Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Have faith that the Lord understands your needs and wants to bless you. The Spirit can help you know how to apply the gospel principles you discover.
Begin your study with prayer.
How has prayer blessed your life?
As you watch this brief video, look for some reasons why we turn to God in prayer.
In which areas of your life would you like to receive the Lord’s guidance?
As you study 2 Samuel 1–10, you will see how David sought and followed the Lord’s guidance. Look for truths in these chapters that can help you seek the Lord’s guidance.
In 2 Samuel 1–5 we learn that after David mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, he was anointed king of the tribe of Judah. One of Saul’s sons, Ishbosheth, became king of the remaining tribes, and his forces engaged in a long war with David’s forces. After David and his armies prevailed, David was anointed king over all of Israel. One of David’s first challenges as king of Israel was battling the Philistines.
Read 2 Samuel 5:18–19, looking for what David asked the Lord. Also look for what the Lord told David to do and what the Lord promised David in return.
In their first battle with the Philistines, the Lord kept His promise to deliver the Philistines into David’s hands (see 2 Samuel 5:20–21).
Read 2 Samuel 5:22–25, looking for what the Lord told David when the Philistines came up to battle a second time. The word compass (verse 23) means here to circle around.
Quiz 1
According to verses 23–24, what did the Lord tell David to do?
Attack the Philistines head-on.
Circle around behind the Philistines and attack when David and his followers receive the indicated sign from the Lord.
Divide his army into small groups and attack the Philistines when they see the ark of the covenant.
Why was David successful in his military campaign against the Philistines? (See verses 19 and 23.)
His soldiers outnumbered the Philistines.
He relied on his own strength and the strength of his men.
He prayed and acted on the direction he received from the Lord.
We can learn the following principle from David’s example: If we inquire of the Lord and follow His direction, then He can guide us and help us succeed in our righteous endeavors.
Think about the importance of not only asking the Lord for guidance but also following His direction.
1. Answer the following questions. Be sure to not share anything that is too sacred or private.
When have you or someone you know sought and received direction from the Lord and then acted in faith on the direction received?
What blessings or strength came from acting on the Lord’s direction?
How did this experience increase your trust in the Lord and give you courage to act on His direction in the future?
As you read this description of the ark of the covenant, think about what the ark symbolized for the Israelites: The ark of the covenant was the symbol of God’s presence and showed His glory and majesty. When first given to Israel, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and not even the priest was allowed to approach it. Only the high priest, a type (or symbol) of Christ, could approach it, and then only after going through an elaborate ritual of personal cleansing and repentance.
When moving the ark, priests were required to use poles running through rings on the sides to carry it. According to Numbers 4:15, the consequence for touching the ark without authorization was death.
In 2 Samuel 6 we learn about something that happened while David was transporting the ark of the covenant from Gibeah to his new capital, Jerusalem.
Read 2 Samuel 6:3–7, looking for what happened to Uzzah when he tried to keep the ark from falling.
Why do you think this happened to Uzzah?
The Dangers of Steadying the Ark
Steadying the ark can be compared to trying to correct something in the Church without having received the authority to do so.
Read the following statement by President David O. McKay (1873–1970), looking for additional dangers that come from seeking to correct or direct Church leaders or members without the authority to do so.
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David O. McKay
“It is a little dangerous for us to go out of our own sphere and try unauthoritatively to direct the efforts of a brother. You remember the case of Uzzah who stretched forth his hand to steady the ark. He seemed justified when the oxen stumbled in putting forth his hand to steady that symbol of the covenant. We today think his punishment was very severe. Be that as it may, the incident conveys a lesson of life. Let us look around us and see how quickly men who attempt unauthoritatively to steady the ark die spiritually. Their souls become embittered, their minds distorted, their judgment faulty, and their spirit depressed. Such is the pitiable condition of men who, neglecting their own responsibilities, spend their time in finding fault with others” (David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 60).
What principle can we learn from the account of Uzzah?
From the account of Uzzah seeking to steady the ark, we can learn the following principle: Those who attempt to direct God’s work without His authority bring spiritual death upon themselves.
2. Answer the following questions:
What are some examples of how people today are trying to correct or direct God’s work even though they lack the authority to do so?
How can we avoid correcting Church leaders or directing God’s work without authority?
We read in 2 Samuel 7:1–2 that while David was resting in his house, he was concerned about where the ark of the covenant was being kept. David wondered if he should build a temple to house the ark of the covenant.
According to 2 Samuel 7:5, 12–13, the Lord told the prophet Nathan that David should not build a temple. However, the Lord said He would establish David’s house (his throne and kingdom) forever (see verses 13, 16). He also said that one of David’s descendants would build the temple. In 2 Samuel 7:18–29 we read that David expressed his heartfelt awe and gratitude that the Lord would bless him so greatly.
In 2 Samuel 8–10 we learn that the Lord blessed and preserved David as he reigned in righteousness. David also honored the covenant he had made with Jonathan by receiving Jonathan’s son into his home and giving him all of the land belonging to the house of Saul.
Turn to the Doctrinal Mastery Reference Guide, and review the key phrases of the following doctrinal mastery passages: Jeremiah 1:4–5; Ezekiel 3:16–17; Amos 3:7. Then take the quiz.
Quiz 2
Match the doctrinal mastery passage on the left with its key phrase on the right:
