Understanding the Scriptures
2 Samuel 11
| Expired (v. 1) | Ended | |
| Besieged (v. 1) | Attacked | |
| Purified from her uncleanness (v. 4) | Ceremonially clean according to the part of the law of Moses having to do with menstrual cycles and pregnancy | |
| Conceived (v. 5) | Became pregnant | |
| Retire (v. 15) | Retreat, don’t support | |
| Charged (v. 19) | Commanded |
2 Samuel 12
| Lay in his bosom (v. 3) | Lay down to sleep right next to him | |
| Dress, dressed (vv. 4–5) | Prepare, prepared | |
| Wayfaring (v. 4) | Traveling | |
| Despised (vv. 9–10) | Taken lightly | |
| Blaspheme (v. 14) | Express great disrespect of the Lord and his religion | |
| Vex (v. 18) | Be upset | |
| Under (v. 31) | To work with |
2 Samuel 12:1—“The Lord Sent Nathan unto David”
When repentance is true and sincere, the sinner confesses to God, to those he or she has offended, and to his or her priesthood leader when the sin is as serious as David’s was (see D&C 58:42–43). David’s discussion with Nathan, however, happened after the birth of the baby David fathered with Bathsheba. Therefore, the discussion must have been at least nine months after David’s first transgression. Furthermore, the Lord had to send Nathan to David instead of David going to Nathan to confess. What do you learn about David’s remorse and repentance if, after such a long time, Nathan had to come to David to confront him about his sin?
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–E) as you study 2 Samuel 11–12.
Switch Points
Make the following chart in your notebook, and then fill in the blanks with information you learn from 2 Samuel 11 as well as with your own thoughts. There may be more than one item in the middle column.
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Decisions That Changed David’s Life | ||
|---|---|---|
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Verses |
What David did |
What David should have done |
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1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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6–8, 14–17 |
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26–27 |
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Switch Points Today
You probably noticed that each “switch point” brought David closer and closer to sin. Write a short letter as if you were writing to someone your age and warn him or her about “switch points” you believe will be faced that could lead to immoral actions. A For the Strength of Youth booklet (36550) may provide some suggestions. Also use David’s story to help this person see the consequences of such choices.
Interpret the Parable
Explain Nathan’s parable in 2 Samuel 12:1–4 as it applied to David. Tell what each specific part of the parable represents.
Feelings of Remorse
Sometime after his discussion with Nathan, David wrote Psalm 51. Read Psalm 51 and write what you think David would say to someone who believes that sin is nothing to worry about because you can always repent (see also D&C 132:38–39).
A Big Change
Compare the kind of man David was when he fought Goliath to the kind of man he was in 2 Samuel 11–12 when he committed serious sins. Why do you think there is such a difference? How can people change so drastically?
