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 study the scriptures, prayerfully seek to know which principles will be most meaningful to members of your class so you can focus on their needs.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

To find out what class members found meaningful in their scripture study, you could ask them to write the reference for a passage that inspired them on slips of paper and then place the papers in a container. Then class members could select papers from the container, and the class could read and discuss the passages.

Teach the Doctrine

2 Samuel 6:1–8

We must do God’s work in His way.

• You might ask class members to read 2 Samuel 6:1–8 and consider what warnings this story might have for us today. The statement by Brigham Young in “Additional Resources” could help. What are some ways we might try to do God’s work in a way other than how He has directed? Why is this dangerous? Perhaps class members could share experiences in which they learned to trust the direction the Lord gives for accomplishing His work.

2 Samuel 11

We should always be on guard against sin.

• Learning from David’s tragic choices recorded in 2 Samuel 11 can help us avoid similar mistakes. Perhaps the class could read together 2 Samuel 11:1–17 and identify choices that David made that led him to sin. What could David have done differently? You could also ask class members to write down a sentence that could help inspire someone to avoid sin, based on what they’ve learned from 2 Samuel 11. Invite a few class members to share their ideas.

• You might use 2 Samuel 11 to discuss the dangers of pornography and other sexual sins. To do this, the class could review together portions of Elder L. Whitney Clayton’s message “Blessed Are All the Pure in Heart” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 51–53). What counsel does Elder Clayton give about the dangers of pornography? You could also watch the video “To Look Upon” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How can the Savior help us overcome these temptations or behaviors?

  Perhaps class members could share ideas they’ve found helpful in their efforts to protect their families from pornography or overcome the effects of pornography. Sister Linda S. Reeves’s message “Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home” can help (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 15–17; see also “Additional Resources”).

The temple is the house of the Lord.

1 Kings 8:22–61

Temples bring blessings.

• 1 Kings 8 describes blessings that Solomon sought for his people as the temple was completed. You might divide verses 22–61 among class members and ask them to share something they find in their verses that inspires them in their temple worship. Class members could share how worshipping in the Lord’s house has blessed their lives.

1 Kings 8:61; 11:1–11

“His heart was not perfect with the Lord.”

• What does it mean to “let [our] heart … be perfect with the Lord”? (1 Kings 8:61). Is that different from our actions being perfect? How so? As class members ponder these questions, they could read 1 Kings 11:1–11 and notice what the Lord says about Solomon’s heart. How can we avoid the mistakes he made?

Additional Resources

Steadying the ark.

President Brigham Young taught: “Let the Kingdom alone, the Lord steadies the ark; and if it does jostle, and appear to need steadying, if the way is a little sideling sometimes, and to all appearance threatens its overthrow, be careful how you stretch forth your hand to steady it; let us not be too officious in meddling with that which does not concern us; let it alone, it is the Lord’s work” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 66).

Protecting families from pornography.

Sister Linda S. Reeves taught: “How do we protect our children and youth? Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior’s atoning sacrifice for each one of us” (“Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 16; see also Joy D. Jones, “Addressing Pornography: Protect, Respond, and Heal,” Ensign, Oct. 2019, 22–27).

Improving Our Teaching

Ensure you are teaching true doctrine. “Continually ask yourself, ‘How will what I am teaching help my class members build faith in Christ, repent, make and keep covenants with God, and receive the Holy Ghost?’” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 20).