2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11: Lesson 77
2 Samuel 11–12
“We Cannot Hide Our Sins from the Lord”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
Only one perfect person has ever lived on the earth: Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23). The question is not whether we have given in to temptation. Rather, the question is this: How do we respond when we fall short? This lesson can help you recognize that you cannot hide your sins from the Lord, but you can turn to Him to overcome temptation.
Study the Scriptures
Where do you feel you are in the following image? What are some things the Lord invites us to do to turn to Him? What lies might Satan use to convince us to turn away from the Lord?
Take a moment to invite the Holy Ghost to help you recognize thoughts or actions in your life that turn you toward or away from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
With the Lord by his side, David defeated Goliath, conquered enemies in battle, and became king of Israel. However, he made some choices that caused him to turn away from the Lord rather than move closer to Him.
Read 2 Samuel 11:1–5. Highlight decisions David made that led him in the wrong direction. You could tag these verses as “choices.”
We all face temptations that we need to resist. Knowing this, the Lord gave a powerful reassurance in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Read this verse, looking for the help the Lord has promised us. Think about what this promise helps you to understand about Him.
Rather than repent of his sins, David continued trying to hide them. Here are some actions David took to cover his sins:
|
Action |
David’s Choice |
|---|---|
Action David learned that Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:5). | David’s Choice David tried to make it look like Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, was the father (2 Samuel 11:6–8, 12). |
Action Uriah would not go home to be with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:9–11, 13). | David’s Choice David sent Uriah to the front of a fierce battle in which Uriah and others were killed (2 Samuel 11:14–17). |
Eventually, the prophet Nathan learned about David’s actions and spoke with him. Read 2 Samuel 12:1–10, looking for what Nathan said to David.
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What stands out to you from this parable?
An important truth we can learn from David’s experience is that we cannot hide our sins from the Lord. You may want to make a note of this truth at the beginning of 2 Samuel 12.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.
Option A
How can God help me resist the temptation to sin?
David could have turned back to the Lord many times. Knowing gospel truths can help us resist the temptation to turn away from the Lord. Using the chart below, choose two decisions that led David away from the Lord. Read the corresponding teachings of the Savior and His prophets. Record in your notebook how remembering these truths could have helped David make better choices.
|
David’s Decision |
Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
|---|---|
David’s Decision 2 Samuel 11:1—David remained in Jerusalem when kings went to the battlefield with their army. | Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
David’s Decision 2 Samuel 11:2—David saw Bathsheba washing herself and continued to look upon her. | Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
David’s Decision 2 Samuel 11:3—David pursued her. | Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
David’s Decision 2 Samuel 11:4—Knowing Bathsheba was married, David had her brought to his palace. | Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
David’s Decision 2 Samuel 11:4—David broke the law of chastity. | Teachings of the Savior and His Prophets |
Option B
What do I do if I have turned away from the Lord?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy said:
Repentance is God’s ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be “a lifetime curriculum.” (“Until Seventy Times Seven,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2018, 22)
Watch one or more of the following videos:
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“The Savior Wants to Forgive” (5:50)
5:50 -
“Let God Guide You: From Weakness to Strength” (from time code 2:51 to 5:28)
6:7 -
“Repentance: A Joyful Choice” (4:36)
4:36
Record in your notebook thoughts or feelings you want to remember when you or someone you know is feeling tempted to walk away from the Lord.
Now What?
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
My dear young friends, if the Savior were here right now, what would He say to you?
I believe He would start by expressing His deep love for you. …
And yet, because we’re all weak and imperfect, some concerns might creep into your mind. You might remember mistakes you’ve made, times you gave in to temptation, things you wish you hadn’t done—or wish you had done better.
The Savior would sense that, and I believe He would assure you with words He has spoken in the scriptures:
“Fear not.”
“Doubt not.”
“Be of good cheer.”
“Let not your heart be troubled.” (“Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 9)
In your notebook, write a letter to yourself that you could read anytime you face or give in to temptation. Include what you know about the Lord and what you have learned from David’s experiences.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you recognize that you cannot hide your sins from the Lord, but you can turn to Him to overcome temptation.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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What you wrote from the Now What? section.
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What you would like to remember from David’s experiences that can help you turn to the Lord.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?