2 Samuel David’s Fall

The Point of No Return The point of no return is the point beyond which one must continue on one's current course of action because turning back is physically impossible, prohibitively expensive, or dangerous. A particular irreversible action (e.g., setting off an explosion or signing a contract) can be a point of no return, but the point of no return can also be a calculated point during an action (such as in aviation).

The Point of No Return?

Judge and Jury – I’ll be the judge and you are the jury trying to convict David of a sin. Where did he cross the line? 2 Samuel 11: Samuel 11:6–17 2 Samuel 11:26–27 What did David do after Uriah was dead? – What righteous choice could David have made when he first saw Bathsheba washing herself? – What does the phrase “the woman was very beautiful to look upon” in verse 2 imply that David chose to do? – What principle can we learn from David’s choice to entertain lustful desires?

What is this? “We discovered that a baggage car that belonged in Newark, New Jersey, was in New Orleans, Louisiana—1,500 miles from its destination. Just the three-inch movement of the switch in the St. Louis yard by a careless employee had started it on the wrong track, and the distance from its true destination increased dramatically. That is the way it is with our lives. Instead of following a steady course, we are pulled by some mistaken idea in another direction. The movement away from our original destination may be ever so small, but, if continued, that very small movement becomes a great gap and we find ourselves far from where we intended to go” (President Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: Seek Learning,” New Era, Sept. 2007, 2).

– Video “David and Bathsheba: To Look Upon” (4:15)

Have you ever been caught red handed? 2 Samuel 12:1–9 What can we learn from this account of Nathan exposing David’s sins? “The distance between the Celestial and the Terrestrial Kingdom is measured by inches on earth” (Brother Richards) 2 Samuel 12:1–9 What can we learn from this account of Nathan exposing David’s sins? “The distance between the Celestial and the Terrestrial Kingdom is measured by inches on earth” (Brother Richards)

Choice and Accountability 2 Samuel 12:10–14 What principle can we learn from these verses about the consequences of sin? “It is a fundamental truth that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed. We can become virtuous and pure. However, sometimes our poor choices leave us with long-term consequences. One of the vital steps to complete repentance is to bear the short- and long- term consequences of our past sins” (Elder Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 82–83). The child born to David and Bathsheba died, as Nathan prophesied. David and Bathsheba had another son, whom they named Solomon. 2 Samuel 12:10–14 What principle can we learn from these verses about the consequences of sin? “It is a fundamental truth that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed. We can become virtuous and pure. However, sometimes our poor choices leave us with long-term consequences. One of the vital steps to complete repentance is to bear the short- and long- term consequences of our past sins” (Elder Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 82–83). The child born to David and Bathsheba died, as Nathan prophesied. David and Bathsheba had another son, whom they named Solomon.

1. Summarize the events described in these verses. 2. Explain the possible short-term consequences of Amnon’s or Absalom’s choices. 3. Explain what you think might have been some of the long-term consequences of Amnon’s or Absalom’s choices. Group 1: Amnon – Read 2 Samuel 13:1–18 aloud in your group, and look for the sin that Amnon committed against his half-sister Tamar. Group 2: Absalom – In 2 Samuel 13:1–20 we read that David’s son Amnon lusted after his half-sister Tamar and raped her. Read 2 Samuel 13:21–39 aloud in your group, and look for how Tamar’s brother Absalom responded to what Amnon did to Tamar. Group 3: Absalom – In 2 Samuel 13–14 we read that David’s son Absalom conspired to have his half- brother Amnon killed because Amnon had raped Tamar, Absalom’s sister. Absalom fled to the land Geshur for three years before he returned to Jerusalem. Read the following verses aloud in your group, and look for what Absalom planned to do and what his actions led to: 2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–17; 2 Samuel 16:20–22 Group 1: Amnon – Read 2 Samuel 13:1–18 aloud in your group, and look for the sin that Amnon committed against his half-sister Tamar. Group 2: Absalom – In 2 Samuel 13:1–20 we read that David’s son Amnon lusted after his half-sister Tamar and raped her. Read 2 Samuel 13:21–39 aloud in your group, and look for how Tamar’s brother Absalom responded to what Amnon did to Tamar. Group 3: Absalom – In 2 Samuel 13–14 we read that David’s son Absalom conspired to have his half- brother Amnon killed because Amnon had raped Tamar, Absalom’s sister. Absalom fled to the land Geshur for three years before he returned to Jerusalem. Read the following verses aloud in your group, and look for what Absalom planned to do and what his actions led to: 2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–17; 2 Samuel 16:20–22

Love vs Lust Which word best describes Amnon’s behavior? (See 2 Samuel 13:4) How would you summarize the difference between love and lust? – Why do you think yielding to lust destroys our love and concern for others? – What are some things we can do to avoid and resist lust? – In 2 Samuel 18 during the battle between Absalom’s supporters and King David’s men, Absalom became entangled in a tree. When Joab, the captain of King David’s army, found Absalom, he killed him. – 2 Samuel 18:33 - look for how David reacted to the death of his son. – What effects did the choices of King David, Amnon, and Absalom have on their family? Which word best describes Amnon’s behavior? (See 2 Samuel 13:4) How would you summarize the difference between love and lust? – Why do you think yielding to lust destroys our love and concern for others? – What are some things we can do to avoid and resist lust? – In 2 Samuel 18 during the battle between Absalom’s supporters and King David’s men, Absalom became entangled in a tree. When Joab, the captain of King David’s army, found Absalom, he killed him. – 2 Samuel 18:33 - look for how David reacted to the death of his son. – What effects did the choices of King David, Amnon, and Absalom have on their family? video “Watch Your Step” (2:39).“Watch Your Step”

2 Samuel David’s Fall