Chapter by Chapter
Chapter by Chapter with Tim Dilena is a four-year journey through the Bible, one chapter at a time, in 7-minute daily episodes. The podcast aims to guide listeners through the entire Bible, providing concise and accessible commentary. It is produced by Times Square Church in New York City.
Episodes
1 Samuel 27: Head to Foot: Making Sure the Battles of the Mind Don’t Materialize
In 1 Samuel 27, David’s private battle of the mind shows how unchecked thoughts can move from the head to the feet, leading us into dangerous detours unless we confront them with truth, the Spirit, and honest confession.
1 Samuel 26: The Biography of a Mighty Man
In 1 Samuel 26, Abishai’s decision to say yes to David’s dangerous mission begins a lifelong journey that shows how one courageous choice and the people we follow can shape the biography of our lives.
1 Samuel 25: You Are Becoming Who You Swore You Wouldn’t Be
In 1 Samuel 25, David’s furious response to Nabal reveals how easily we can become the very thing we swore we would never be unless we stop running from our past and intentionally pursue becoming like Christ.
1 Samuel 24: Bothered by the Edge
In 1 Samuel 24, David’s conscience over cutting even the edge of Saul’s robe reveals how sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and conviction over small compromises protects our integrity and keeps our hearts responsive to God.
1 Samuel 23: Gifts Don’t Need a Title
In 1 Samuel 23, David’s willingness to fight for Israel without a title or position shows that people truly called by God do what is in their hearts regardless of recognition or status.
1 Samuel 22: Friends in a Cave
1 Samuel 22 shows David gathering a loyal community in the cave of Adullam while Saul’s jealousy and Doeg’s betrayal bring tragedy to Nob, reminding us that godly leadership attracts and keeps people through humility, responsibility, and character.
1 Samuel 21: The Insanity Defense
1 Samuel 21 follows David as fear drives him to pretend to be insane in Gath, reminding us through Psalm 34 that fear is ultimately overcome not by human ingenuity or self-made defenses, but by seeking refuge in God.
1 Samuel 20: The Dangerous Middle: DNA or Covenant
1 Samuel 20 places Jonathan between loyalty to his father, Saul, and his covenant with David, reminding us that when family ties conflict with obedience to God, we must choose the covenant over DNA.
1 Samuel 19: New Harp or New Heart?
1 Samuel 19 reveals that while David’s harp could temporarily refresh Saul, it could not change a heart that Saul refused to examine, reminding us that when worship no longer moves us, the problem may not be the harp but an unchecked condition of the heart.
1 Samuel 18: Navigating Toxic Relationships: Knowing About Familiar Spirits and Kindred Spirits
1 Samuel 18 contrasts Jonathan’s godly, covenant friendship with David and Saul’s toxic hostility toward him, reminding us to choose relationships carefully because the people we connect with can either fuel our wounds or strengthen our spiritual growth.
1 Samuel 17: Who Will Stop the Advancement of Evil?
1 Samuel 17 shows how David’s courage stopped Goliath’s advancing threat, reminding us that evil will continue to advance unless people of conviction stand on God’s Word and run toward the battle rather than away from it.
1 Samuel 16: The Danger of Confidently Accepting What God Has Adamantly Rejected
1 Samuel 16 warns us against trusting our own perceptions instead of God’s voice, as Samuel nearly anoints Eliab because of his appearance until God reminds him that He sees the heart and that what people confidently accept may be what God has rejected.
1 Samuel 15: Swordless Hands
1 Samuel 15 reveals the danger of Saul’s feigned obedience as he refuses to completely remove what God commanded him to destroy, reminding us that some battles require a sword of decisive obedience rather than the appearance of worship.
1 Samuel 14: Meeting at the Pomegranate Tree or Moving Into Battle
1 Samuel 14 contrasts Saul and 600 men sitting under a pomegranate tree with Jonathan and his armor bearer advancing on their hands and knees, showing how prayer-filled courage can break through fear and inspire others to join the battle.
1 Samuel 13: Failing the Minneapolis Test
1 Samuel 13 shows Saul failing a test of truth and obedience when he refuses to take responsibility for disobeying God, reminding us that confession matters because lies and excuses can cost us the future God intends for us.
1 Samuel 12: The Merciful Thunderstorm
1 Samuel 12 shows Israel confessing its sin of choosing a king instead of God, and God responds with an unexpected thunderstorm that demonstrates His mercy and reminds His people that even after a wrong decision, repentance can open the heavens to grace.
1 Samuel 11: The Stare of the Snake
1 Samuel 11 shows how Saul, empowered by the Spirit of God, broke the grip of fear and intimidation over Jabesh-gilead and reminds us that the Holy Spirit can equip us in a moment to accomplish what years of experience and education could never guarantee.
1 Samuel 10: Flasks and Horns
1 Samuel 10 contrasts Saul’s man-made flask anointing with David’s God-given horn anointing, raising questions about whether Saul was truly chosen by God or merely accepted by the people and reminding us not to dismiss voices that challenge popular opinion.
1 Samuel 9: Gifts and Character
1 Samuel 9 introduces Saul as a gifted and impressive man whose height and appearance elevated him to a position of leadership, but his story demonstrates that gifts can gain a position while only godly character can sustain it.
1 Samuel 8: Minister’s Kids
1 Samuel 8 reveals how Samuel’s ungodly sons influenced Israel’s demand for a king, challenging ministry leaders to prioritize their homes and model faithfulness to their children.
1 Samuel 7: Israel Would Win in Battle When They Were Right with God
1 Samuel 7 shows Israel defeating the Philistines not through the ark or military strength, but through repentance, the removal of idols, prayer, and a restored relationship with God.
1 Samuel 6: They Had Seven Months with God and Wanted Nothing to Do with Him
1 Samuel 6 shows the Philistines rejecting God’s presence after seven months of experiencing His power, while the people of Beth-shemesh likewise treated His holiness with contempt, revealing the danger of refusing to respond to God with reverence and surrender.
1 Samuel 5: A Showdown in Enemy Territory
1 Samuel 5 reveals God’s glory triumphing in enemy territory as the captured Ark causes Dagon to fall before the Lord and judgment spreads throughout the Philistine cities, proving that no enemy can control or contain the power of God.
1 Samuel 4: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
1 Samuel 4 shows Israel trusting the ark, religious ceremony, and loud praise instead of confronting the unholy leadership that had brought them into spiritual compromise, reminding us that God’s presence cannot be replaced by religious props and that holiness in leadership matters.
1 Samuel 3: Learning to Hear the Voice of God and Then Speak What You Heard
1 Samuel 3 tells how young Samuel learns to recognize God’s voice, listen without fear, and faithfully speak what God reveals even when the message is difficult to deliver.
1 Samuel 2: Same House but Not the Same People
1 Samuel 2 contrasts Samuel’s growing devotion to God with the corruption of Eli’s sons, showing that people can live in the same house of God, be exposed to the same truth, and yet have radically different lives depending on whether they truly experience and follow that truth.
1 Samuel 1: Opening Up Things That Have Been Closed
1 Samuel 1 introduces Hannah, whose persistent prayer over her closed womb becomes the catalyst for the birth of Samuel, demonstrating that God often invites His people to seek Him in prayer for what seems impossible.
Ruth 4: You Wanted the Land but Not the Moabite, Big Mistake!
Ruth 4 concludes the story as Boaz redeems Ruth, revealing God's providential plan through their marriage that ultimately places Ruth and Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus, while a nearer kinsman forfeits an eternal legacy by choosing property over the person God had prepared.
Ruth 3: The Kinsman Becomes a Redeemer
Ruth 3 centers on Boaz's willingness to become Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, beautifully foreshadowing Christ, our Redeemer, who became one of us to rescue us, restore our inheritance, and bring us into His family.
Ruth 2: If You Want to See God's Work, Learn to Read from Right to Left
Ruth 2 reveals God's quiet providence through Ruth's unexpected encounter with Boaz, reminding us that while we faithfully obey in the present, God is often arranging countless unseen details that only make sense when we look back.
Ruth 1: A Nation's Prayer That Would Connect Two Countries for a Global Miracle
Ruth 1 begins the journey of Naomi and Ruth from the pain of loss and famine to the hope of redemption, showing how God used Israel's restoration to set in motion a story that would ultimately bless the nations through His redemptive plan.
Judges 21: There Is a High Price to Pay for Wearing the Crown That Belongs to God Alone
Judges 21 closes the book by showing the tragic consequences of a nation that rejected God's rule, illustrating how human attempts to solve problems apart from the King only create deeper injustice and reminding us that lasting wisdom begins with His authority.
Judges 20: The Danger of Unrecognized Heart Issues
Judges 20 reveals how a nation without God's moral authority responds to one tragedy with even greater violence, reminding us that unaddressed sin in the human heart leads to destructive consequences that no human solution can ultimately heal.
Judges 19: Israel Has Chosen Insanity
Judges 19 records one of the darkest chapters in Israel's history, revealing how a nation that rejects God's rule descends into moral chaos, spiritual corruption, and shocking violence, reminding us that sin never remains stagnant when there is no King.
Judges 18: 600 Proves If God Is Real or Not
Judges 18 contrasts the helplessness of man-made religion with the power of the living God, showing that when life's greatest battles come, only the true God is able to fight for His people and deliver them.
Judges 17: What Happens When There Is No King?
Judges 17 reveals the chaos that follows when everyone becomes their own authority, showing how Israel's rejection of God's rule led to spiritual confusion, compromised worship, and moral disorder, while reminding us that true order is found under the reign of the King.
Judges 16: What Do You Do When Your Deliverer Needs Deliverance?
Judges 16 concludes Samson's tragic story by showing that God's power can still work through a compromised life, but His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, reminding us that finishing well matters more than starting strong.
Judges 15: Samson Couldn't Come to Our Bible School
Judges 15 reveals how Samson's extraordinary God-given strength was repeatedly undermined by selfishness, showing that true spiritual leadership is measured not by personal power but by a life lived for the benefit of others.
Judges 14: Flirting with Your Calling
Judges 14 begins Samson's tragic pattern of compromising the very calling God placed on his life, reminding us that great spiritual potential can be undermined when we flirt with temptation instead of fully embracing God's purpose.
Judges 13: God Shows Up Without an Invitation
Judges 13 introduces the miraculous birth of Samson, revealing God's mercy in raising up a deliverer for Israel even when the people had stopped crying out to Him, reminding us that His grace often reaches us before we ever seek Him.
Judges 12: Ephraim Did It Again
Judges 12 exposes the danger of selfish ambition through Ephraim's needless conflict with Jephthah, reminding us that God's people must stay focused on the real spiritual battle instead of creating divisions among those fighting on the same side.
Judges 11: Being on the Wrong Side of History
Judges 11 tells the story of Jephthah, the rejected son whom God raised up to deliver Israel, pointing us to the greater Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who was rejected by His own yet will one day return as Judge.
Judges 10: Not Everyone Needs a Biography Written to Make a Difference
Judges 10 reminds us through the quiet leadership of Tola and Jair that faithful, consistent obedience often has the greatest long-term impact, proving that not every life of significance needs dramatic moments to make an eternal difference.
Judges 9: There Is a Big Difference When God Calls a Man to Lead and When Man Appoints Himself to Lead
Judges 9 contrasts God's calling with self-appointed leadership through Abimelech's ruthless rise and tragic fall, revealing that true authority comes from God and that His justice ultimately prevails over human ambition.
Judges 8: I’m Tired, but I’m Still Chasing the Enemy
Judges 8 follows Gideon and his exhausted army as they refuse to stop pursuing the enemy until God's victory is complete, reminding us that faithful service often means pressing on through weariness with strength that comes from the Lord.
Judges 7: God Is Looking for Those Who Do Civilian Things but Never Lose Their Soldier Mentality
Judges 7 recounts God's dramatic reduction of Gideon's army to 300 men, demonstrating that He values faith-filled, vigilant soldiers over impressive numbers and calls His people to remain spiritually alert in every part of life.
Judges 6: You May Have Gotten the Wrong Man—No Way You Can Use Me, God
Judges 6 introduces Gideon, an unlikely deliverer who questioned God's call and doubted his own ability, yet discovered that God specializes in using ordinary, hesitant people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
Judges 5: A Really Convicting Song, and We Need More of Them Today
Judges 5 celebrates God's miraculous victory through Deborah's song, but its strongest message is a call to wholehearted commitment, confronting those who chose comfort over courage and reminding us that true worship should move us to obedience.
Judges 4: She Never Expected to Be a General, and He Never Expected to Make It to the New Testament
Judges 4 highlights God's surprising choice of Deborah to lead Israel into battle and Barak's humble faith in following God's plan, reminding us that God often accomplishes extraordinary victories through unexpected people.
Judges 3: I Hate Tests, but I Know They Are Necessary
Judges 3 shows that God allows tests not to defeat His people but to train them for obedience and spiritual battle, while Israel's repeated failures remind us that avoiding the lesson only prolongs the cycle.
Judges 2: The Substitute History Teacher
Judges 2 reveals Jesus, the Angel of the Lord, confronting a generation that had forgotten God's mighty works, reminding us that every generation must personally know the Lord rather than merely inherit the faith of those who came before.
Judges 1: What Started as a Conquest Deteriorated into Compromise
Judges 1 begins Israel's gradual descent from wholehearted conquest into compromise, showing how tolerated sin becomes a foothold for future bondage while reminding us that God faithfully raises up deliverers for those who humble themselves and return to Him.
Joshua 24: A Powerful Statement That Called for a Response
Joshua 24 concludes Joshua's life with his final challenge to Israel, recounting God's faithfulness before calling the nation to choose whom they would serve, declaring, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 23: God Did Exactly What He Said He Would Do
Joshua 23 records Joshua's farewell to Israel's leaders, celebrating that God fulfilled every promise He made, while urging them to remain faithful so they could continue enjoying the blessings of the good land He had given them.
Joshua 22: Civil War Averted by Simply Listening
Joshua 22 concludes Israel's conquest with an unexpected crisis as the eastern tribes nearly spark a civil war over a misunderstood altar, but patient listening and honest conversation reveal their true motives and preserve unity among God's people.
Joshua 21: Reversing the Curse: How 48 Cities Means Grace
Joshua 21 recounts the Levites receiving forty-eight cities throughout Israel, revealing how God's grace reversed the curse spoken over Levi, transforming a legacy of judgment into one of priesthood, blessing, and faithful service.
Joshua 20: Six Cities of Refuge for Them Is Actually One Person for Us
Joshua 20 establishes six cities of refuge to protect those who unintentionally caused a death, pointing us to Jesus Christ as our ultimate and eternal refuge, whose priesthood offers safety, forgiveness, and justice to all who run to Him.
Joshua 19: Joshua Goes Last
Joshua 19 concludes the distribution of the Promised Land by showing Joshua receiving his inheritance last, demonstrating that true leaders and faithful servants willingly put others first, trusting God to provide what is in their hearts.
Joshua 18: Why Are You Sleeping on a Sofa When a Bed Has Been Provided for You?
Joshua 18 confronts seven tribes that delayed claiming the inheritance God had already given them, reminding us that spiritual complacency can leave us settling for far less than what God has prepared.
Joshua 17: You Want More? Will You Become a Warrior?
Joshua 17 shows Ephraim and Manasseh asking for a greater inheritance, but Joshua reminds them that more blessing requires more courage, because every greater promise must be won by warriors, not complainers.
Joshua 16: An Alarming Addendum to a Great Day
Joshua 16 recounts Ephraim and Manasseh receiving their inheritance, but the chapter ends with the alarming failure to drive out the Canaanites, reminding us that partial obedience and unfinished battles become tomorrow's spiritual problems.
Joshua 15: We See You in Your Children
Joshua 15 shows how Caleb's greatest legacy was not conquering giants but raising a daughter and son-in-law whose faith, courage, and boldness reflected the example of a life wholly devoted to God.
Joshua 14: Everybody Needs to Listen to the 85-Year-Old Man
Joshua 14 highlights Caleb’s unwavering faith as, at eighty-five years old, he boldly claims the mountain God promised him, proving that a life wholly devoted to the Lord finishes strong and never stops pursuing God’s purposes.
Joshua 13: Have You Ever Told Someone You’re Old? God Did.
Joshua 13 reminds us that God speaks truthfully about every season of life, challenging Joshua to keep pressing forward despite his age because there was still land to possess, encouraging us to finish our race with purpose and faithfulness.
Joshua 12: Go West, Young Man, But Don't Forget East as You Go
Joshua 12 recounts Israel’s victories by honoring both Moses’ eastern conquests and Joshua’s western campaign, reminding us that every new generation advances because faithful servants before them fought battles that made the way possible.
Joshua 11: Your Enemies Will Prove God's Promises
Joshua 11 shows how overwhelming opposition often rises right after breakthrough, yet God responds with precise, timely victory—sometimes in 24 hours, sometimes over a lifetime—proving that every promise He makes is certain to come to pass in His perfect timing.
Joshua 10: Possibly Forfeiting the Greatest Miracle of Your Life by Not Keeping Your Word
Joshua 10 is a reminder that covenant faithfulness, even when costly or ill-advised, positions God’s people for extraordinary intervention when they choose to keep their word.
Joshua 9: Godless Christianity...A Plea to Obey the Nudge
Joshua 9 warns against living with selective dependence on God, showing how Joshua and Israel’s failure to seek God’s counsel led them into a binding covenant with the deceptive Gibeonites, reminding us to stay sensitive to God’s daily guidance rather than relying on appearances alone.
Joshua 8: Fighting the Same Battle Twice but With Different Results
Israel’s second battle at Ai becomes a lesson in the necessity of God’s guidance, showing how hidden sin silenced His voice in defeat and how obedience restored victory when they fought the same battle again under His direction.
DETOUR with O.S. Hawkins | Joshua 7: The Digression of Sin
Join us for a detour in Joshua 7 with Dr. O.S. Hawkins.
Joshua 7: How Long Does It Take to Say I'm Sorry?
Joshua 7 exposes the danger of an Achan heart—a heart that hides sin until it is exposed—and reminds us that true repentance responds quickly to the conviction of God rather than waiting to be confronted by circumstances, leaders, or consequences.
Joshua 6: I Know Joshua Six Is About a Wall, but Don’t Forget the Prostitute
Joshua 6 is remembered for the miraculous fall of Jericho’s walls, but the greater miracle may be Rahab’s transformation from a prostitute living on the city wall to a woman of faith whose life, family, and legacy became part of God’s redemptive story and the genealogy of Jesus.
Joshua 5: A Lot of Funerals in Order to Move Forward
Joshua 5 reminds us that before Israel could conquer the Promised Land, an entire generation of unbelief had to pass away, making room for a new people who would listen to God’s voice, trust His leadership, and follow Him into battles they could never win on their own.
Joshua 4: Rocks That Tell a Story
Joshua 4 reveals how God instructed Israel to build memorial stones so future generations would remember His faithfulness, while Joshua’s hidden stones beneath the Jordan remind us that some of our greatest testimonies are personal reminders between us and God.
Joshua 3: The Morning Before the Miracle Can’t Be Overlooked
Joshua 3 reveals that before God parted the Jordan River and led His people into a new season, Joshua consistently sought the Lord in the early morning, reminding us that many of God’s greatest victories have a hidden place of prayer behind them.
Joshua 2: Déjà Vu
Joshua 2 revisits the painful memory of Israel’s first spy mission, but this time faith replaces fear as two spies return with a victorious report and Rahab’s testimony reveals that God’s past miracles had already been fighting their future battles.
Joshua 1: Just Three More Sleeps
Joshua 1 marks the beginning of a new season as Israel stands three days away from entering the Promised Land, Joshua steps into leadership, and God repeatedly calls His new servant to be strong and courageous because His work and His presence never end with the loss of one leader.
Deuteronomy 34: Field Trips
Deuteronomy 34 closes the life of Moses with a remarkable picture of a servant, prophet, and friend of God who died strong, only to discover that God’s mercy would one day bring him back to the Promised Land to stand with Elijah and speak with Jesus on the greatest field trip imaginable.
Deuteronomy 33: My God With Me at 33,000 Feet
In Deuteronomy 33, Moses’ final blessing over the tribes reveals a promise of God’s strength and protection that became a personal deliverance from the fear of death, reminding us that the God who rides through the heavens to help us also carries us with His everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 32: Learning From Sheet Music
Deuteronomy 32 presents Moses’ final song as more than poetry—it is a battle hymn meant to be remembered, obeyed, and carried into the future. Through its powerful lyrics, Israel is reminded that God is their Rock: faithful, strong, stable, and a refuge in every battle. Just as great songs have inspired soldiers throughout history, Moses gave God’s people a song that would keep truth in their hear
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