26

2 Samuel 1–12

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
2 Samuel 1–4. David Ascended the Throne of Judah After the Death of Saul David learned of the death of Saul and slew the Amalekite who said he had killed Saul (see 2 Samuel 1:1–16). David lamented the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (see 2 Samuel 1:17–27). David was anointed king of Judah; his followers defeated the followers of Ishbosheth, who became king of Israel (see 2 Samuel 2). Abner, a captain of Saul’s army, deserted to David; he was later slain by Joab (see 2 Samuel 3). Ishbosheth, king of Israel, was also slain; those who slew him were put to death by David (see 2 Samuel 4).	Religion 301 student manual, 26-1 through 26-6.
2 Samuel 5–10; 12:26–31. David Became King of All Israel and Prospered All Israel united under David, and he took control of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:1–16). David soundly defeated the Philistines (see 2 Samuel 5:17–25). The ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem; Uzzah was slain for steadying it enroute (see 2 Samuel 6). The Lord would not permit David to build a temple but promised to establish his kingdom forever (see 2 Samuel 7:1–17). David accepted the Lord’s word on the matter (see 2 Samuel 7:18–29). David’s reign was punctuated by victories over Israel’s enemies (see 2 Samuel 8). David restored the property of Saul to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, and cared for him as a son (see 2 Samuel 9). David’s army smote the Syrians and Ammonites for their offenses against Israel (see 2 Samuel 10; 12:26–31).	Religion 301 student manual, 26-7 through 26-16; 26-23. Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 5–9. 1 Chronicles 22:7–10; 28:2–6. Why was David not allowed to build the temple? 1 Chronicles 22:1–4; 28:11–19; 29:2–5. What did David do to prepare for building the temple? Numbers 1:51. Why was Uzzah smitten when he steadied the ark?
2 Samuel 11:1–12:25. David Committed Heinous Sins, Which Brought Condemnation upon Him David committed adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1–5). In seeking to hide his sin, David caused Uriah’s death (see 2 Samuel 11:6–27). Nathan the prophet confronted David with his sin and pronounced judgment on him (see 2 Samuel 12:1–14). The child born of David and Bathsheba’s illicit act died soon after birth (see 2 Samuel 12:15–23; JST, 2 Samuel 12:13). A second son, Solomon, was born to David and Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 12:24–25).	Religion 301 student manual, 26-17 through 26-22. James 1:14–15. What causes men to commit such sins as David committed? D&C 42:22–23. What is the result of lust? 3 Nephi 12:27–30. What did Jesus say we must do to avoid lust? Psalm 16:9–10. What promise did David finally receive? D&C 132:38–39. What did Joseph Smith learn about David’s punishment for his sins? MF, pp. 103–15. What power do thoughts have over actions? How can we control our thoughts? MF, pp. 61–65. How serious is the sin of adultery? MF, pp. 346–52. Can forgiveness be obtained for adultery? TPJS, p. 188. How long must David wait for his sin to be set aside? TPJS, p. 339. Did David ever have the fulness of the priesthood? What will happen to his throne and kingdom and to the priesthood he received?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

David, a Mighty King of Israel (Sections A–B)

Discuss with your class whether it is possible to negate a lifetime of good deeds with one or two acts of wickedness (see Ezekiel 18:24). Such was David’s condition.

Use the following scriptures to show how righteous David was in his early life: 1 Samuel 17; 24; 26; 2 Samuel 5:17–25; 7:1–17; 9; Psalms 8; 13; 15; 23; 24. Is it any wonder that David in his youth was said to be “a man after [the Lord’s] own heart”? (1 Samuel 13:14).

Point out that when David assumed the throne of Israel, he continued in God’s ways and the kingdom prospered. During his brilliant reign, David united the several tribes of Israel under one head, secured for Israel the undisputed possession of Canaan, including the city of Jerusalem, and established the kingdom of Israel as a model in which the will of God was followed in all things. For these reasons Israel under David was in later times regarded as a type of that promised golden age when Christ would reign in righteousness. Jesus Christ, himself the promised Messiah, was heralded as the Son of David and the very King of kings who would sit on David’s throne (see Matthew 21:9; Revelations 22:16). Despite all of his successes, David fell when he succumbed to temptation and then tried to hide his sins.

The Most Abominable Sins (Section C)

Point out that though David was righteous in his youth, he did not maintain his spirituality. Briefly refer to David’s sins of adultery and murder. Use Alma 39:5 and statements from President Kimball’s book The Miracle of Forgiveness, pages 61–65 and 127–29, to show the seriousness of those sins. Indicate that one reason David’s sin was so serious was that he destroyed another man’s home. Quote from Miracle of Forgiveness, pages 250–51, to explain and illustrate this concept.

David sought forgiveness all the rest of his life, and at length he received a promise from God that his soul would not stay in hell forever (see Psalm 16:10). David was eventually to be released from punishment for his sins, but he had not yet been released at the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry (see Acts 2:29–34). Quote President Joseph F. Smith’s statement about David’s punishment (see Gospel Doctrine, p. 434). Neither could David inherit exaltation (see D&C 132:38–39). Emphasize the great sorrow that comes from sin.

How Do We Prevent the Tragedy of Sin? (Section C)

Point out that David’s fall started when he allowed himself to dwell on improper thoughts. Ask what David should have done the moment he was tempted. What do Doctrine and Covenants 1:31 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 suggest? Note how David’s sin was steadily compounded: First he looked; then he allowed evil thoughts and lust to dwell in his heart; then he arranged to commit the sin; then he committed it. A modern example of such events is given by President Kimball in Miracle of Forgiveness, pages 114–15. Review James 1:14–15 and point out that yielding to enticement and lust produces sin, and the consequence of sin is spiritual death. Teach the principle found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and testify that we can control our own lusts and the enticing circumstances of a compromising situation.

President David O. McKay illustrated the way an individual can rationalize his sins until those sins become very serious:

“Many years ago a young man came to me while I was president of the European Mission and made a confession of a wrong and sinful act. He justified himself by saying that he happened to be in a bookstore at the closing hour, and when the door was locked he yielded to temptation. He rather blamed the circumstances for his fall.

“But I said, ’It wasn’t the circumstances; it wasn’t the locked door, nor the enticement. You had thought of that before you went to that bookstore. If you had never thought of that act, there would have been no circumstance strong enough to entice or to tempt you, a missionary, to fall. The thought always precedes the act.’” (“Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness,” Instructor, Mar. 1965, p. 86.)

Point out that even after David fell in adultery, he could have acknowledged his wrong and truly repented, but he did not. In fact, his attempt to cover his adultery led him to a worse sin—murder. Only after his sin was revealed to the prophet Nathan did David acknowledge his wickedness. That is often the way it is with sin. Unless we repent speedily, sin tends to multiply itself as it did with David. Read Doctrine and Covenants 10:24–27 with the class. Point out that that is how Satan works. Read carefully with the class a second time the last sentence of Doctrine and Covenants 10:26, and point out that this is precisely what happens when we refuse to repent of sin: we eventually find ourselves trapped in a snare of our own making.

Bear testimony of the importance of avoiding sin and of the need to repent quickly, rather than just planning to repent, when sins have been committed (see Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 210). Assure students that though there are serious consequences of sin, those who do sin may obtain forgiveness through true and complete repentance.