Old Testament Seminary Student Manual (2026)

Contents
Introduction
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8
- Ruth 1–4; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–16
- 1 Samuel 17–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–3; 110; 116–19; 127–28; 135–39; 146–50
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders

Lesson 88: 2 Kings 17; 24–25—The Scattering of Israel

2 Kings 16–25: Lesson 88

2 Kings 17; 24–25

The Scattering of Israel

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

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 you use the scattering and gathering of Israel to identify attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Study the Scriptures

Have you ever gotten a shot? How did it feel? In what way did the shot help you? While a shot can sting, parents and organizations throughout the world ensure that children receive vaccination shots. These vaccinations have helped eliminate several diseases throughout the world. From 2002 to early 2021, the Church helped immunize over 117 million people (“The First Presidency and Apostles Over Age 70 Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine,” Newsroom, Jan. 2021).

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. The scattering of Israel included both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), although they were impacted at different times.

a chart depicting the timeline of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Read the following passages about the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Mark choices the Israelites made. Pay particular attention to what happened to them because of their choices.

Northern Kingdom—2 Kings 17:7–18; 22–23
Southern Kingdom—2 Chronicles 36:17–20

Read the following passages to learn about why the Lord chastens and corrects His children. You may want to link these verses.

What truths do you learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from these passages?

While Israel was scattered, Heavenly Father’s children are not lost to Him. He knows where we are, and He used the scattering of Israel to bless the whole world.

If available, watch “Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage” by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, from time code 5:50 to 6:09.

14:32

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“; Gospel Library]. (“Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 89)

Have you ever thought about how the scattering of Israel is actually a blessing to the world?

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) used the account of the olive tree in Jacob 5 to teach about the scattering and gathering of Israel. He explained:

“The interpretation of this parable is a story of the scattering of Israel and the mixing of the blood of Israel with the wild olive trees, or Gentile peoples, in all parts of the world. Therefore we find in China, Japan, India, and in all other countries that are inhabited by the Gentiles that the blood of Israel was scattered, or ‘grafted,’ among them. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide 1972–73:280–81).

How is the scattering and gathering of Israel a blessing for the world?

Though Israel was scattered because of their rebellion, the Lord made a covenant that He would watch over and gather them. Read the following passages. Look for how the Lord used the scattering and gathering of Israel to bless the world. You could tag these passages “God’s mercy.”

Deuteronomy 4:27–31—Prophesies about Israel
Isaiah 54:7–10—The Lord’s words about Israel through Isaiah
1 Nephi 22:3–5, 8—Nephi’s teachings about the scattering and gathering of Israel

Imagine you have been asked to speak in Church about the scattering and gathering of Israel. You decide to focus on how it is an example of God’s love. Create a brief outline for a talk, or write a list of things you learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of the scattering and gathering of Israel.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you use the scattering and gathering of Israel to identify attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

Your talk outline.
What the scattering and gathering of Israel teaches you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?