Thus Says the LORD:
God Speaks Through
His Servants the Prophets

Volume I: A Kingdom Divided

Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the biblical prophets in their historical context, beginning with the call of Samuel. Both volumes of this Catholic Bible study have been granted an imprimatur through the Diocese of Des Moines. Written by Jennifer McGaw Phelps and Matthew Phelps, Volume I: A Kingdom Divided uses the First and Second Books of the Kings to establish a temporal foundation based on circumstances in Judah and Israel after the death of Solomon. Its 28 lessons follow the prophets who were vigorously involved in political and spiritual activity in both kingdoms before the final wave of the Babylonian Captivity in 587–586 BC. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption provides an in-depth look at the post-exilic prophets. The study builds a framework for understanding the roles of priests, prophets, and kings in the Old Testament. Link here to see a sample of Lesson 1 in Volume I. Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided and Volume II: Restoration & Redemption are available separately from our website shop.

Check out our online study pages for additional commentary and related videos for each lesson. Our online glossary for Thus Says the LORD—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption lists every proper noun included in the biblical text for the second volume. A separate online page links to cross references in the primary biblical text in the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE). Links to the online glossary, cross references, and free video overviews for each lesson are accessible at the top of every online study page for Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided. Other features include maps showing the development of the northern and southern kingdoms, as well as timelines identifying which prophets and kings were active at the time covered by each lesson.

Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided lessons are listed below; each is linked to its corresponding online study page and video overview: 

Lesson 1 The LORD Announces He Is About To Do a New Thing
Lesson 2 Nathan Delivers Good & Bad News
Lesson 3 Ahijah Foretells the End of the United Kingdom
Lesson 4 Jeroboam Turns from the LORD
Lesson 5 Judah Also Sins Against the LORD
Lesson 6 Elijah & the Widow of Zarephath
Lesson 7 Elijah Triumphs over the Prophets of Baal
Lesson 8 Ahab Humbles Himself Before the LORD
Lesson 9 Ahab Dies in Battle
Lesson 10 Elijah’s Fiery Departure
Lesson 11 Elisha Performs Miracles
Lesson 12 The LORD Thwarts Syrian Attacks
Lesson 13 Hazael Becomes King of Syria
Lesson 14 Jezebel’s Violent Death
Lesson 15 Jehu Avenges the Deaths of the Prophets
Lesson 16 Joash Repairs the Temple
Lesson 17 The Death of Elisha
Lesson 18 Amos Foretells Doom for Israel
Lesson 19 Hosea’s Vision of God’s Covenant
Lesson 20 Isaiah Foresees Immanuel’s Birth
Lesson 21 Israel’s Sins Lead to Deportation
Lesson 22 What Does the LORD Require?
Lesson 23 Hezekiah Consults Isaiah
Lesson 24 Manasseh Reigns in Judah
Lesson 25 Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
Lesson 26 Josiah Institutes Reforms
Lesson 27 Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet
Lesson 28 The Fall of Jerusalem

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• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption (2021) looks at biblical prophecy from the time of the Babylonian Exile through the book of Revelation. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: How the Divided Kingdom Came to an End.
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• The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King (2017)—a study of the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: God’s People Ask for a King. The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable; contact us if you’re interested in purchasing a digital version.
• Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume I: Lauds & Vespers (2015)—a study of psalms prayed for Lauds and Vespers using The Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation prepared by the Benedictine monks at Conception Abbey and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the online study page related to Lesson 1: Set a Guard on My Mouth. No videos accompany either volume of this Bible study. Both Volume I and Volume II have been granted an imprimatur. A revision of Volume I based on The Abbey Psalms and Canticles instead of The Revised Grail Psalms is available digitally; Volume II (based on The Abbey Psalms and Canticles) is available in hard copy.
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