Gospel Doctrine OT c 24 The Fall of King David
2 Samuel 11-12, Psalms 51
Read 2 Sam 11:1 : "And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem" (11:1).
No explanation is given as to why David did not personally lead his armies. But it is clear that the way this verse is written, the reader is to take David's inactivity in a negative way. The reason becomes obvious after reading the chapter: David's fall is tied directly to his careless manner in performing his kingly duties. Had he been on the battlefront, he would not have been home where the seduction of ease and complacency beguiled him.
?Why do you think David didn’t go to battle? What were his reasons? What did he tell himself?
With the battle front a great distance away, David must have felt at ease in the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem, where he had everything he needed. It is human nature, however, that when we feel that "all is well in Zion," we becomes careless and lax in the things of righteousness.
Read 2 N 28:21: "And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell"
Of this, Harold B. Lee, taught: "It is frightening to observe that in places where there is the greater prosperity, there is the unmistakable evidence that, like the peoples of other dispensations, when the people prosper they forget God" (Stand Ye in Holy Places: Selected Sermons and Writings of President Harold B. Lee [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975], p. 82.).
?Do you see this happening? How do you combat it?
Sensing little danger, it is easy to remove the armor of God for a brief season. Our relationship with God becomes more casual and less intense. Yet sadly, when the armor of God is removed, we open ourselves to the "fiery darts of the adversary." Thus, it was with David. Paul warned that to protect ourselves against these forces, we should take upon ourselves "the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Eph. 6:12-13). (Bruce Satterfield, Meridian online magazine, June 3, 2014)
Let’s talk about how to put on the whole armour of God so that we can withstand evil, especially in the context of King David and immorality.
We must continually be on the look out for the ways God has provided to escape the temptation. Regarding this, Neal A. Maxwell has given this counsel: "As to our circumstances, the Lord has promised He will either make a way to escape or a way to bear adversity (1 Corinthians 10:13). As to temptation, most of the time there is an obvious way to escape, but prevention--not being enticed in the first place--is more sure and is part of having sufficient faith" (Not My Will, But Thine [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988 ], p.75).
“What To Do” chart
Thoughts Fill your mid with uplifting thoughts
Media Choose media that inspires. If it doesn’t inspire, it might not be worth ( tv, your time.
People Don’t flirt w/ others after marriage, love your spouse with all your heart, continue to “court” (develop your relationship with) your spouse.
Place Ensure that the places you go and the activities you participate in will enable you to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
Pornography, though billed by Satan as entertainment, is a deeply poisonous, deceptive snake that lies coiled up in magazines, the Internet, and the television. Pornography destroys self-esteem and weakens self-discipline. It is far more deadly to the spirit than the rattlesnake my father warned me not to pet. The Bible records that King David was gifted spiritually, but he stood where he should not have stood. He watched what he should not have watched. Those obsessions became his downfall. (David E. Sorensen (presidency of 70), April 2001Gen. Conf., “You Can’t Pet a Rattlesnake”)
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The rest of the story: Bathsheba was with child. David tried to hide his sins. He brought Uriah home from the war and encouraged him to lie with his wife. He would not. He knew where he should be and what he should be doing. He should be with his men at war. Here we see the contrast between David and Uriah. David tries a second time, gets Uriah drunk and encourages him to lie with his wife. Again, Uriah wouldn’t return home. So David sends Uriah to the front lines of the battle, orders the others to stand back and Uriah is killed.
?How and Why do people try to cover up sins today? What happens when we try to cover our sins? Use example of trying to cover a mound of dirt. Covering sins doesn’t work.
Elder Richard G. Scott said: “Do not take comfort in the fact that your transgressions are not known by others. That is like an ostrich with his head buried in the sand. He sees only darkness and feels comfortably hidden. In reality he is ridiculously conspicuous. Likewise our every act is seen by our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son. They know everything about us. …
“If you have seriously transgressed, you will not find any lasting satisfaction or comfort in what you have done. Excusing transgression with a cover-up may appear to fix the problem, but it does not. The tempter is intent on making public your most embarrassing acts at the most harmful time. Lies weave a pattern that is ever more confining and becomes a trap that Satan will spring to your detriment” (Gen Conf, Apr. 1995)
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“If you or someone you know has been poisoned spiritually, there is a spiritual snakebite kit. It’s called repentance. 12 And like the remedy for temporal snakebite, it is most effective if applied quickly and early. It can combat even the most venomous spiritual poisons.” (David E. Sorensen (presidency of 70), April 2001Gen. Conf., “You Can’t Pet a Rattlesnake”)
We read about a repentant King David in Psalms 51.
Read Psalms 51:1-3, Similar to Alma the younger’s experience (Alma 36:17-19).
Read Psalms 51:8-17 – ?What imagery is used to depict repentance?
?How does that help you better understand repentance?
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It all comes down to this. Where are we standing? What are we doing? Where are we looking?
“Oh, how we must look to Christ and live.
The direction of our look is critical. From the rooftop King David “saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Sam. 11:2). He looked across the way, and his heart was filled with lust. He looked; he fell.
Judas Iscariot fixed his eye upon thirty pieces of silver. Greed overcame his righteous desires. His misplaced look cost his life, his soul, and the thirty coins. (See Matt. 27:3–10.)
Our looks must not be allowed to wander across the way or to become fixed upon the perishable things of the world. The eye, “the light of the body” (Matt. 6:22), must be trained to look upward. We must look to God and live!” (Carlos E. Asay, Oct. 1978 Gen. Conf., “Look To God and Live”)
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