When I was a junior at BYU, I read Dostoevsky's novel,
Crime and Punishment. While I was reading it, one night I dreamed that I was Raskolnikov, and had killed the old women. I didn't dream the murders themselves, but the terrible feelings of guilt that followed. I kept thinking, I have to go tell my bishop, and I was so ashamed. The sick feeling was so intense, and seemed so real. When I remember that dream, I can still feel those overwhelming, terrible feelings.
Background --
David had unified Israel, had taken Jerusalem and set it up as his capital city, had built a beautiful palace there, had prepared to build a temple, had been told he would not be allowed to, but did receive revelation concerning the blueprint for that temple and concerning his posterity, and the coming of Jesus Christ.
From the Old Testament Institute Manual:
(26-1) Introduction
“If the Latter-day Saints ever hope to make any headway with the Jewish people, they must stop talking about King David as a tragic, sinful figure, for we view him as one of the great figures of our history.” So spoke a Jewish youth to his Latter-day Saint neighbor.
“Was David a good man?” Ask this question among Old Testament scholars, and you will likely be immediately embroiled in a vigorous debate.
Under David Israel reached its golden age, the zenith of its power. For the first time, under his direction the chosen people controlled the whole land promised to Abraham’s seed nearly a thousand years earlier. Israel had not achieved such heights before, nor did they ever again.
Do we emphasize the David who killed Goliath, or the David who killed Uriah? Should we view him as the servant who refused to lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed, or as the Lord’s anointed who lifted his hand against a faithful and loyal servant? Was his life a tragedy, or a triumph?
If a triumph, why, then, has “he fallen from his exaltation” (
D&C 132:39 ) and lost “the greatest of all the gifts of God”? (
D&C 6:13 ). If a tragedy, why is the Messiah prophesied to sit “upon the throne of David” (
Isaiah 9:7 ), and be called “David their king”? (
Jeremiah 30:9 ; see also
23:5–6 ;
30:15–17 ;
Ezekiel 37:24–25 ). Why are we told that Jesus shall receive “the throne of his father David” (
Luke 1:32 ) and that He has “the key of David”? (
Revelation 3:7 ).
In this chapter we read of David as king of Israel. We have already seen him as the shepherd boy turned warrior and as the king’s armor-bearer turned king’s outlaw by Saul’s own madness. Then Saul was dead, and David was king in fact as well as name.
Study his life carefully in this chapter and the next to see if you can answer these questions. Is it an injustice to treat David as a tragedy? How shall we view this great man of history?
_____________________________________
? (
2 Samuel 11:2). What should David have done when he saw Bathsheba?
? What did David do that led him to sin with her? (See
2 Samuel 11:2–4.)
? What might lead people to be tempted to commit sexual sins? What can we do to avoid being tempted to commit sexual sins?
+ Create chart -- scribe?
? What did David attempt to do when he learned that Bathsheba was with child? (See
2 Samuel 11:6–13.
? ? Why did David’s plan fail? (See
2 Samuel 11:11.
? What more serious sin did David commit in an attempt to hide his immorality? (See
2 Samuel 11:14–17.)
? From whom do you think David thought he could hide his sin?
? How do people try to cover up sins today?
? What happens when we try to cover our sins?
" " Elder Richard G. Scott said:
? What parable did the prophet Nathan tell to illustrate how displeased the Lord was with David? (See
2 Samuel 12:1–4.)
? What did David think about the rich man’s actions against the poor man in the parable? (See
2 Samuel 12:5–6.)
? How had David’s actions been like the rich man’s? (See
2 Samuel 12:7–9.)
? How did David react to the Lord’s rebuke? (See
2 Samuel 12:13.)
?Why do you think David failed to recognize that he was represented by the rich man in the parable?
? Why are we sometimes unable to recognize our own sinfulness?
? What were the consequences of David’s sins? (See
2 Samuel 12:10–14. The fulfillment of these prophecies can be found in
2 Samuel 12:15–23 and subsequent chapters of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings; see also
D&C 132:39. Note that adultery is a serious sin, but David forfeited his exaltation because the Lord held him accountable for the murder of Uriah.)
" " President Marion G. Romney said:
? What are some of the immediate consequences of immorality today?
? What are some long-term effects for the unrepentant?
? (
Psalm 51:1–3). Why is it important that we recognize God’s greatness and our own sinfulness when we repent of our sins?
? What must we sacrifice in order to receive forgiveness of our sins? (See
Psalm 51:16–17.)
? What do you think it means to have “a broken and a contrite heart”?
? How are our sins “ever before [us]” before we are forgiven? (
Psalm 51:3).
? How does that change after we have been forgiven? (See
Psalm 51:10;
Alma 36:17–19.)
? How does God look upon our past sins after he has forgiven us? (See
Psalm 51:9;
Isaiah 43:25;
D&C 58:42.)
? David described forgiveness as a cleansing (
Psalm 51:1–2, 7, 9–10), a restoration (
Psalm 51:12), and a deliverance (
Psalm 51:14). Why are these appropriate descriptions of the blessing of God’s forgiveness?
___________________________
Lesson 24: “Create in Me a Clean Heart”,
Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 111
2 Samuel 11–12;
Psalm 51
My addition -- See also 2nd Nephi 22 (whole chapter)
Verse 1: AND in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me.
Institute manual -- David had too much leisure at this time.
(26-18) 2 Samuel 11:3–27 . What Great Lesson Can We Learn from These Verses?
“Things were getting too easy for David; he had leisure to stay at home while Joab and his men were out fighting Ammonites and Syrians. In his leisure he looked from his rooftop at his neighbor’s wife. Leisure and lust led to adultery and then to murder, which sins had eternal repercussions, as well as tragic earthly results. It is one of the shocking and serious warnings of the Old Testament that a man may be ever so good and great and eminent and still have weaknesses which can lead to deeds that entirely overshadow and defeat the better self!” (Rasmussen,
Introduction to the Old Testament, 1:185.)
Prepare --
Upload Psalm 51 from
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ps/51 to play.
Music --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YBadw4G2VA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiJme76-W3I Boys' choir about 4 minutes (3:49) into the segment, they sing
This one is in English:
Kings College:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pNk4AiaPn8&feature=related
From Wikipedia: Miserere, full name "Miserere mei, Deus" (
Latin: "Have mercy on me, O God") by Italian composer
Gregorio Allegri, is a setting of
Psalm 51 (50) composed during the reign of
Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for use in the
Sistine Chapel during
matins, as part of the exclusive
Tenebrae service on Wednesday and Friday of
Holy Week.
Print some of pictures.
Background as stated in the lesson manual:
1 Samuel 25 through
2 Samuel 10 provide important information about the historical setting for this lesson. Since these chapters are not covered in this manual, you may want to summarize them as follows:
Soon after David spared Saul’s life, Saul sought David’s life one more time. Again David had the opportunity to kill the king, but he refused to do so. Battles continued between the people of Judah and the surrounding nations, and Saul and Jonathan were killed in one of those battles. David succeeded Saul as king and became one of the greatest kings in the history of Israel. He united the tribes into one nation, secured possession of the land that had been promised to his people, and set up a government based on God’s law. However, the last 20 years of his life were marred by the sinful decisions that are discussed in this lesson.
Lesson manual:
1. David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.
Teach and discuss
2 Samuel 11.
verse 1 " . . . at the time when kings go forth
to battle, . . . David tarried still at Jerusalem."
He saw.
He enquired.
He took her.
He tried to cover up his sin. Uriah's virtue foiled his planned deception, so
He arranged Uriah's death to cover his sin.
• David was walking on his roof when he saw Bathsheba and was tempted to commit adultery with her (
2 Samuel 11:2). What should David have done when he saw Bathsheba? What did David do that led him to sin with her? (See
2 Samuel 11:2–4.) What might lead people to be tempted to commit sexual sins? What can we do to avoid being tempted to commit sexual sins?
You may want to list class members’ answers on the chalkboard using a chart like the one below. Answers may include the following:
Things to avoid
| How to avoid them
|
Unclean or immoral thoughts
| Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts.
|
Television shows, movies, magazines, books, and music that are pornographic or suggestive in any way
| Choose media that will inspire you to do good.
|
Unwholesome dating activities
| Follow the dating standards taught by latter-day prophets and outlined in For the Strength of Youth.
|
Flirting after marriage
| Love your spouse with all your heart. Continue to “court” (develop your relationship with) your spouse.
|
Places or activities that will not enable you to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
| Ensure that the places you go and the activities you participate in will enable you to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
|
- Elder Richard G. Scott said:
- “Do not take comfort in the fact that your transgressions are not known by others. That is like an ostrich with his head buried in the sand. He sees only darkness and feels comfortably hidden. In reality he is ridiculously conspicuous. Likewise our every act is seen by our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son. They know everything about us. …
- “If you have seriously transgressed, you will not find any lasting satisfaction or comfort in what you have done. Excusing transgression with a cover-up may appear to fix the problem, but it does not. The tempter is intent on making public your most embarrassing acts at the most harmful time. Lies weave a pattern that is ever more confining and becomes a trap that Satan will spring to your detriment” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 103; or Ensign, May 1995, 77).
In trying to hide his sin of adultery, David committed an even greater sin. To discuss the danger of trying to hide our sins, compare sin to a mound of dirt. Illustrate this concept on the chalkboard as shown in the first drawing on page 116.
- • What will happen if we try to cover a small mound of dirt? (The mound will become larger and more visible. Illustrate this concept as shown in the second drawing above.)
- • How is covering our sins like covering a mound of dirt? (Our sinfulness becomes greater and more serious when we try to cover our sins.)
- • If we do not want people to see a mound of dirt, what should we do? (We should remove the mound rather than cover it.) How can we remove sin from our lives?
2. David is told that he will be punished because of his sins.
Jacob 2:9,35 hearts died
D&C 132:39
39
aDavid’s wives and concubines were
bgiven unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the
ckeys of this power; and in none of these things did he
dsin against me save in the case of
eUriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath
ffallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I
ggave them unto another, saith the Lord.
From The Old Testament Student Manual Genesis - 2 Samuel -- Seminaries and Institutes of Religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(26-21) 2 Samuel 12:13 . David Is Still Paying in Hell for His Sins
The Joseph Smith Translation says, “The Lord also hath not put away thy sin” ( JST, 2 Samuel 12:13 ).
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, commenting on David’s sin, said: “David committed a dreadful crime, and all his life afterwards sought for forgiveness. Some of the Psalms portray the anguish of his soul; yet David is still paying for his sin. He did not receive the resurrection at the time of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter declared that his body was still in the tomb, and the Prophet Joseph Smith has said, ‘David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell.’ Again we ask: Who wishes to spend a term in hell with the devil before being cleansed from sin?” ( Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:74.)
POINTS TO PONDER
(26-22) Let us now return to the questions raised in the introduction to this chapter. Should we view David’s life as a triumph or as a tragedy? The answer is not a simple yes or no for either alternative.
Certainly David must be viewed as one of the greatest royal administrators. He never took to himself authority that was not his nor practiced unrighteous dominion. He never lost his perspective, as Saul did. His refusal to lift his hand against Saul because he was the Lord’s anointed is one of the finest examples of loyalty anywhere in the scriptures.
Perhaps Jesus, in His office of Messiah, is constantly tied into David and his reign because David did three things for temporal Israel that typify what Christ will do for spiritual Israel. David united the twelve tribes into one nation under the ultimate leadership of God. For the first time in history, David succeeded in winning the whole extent of the promised land for the covenant people (see Reading 26-14 ). And David established Zion or Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center of Israel.
Nevertheless, no success can compensate for failure in our personal lives or in our families. Consider that David was destined for exaltation, destined to rule in heaven forever and ever as a Creator and a God to his future children. As the Lord said, there is no greater gift that He could offer a man than eternal life (see D&C 6:13 ). David had it within his grasp, and then, in a foolish attempt to hide his sin, sent a man to his death. Had he even come to himself after his transgression with Bath-sheba and sought repentance as sincerely and earnestly as he did after Nathan’s parable, there is every indication that he could have come back and received forgiveness. It would have been difficult, but not impossible. But he did the very thing of which so many are guilty—he compounded his sin by trying to cover it up. Elder Spencer W. Kimball indicated that there is no restitution possible for murder.
“As to crimes for which no adequate restoration is possible, I have suggested . . . that perhaps the reason murder is an unforgivable sin is that, once having taken a life—whether that life be innocent or reprobate—the life-taker cannot restore it. He may give his own life as payment, but this does not wholly undo the injury done by his crime. He might support the widow and children; he might do many other noble things; but a life is gone and the restitution of it in full is impossible. Repentance in the ordinary sense seems futile.
“Murder is so treacherous and so far-reaching! Those who lose their possessions may be able to recover their wealth. Those defamed may still be able to prove themselves above reproach. Even the loss of chastity leaves the soul in mortality with opportunity to recover and repent and to make amends to some degree. But to take a life, whether someone else’s or one’s own, cuts off the victim’s experiences of mortality and thus his opportunity to repent, to keep God’s commandments in this earth life. It interferes with his potential of having ‘glory added upon [his head] for ever and ever.’ ( Abraham 3:26 .)” ( Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 195–96.)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained the limits of David’s eternal inheritance:
“Murderers are forgiven eventually but only in the sense that all sins are forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost; they are not forgiven in the sense that celestial salvation is made available to them. ( Matt. 12:31–32 ; Teachings, pp. 356–357.) After they have paid the full penalty for their crime, they shall go on to a telestial inheritance. ( Rev. 22:15 .)” ( Mormon Doctrine, p. 520.)
From celestial to telestial—that is tragedy. Although David was brave and had great intellect, administrative ability, and faithfulness early in life, he failed in one important thing—to endure to the end.
David was a great example in his fulfillment of his calling as king, and a tragic example in his falling from glory. We can learn from both aspects of his life.
-
3. A repentant David seeks forgiveness.
David pleads for forgiveness after he went in to Bath-sheba—He pleads: Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET CAME UNTO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATH-SHEBA.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and
acleanse me from my sin.
3 For I
aacknowledge my transgressions: and my
bsin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I
asinned, and done
this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be
bjustified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother
aconceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with
ahyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a aclean heart, O God; and brenew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy
apresence; and take not thy
bholy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be
aconverted unto thee.
14
aDeliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not
asacrifice; else would I give
it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The
asacrifices of God
are a broken spirit: a broken and a
bcontrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good
apleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
http://www.jesuswalk.com/greatprayers/images/carolsfeld_davids_punishment420x376.gif
http://www.mainlesson.com/books/hurlbut/bible/zpage317.jpg
See also 2nd Nephi 4
27 And why should I ayield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to btemptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my cpeace and afflict my soul? Why am I dangry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer adroop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the benemy of my soul.
29 Do not
aanger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my
aheart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the
brock of my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou
aredeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of
bsin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my
aheart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may
bwalk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy
arighteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine
benemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have
atrusted in thee, and I will
btrust in thee forever. I will not put my
ctrust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his
dtrust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give
aliberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I
bask cnot amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the
drock of my
erighteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
2 Nephi 9: 35 Wo unto the amurderer who deliberately bkilleth, for he shall cdie.
Suicide: The late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, expressed what many Church leaders have taught: “Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. … Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord’s; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.” (Mormon Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 771; some italics added.)
Jacob 1:15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.
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