Lesson 95

2 Samuel 12:10–24:25

Introduction

The prophet Nathan confronted King David about David’s adultery with Bathsheba and Uriah’s murder. Nathan explained that the consequences of David’s actions would affect David, his family, and the entire kingdom. In fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecies, the turmoil and strife in David’s household led to a civil war that threatened to destroy the kingdom.

Suggestions for Teaching

2 Samuel 12:10–31

Nathan prophesies of the consequences of David’s sins

Before class write the following phrases on the board:

Cheating on a homework assignment

Lying to parents

Refusing to forgive someone

Invite students to read the phrases on the board aloud.

• What are some possible unforeseen consequences of making these choices?

Ask a student to recount the sinful choices King David made involving Bathsheba and Uriah. (David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed.)

Explain that after the prophet Nathan taught the parable of the ewe lamb, he told David the consequences of his choices and actions. Invite students to look for principles as they study 2 Samuel 12–24 that can help them when they are tempted to sin.

Invite a few students to take turns reading aloud from 2 Samuel 12:10–14. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the consequences of King David’s sinful choices. Invite students to consider marking these consequences in their scriptures.

• What consequences would result from David’s sins?

• What do you think the phrase “the sword shall never depart from thine house” means (verse 10)? (Explain that the sword is symbolic of violence and war. For the rest of David’s life and reign as king, conflict and war would plague his family and kingdom.)

• Who else would be affected by David’s sins? (People in his kingdom, including his wives and children.)

• What principle can we identify from these verses about the consequences of sin? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify the following principle: When we choose to sin, we may bring unforeseen and long-term consequences upon ourselves and others.)

To help students understand that some choices may have long-term consequences even after we repent and are forgiven, invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“It is a fundamental truth that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed. We can become virtuous and pure. However, sometimes our poor choices leave us with long-term consequences. One of the vital steps to complete repentance is to bear the short- and long-term consequences of our past sins” (Richard G. Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 82–83).

Help students understand the meaning of doctrine and principles

Once students identify doctrine and principles found in the scriptures, you can guide discussions that help them better understand these truths. These discussions can help students analyze the meaning of a principle, understand the principle’s relationship to other truths, and identify ways to apply the principle in their lives.

• What are some examples of poor choices that might result in unforeseen and long-term consequences both for us and for others?

Summarize the rest of 2 Samuel 12 by explaining that the child born to David and Bathsheba died, as Nathan prophesied. David and Bathsheba had another son, whom they named Solomon.

2 Samuel 13–18

Turmoil and strife in David’s family lead to civil war

Invite students to think about the last time they became angry:

• What are some of the dangers of getting angry?

• Who do you know that does very well at not getting angry?

Encourage students to look for truths as they study 2 Samuel 13–18 about the danger of not controlling anger.

Explain that 2 Samuel 13–18 describes tragic events involving two of King David’s sons, Amnon and Absalom. These chapters also show the fulfillment of the prophesied consequences of David’s sins. In 2 Samuel 13, David’s son Amnon acted on his lustful feelings for his half-sister Tamar and sexually assaulted her. After satisfying his lustful desires, Amnon despised Tamar and sent her away. Both David and his other son Absalom were angry because of Amnon’s wicked actions.

• How does acting out on lustful desires bring heartache and pain to those who are affected by those actions?

Explain that Absalom waited two years, then deceived King David into letting all of the king’s sons, including Amnon, travel to a place called Baal-hazor to help shear Absalom’s sheep.

Invite a student to read 2 Samuel 13:28–29 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what happened when King David’s sons were with Absalom. Invite students to share what they find.

• What did Absalom’s unchecked anger lead him to do?

• What can we learn from this account of Absalom and Amnon? (From students’ responses, help them identify the following truth: If not controlled, anger can lead to sin and violent actions.

Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy. Invite students to listen for what Elder Robbins taught about controlling anger:

“A cunning part of [Satan’s] strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, ‘I lost my temper.’ Losing one’s temper is an interesting choice of words that has become a widely used idiom. To ‘lose something’ implies ‘not meaning to,’ ‘accidental,’ ‘involuntary,’ ‘not responsible’—careless perhaps but ‘not responsible.’

“‘He made me mad.’ This is another phrase we hear, also implying lack of control or agency. This is a myth that must be debunked. No one makes us mad. Others don’t make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose!

“To those who say, ‘But I can’t help myself,’ author William Wilbanks responds: ‘Nonsense.’

“‘Aggression, … suppressing the anger, talking about it, screaming and yelling,’ are all learned strategies in dealing with anger. ‘We choose the one that has proved effective for us in the past. Ever notice how seldom we lose control when frustrated by our boss, but how often we do when annoyed by friends or family?’ (‘The New Obscenity,’ Reader’s Digest, Dec. 1988, 24; emphasis added)” (Lynn G. Robbins, “Agency and Anger,” Ensign, May 1998, 80).

• What did you learn about controlling anger from Elder Robbins’s statement?

Give students a few minutes to respond to the following questions in their study journals. (It may be helpful to have these questions written on the board or on slips of paper for each student.)

• When has the Lord helped you control your anger? What blessings came as a result of that choice?

• How did that experience strengthen your faith in the Savior?

• What choices can you make today to access the Savior’s help to control anger?

Summarize 2 Samuel 14–18 by explaining that after Absalom had Amnon killed, he escaped justice by running away and seeking protection from Talmai, the son of the king of Geshur. After three years, he reconciled with his father, King David, and he was allowed to return to Jerusalem. However after his return, he began conspiring to overthrow King David and eventually succeeded in driving him and the rest of his family and supporters out of Jerusalem. The two sides began a violent struggle for the kingdom. During the battle between Absalom’s supporters and King David’s men, Absalom became entangled in a tree. When Joab, the captain of King David’s army, found Absalom, he killed him. Invite a student to read 2 Samuel 18:33 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how David reacted to the death of his son.

• Why do you think David wept over his son’s death even though Absalom had rebelled?

• What effects did the choices of King David, Amnon, and Absalom have on their family?

You might consider sharing your testimony of the short- and long-term effects your choices have had on you and your family. (Be careful to not share past transgressions or sins. You may want to focus on the effects of positive choices you have made.) Encourage students to make righteous choices that can bless them and their families both now and in the future.

2 Samuel 19–24

Insurrection, famine, and pestilence threaten David’s kingdom

Summarize 2 Samuel 19–24 by explaining that after Absalom’s death, David returned to Jerusalem. Another rebellion among the tribes of Israel was quickly put down by Joab, who led David’s army. Israel suffered a famine that lasted three years. King David displeased the Lord by counting the number of men in Judah and Israel who could serve in the military. The scriptures do not explain why this numbering of the people was offensive, but it might have been representative of David’s trust in the strength of his army rather than in the power of God. To save the people from a plague, David offered sacrifices to the Lord.

Commentary and Background Information

2 Samuel 12:14–18. “The child … born unto thee shall surely die”

The following paragraph provides insight into the death of David and Bathsheba’s child:

“The child born of [David and Bathsheba’s] illicit union did not live, but there is no reason to look upon that as ‘punishment’ of the child for the sins of the parents. Removal from this earth by the hand of the Lord must come at one time or another and can be a blessing to an individual, brought about for his best interest at whatever time the Lord sees it to be optimum” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings, 2 vols., 2nd ed. [1972], 1:186).

2 Samuel 13:1–18. “Come lie with me, my sister”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how we can avoid lustful desires:

“Let’s talk for a moment about how to guard against temptation. …

“Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. … Like Joseph in the presence of Potiphar’s wife [see Genesis 39:1–13], just run—run as far away as you can get from whatever or whoever it is that beguiles you. …

“… Seek … help and welcome it. Talk to your bishop. Follow his counsel. Ask for a priesthood blessing. … Pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you.

“Along with filters on computers and a lock on affections, remember that the only real control in life is self-control. … If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. …

“… Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories. …

“Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Make sure that includes your own home or apartment, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature you keep there. … Go to the temple as often as your circumstances allow. Remember that the temple arms you ‘with [God’s] power, … [puts His] glory … round about [you], and [gives His] angels … charge over [you]’ [D&C 109:22]” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 45, 46).

2 Samuel 13:11–14, 22–29. Learning to bridle our passions

Speaking of the need to bridle the passions and desires of the natural man, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

“The precise nature of the test of mortality … can be summarized in the following questions: Will my body rule over my spirit, or will my spirit rule over my body? Will I yield to the enticings of the natural man or to the eternal man? That, brothers and sisters, is the test. We are here on the earth to develop godlike qualities and to learn to bridle all of the passions of the flesh (see Alma 38:12)” (David A. Bednar, “Ye Are the Temple of God,” Ensign, Sept. 2001, 17).

2 Samuel 13:4. Love versus lust

To help students understand the difference between love and lust, invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Tad R. Callister, who served in the Presidency of the Seventy:

“Satan is the great counterfeiter. He tries to [present] lust as love. There is a simple test to detect the difference. Love is motivated by self-control, obedience to God’s moral laws, respect for others, and unselfishness. On the other hand, lust is motivated by disobedience, self-gratification, and lack of discipline” (Tad R. Callister, “The Lord’s Standard of Morality,” Ensign, Mar. 2014, 48).