Episode Details

Episode 5 – God Establishes His Kingdom

On this episode of the Understanding Catholicism Series, our presenter, James Seghers, discusses God’s founding of the Kingdom from the days of King Saul and King David to the destruction of the Temple in 586 to the Babylonian captivity. James also gives examples of God’s boundless love, mercy, and forgiveness. James explains the many natural gifts bestowed on King Saul to make him a great ruler. However, Saul’s poor moral choices undermine his rule and faithfulness to God. King David, from the tribe of Judah, is chosen as Saul’s successor.

Capturing Jerusalem after a hard-won battle, King David made the city the capital of his Kingdom. He desires to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant, temporarily housed in a portable tabernacle. However, through the prophet Nathan (1 Kings 8:17-18), God tells David, “In wishing to build a house for my name, you did well. But it is not you who will build the house, but your son, who comes from your loins; he shall build the house for my name.”

David, through adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent placement of her husband, Uriah, to be slain in battle, eventually repents and is forgiven. However, he pays a hefty price— for the rest of his life, conflict, and war plagued his family and Kingdom.

David’s son Solomon, who also begins his reign faithful to the Lord, Under Solomon’s reign Israel reached her greatest point as a nation—honor, wealth, power, and respect, but at the end of Solomon’s reign, Israel became temporally and spiritually bankrupt.

God had a special love for David: “I will be to him as a father, and he will be to me as a son.” (2 Samuel 7:13–16). James delves into how this relationship lays the foundation for the future coming of Christ.

This is the 5^th Episode in the (20 Episode Series) of Understanding Catholicism.

Jimmy Seghers was born in New Orleans. Jimmy has devoted much of his life to the pursuit of learning, teaching, and mentorship. Jimmy has taught Sacred Scripture and Apologetics (that is, the defense of the Catholic faith). Jimmy frequently gives retreats, parish missions, and talks on biblical subjects. He is seen on FOCUS with Lisa Flood discussing biblical and religious topics. His classes are approved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans for certification credits for religion teachers. Each week, Jim is heard o