The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein

# 172 - David The Madman - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, David flees to enemy territory and escapes death by pretending to lose his mind. As fear and faith collide in 1 Samuel 21:11–15, we explore how God’s presence can remain—quiet but steady—even when survival forces us into the most desperate disguises.

Episode 172 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by th...

# 171 - David's Lies in Nob - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, David seeks refuge in the house of God—but hunger and fear push him to deception. As he takes holy bread and reclaims Goliath’s sword, we’re invited into a powerful reflection on what we reach for when survival threatens to eclipse our faith.

Episode 171 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of J...

# 170 - The Hunt for David Begins - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we witness the unraveling of King Saul’s rage as David flees into exile and Jonathan risks everything to protect his friend. Through covenant loyalty, prophetic power, and whispered plans in the shadows, 1 Samuel 20 reveals how sacred friendship can reflect God’s own faithfulness—even when the cost is everything.

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# 169 - David Escapes Saul - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we follow David’s narrow escape from Saul’s growing wrath in 1 Samuel 19, as jealousy turns a king into a hunter and a palace into a trap. Amid betrayal, fear, and a desperate flight through the night, we explore what it means to trust God when safety disappears and sin threatens to consume everything in its path.

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# 168 - David's Dowry of Blood - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 18:17–30, where Saul tries to destroy David by demanding a deadly dowry—but the young warrior returns with double what was asked. As envy tightens its grip on Saul’s heart, David rises through bloodshed and betrayal to become a prince of Israel, honored by the people and chosen by God.

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# 167 - Saul Attacks David - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 18:6–16 and the tragic unraveling of Saul as jealousy over David’s rising fame turns deadly. Through dramatic storytelling and spiritual reflection, we see how envy distorts identity, poisons relationships, and blinds us to the abundant blessings of God’s kingdom.

Episode 167 of The Chosen People with Y...

# 166 - David and Jonathan's Bond - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 18:1–8 and the powerful covenant between David and Jonathan—a friendship rooted in loyalty, sacrifice, and deep spiritual love. As Jonathan lays down his royal rights to honor the one God has chosen, we’re reminded that true covenant love asks not what it can gain, but what it can give.

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# 165 - David and Goliath Part II - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein,

Episode 165 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 29:11, “The Lo...

# 164 - David and Goliath Part I - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we witness the haunting unraveling of King Saul after the Spirit of God departs from him. As torment closes in, a young shepherd named David enters the palace—and through the healing power of music, offers a glimpse of peace in the shadow of Saul’s despair.

Episode 164 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by...

# 163 - Saul: The Tortured Soul - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 16:14–23 and the heartbreaking moment when God’s Spirit departs from King Saul. As Saul wrestles with torment and isolation, a young shepherd named David brings unexpected peace through music—and a glimpse of the king he’s destined to become.

Episode 163 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstei...

# 162 - David is Anointed - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore the quiet calling of a shepherd boy overlooked by his family but chosen by God. Through the story of 1 Samuel 16:1–13, we’re reminded that while the world values status and appearance, God looks at the heart and crowns the humble.

Episode 162 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

# 161 - David: The Shepherd Boy - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we meet young David tending his sheep, fighting off predators, and finding his strength not in status, but in his quiet trust in God. Through 1 Samuel 16 and Psalm 23, we explore how God sees beyond appearances and chooses those with hearts fully devoted to Him.

Episode 161 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Boo...

# 160 - Saul: The Rejected King – In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 15 and the unraveling of Saul’s kingship after he defies God’s command. Through dramatic storytelling and spiritual insight, we reflect on the cost of partial obedience and the call to trust God fully, even when His ways seem difficult to understand.

Episode 160 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckst...

# 159 - Jonathan: The Philistine Slayer - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 14 and the story of Jonathan’s surprise attack on a Philistine outpost. As fear paralyzes Israel’s army, Jonathan’s quiet faith and decisive action reveal how God can work through even the smallest steps of trust.

Episode 159 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book o...

# 158 - Saul: The False Priest - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Saul faces growing pressure as Israel trembles before the Philistine army, and in a moment of fear and impatience, he performs a sacred duty meant only for the prophet Samuel. This episode explores how Saul’s decision to take control rather than trust in God’s timing marks a turning point in his leadership—and in Israel&rsquo...

# 157 - Jonathan: Son of Saul - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Jonathan steps into battle with courage and faith, while his father Saul wavers under pressure, grasping for control in the face of fear. This episode explores how a leader’s choices shape not just their own legacy, but the hearts of the next generation.

Episode 157 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of...

# 156 - Samuel's Farewell - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samuel gives his final address to the people of Israel, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and warning them of the cost of turning away. As Saul steps into leadership, the prophet urges both king and people to walk in humility and obedience, trusting that only God can sustain the nation.

Episode 156 of The Chosen People with Yael Eck...

# 155 - Saul: The Conqueror - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Saul rises from obscurity to lead a fierce rescue—and prove himself as king. But even in victory, questions loom: is this the beginning of God’s deliverance, or the first crack in a crown forged by human desire?

Episode 155 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

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# 154 - Saul: The King - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Israel's first king is revealed—but not with triumph or celebration, rather with trembling and hesitation. In this pivotal episode, Saul is called out of hiding to wear the crown the people demanded, raising the haunting question: what happens when God gives us what we ask for, even when it's not what we need?

Episode 154 of The Chosen Pe...