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Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

The still small voice (1 Kings 19) is not a model for seeking God through hints and whispers

Common proof-text for listening prayer misapplied.

1 Kings 19 spiritual disciplines still small voice listening prayer

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

2 Samuel 12:8 does not endorse polygamy; the phrase "I would have given you more" is a figure of speech for God's provision, not a promise of additional wives; God explicitly forbids polygamy for kings in Deuteronomy 17:17.

Joshua Bambrick asks whether 2 Samuel 12:8 refutes the claim that God does not affirm polygamy.

Deuteronomy 17:17 2 Samuel 12:8 David Nathan marriage

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Mark 13:24-27 and Revelation 6:12-17 describe the same end-times event

Listener Tony Grabowski asks whether Mark 13 and Revelation 6 describe the same event.

Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27 Cosmic signs Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

The youths mauled by bears in 2 Kings 2 were not small children but likely young adult men mocking Elisha's prophetic authority.

Question 20 from That One Christian about the children mauled in 2 Kings 2.

2 Kings 2 prophetic authority word study Elisha

Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

The "footstool" verses (Isaiah 66:1) are metaphorical — God is sovereign. If "earth is my footstool" is literal, then "heaven is my throne" must be literal too (but no flat-earther takes it that way). Isaiah 40:12 says God measured waters in "the hollow of his hand" — also obviously metaphorical. 1 Kings 8:27: even the highest heavens cannot contain God.

Footstool verses — metaphor for sovereignty

Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 40:12 flat earth Isaiah 66:1 footstool of God

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

The Apostles' willingness to suffer demonstrates sincerity even without formal recantation opportunities. They knew what they were signing up for: Jesus told them they'd be brought before governors and kings (Matthew 10). They watched Stephen die, John the Baptist get executed, and Jesus himself crucified. They repeatedly chose to keep preaching despite imprisonment and beatings (Acts).

Sincerity without formal recantation opportunities

Matthew 10 apostolic martyrdom Matthew 10 sincerity of apostles

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The unridden colt symbolizes Jesus' transcendent, non-derivative authority — unlike kings who rode conquered rulers' mounts to claim their power, Jesus' authority is wholly his own.

Analysis of "a colt on which no one has ever sat" (Mark 11:2)

Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Solomon's inauguration on a donkey (1 Kings 1) and Genesis 49:10-11 provide additional donkey-messiah connections that Zechariah 9:9 likely draws from.

Additional OT background on donkey symbolism

Genesis 49:10-11 Psalm 20:7 1 Kings 1 typology typology Genesis 49:10-11

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Cloaks and branches on the road are red-carpet treatment declaring Jesus as king — the only OT parallel is 2 Kings 9:13 where Jehu is declared king of Israel.

Analysis of cloaks and branches in Mark 11:7-8

Mark 11:7-8 2 Kings 9:13 Triumphal Entry Mark 11:7-8 2 Kings 9:13

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

The trap: Pharisees and Herodians (sent by the Sanhedrin) use flattery to pressure Jesus into a direct yes/no answer. They want either criminal charges (sedition) or depopularization (alienating zealot followers).

Analysis of the trap question setup in Mark 12:13-16

Mark 12:13-17 Acts 5:37 Proverbs 29:5 Josephus Josephus Sanhedrin

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Bible Contradiction?: Can you explain the what appears to be contradiction in 1 Kings 7: 26 and 2 Chronicles 4:5, due to the different numbers?

Q&A question: Bible Contradiction?

suffering biblical reliability

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-18

About 1 Kings 13: In 1 Kings 13, what are we supposed to learn from this passage? It seems as though the prophet lied to the man of God, tricking him so that he wouldn’t stay the course. Why lead him into this trap?

Q&A question: About 1 Kings 13

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

About the Sun Standing Still – Josh. 10: What do you think really happened during "the long day" in Joshua 10 during the battle between Israel and the armies of the 5 kings when "the sun stood still, and the moon stopped"?

Q&A question: About the Sun Standing Still – Josh. 10

Israel

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

About the Curse in 2 Kings: How should we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-25? I had somebody bring it up to me and was unsure of how to answer them. On the surface, it seems problematic. What can I say to them?

Q&A question: About the Curse in 2 Kings

2 Kings 2 2 Kings 2

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Can Sons be Punished for Parents’ Sins?: Don't questions like 2 Kings 5: 27, 2 Kings 9:8, and Exodus 12: 29 contradict Ezekiel 18: 20 which says that sons cannot be punished for the sins of their fathers?

Q&A question: Can Sons be Punished for Parents’ Sins?

Ezekiel Exodus 12 Ezekiel Exodus 12

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings: How do you interpret the lying spirit in 1 kings 22?

Q&A question: About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings

hermeneutics

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-24

About Elisha & the Bears: How can we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-24 in context? it involves Elisha and a group of young mockers who then get killed by 2 bears.

Q&A question: About Elisha & the Bears

2 Kings 2 Elisha 2 Kings 2

Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Does 2 Kings 2 Challenge God’s Goodness?: My brother brought up 2 Kings 2: 23-25 to challenge the goodness of God. He saw an imbalance of justice when bears came to maul 40 boys for making fun of Elisha. How would you respond to this?

Q&A question: Does 2 Kings 2 Challenge God’s Goodness?

2 Kings 2 Elisha 2 Kings 2

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy: In the KJV, 2 Kings 8: 26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?

Q&A question: Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Did YHWH Lose to the “god” of Moab?: Did Yahweh lose to the god of Moab in 2 Kings 3: 27?

Q&A question: Did YHWH Lose to the “god” of Moab?

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story: What is the lesson for us from 1 Kings 13: 11-24 where the man of God is deceived by the old prophet, eats with him, and is killed by the lion?

Q&A question: Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?: In WOF (Word of Faith) circles, 2 Kings 4:8-37 is an example of why you shouldn’t speak or pray negatively about your situation. What is the actual idea of this passage?

Q&A question: Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?

word of faith

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

One Governor or 12?: In 1 Kings 4:7-19, there are twelve governors for Israel listed. I’m confused by verse 19b: “There was one governor...” What’s your take on this? 12 or 1?

Q&A question: One Governor or 12?

Israel

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Why Did God Appoint Unfaithful Leaders?: Why did God choose bad kings if He knows every heart? Saul, Solomon, Jeroboam, Hazael, and Jehu all turned away, but were directly chosen by Him. Why not choose kings He knew would stay faithful?

Q&A question: Why Did God Appoint Unfaithful Leaders?

Solomon

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Solomon: Salvation & “The Book of His Acts”?: My question is, was Solomon saved? Did he repent after what he did? what is the Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11: 41)?

Q&A question: Solomon: Salvation & “The Book of His Acts”?

1 Kings 11 salvation Solomon 1 Kings 11

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?: Is there any precedent for God taking home a believer before he might fall away? I Kings 14: 13 says some good was found in Jeroboam’s son.

Q&A question: God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?

apostasy

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

Advice for When We’re Exhausted: Do you have any advice for someone who is spiritually and physically exhausted (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19)?

Q&A question: Advice for When We’re Exhausted

1 Kings 19 Elijah 1 Kings 19

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-31

God’s Eternal Covenant: I see in Jeremiah 33 that God extends His eternal covenant not only to the house of David as kings, but also Levi as priests (Jeremiah 33: 17-22). Who fulfills this promise? Does Jesus?

Q&A question: God’s Eternal Covenant

Jeremiah David Jeremiah Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

50/50 Churches?: My LDS husband wants me and our kids to go to his ward & my church, split 50/50 every other week. Should I submit to him and do this, or should I get out completely from doing this? See 2 Kings 5: 17-19 and Psalm 1:1.

Q&A question: 50/50 Churches?

Psalm 1 marriage Mormonism Psalm 1

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

Interpreting the “High Places”: How should we understand the "high places"? 2 Chronicles 15: 17 and other passages condemn the kings for not tearing them down, but in 1 Samuel 9: 12, Samuel attends and blesses a sacrifice at a high place.

Q&A question: Interpreting the “High Places”

Samuel

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-03

Was YHWH Beaten in Battle?: How can I defend 2 Kings 3 when skeptics use it as an example of Yahweh being beaten in battle by another entity in driving the Israelites out, despite them being prophesied to win?

Q&A question: Was YHWH Beaten in Battle?

apologetics Israel

Pulpit sermon 2019-09-01

Women in Ministry - Prof Craig Keener

Paul's letters stand at the centre of the dispute over women's role in church ministry, with each side of the dispute championing texts from the Apostle. How do we understand the text in 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul instructs women to be silent, or the 1 Timothy 2 passage where women are forbidden to teach or exercise authority over men? Are these texts addressing a specific cultural situation or should they be treated as universal prohibitions? Craig Keener delved deeply into the world of Paul and wrestled with these thorny texts in his book [*Paul, Women and Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul*](/library/25) (Hendrikson, 1992). In a public lecture at Laidlaw's Henderson campus in September 2019, Professor Keener looked at the arguments for both sides of the question: 'are women allowed to be in ministry?', and the approaches various theologians and church traditions have taken throughout the centuries. He gave insights into the culture at the time Paul wrote his letters, and of the way false teachers were targeting women. He notes the importance of considering the original situation of Paul's letters, and that Paul does affirm women's ministry which helps us to see that Paul himself did not prohibit women from teaching the Bible always.

Exodus 15 Numbers 2 Kings 22-23 Women in Ministry Complementarianism egalitarianism

Pulpit research note

Faulty Summary of Human History — Kings, Priests, Prophets, Authors

At 11:56, he tries to summarize human history by saying that there were all male kings with one exception, all male priests, all male ongoing prophetic offices, all male authors of scripture and so fo

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The still small voice (1 Kings 19) is not a model for seeking God through hints and whispers

2 Samuel 12:8 does not endorse polygamy; the phrase "I would have given you more" is a figure of speech for God's provision, not a promise of additional wives; God explicitly forbids polygamy for kings in Deuteronomy 17:17.

Mark 13:24-27 and Revelation 6:12-17 describe the same end-times event

The youths mauled by bears in 2 Kings 2 were not small children but likely young adult men mocking Elisha's prophetic authority.

The unridden colt symbolizes Jesus' transcendent, non-derivative authority — unlike kings who rode conquered rulers' mounts to claim their power, Jesus' authority is wholly his own.

Solomon's inauguration on a donkey (1 Kings 1) and Genesis 49:10-11 provide additional donkey-messiah connections that Zechariah 9:9 likely draws from.

Cloaks and branches on the road are red-carpet treatment declaring Jesus as king — the only OT parallel is 2 Kings 9:13 where Jehu is declared king of Israel.

The trap: Pharisees and Herodians (sent by the Sanhedrin) use flattery to pressure Jesus into a direct yes/no answer. They want either criminal charges (sedition) or depopularization (alienating zealot followers).

Bible Contradiction?: Can you explain the what appears to be contradiction in 1 Kings 7: 26 and 2 Chronicles 4:5, due to the different numbers?

About 1 Kings 13: In 1 Kings 13, what are we supposed to learn from this passage? It seems as though the prophet lied to the man of God, tricking him so that he wouldn’t stay the course. Why lead him into this trap?

About the Sun Standing Still – Josh. 10: What do you think really happened during "the long day" in Joshua 10 during the battle between Israel and the armies of the 5 kings when "the sun stood still, and the moon stopped"?

About the Curse in 2 Kings: How should we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-25? I had somebody bring it up to me and was unsure of how to answer them. On the surface, it seems problematic. What can I say to them?

Can Sons be Punished for Parents’ Sins?: Don't questions like 2 Kings 5: 27, 2 Kings 9:8, and Exodus 12: 29 contradict Ezekiel 18: 20 which says that sons cannot be punished for the sins of their fathers?

About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings: How do you interpret the lying spirit in 1 kings 22?

About Elisha & the Bears: How can we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-24 in context? it involves Elisha and a group of young mockers who then get killed by 2 bears.

Does 2 Kings 2 Challenge God’s Goodness?: My brother brought up 2 Kings 2: 23-25 to challenge the goodness of God. He saw an imbalance of justice when bears came to maul 40 boys for making fun of Elisha. How would you respond to this?

Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy: In the KJV, 2 Kings 8: 26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?

Did YHWH Lose to the “god” of Moab?: Did Yahweh lose to the god of Moab in 2 Kings 3: 27?

Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story: What is the lesson for us from 1 Kings 13: 11-24 where the man of God is deceived by the old prophet, eats with him, and is killed by the lion?

Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?: In WOF (Word of Faith) circles, 2 Kings 4:8-37 is an example of why you shouldn’t speak or pray negatively about your situation. What is the actual idea of this passage?

One Governor or 12?: In 1 Kings 4:7-19, there are twelve governors for Israel listed. I’m confused by verse 19b: “There was one governor...” What’s your take on this? 12 or 1?

Why Did God Appoint Unfaithful Leaders?: Why did God choose bad kings if He knows every heart? Saul, Solomon, Jeroboam, Hazael, and Jehu all turned away, but were directly chosen by Him. Why not choose kings He knew would stay faithful?

Solomon: Salvation & “The Book of His Acts”?: My question is, was Solomon saved? Did he repent after what he did? what is the Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11: 41)?

God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?: Is there any precedent for God taking home a believer before he might fall away? I Kings 14: 13 says some good was found in Jeroboam’s son.

Advice for When We’re Exhausted: Do you have any advice for someone who is spiritually and physically exhausted (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19)?

God’s Eternal Covenant: I see in Jeremiah 33 that God extends His eternal covenant not only to the house of David as kings, but also Levi as priests (Jeremiah 33: 17-22). Who fulfills this promise? Does Jesus?

50/50 Churches?: My LDS husband wants me and our kids to go to his ward & my church, split 50/50 every other week. Should I submit to him and do this, or should I get out completely from doing this? See 2 Kings 5: 17-19 and Psalm 1:1.

Interpreting the “High Places”: How should we understand the "high places"? 2 Chronicles 15: 17 and other passages condemn the kings for not tearing them down, but in 1 Samuel 9: 12, Samuel attends and blesses a sacrifice at a high place.

Was YHWH Beaten in Battle?: How can I defend 2 Kings 3 when skeptics use it as an example of Yahweh being beaten in battle by another entity in driving the Israelites out, despite them being prophesied to win?

Women in Ministry - Prof Craig Keener

Faulty Summary of Human History — Kings, Priests, Prophets, Authors

Bible Link Settings