Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Lessons 1–2
Welcome to the Old Testament
- 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 Kings 17; 24–25: The Scattering of Israel

“2 Kings 17; 24–25: The Scattering of Israel,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“2 Kings 17; 24–25: The Scattering of Israel,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

2 Kings 16–25: Lesson 88

2 Kings 17; 24–25

The Scattering of Israel

A group of youth reading scriptures together in Florida.

Prophets and others often speak about the gathering of Israel. To understand the gathering, it can help to understand why Israel was scattered in the first place. This lesson can help students use the scattering of Israel to identify attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Thoughts to Keep in Mind: “Jesus Will Say to All Israel, ‘Come Home’” from Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026. Ask them to come prepared to share thoughts or questions about the scattering of Israel.

Possible Learning Activities

The scattering of Israel

Before class, you might want to label different areas in classroom as Northern Kingdom (Israel), Southern Kingdom (Judah), Assyria, the Americas, and Babylon/Persia.

How and when might disciplining a child be a sign of love from their parent?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 95:1, looking for how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel about people They need to correct or chasten.

Several times in the Old Testament, Israel rebelled against Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and needed correction. This resulted in what is called the scattering of Israel. As you study the scattering of Israel, look for how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ demonstrated their love.

S&I Old Testament Seminary Student Home Study Guide

Northern Kingdom of Israel

In about 975 BC, after Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. Rehoboam imposed great burdens on the people. Ten of the tribes rebelled against Rehoboam and followed Jeroboam (see 1 Kings 12:6–11, 19–20). This separation created the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.

Read 2 Kings 17:7–18, 22–23, looking for what happened to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

What happened to them and why did it happen?

Explain that when Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and took many of the Israelites back to Assyria, this began the scattering of Israel. Ask most of the students standing near the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to move to the part of the room labeled Assyria. Point out that we often call these tribes the lost tribes of Israel. You could give the students that moved to Assyria a label that says Lost Tribes. You could give the students who remain in Israel a label that says Samaritans. You might want to explain that the Samaritans were part Israelite and part Gentile (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Samaritans,” Gospel Library).
How would you summarize why Israel was scattered?

Students might identify a truth like: Because Israel rejected the prophets and broke their covenant with the Lord, He scattered them among the nations.

Southern Kingdom of Judah

What have you learned so far about the Southern Kingdom of Judah, including the kings who have reigned there?

Invite students to share any accounts they remember. For example, they might bring up King Hezekiah or King Josiah. If they do, you could create a label for each king and have students hold them up. Encourage students to share how the Lord blessed these kings and the people for their faith in Him. Both of these righteous kings reigned after Assyria conquered the Kingdom of Israel.

Students might also mention Lehi and his family. If they do, invite them to share what they know. If they don’t, you could have them do the following. You could create a label for Lehi and his family for a few students to hold.

Read 1 Nephi 1:4, looking for who else lived in the Kingdom of Judah.

Read 1 Nephi 2:1–4; 18:22–23, looking for what happened to this family.

What blessings from Heavenly Father have we received because the Lord led Lehi and his family away from Jerusalem as part of the scattering?

Ask the students holding the Lehi and his family label to move from the Kingdom of Judah to the section of the class labeled The Americas.

Read 2 Chronicles 36:17–20, looking for what Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, did to the inhabitants of Jerusalem shortly after Lehi and his family left.

Ask the remaining students in Kingdom of Judah to move to the area of the classroom representing Babylon/Persia. Approximately between 605 and 587 BC, the Babylonians carried away many Jews to Babylon and besieged and eventually destroyed Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 24:8–16; 25:1–12, 21; Jeremiah 52).

You might want to ask students to name a few individuals who ended up in Babylon. If they need help, you could hand a few students labels such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego (see Daniel 1:1–7), and Ezekiel (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Ezekiel,” Gospel Library).

Read the following summary. Explain that some Jews remained in Persia (see Esther 2:5–7). Ask some students in Babylon/Persia to return to the area of the classroom representing Kingdom of Judah. You could create labels for Ezra and Nehemiah for a couple students to carry who move to Kingdom of Judah. Students will learn more about Ezra and Nehemiah later.

Under King Cyrus the Persians conquered Babylon. Around 537 BC, the Lord inspired King Cyrus of Persia to permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (see 2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Jeremiah 29:10–14; Ezra 1:1–3). In the years that followed, Ezra, Nehemiah, and others returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city and complete the temple (see Ezra 7:6–8; Nehemiah 2:1–11).

Heavenly Father’s children are never lost to Him

You might want to point out that many of these groups did not know what was happening to the other groups. From their perspective, the other groups were lost.

Read 3 Nephi 17:4, looking for what the Savior shared with the Nephites during His ministry among them.

What stands out to you in this verse?

You might point out that although Israel was scattered, the Lord used the scattering of His covenant people to bless the nations they were scattered to (see “The scattering of Israel” under Guide to the Scriptures, “Israel,” Gospel Library). You may want to point out that “kindness” in Isaiah 54:8 is a translation of hesed. For more on the significance of hesed see President Nelson’s article “Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 5–6.

Read Deuteronomy 4:27–31 and Isaiah 54:7–10, looking for what the Lord promised to do for scattered Israel.

What attributes do you see in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you learn about the scattering of Israel?

Consider sharing your testimony of Heavenly Father’s love for all His children and of His promise to gather scattered Israel.

Additional Resources

Why is the scattering of Israel significant in our time?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

14:32

The captivity of the Jews and the scattering of the tribes of Israel, including the ten tribes, are prominent doctrinal factors in the Restoration of the gospel. The ten lost tribes made up the Northern Kingdom of Israel and were carried away captive into Assyria in 721 B.C. They went to the north countries. Our tenth article of faith states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes” [Articles of Faith 1:10]. We also believe that as part of the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, not only the lineage of Abraham would be blessed but also all the people of the earth would be blessed. As [President] Russell M. Nelson has stated, the gathering “is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be ‘brought to the knowledge of the Lord’ [3 Nephi 20:13] without leaving their homelands” [Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon and the Gathering of Israel” (address given at the seminar for new mission presidents, June 26, 2013)].

Our doctrine is clear: “The Lord scattered and afflicted the twelve tribes of Israel because of their unrighteousness and rebellion. However, the Lord also [utilized] this scattering of his chosen people among the nations of the world to bless those nations” [Guide to the Scriptures, “Israel”; scriptures.lds.org]. (“Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 89)

How did the Lord use scattered Israel to bless the world?

Elder Shayne M. Bowen of the Seventy taught:

We are blessed through the scattering of Israel among all nations by which the blood of Israel was sprinkled among the nations, and thus the nations partake of the leaven of righteousness, on condition of their repentance, and are entitled to the promises made to the children of Abraham. (“Out of the Wilderness into the Light” [Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, March 1, 2011], byui.edu)

Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The Israelites have been so completely dispersed among the nations as to give to this scattered people a place of importance as a factor in the rise and development of almost every large division of the human family. This work of dispersion was brought about by many stages, and extended through millenniums. It was foreseen by the early prophets; and the spiritual leaders of every generation prior to and immediately following the Messianic era predicted the scattering of the people, as an ordained result of their increasing wickedness. (Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 316)

How was the scattering of Israel a necessary chastening by a loving God?

Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The sufferings of Israel have been but necessary chastening by a grieved yet loving Father, who planned by these effective means to purify His sin-stained children. …

Though smitten of men, a large part of them gone from a knowledge of the world, Israel are not lost unto their God. He knows whither they have been led or driven; toward them His heart still yearns with paternal love; and surely will He bring them forth, in due time and by appointed means, into a condition of blessing and influence befitting His covenant people. In spite of their sin and notwithstanding the tribulations that they were bringing upon themselves, the Lord said: “And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: I am the Lord their God.” As complete as was the scattering, so shall be the gathering of Israel. (The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 328–29)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Supplementary material for scattering activity

This image shows an example of how you could arrange labels in the classroom:

You could watch the video “Safely Gathered Home” (14:48) from time code 5:37 to 6:26. In the video Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the scattering of Israel.

14:48

The Mulekites

During the scattering activity, you could mention the Mulekites in the Book of Mormon. Explain that King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before Babylon took them into captivity. 2 Kings 25:7 says his sons were killed. However, through the Book of Mormon we know that one of Zedekiah’s sons, Mulek, escaped. The Lord directed Mulek to the Americas (see Omni 1:15–16; Helaman 6:10; 8:21). Ask some of the students to move from the Southern Kingdom (Judah) to the section of the class representing The Americas.

Don’t forget the covenant

As students discuss how Israel was scattered for breaking their covenant with God, consider reading 2 Kings 17:38–40. Invite students to look for the Lord’s warning. Discuss ways individuals today might forget their covenants with God. Ask students to share what we can do to always remember our covenants with God. As students share ways to remember their covenants, you might want to refer to the sacrament prayers (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79).