Sunday School: Gospel Doctrine
Lesson 23: ‘The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever’


“Lesson 23: ‘The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever’” Old Testament Class Member Study Guide (2001), 16

“Lesson 23,” Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 16

Lesson 23

“The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever”

1 Samuel 18–20; 23–24

Study the following scriptures:

  1. 1 Samuel 18:1–16. Jonathan and David make a covenant of friendship (18:1–4). David is honored by the Israelites for his success in battle (18:5–7). Saul becomes jealous of David and tries to kill him (18:8–16; note that the Joseph Smith Translation of verse 10 indicates that the evil spirit that came upon Saul was not from God).

  2. 1 Samuel 18:17–30; 19:1–18. David fights the Philistines in exchange for the right to marry Saul’s daughter, unaware that Saul is hoping David will die in battle (18:17–25). David triumphs over the Philistines and marries Saul’s daughter Michal (18:26–28). Jonathan tells David to hide and tries to convince Saul not to kill him (19:1–7). Saul fails in another attempt to kill David (19:9–10). Michal saves David from another of Saul’s attempts on his life (19:11–18).

  3. 1 Samuel 20. Jonathan and David renew their covenant of friendship and peace. When Saul again tries to kill David, Jonathan warns David.

  4. 1 Samuel 23–24. David continues to fight the Philistines and flee Saul. David finds Saul and spares his life.

  • Why do you think Jonathan was not jealous of David or threatened by him? (1 Samuel 18:1, 3.)

  • What prompted Saul to turn against David? (See 1 Samuel 18:6–9.) Why is it sometimes difficult to be happy about the success of others? How do jealousy and pride affect our spiritual well-being?

  • How did faith in God influence the friendship of Jonathan and David? (See 1 Samuel 20:23.) How does our love of God affect our love of others?

  • What does David’s example teach us about revenge? (See 1 Samuel 24:6–15.)

Additional reading: 1 Samuel 14:1–16; 2 Samuel 1.