David is Anointed King by the Israelites
Old Testament Stories “King David”
If I need guidance, I can ask Heavenly Father.
All Israel anoints David king—He takes Jerusalem and is blessed of the Lord—He conquers the Philistines.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “2 Samuel 5–7; 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11” These verses describe how David prayed for guidance and direction as the king of Israel. How can you inspire the children to turn to God in prayer when they are in need?
- Explain to the children that when David needed help, he “inquired,” or prayed, for answers. As you read 2 Samuel 5:19, 23, invite the children to listen for the word “inquired” and to fold their arms when they hear it. Testify that we can always pray to Heavenly Father when we need help.
Friend November 2017 “Prayers and Pumpkins” Rachel loses her family during a pumpkin walk in Nauvoo. She prays for help and is inspired to talk to a missionary couple. The couple she finds turns out to be Elder Perry and his wife, and they helped her find her family.
- To help the children think about what they might say when they pray, you could ask them how they would finish sentences like these: “We thank Thee for …” and “We ask Thee for …” Let the children draw pictures of things they might give thanks for or ask for in a prayer.
- Tell the children about a time when you prayed for Heavenly Father’s help. How did He answer your prayer? What difference did it make to have Him help you? Invite the children to share their experiences.
David takes the ark to the city of David—Uzzah is smitten for steadying the ark and dies—David dances before the Lord, causing a breach between him and Michal.
Throne shall be established forever through David’s descendent of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is our King.
David offers to build a house for the Lord—The Lord, through Nathan, says He has not asked David to do so—The Lord will establish David’s house and kingdom forever—David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “2 Samuel 5–7; 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11” When David was the king of Israel, the Lord told him that his “throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This promise referred to Jesus Christ, our Eternal King, who was born through David’s posterity. (Perhaps your family would enjoy creating homemade crowns while discussing why you are grateful that Jesus Christ is your Eternal King.)
- Invite one of the children to pretend to be a king or queen. If possible, give the child simple props to hold. What is a king or queen? What do they do? Tell the children that David was a king, and he was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, who we call the “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). Help the children think of ways we can show that we believe Jesus Christ is our Eternal King.
- As the children complete this week’s activity page, sing or play recordings of songs that refer to Christ as our King, such as “He Died That We Might Live Again,” “Called to Serve,” “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” or “I Believe in Christ” (Children’s Songbook, 65, 174–75; Hymns, nos. 66, 134). Ask the children to listen for the word “King” and hold up a picture of Jesus when they hear it. How do we feel when we sing about Jesus?
Jesus Christ is our King. (Older Kids)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “2 Samuel 5–7; 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11” The kings we read about in the Old Testament all had flaws and made mistakes—even the good ones. But the King who was prophesied to come from David’s line, Jesus Christ, is perfect and will reign forever.
- Invite the children to read what the prophet Nathan told King David in 2 Samuel 7:16–17, and ask them what they think this prophecy might mean. How could David’s kingdom have no end? Help the children find and read scripture passages that teach that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is a King, such as Luke 1:32–33; John 18:33–37; and Revelation 19:16. How is Jesus Christ like a king? What are some ways that we can show that Jesus Christ is our Eternal King?
For additional ideas see Following Jesus
- Sing with the children some hymns that refer to Christ as our King, such as “Come, O Thou King of Kings,” “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” or “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (Hymns, nos. 59, 66, 196). What do these hymns teach us about what it means to have Jesus Christ as our King?
Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “Overcoming Temptation” Lesson ideas
David and Bathsheba
I can overcome temptation.
David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives—He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.
The children you teach make small but important decisions every day. How can you help them understand the importance of choosing what’s right even when it’s hard?
- Review 2 Samuel 11 with the children, pointing out the choices David made. Ask the children what good choices David should have made. What are some things we can do when we are being tempted that can help us choose the right?
- To share an example of someone who, unlike David, resisted temptation, ask the children if they remember the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (see Genesis 39:7–12). You might review this story with the children and help them compare it with the story of David. What can we learn from the stories of David and of Joseph about how to resist temptation? (Watch below video until .38)
Lesson 15: Joseph Was Sold into Egypt,” Primary 6: Old Testament Tell the class that the nail, pin, or paper clip represents us. Place it between the two magnets on a flat surface so it can be attracted by one or the other. Show that the further away from “Satan” we are, the less power he has to tempt us. As you move the metal object toward the magnet representing God, explain that the closer we live to the Lord, the more we are influenced by his goodness. When we seek after good, we are less influenced by that which is evil. (What can we do to draw close to God? How can the Holy Ghost help us?)
- Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know that it is harder to avoid temptation when we allow ourselves to get close to it. Discuss with the children how they could distance themselves from temptation in the following situations:
- A plate of your favorite dessert is on the table, ready to be taken to a sick neighbor.
- Your parents have warned you not to swim without someone watching. You are alone by the water on a very hot day; perhaps you could just wade up to your knees …
- Some of your friends are trying to convince you to try smoking a cigarette. Whenever you are with them, they dare you to take just one puff.
- You are troubled by bad thoughts when you read a certain book.You could make a list on the chalkboard of other temptations, such as gossiping, looking at vulgar magazines, using bad language, dressing immodestly, watching inappropriate movies or television shows, telling unclean jokes or stories, listening to improper song lyrics, or using drugs. Discuss strategies for resisting evil, such as removing ourselves from the situation and replacing the temptation with something wholesome. Erase each harmful influence from the chalkboard as it is discussed.
- Someone tries to show you pictures of people who are immodestly dressed. You are tempted to look.
- Someone starts to tell a dirty joke or story. You want to listen.
- A friend tells an unkind story about someone. The thought comes into your mind to spread the gossip.
- You are watching a television program that shows immoral behavior. This program is popular with your friends and you want to watch it.
- You are angry with someone and feel like punching him or her.
- You see your favorite candy bar at the store. The thought comes into your mind to steal it.
Friend June 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities” The Lamb Story
Story: The prophet Nathan told a story about two men. The first man had lots of lambs. The second man had only one lamb. The man with many lambs stole the other man’s lamb. That made the man with only one lamb very sad. It also made Heavenly Father sad. (See 2 Samuel 12:1–4.)
Song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79)
Activity: Act out the story of the two men and the lambs. You could use toys or other objects for the lambs. Then act it out again, but this time change the ending! What can the first man do to be kind instead of selfish?
Lesson 30: King David and Bathsheba,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 131–34
To help the children keep their thoughts and actions pure.
Discuss some ways the children can interrupt impure thoughts that may come to them (turn away, leave the situation, replace the bad thoughts with good thoughts and actions, say a prayer, think of an uplifting song or verse of scripture, recite the thirteenth article of faith, and so forth). Challenge the class members to be prepared in advance with a specific replacement for an undesirable thought. Allow them a minute to choose something uplifting they can think of instead. To help the children practice what they will do when a bad thought comes into their mind, play the following game.
For additional teaching ideas see Teaching Children the Gospel “Temptation” and Resources for Teaching Children “Temptation”
The Wisdom of King Solomon
I can walk in the ways of God.
Solomon loves the Lord and keeps His commandments—The Lord appears to Solomon and promises him a wise and an understanding heart—He judges between two harlots and determines who is the mother of a child.
“Lesson 31: The Wisdom of King Solomon,” Primary 6: Old Testament Lesson includes great questions and lesson and story ideas
Attention Activity
Ask the children to name things they would ask for if they knew they could ask Heavenly Father for anything and he would give it to them. Write the children’s ideas on the chalkboard.
Show the children some waterproof items that could represent worldly goods, such as a piece of jewelry, a coin, a pretty rock, and so on. Put the items in a large pitcher or container as you talk about them and discuss how some people spend most of their efforts accumulating material goods. Then add some water to the container to represent good deeds or spiritual gifts as you discuss the kind deeds we can do and the spiritual gifts we can develop, such as helping a family member or friend, gaining a testimony, being honest, or having an understanding heart. Pour the contents of the container through a strainer into another container. Explain that the first container represents someone’s life, the strainer represents death, and the second container represents life after death. Discuss how we cannot take material goods with us when we die, but we do take with us the spiritual gifts we have developed and the good deeds we have done.
Ask the children which of the items on the chalkboard represent things that could last forever and if they would like to change anything they named before. Tell the children that they are going to learn about someone who was able to ask God for one thing, and he chose an eternal, spiritual gift instead of a temporary, earthly one.
Write knowledge, wisdom, and an understanding heart on the chalkboard. Discuss the meaning of each one. Explain that knowledge is learning gained through study or experience; wisdom is using what we have learned in the best way to make right choices; and an understanding heart enables us to know how others feel.
Have the children find the book of Proverbs in their Bibles. Explain that most of these proverbs (wise sayings) were written by Solomon, and because of his great wisdom, these sayings can help us today. (See the lesson link for a list of some of the wise sayings found in Proverbs.)
Two Women, One Baby
Latter Day Kids “Walk in His Ways” Lesson ideas
The Temple of Solomon
The ark, containing the two tablets of stone, is placed in the holy of holies—The glory of the Lord fills the temple—Solomon offers the dedicatory prayer—He asks for temporal and spiritual blessings upon repentant and prayerful Israel—The people sacrifice and worship for fourteen days.
Explain to the children that David, Solomon’s father, had wanted to build a temple but was denied the privilege. The Lord instead chose Solomon to direct the seven years of construction. When the elaborate temple (much of it was overlaid with gold) was finished, the priests carried the ark of the covenant, which contained the two tablets of stone the Lord gave Moses, “to the most holy place” of the building (1 Kings 8:6). Then the glory of the Lord filled the temple (see 1 Kings 8:10–11), and Solomon offered the dedicatory prayer (see 1 Kings 8:22–53.)
For the Israelites, building and dedicating the temple was an opportunity to turn their hearts to the Lord and recommit to “walk in all his ways” (1 Kings 8:58). How can you help the children you teach “walk in all his ways”?
- Show the children a picture of a modern temple and the temple that Solomon built (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Explain that when Solomon built a temple for the Israelites, he encouraged them to “walk in all [the Lord’s] ways” (1 Kings 8:58). Tell the children how the temple helps you walk in the Lord’s ways. Invite the children to share how they feel about the temple. Sing with the children a song about the temple, such as “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95).
For additional lesson ideas see Temple, Resources for Teaching Children: Temples,
- Give some of the children paper hearts and other children paper footprints. Read 1 Kings 8:58, and ask the children to hold up the hearts when you say the word “hearts” and the footprints when you say the phrase “walk in all his ways.” Help the children understand that we walk in the Lord’s ways when we follow Jesus and try to become like Him. Ask the children what they do to walk in the Savior’s ways. You could sing a song about following Jesus, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).
Old Testament Coloring Book “The Temple of Solomon”
Solomon Turns from God
I will keep my heart centered on Jesus Christ
Solomon marries non-Israelite women, and his wives turn his heart to the worship of false gods—The Lord stirs up adversaries against him, including Jeroboam, the son of Nebat—Ahijah promises Jeroboam that he will be the king of the ten tribes—Solomon dies and Rehoboam reigns in his stead.
What are some “other gods” (verse 10) that could turn our hearts away from the Lord? How can we keep our hearts centered on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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