Institute
Lesson 25: 1 Samuel 16–31

“Lesson 25: 1 Samuel 16–31,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 49–50

“1 Samuel 16–31,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 49–50

25

1 Samuel 16–31

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. 1 Samuel 16:1–18:7. David Was Anointed to Be King of Israel, and He Served in the House of Saul

    1. David was anointed to be king of Israel by Samuel (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13).

    2. Saul chose David as his armor bearer (see 1 Samuel 16:14–23; JST, 1 Samuel 16:14–16, 23).

    3. David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord and slew him (see 1 Samuel 17).

    4. A strong bond of love united David and Jonathan (see 1 Samuel 18:1–4).

    5. Saul made David a military leader, and he was honored by the people (see 1 Samuel 18:5–7).

Religion 301 student manual, 25-1 through 25-12.

Alma 56:46–47. What advantage do the righteous have in times of military conflict?

Moroni 7:33. What can an individual with faith do? (see also 1 Samuel 17:45–47).

1 Samuel 19:1–7, 20. How did Jonathan’s love for David help David?

Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1974, pp. 113–16. How can we defeat the Goliaths in our lives?

Thomas S. Monson, in CR, Oct. 1967, pp. 130–32. The story of David and Goliath is reviewed and applied to our lives.

  1. 1 Samuel 18:8–27:12. David Lived As a Fugitive Pursued by Saul

    1. Saul became jealous of David and sought to kill him (see 1 Samuel 18:8–19:11; JST, 1 Samuel 18:10; 19:9).

    2. David was pursued by Saul’s servants (see 1 Samuel 19:12–24).

    3. Jonathan arranged with David a means of secretly communicating Saul’s intent toward him (see 1 Samuel 20).

    4. David received aid from Ahimelech the priest and gained followers as he fled from place to place (see 1 Samuel 21:1–22:5).

    5. Saul slaughtered eighty-five priests and their families for aiding David (see 1 Samuel 22:6–23).

    6. David saved Keilah from the Philistines and continued to flee from Saul (see 1 Samuel 23).

    7. Abigail appeased David’s wrath against Nabal and later became David’s wife (see 1 Samuel 25).

    8. David twice spared Saul’s life, after which they separated (see 1 Samuel 24, 26).

    9. David dwelt among the Philistines to preserve his life (see 1 Samuel 27).

Religion 301 student manual, 25-12 through 25-32.

Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 3–4.

Proverbs 6:34. What influence does jealousy have on an individual? (see also D&C 67:10).

D&C 98:23–30. How will the Lord respond to those who spare their enemies, although they may be justified in killing them?

2 Samuel 9. How did David show kindness to Jonathan’s family in return for Jonathan’s kindness to him?

  1. 1 Samuel 28–31. Saul Died in Dishonor

    1. When the Philistines gathered their armies for warfare against Israel, Saul inquired of the witch of Endor for revelation (see 1 Samuel 28; JST, 1 Samuel 28:9, 11–15).

    2. The Philistines refused the help of David and his army (see 1 Samuel 29).

    3. David smote the Amalekites (see 1 Samuel 30–31).

    4. The Philistines defeated Israel and killed Saul and three of his sons (see 1 Samuel 31).

Religion 301 student manual, 25-33 through 25-37.

Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 1.

Leviticus 19:31. What was the Lord’s command about seeking counsel from those who had familiar spirits? (see also Leviticus 20:6, 27).

2 Samuel 1. How did David respond to news of the death of Saul and Jonathan?

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.

Use of the Books of Chronicles (Sections A–C)

There are no lesson outlines in the instructor’s guide for the books of Chronicles since most of the material in them is a repetition of material found elsewhere in the Old Testament. There is, however, some material in the books of Chronicles which is found nowhere else in the Old Testament. Use Appendixes A and B to identify that material, and then select what you think is valuable from Chronicles to augment the material outlined in this lesson and other lessons.

“Look Not on His Countenance” (Section A)

The selection of David as king of Israel shows the vast difference between the mind of God and the mind of man. Review 1 Samuel 16:1–13 with the class. Then call to mind Saul’s impressive appearance at the time he was chosen by Samuel to be Israel’s king (see 1 Samuel 9:2; 10:23). Could Samuel have been looking for an equally impressive person? What lesson does the Lord teach the prophet here? (see 1 Samuel 16:7). How does this principle apply in selecting a mate? in calling one to a position of authority in the Church? in judging men and their motives generally? (see Religion 301 student manual, 25-39).

David’s Combat with Goliath (Section A)

Discuss why David went against Goliath when no one else in Israel was willing to do so. Emphasize 1 Samuel 17:26, 32–37, 45–47. Also use such examples as those in 2 Kings 6:13–18 and Alma 56:46–47 and the principle taught in Moroni 7:33 to teach that the righteous who have faith need not fear any odds.

Use the concepts taught by President Kimball and Elder Monson to relate the story of David and Goliath to the students’ daily activities and struggles.

Respect for the Lord’s Anointed (Section B)

One of the strengths of David’s character was respect for those whom God had chosen (see 1 Samuel 24:3–12; 26:9–12, 21–23; 2 Samuel 1:1–16. Discuss David’s attitude toward Saul and the importance of sustaining the leaders whom the Lord has called to serve over us and of supporting them even though they may have personal weaknesses or may differ with us in opinions on certain issues.

What Led to Saul’s Downfall? (Section B)

A number of things led to Saul’s rejection as Israel’s king and his downfall as a man. Ask the students to name as many of them as they can. The following might be included:

  1. Saul’s disobedience in offering a sacrifice without authority and in failing to slaughter the Amalekites as commanded (see 1 Samuel 13:8–14; 15)

  2. Saul’s jealousy of David’s popularity with the people and his efforts to kill him (see 1 Samuel 18:28–30; 19:1–16; 22–23)

  3. His slaughter of the priests who had showed kindness to David (see 1 Samuel 22:11–19)

  4. Saul’s turning to a witch for enlightenment and revelation (see 1 Samuel 28)

Point out how Saul’s wickedness increased until it became an obsession that drove him mad. Had Saul repented after his first indiscretion, the Lord would have forgiven him. But Saul’s problem was one of pride. He thought he knew better than God and his prophet, and he lost the spirit of God through pride and jealousy.

Read Helaman 13:38. Point out that it can become too late to repent and still maintain one’s favored status. Even when David was chosen to replace Saul as king, Saul did not repent. He compounded his former sins by seeking David’s life. In the end, Saul lost his kingdom, his family, and his life.