“2 Kings 18–19: Trusting the Lord God of Israel,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)
“2 Kings 18–19: Trusting the Lord God of Israel,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
2 Kings 16–25: Lesson 86
2 Kings 18–19
Trusting the Lord God of Israel
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and will help us as we put our trust in Them. After the Assyrians conquered Samaria, they began attacking Judah. King Hezekiah and his people turned to the Lord for strength and protection. The Lord delivered them from the Assyrians. This lesson can help increase students’ trust that the Lord will help them face their challenges.
Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to share an experience when they felt God’s support during a challenging time.
Possible Learning Activities
During hard times
Consider beginning class by writing the following words in the middle of the board: helpless, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful, and doubtful. Then you could write one of the following questions on the left side of the board and the other question on the right side of the board. Students could write their answers to each question on the board.
-
What are situations where a teenager might feel one or more of these emotions?
-
Where might teenagers turn to for help when they experience these emotions?
You could then invite students to think or write in their study journal about a current or future situation where they might feel similar emotions. Students will have an opportunity to refer back to these emotions later in the lesson.
Reflect on the following questions as they relate to your own personal situation:
-
When you experience these emotions, where do you turn for help?
-
How confident are you that the Lord will help you when you turn to Him?
Throughout the lesson today, think about how the Lord can help you when you experience these emotions now or in the future. Pay attention to the impressions that come to your mind and heart from the Holy Ghost.
Hezekiah trusts the Lord
Explain to students that this lesson will focus on how Hezekiah, the king of Judah, chose to turn to the Lord for help when he and his people faced great challenges.
Read 2 Kings 18:1–7, looking for what Hezekiah did when he became king.
-
What did you find?
-
What principles can we learn from verses 5–7?
Help students identify principles such as: As we trust in the Lord and keep His commandments, He will be with us.
Likening the scriptures to our lives
Israel, the nation on Judah’s northern border, was conquered by Assyria. Then, the Assyrians attacked Hezekiah’s people and captured all the fortified cities in their kingdom (see 2 Kings 18:9–13). Assyrian messengers then came to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, to deliver a warning to Hezekiah and his people.
-
Look back at the emotions on the board. Which emotions do you think the people of Jerusalem might have been feeling?
Consider using the handout “An Example of Trusting the Lord” to help students understand the principle they identified earlier and make connections between Hezekiah and their lives.
Students could complete the handout in groups or partnerships. You could invite students to reorganize groups after completing each section of the handout, giving students opportunities to work with and get to know other members of the class.
Questions that help students find personal relevance to the scripture block can allow the Lord to teach and inspire them personally. The questions in the handout could help students relate the verses they studied to their own lives.
For additional training on helping students find relevance in the scripture block, see: “Help learners find personal relevance in the doctrine of Jesus Christ” in Teacher Development Skills.
The Lord is with us
Read 2 Kings 19:32–35, looking for how the Lord delivered Hezekiah and his people.
-
What did you find?
Consider inviting students to mark the phrase “For I will defend this city, to save it” in 2 Kings 19:34. As needed, explain that the Lord’s deliverance will come in His time and way.
To help students consider ways the Lord helps us face our challenges, you could show “Heavenly Father Knows Me” (3:18) and ask students to look for how Heavenly Father delivered this young woman from a challenge she faced. Then, invite students to share their own experiences. You might consider sharing a personal experience of trusting the Lord or how He has helped you during difficult times.
-
How have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ supported you or someone you know during a difficult situation?
You could also let students feel the power of a prophetic testimony of the Savior to end class. To do this, you could invite students to read Alma 36:3 or the following statement.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, testified of the power of trusting God.
Rather than dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness, and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart for the return of Jesus the Christ?
As His covenant people, we need not be paralyzed by fear because bad things might happen. Instead, we can move forward with faith, courage, determination, and trust in God as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead. (“Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 106)
Encourage students to trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ during hard times.