the Amalekites.

New Royal Bloodline – The Lord looks at the heart

In Saul, a warrior tall and mighty in stature, God had given the people what they wanted. When Saul defied the Lord, God instructs Samuel to replace the House of Saul with a new bloodline. The choice surprised everyone, even David’s own family.

Good and Evil Spirits – Saul meets David

Battling the demons that oppress him since Samuel’s rebuke, Saul is only soothed by the music of David. And so, Saul unwittingly invites into his household this young man – God’s choice as Saul’s successor to the throne.

The Women Sing – Jealousy rings ugly

As David’s fame grows for his military exploits, so does Saul’s jealousy. He sends Goliath’s killer on a mission of death with the promise of his daughter’s hand in marriage, but David returns victorious and very much alive. The women sing David’s praises in the streets.

Loyalty Thicker than Blood – A king, his son, and the usurper – strange bedfellows.

David’s tight friendship with Saul’s son and one-time-heir to the throne Jonathan is put to the test. Jonathan exemplifies how loyalty and honor are more important than position and power.

Saul Hunts David – Desperate to preserve his kingship, Saul pursues David into the wilderness.

David and his men hide in caves as they flee Saul and his forces. Twice, David has a clean opportunity to kill Saul and immediately take the throne. Twice he decides to wait on the Lord and trust God’s timing. But Saul will never relent.

David’s Mighty Men – A group of mighty warriors and friends loyal to David rally around him when he is at his lowest.

David’s brothers and cousins are first to rally to David’s side when all looks hopeless. They are followed by his loyal men who fought side by side with him against their nation’s enemies. They hide out in caves, but their forces swell to over 600. The most ferocious of them will have their names enshrined in history forever. As a group they are remembered as David’s mighty men.

The Conjuring of Samuel – A desperate Saul consults a medium to speak to the dead prophet.

Saul’s desperate descent into the forbidden arts results in a harsh judgment, communicated by the spirit of Samuel. Who do we turn to in our times of desperation?

The King is Dead; Long Live the King – The tumultuous reign of Saul finally comes to an end.

Despite the warnings from Samuel via the witch, Samuel leads his men into battle against the Philistines. Saul, along with his brave son Jonathan, are killed at the hands of the enemy, their bodies desecrated. David’s closest friend, Jonathan is gone. Bittersweet is the passing of the kingdom to David.

The First Civil War – This 3-day study examines the first North vs South civil war between the House of Saul and the House of David.

The one son of Saul who did not battle the Philistines is installed as a puppet king by Saul’s former commander, Abner. Ish-Bosheth attempts to carry on the legacy of the House of Saul, resulting in civil war between the northern and southern tribes.

Season Two – The Tumultuous Reign of King David

David, although a man after God’s own heart, doesn’t always live like it. Although his reign is characterized by strife and conflict, he never abandons the one true God.

Battle for Jerusalem – David’s daring commandoes infiltrate the Jebusite stronghold of Jebus.

After a bitter civil war, David unites the kingdom by overthrowing the Jebusites and establishing a new capital city near the border of the tribes of Israel and the tribes of Judah. His commander Joab cements his role as David’s top man by leading this daring raid.

David’s Mercy: the tender story of the disabled son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth

When Jonathan was still a prince and David was running for his life from Jonathan’s father, the best friends made an enduring pact of brotherhood and faithfulness. Years after Jonathan’s death, now King David remembers his promise and asks: “Are there any descendants of Jonathan to whom I can demonstrate kindness?

David’s Deadly Affair and Cover-up – the horrendous story of David’s affair with Bathsheba, and his disastrous cover-up.

The king thought he got away with his sloppy attempt to cover up his affair with Bathsheba. Her valiant husband Uriah paid the price for David’s sin. But God saw, and sent the prophet Nathan to confront the king.

Absalom Conspires to Take Down the King – Absalom uses flattery to win the hearts of the people and to plant the seeds of rebellion against his father, David.

King David Flees the Revolt – David and family flee Jerusalem in disgrace ahead of the impending attack by the forces of Absalom.

Bad Advice for a Wanna-be King – David’s double-agent influences Absalom into a bad military decision. Absalom’s personal advisor influences him into a bad personal decision.

Daring Spies Deliver Thrilling Late-Night Warning – A tiny spy network shuttles Absalom’s plans out of Jerusalem, warning David to escape across the Jordan

Absalom’s Hair-raising Demise – The forces of David and the forces of Absalom finally meet on the battlefield. Absalom’s sad story demonstrates how pride is rooted in bitterness.

Mourning a Lost Black Sheep– The bitter pill of regret. David mourns the death of his son, Absalom.

The King Measures His People – After quenching the rebellion, David takes time to measure the heart of the people, seeking reconciliation before returning to Jerusalem.

Triumphant Return of the King – David returns across the Jordan to a hero’s welcome. But is everyone who they seem?

Coming Soon in Season Two:

Joab, The Bad – Joab, David’s ambitious fixer, not afraid to do or say anything, refused to allow anyone to threaten his position. Even the king.

Benaniah, The Mighty – Arguably the mightiest of David’s mighty men, high in character and loyalty

Season Three – Tragic Stories of the Split Kingdom

Coming Soon-ish…