Three Tips for Reading Biblical Narrative
We need to talk. And we don’t say that lightly. Here at Clearly, we value honesty. Deeply. Like, we pause before sipping our coffee to pray about it kind of deeply. But for weeks, actually years, we’ve been lying to you. And it’s time to come clean. That plant you’ve seen in the background of our videos? The one quietly thriving in the corner of the frame, gently reminding you that life, like theology, needs watering?It’s fake. Plastic. Deceptive. Much like Saul’s promise as Israel’s first king. And we’re sorry.But honestly, it’s fitting. Because today’s episode is all about what happens when you want something so badly, whether a king or a trend or a potted aesthetic, and you get it, only to realize it doesn’t actually fix anything. We’re diving deep into First and Second Samuel, books that tell the story of Israel’s rise and fall under two kings: Saul and David. But it all begins with Hannah, a barren woman whose prayer in chapter two sets the tone for both books. Her song introduces the theme we keep seeing throughout the narrative: God exalts the humble and humbles the exalted. The great reversal. And let’s be real, it’s a theme we all need.We unpack why so many people skip over these books and what makes biblical narrative both challenging and rewarding to read. We talk patterns, plot tension, hinge moments, and how you can actually study the characters, even the ones who end up talking to ghosts. You’ll also hear how these stories teach us about God’s character, even when He seems offstage, and why that’s a huge deal for understanding the Bible as a whole.So yes, the plant is fake. But the biblical insights? Completely real. We hope this episode helps you read First and Second Samuel with fresh eyes and maybe also helps you confront the fake plants in your own life.We’re growing. Thank you for giving us space to do that.🎧 Listen to more episodes at jimmyandkelly.com/podcast 📄 Grab the First & Second Samuel One-Pager at patreon.com/c/jimmykellyneedhamCheck out these two resources on 1&2 Samuel from our friend Justin Jackson:Shedding the Robes of Kingship by Justin JacksonThe Bows of the Mighty Are Broken: The “Fall” of the Proud and the Exaltation of the Humble in 1 Samuel by Justin Jackson