King David Enthroned, by Jerry Miles Harston

June 20–26

2 Samuel 5–7; 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11

“Thy Kingdom Shall Be Established for Ever”

As you read the scriptures, the Holy Ghost can give you impressions and inspire you to know what will be most meaningful to the children you teach.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Ask a few children to talk about their experiences reading the scriptures (individually, with their families, or at church). When and where do they read the scriptures? How do they feel when they read the scriptures? What blessings are they receiving for obeying this commandment?

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

2 Samuel 5:19, 23

If I need guidance, I can ask Heavenly Father.

These verses describe how David prayed for guidance and direction as the king of Israel. How can you inspire the children to turn to God in prayer when they are in need?

Possible Activities

• Explain to the children that when David needed help, he “inquired,” or prayed, for answers. As you read 2 Samuel 5:19, 23, invite the children to listen for the word “inquired” and to fold their arms when they hear it. Testify that we can always pray to Heavenly Father when we need help.

• To help the children think about what they might say when they pray, you could ask them how they would finish sentences like these: “We thank Thee for …” and “We ask Thee for …” Let the children draw pictures of things they might give thanks for or ask for in a prayer.

  

  We can pray to Heavenly Father for help and guidance.

• Tell the children about a time when you prayed for Heavenly Father’s help. How did He answer your prayer? What difference did it make to have Him help you? Invite the children to share their experiences.

2 Samuel 7:16

Jesus Christ is our King.

When David was the king of Israel, the Lord told him that his “throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This promise referred to Jesus Christ, our Eternal King, who was born through David’s posterity.

Possible Activities

• Invite one of the children to pretend to be a king or queen. If possible, give the child simple props to hold. What is a king or queen? What do they do? Tell the children that David was a king, and he was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, who we call the “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). Help the children think of ways we can show that we believe Jesus Christ is our Eternal King.

• As the children complete this week’s activity page, sing or play recordings of songs that refer to Christ as our King, such as “He Died That We Might Live Again,” “Called to Serve,” “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” or “I Believe in Christ” (Children’s Songbook, 65, 174–75; Hymns, nos. 66, 134). Ask the children to listen for the word “King” and hold up a picture of Jesus when they hear it. How do we feel when we sing about Jesus?

1 Kings 8:57–58

I can walk in the ways of God.

For the Israelites, building and dedicating the temple was an opportunity to turn their hearts to the Lord and recommit to “walk in all his ways” (1 Kings 8:58). How can you help the children you teach “walk in all his ways”?

Possible Activities

• Show the children a picture of a modern temple and the temple that Solomon built (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Explain that when Solomon built a temple for the Israelites, he encouraged them to “walk in all [the Lord’s] ways” (1 Kings 8:58). Tell the children how the temple helps you walk in the Lord’s ways. Invite the children to share how they feel about the temple. Sing with the children a song about the temple, such as “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95).

• Give some of the children paper hearts and other children paper footprints. Read 1 Kings 8:58, and ask the children to hold up the hearts when you say the word “hearts” and the footprints when you say the phrase “walk in all his ways.” Help the children understand that we walk in the Lord’s ways when we follow Jesus and try to become like Him. Ask the children what they do to walk in the Savior’s ways. You could sing a song about following Jesus, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

2 Samuel 7:16–17

Jesus Christ is our King.

The kings we read about in the Old Testament all had flaws and made mistakes—even the good ones. But the King who was prophesied to come from David’s line, Jesus Christ, is perfect and will reign forever.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read what the prophet Nathan told King David in 2 Samuel 7:16–17, and ask them what they think this prophecy might mean. How could David’s kingdom have no end? Help the children find and read scripture passages that teach that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is a King, such as Luke 1:32–33; John 18:33–37; and Revelation 19:16. How is Jesus Christ like a king? What are some ways that we can show that Jesus Christ is our Eternal King?

• Sing with the children some hymns that refer to Christ as our King, such as “Come, O Thou King of Kings,” “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” or “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (Hymns, nos. 59, 66, 196). What do these hymns teach us about what it means to have Jesus Christ as our King?

2 Samuel 11

I can overcome temptation.

The children you teach make small but important decisions every day. How can you help them understand the importance of choosing what’s right even when it’s hard?

Possible Activities

• Review 2 Samuel 11 with the children, pointing out the choices David made. Ask the children what good choices David should have made. What are some things we can do when we are being tempted that can help us choose the right?

• To share an example of someone who, unlike David, resisted temptation, ask the children if they remember the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (see Genesis 39:7–12). You might review this story with the children and help them compare it with the story of David. What can we learn from the stories of David and of Joseph about how to resist temptation?

Encourage Learning at Home

Help the children think of something they can do to apply what they learned today. Then encourage them to act on their plans.

Improving Our Teaching

Follow up on invitations to act. When you invite the children to act on what they are learning, follow up on your invitation during the next class. This shows the children that you care about how the gospel is blessing their lives. As they share their experiences, they will be strengthened and will help one another live the gospel.