Museum Bible Tours Podcast

He’s best known as the “Leprous King” and one of Judah’s longest-reigning monarchs. Despite his 52-year reign, however, the biblical account of his kingship is contained primarily in only two chapters of the Bible—2 Kings 15 and its parallel chronology, 2 Chronicles 26. Within the brief account of his reign, this fascinating king, identified by two different names, presided over a significant period of Judahite prosperity, made a fatal mistake in the temple, and became a leper. Learn more about him in this informative MBT podcast.

Hazor was one of the most significant sites in the Bible Lands. Its power was widely felt before the arrival of the Israelites, and it would have been one of the main lynchpin cities for them to conquer, ‘for Hazor was the head of all those kingdoms’. (Joshua 11:10) Hazor would also later become a powerful Solomonic fortress. Yet for all the important finds made at this historical site, a debate rages as to how they match up with the biblical record, especially of Joshua and his conquests. We’ll examine this dispute, as well as the wider history of this once-formidable city-fortress, the largest site in all biblical Israel.

The most noteworthy capital city in the Bible was ancient Jerusalem. Perhaps the second most noteworthy city was ancient Samaria. For some 200 years, Samaria was the capital of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel. But what do you know of Samaria? And why was it a capital among northern capitals?

The ancient Romans were outstanding builders. Among their greatest achievements were the stone-paved roads throughout the Roman Empire. The enormous Roman Empire boasted a vast and extensive network of roads. The road network was essential in maintaining the stability of the empire and its expansion. The streets were used for transport from one location to another. “The Roman roads were probably at their best during the first century after Augustus had put an end to war and disorder. . . . Thus St. Paul traveled in the best and safest period,” wrote New Testament archaeologist W.M. Ramsay.

This micro-podcast will highlight the following: Of the buildings that were situated on the temple grounds, there is the Trumpeting Place Inscription and is the only significant item remaining, thus confirming the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew 24:1, 2. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

Megiddo has been the scene of some 34 decisive battles throughout its long history, of which a few are recorded in the Bible including Deborah’s and Barak’s great victory against Jabin king of Canaan and his general Sisera found in Judges Chapter 4. Find out in this podcast episode how Megiddo has prophetic significance for our day.

Today the Arch of Titus is much admired by the hundreds of thousands of people each year who visit the Roman Forum. Some view the arch as a majestic work of art, others as a tribute to imperial Roman power, and yet others as an epitaph to fallen Jerusalem and its temple. Careful readers of the Bible, however, view the Arch of Titus as having even greater significance.

Assyrian King Sargon of the eighth century BCE, also known as Sargon II, is mentioned just once in the Bible. At one time Bible critics doubted his existence because up until the 19th century, he was completely unknown to archaeology. Even the Jewish historian Josephus whose writings were extensive did not mention him. Nothing of the king is recorded in classical histories. However, in the 1840’s, archaeologists began excavating the palace of Sargon. Now, he is one of the most famous Assyrian kings.

Few Bible accounts are more thrilling than David slaying the Philistine giant Goliath. David, still a shepherd boy living in Bethlehem was visiting his brothers in Israel’s camp when he hears the blasphemous shouting of Goliath. David runs toward the giant to defend the name of his God and his people. He brings him down as the greatest Philistine warrior with a single stone. To many Bible critics, the account of David defeating Goliath is a complete fantasy or an exaggerated folktale based on dim memories not written down until hundreds of years after the event. But there is much evidence to support the fact that David and Goliath were real persons and their battle recorded in the Bible actually happened.

This episode is titled: “The Gallio Inscription” and is the second in the series: “Discoveries Related to the Apostle Paul”: According to Acts recorded by Luke, Gallio was the proconsul of the Province of Achaia before whom Paul was brought. But, during the 1800s scholars questioned whether Luke was in fact in error regarding whether Gallio was ever in Corinth. However, in 1905 archaeological evidence for Gallio was discovered at Delphi, Greece in the form of an inscription that states that the proconsul or governor of Achaia was Junius Gallio and a friend of Emperor Claudius. It came to be known as the Gallio Inscription.