Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Old Testament Lessons
Title Page
Lessons 1–2
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
- Lessons 1–2
  Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 3–6
  Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Lessons 7–9
  Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Lessons 10–12
  Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Lessons 13–15
  Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Lessons 16–18
  Moses 7
- Lessons 19–21
  Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Lessons 22–24
  Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Lessons 25–28
  Genesis 18–23
- Lessons 29–32
  Genesis 24–33
- Lessons 33–34
  Genesis 37–41
- Lessons 35–37
  Genesis 42–50
- Lessons 38–40
  Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Lessons 41–44
  Exodus 7–13
- Lessons 45–47
  Exodus 14–18
- Lessons 48–51
  Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Lessons 52–55
  Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Lessons 56–57
  Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Lessons 58–60
  Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Lessons 61–64
  Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Lessons 65–67
  Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Lessons 68–70
  Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- Lessons 71–73
  1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- Lessons 74–76
  1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- Lessons 77–80
  2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- Lessons 81–82
  1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- Lessons 83–85
  2 Kings 2–7
- Lessons 86–89
  2 Kings 16–25
- Lessons 90–91
  2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Lessons 92–93
  Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Lessons 94–96
  Esther
- Lessons 97–99
  Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Lessons 100–103
  Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Lessons 104–106
  Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Lessons 107–108
  Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Lessons 109–112
  Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Lessons 113–116
  Isaiah 1–12
- Lessons 117–118
  Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Lessons 119–122
  Isaiah 40–49
- Lessons 123–125
  Isaiah 50–57
- Lessons 126–129
  Isaiah 58–66
- Lessons 130–133
  Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Lessons 134–137
  Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Lessons 138–141
  Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Lessons 142–145
  Daniel 1–7
- Lessons 146–148
  Hosea; Joel
- Lessons 149–151
  Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Lessons 152–154
  Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Lessons 155–157
  Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Lessons 158–160
  Malachi
Lessons 166–170
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Lessons 166–170
  Scripture Study Skills
- Lessons 171–176
  For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Lessons 177–180
  Building Self–Reliance
- Lessons 181–187
  Physical and Emotional Health
- Lessons 188–191
  Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Lessons 192–195
  Succeed in School
- Lessons 196–200
  Missionary Preparation
- Lessons 201–204
  Temple Preparation
- Lessons 205–208
  Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

2 Samuel 11–12: We Cannot Hide Our Sins from the Lord

“2 Samuel 11–12: We Cannot Hide Our Sins from the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“2 Samuel 11–12: We Cannot Hide Our Sins from the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11: Lesson 77

2 Samuel 11–12

We Cannot Hide Our Sins from the Lord

With the Lord by his side, David defeated Goliath, conquered in battle, and became king of Israel. However, in his lustful pursuit of Bathsheba, David turned away from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and fell from his exaltation (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:39). This lesson can help students recognize that they cannot hide their sins from the Lord, but they can turn to Him to overcome temptation.

Student preparation: Invite students to make a list of some of the lies Satan uses to tempt us to sin (for example, students could review 2 Nephi 28:6–9, 20–22). Then invite them to ponder how truths taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ help us turn to the Lord when we face temptation.

Possible Learning Activities

Decisions that turn us toward or away from the Lord

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

Display a picture of the Savior with arrows going toward and away from the image. Invite students to answer the following questions. Students could write their answers under the appropriate arrows on the board.

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?

Students might share a variety of phrases such as these: “It’s not a big deal”; “You can repent later”; and “I’m not hurting anyone.” If students do not mention it, write No one will know on the board. The following paragraph is an invitation for students to involve the Spirit as they consider thoughts they have when they make mistakes.

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. As you study, look for impressions of the Spirit that can help you choose to turn to Them.

David’s decisions to turn from the Lord

Invite students to recall the stories they have studied that showed that the Lord was guiding and directing David. You could share that the story they will study today demonstrates what happened when David made a series of decisions that turned him away from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

As a student reads each verse of the following passage, others in the class could hold up the word Stop or gesture when they see David making a decision that turned him away from the Lord. Each time they stop, students could discuss the question below.

Carefully read 2 Samuel 11:1–5, looking for the decisions David made that led him in the wrong direction.

What decisions did you discover?

Invite students to create a list on the board of the decisions David made in these verses and to mark them in their scriptures. The left column of the chart in this lesson includes examples of what students might find.

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.

What did you discover?

The following activity is one way to help students see that even with temptations like those David faced, the Lord has provided teachings that can help us avoid temptation and escape sin. You could display the following instructions for students to follow in small groups or individually. Depending on the abilities of your students, you may want to display the scriptures in the second column and adjust the second step to have students read the scripture or scriptures instead of finding them.

Complete the following instructions:

Select one or more of the decisions David made that led him away from the Lord.
Find a scripture that includes or illustrates one of the Savior’s teachings that can help us avoid temptation and escape a similar choice.
Prepare to share what you found.

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 Alma 7:22; Doctrine and Covenants 42:42
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 Mosiah 4:30; 3 Nephi 12:28–29
David’s decision 2 Samuel 11:3—David pursued her.	Teachings of the Savior and His prophets Doctrine and Covenants 63:16
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 Genesis 39:9
David’s decision 2 Samuel 11:4—David broke the law of chastity.	Teachings of the Savior and His prophets Doctrine and Covenants 42:23–25

What stood out to you?
What did you learn about the Lord from this study activity?

To summarize 2 Samuel 11:6–13, you could explain that when he found out Bathsheba was pregnant, David summoned her husband, Uriah, home from battle. David commanded Uriah to spend the night with Bathsheba so it would appear that Uriah was responsible for her pregnancy.

Read 2 Samuel 11:14–17, 26–27, looking for what David did when his plan to hide his adultery was unsuccessful.

What thoughts or feelings did you have as you read these verses?

Refer to the list of David’s decisions on the board and add David tried to hide his sins.

Explain to students that after the death of Uriah, the Lord sent His prophet Nathan to King David. As they read the following parable, students could illustrate the story on the board or in their study journals.

Read 2 Samuel 12:1–10, looking for what Nathan said to David.

What stands out to you from this parable?
What truths might someone learn from David’s story?

In addition to other truths students might identify, emphasize that we cannot hide our sins from God.

You might invite students to cross–reference or link 2 Samuel 12:7–9 with 2 Nephi 9:20 and Alma 39:8.
How is it a blessing that we cannot hide our sins from our loving Heavenly Father?
How might understanding this truth help us turn to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and repent?

If needed, you could refer to Doctrine and Covenants 132:39, sharing that having Uriah killed was David’s final attempt to hide his sins. With this decision, David lost his exaltation. Reassure students that the Lord still loved David, but there were blessings David could not receive as a consequence of his decisions.

We can turn back to the Lord

Share what you have learned

To help students share their understanding of the truths taught, consider using the image from the beginning of class. You could invite students to draw something similar in their study journals. Then display the following instructions for students to complete.

In your study journal, select one of the decisions David made or a temptation a teenager might face today. Imagine you were giving counsel to someone thinking about making that decision. Choose at least two options from the following list to share what you have learned.

A summary of what you have learned today about not hiding sins and instead, turning to the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
A scripture passage that illustrates what the Savior and His prophets have taught about overcoming the temptation you selected.
An experience you or someone you know has had that has helped you turn to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when you face temptation.
A brief testimony of the Savior’s power to help us overcome temptation and repent when we sin.

Consider concluding class with your witness that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love the students perfectly. You could reassure students that no matter what struggles we face, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and are eager to help us repent.

Additional Resources

How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ view the mistakes I have made?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

15:17

When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God.

The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God. It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments. (Repent … That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 40)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

14:11

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. He might say it with words, but it would also flow so strongly—just from His presence—that it would be unmistakable, reaching deep into your heart, filling your whole soul!

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.”

I don’t think He would make excuses for your mistakes. He wouldn’t minimize them. No, He would ask you to repent—to leave your sins behind, to change, so He can forgive you. He would remind you that 2,000 years ago He took those sins upon Himself so that you could repent. That is part of the plan of happiness gifted to us from our loving Heavenly Father. (“Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 9)

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy said:

10:16

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)

How can the Spirit help me avoid sin?

President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

15:54

The gift of the Holy Ghost, if you consent, will guide and protect you and even correct your actions. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought or a feeling put into your heart. … It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit. This promise applies to all members of the Church. (“Counsel to Youth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 17–18)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Rewrite David’s story

It might be helpful to pause after identifying the decisions David made in 2 Samuel 11:1–5 and consider what blessings David could have received if he had decided to turn to the Savior.

Share the following statement from Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Seventy:

Although avoidance of sin is the preferred pattern in life, as far as the efficacy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is concerned, it matters not what sins we have committed or how deep we have sunk into that proverbial pit. It matters not that we are ashamed or embarrassed because of the sins that, as the prophet Nephi said, “so easily beset” us. …

I testify that the Savior will never turn away from us when we humbly seek Him in order to repent; will never consider us to be a lost cause; will never say, “Oh no, not you again”; will never reject us because of a failure to understand how hard it is to avoid sin. He understands it all perfectly, including the sense of sorrow, shame, and frustration that is the inevitable consequence of sin.

Repentance is real and it works. (“Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 122, 123)

What different choices might David have made had he listened to the Spirit?
What might you say to David to help him turn to the Savior?

You could then invite students to rewrite David’s story, imagining what could have happened if he had turned to the Savior.

Help students feel the power of returning to the Lord

If students would benefit from a reminder of the Lord’s invitation to us to repent, you could show one of the following videos:

A young man learns the power of the Savior’s Atonement to help him through the repentance process in “Let God Guide You: From Weakness to Strength,” time code 2:51 to 5:28.

6:7

Elder Renlund shares the story of feeling the joy that comes when we repent, in “Repentance: A Joyful Choice” (4:36).

4:36