1 Kings 17-19 - After a Still Small Voice

SETUP

When we put God first....
Do you take time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit?

INTRODUCTION

Elder Thomas S. Monson shared a story: Born in poverty but nurtured in faith, [José García] prepared for a mission call. I was present the day his recommendation was received. There appeared the statement: ‘Brother García will serve at great sacrifice to his family, for he is the means of much of the family support. He has but one possession—a treasured stamp collection—which he is willing to sell, if necessary, to help finance his mission.’ “President [Spencer W.] Kimball listened attentively as this statement was read to him, and then he responded: ‘Have him sell his stamp collection. Such sacrifice will be to him a blessing.’”

How would you react if they were asked to give up all their possessions to serve the Lord?

"Then, with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, this loving prophet said, ‘Each month at Church headquarters we receive thousands of letters from all parts of the world. See that we save these stamps and provide them to José at the conclusion of his mission. He will have, without cost, the finest stamp collection of any young man in Mexico."

When we put the things of God first in our lives, the rewards we receive are far greater than anything we may have to sacrifice along the way. This lesson demonstrates the great blessings we can receive when we are willing to follow God even when it is difficult to do so.

What would you think about a man who had the power to raise the dead, call down fire from heaven, cause the heavens to withhold rain, and render a barrel of flour inexhaustible?

Elijah was such a man, a man of power, a man of miracles, a prophet so worthy that he was translated and taken from the earth in a chariot of fire.

Small wonder that Elijah became one of the great heroes in Israel’s history. Small wonder, too, that in Jewish households a place is set for him at every Passover feast in anticipation of his return as predicted by the prophet Malachi.

1 Kings 17 - Elijah seals up the heavens, is miraculously sustained, and raises a widow’s son from the dead.

What Miralces did Elijah perform by the power of the priesthood in Chapter 17?

1. He brought famine by his word (v.1)
2. He was fed by ravens (v.6)
3. He caused the widow’s food supply to miraculously continue (v.13–16).
4. He raised the widow's son from the dead(v.17-24)

- Elijah Sealed the Heavens against Rain by Priesthood Power (v.1)

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith found a special significance in verse 1: “The first appearance of Elijah we read of is in the 17th chapter of 1st Kings, when he came before the king and said, ‘As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.’ “There is something very significant in that edict. I want you to get it. Follow me again closely: ‘As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.’ The reason I put emphasis upon this is to impress you with the sealing power by which Elijah was able to close the heavens, that there should be no rain or dew until he spoke.”
see Helaman 10:4-5 - other examples in the scripture of this same power

- After Elijah declared that no rain would fall in the kingdom, the Lord commanded him to flee.
How did Elijah respond to the Lord’s command? (v.2–5)
*** What can we learn from Elijah’s response?

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: "I draw strength from a simple statement made concerning the Prophet Elijah, who warned King Ahab of drought and famine to come upon the land. But Ahab scoffed. And the Lord told Elijah to go and hide himself by the brook Cherith, that there he should drink of the brook, and that he would be fed by the ravens. And the scripture records a simple and wonderful statement: ‘So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord.’ There was no arguing. There was no excusing. There was no equivocating. Elijah simply ‘went and did according unto the word of the Lord.’ And he was saved from the terrible calamities that befell those who scoffed and argued and questioned."

How did Elijah survive in the wilderness after the drought began? (v.4,6)
*** What experiences have you had when the Lord has sustained you physically or spiritually?

Where Is the Brook Cherith?
We do not know which of the Jordan tributaries the brook Cherith might have been, but apparently it was an obscure and isolated place where Elijah could hide safely without being accidentally discovered by soldiers, shepherds or passersby. It was also a desolate place where no animal life existed, therefore Elijah was completely dependent upon the Lord for his sustenance.

Whom had the Lord prepared to help Elijah after the brook in the wilderness dried up? (v.7–13.) What can this teach us about how the Lord helps those in need?
The Lord often helps those in need through the service of other people.
*** How have you seen the Lord help those in need through the service of other people?
*** What can we do to help others who are in need?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our fast and freewill offerings. … And we can watch for other ways to help. To worthy causes and needy people, we can give time if we don’t have money, and we can give love when our time runs out. We can share the loaves we have and trust God that the cruse of oil will not fail."

What can we learn from the widow’s response when Elijah asked her for food?

Elder Holland said that the widow’s response when Elijah asked her for food was an “expression of faith—as great, under these circumstances, as any I know in the scriptures. … Perhaps uncertain what the cost of her faith would be … , she first took her small loaf to Elijah, obviously trusting that if there were not enough bread left over, at least she and her son would have died in an act of pure charity”

Why do you think God commanded the widow to feed Elijah when she had so little?
What blessing did the widow receive for her obedience? (v.16)
*** What are some things that God asks of us that might be difficult?
*** In what ways are we blessed when we put God first, doing what he asks even when it is difficult?

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities. May God bless us to put [him] first and, as a result, reap peace in this life and eternal life with a fulness of joy in the life to come”

What did Elijah do when the widow’s son became sick and died? (v.17-22)

CHAPTER 18 - Elijah challenges the priests of Baal and opens the heavens for rain.

In the third year of the famine, the Lord commanded Elijah, “Go [show] thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

Obadiah was the king’s chamberlain, or governor of his house. As such it was his responsibility to arrange the king’s appointments. That is why Elijah told Obadiah to set up an interview between the prophet and King Ahab. The fact that a king and his chief steward had to look for water and grass by themselves shows that the famine had become acute (see v. 5–6).

Ahab knew that Elijah had brought this distress, so he searched for him. Apparently Ahab had considerable power and authority among surrounding nations, for he was able to exact promises for them that they were not concealing Elijah or that they knew of his whereabouts (see v. 10). Sometimes, however, someone would see the prophet. But when he reported seeing Elijah, the prophet had disappeared by the time Ahab got there. Ahab then killed the person who said he had seen Elijah. Obadiah’s fear that Elijah would disappear again was caused by his awareness that Ahab would not hesitate to have him executed if he failed to deliver Elijah (v. 12–16). Elijah promised Obadiah that he would appear before Ahab (v. 15).

As Elijah had requested, Ahab gathered all of Israel and 850 false priests at Mount Carmel (v.19–20). When the people gathered to hear Elijah speak, he asked them, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (v.21).
What do you think it means to halt between two opinions? 
How do we sometimes halt between two opinions?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “The stirring words of various prophets … urge us to choose, to decide, and not to halt. … Elijah’s message has tremendous relevancy today, for all must finally choose between the gods of this world and the God of eternity.

How did Elijah challenge the priests of Baal? (v.19-24)
What was Elijah’s purpose in challenging the priests of Baal? (v.36-37)
How did the people react to the Lord’s display of power? (v.38-39)
How were they blessed for acknowledging the Lord and his power? (v.45)

CHAPTER 19 - Elijah is comforted by the Holy Ghost and instructed to continue in God’s work.

Angry about Elijah’s victory over the priests of Baal, Jezebel sought to kill him. Elijah fled into the wilderness and cried to the Lord, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (v.4). The Lord blessed Elijah by sending an angel with food and water.
Even prophets can experience despair and need the comfort and guidance that only God can provide.

Why was Elijah discouraged? (v.10 or 14).
Despite the people’s response to God’s spectacular display of power, Elijah felt that he was the only Israelite left who worshiped the true God.
   
It must have been very lonely for Elijah during this period. Men were seeking his life, he felt himself to be the only faithful prophet left in Israel, and he was hiding in a cave.
President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “When he was there, the Lord called upon him and asked him what he was doing there; and in his sorrow, because of the hardness of the hearts of the people, he told the Lord the condition, that he alone remained, that they sought his life to take it away. But the Lord showed him that there were others who had remained true unto him, even 7,000.

*** Why do you think God communicates more often through the “still small voice” of the Holy Ghost than through loud and spectacular displays of power? 
*** How can we discern the whisperings of the Holy Ghost?

When a news reporter asked President Hinckley how he communicates with God, the prophet responded, “I think the best way I could describe the process is to liken it to the experience of Elijah as set forth in the book of First Kings. Elijah spoke to the Lord, and there was a wind, a great wind, and the Lord was not in the wind. And there was an earthquake, and the Lord was not in the earthquake. And there was a fire, and the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a still, small voice, which I describe as the whisperings of the Spirit”

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “Do you take time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit? Answers to prayer come most often by a still voice and are discerned by our deepest, innermost feelings. I tell you that you can know the will of God concerning yourselves if you will take the time to pray and to listen.

- When we put the things of God first in our lives, the rewards we receive are far greater than anything we may have to sacrifice along the way.
- The still small voice can comfort us in times of despair if we take the time to pray and to listen.
- It can be an experience more powerful to us throughout our lives than seeing some grand event.

1 Kings 3-11 - King Solomon: Man of Wisdom, Man of Foolishness

SETUP
When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I ...
D&C 95:15-17
D&C 88:67
Matthew 6:33

INTRODUCTION
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "We generally think of Satan attacking us at our weakest spot. … But weakness is not our only vulnerability. Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong—in the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses"

***What are some strengths that could become our downfall?

This lesson is about King Solomon, a man who received great gifts from God but eventually used those gifts unrighteously.

BACKGROUND
1 Kings 2:2-3 (Just before David died, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon as the new king. Solomon, who was a son of David and Bathsheba, received this counsel from his father)

CHAPTER 3 - The Lord blesses Solomon
- The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream (v.5-14)
- Solomon asks for an understanding heart
- The Lord is pleased with his request    
Why?  What would an understanding heart be able to do?  Bless others - other things are selfish
- Interesting that the Lord points out the things Solomon didn't ask for and says he'll grant those to him since he didn't ask
What to make of that?
- Also fascinating is Solomon's approach to the question he asks the Lord.  He doesn't just ask outright.  He prefaced with a good background of his situation and demonstrated his faith, humility

Elder Howard W. Hunter likewise challenged us to obtain an understanding heart: "If the Lord was pleased because of that which Solomon had asked of him, surely he would be pleased with each of us if we had the desire to acquire an understanding heart. This must come from conscious effort coupled with faith and firm determination. An understanding heart results from the experiences we have in life if we keep the commandments of God. The ills of the world would be cured by understanding. Wars would cease and crime disappear. The scientific knowledge now being wasted in the world because of the distrust of men and nations could be diverted to bless mankind. Atomic energy will destroy unless used for peaceful purposes by understanding hearts. We need more understanding in our relationships with one another, in business and in industry, between management and labor, between government and the governed. We need understanding in that most important of all social units, the family; understanding between children and parents and between husband and wife. Marriage would bring happiness, and divorce would be unknown if there were understanding hearts. Hatred tears down, but understanding builds up. Our prayer could well be as was Solomon’s, ‘Lord, give me an understanding heart.’”

4:30-31 Solomon was wiser than all men even He-Man

***Why does God bless Solomon with riches if he knows that's what is going to lead to his downfall?
These thoughts came to me:
    - Why are you questioning God? 
    - Why is there always so much blame and so much questioning of righteous things that are done?
    - Why wouldn't God want to bless his child when he does something good no matter what he thinks/knows is the type of choices the child is going to make in the future? 
    - Wouldn't a parent who has a wayward child be in the same boat when they do something nice
    - Should they not show love?

CHAPTERS 5-7 - Construction of the Temple
- The builders showed reverence while building the temple (v.6:7)
- The Lord gave them a promise for building a temple (v.6:11-12)
D&C 95:15-17 (the Lord's promise to us)

The temple was long and narrow. According to the dimensions cited in the Bible, the temple was about one hundred feet long and thirty feet wide. It stood on a platform about nine feet high. The temple itself was about forty-five feet high. The Salt Lake Temple is 186½ feet long, 118½ feet wide, and 210 feet high.

- Solomon also had a house built for himself.
- How did the size of his house compare to the size of the house of the Lord? (v 6:2–3; 7:2, 6–7.)
****How does this use of riches show Solomon’s gradual decline?

CHAPTERS 8 AND 9 - Dedication of the Temple
In his dedicatory prayer Solomon prayed for the Lord to help his people through many difficult problems.
***How can temple attendance help us when we are weighed down with problems?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: "In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life. Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there. Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "When we dedicate a house to the Lord, what we really do is dedicate ourselves to the Lord’s service, with a covenant that we shall use the house in the way He intends that it shall be used"

How Did Solomon Learn How the Temple Should Be Built?
President Brigham Young said: “The pattern of this temple, the length and breadth, and height of the inner and outer courts, with all the fixtures thereunto appertaining, were given to Solomon by revelation, through the proper source. And why was this revelation-pattern necessary? Because Solomon had never built a temple, and did not know what was necessary in the arrangement of the different apartments, any better than Moses did what was needed in the tabernacle.”

Before Solomon gave the dedicatory prayer, a cloud of glory filled the house of God, indicating the very presence of God. That this glory should accompany the dedication exercises is interesting for Latter-day Saints, since a similar glory attended the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on 27 March 1836. Many present reported seeing angels and hearing the “sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple,” and many in the community reported “seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple”

Have people share their experience of a temple dedication.

CHAPTERS 10-11 - Solomon's downfall
Solomon became excessively wealthy and married many non-Israelite women who persuaded him to worship idols

How do you think the blessings of wisdom, riches, and honor contributed to Solomon’s downfall?
How have you seen these strengths contribute to the downfall of people today?
***How can we ensure that our strengths do not become a downfall for us?
D&C 88:67

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: "How do we prevent our strengths from becoming our downfall? The quality we must cultivate is humility. Humility is the great protector. Humility is the antidote against pride. Humility is the catalyst for all learning, especially spiritual things. Through the prophet Moroni, the Lord gave us this great insight into the role of humility: ‘I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them’ (Ether 12:27). “We might also say that if men and women humble themselves before God, he will help them prevent their strengths from becoming weaknesses that the adversary can exploit to destroy them. If we are humble and teachable, hearkening to the commandments of God, the counsel of his leaders, and the promptings of his Spirit, we can be guided in how to use our spiritual gifts, our accomplishments, and all of our other strengths for righteousness. And we can be guided in how to avoid Satan’s efforts to use our strengths to cause our downfall. “In all of this, we should remember and rely on the Lord’s direction and promise: ‘Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers’ (D&C 112:10)”


CLOSING
see Matthew 6:33
We all enjoy blessings from the Lord. If we are wise, we will accept the blessings with a grateful heart and walk in righteousness before the Lord.

1 Samuel 18-20,23-24 - The Lord Be Between Thee and Me Forever

Setup
Constable = a peace officer with limited policing authority, typically in a small town
Rector = a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish
Parish = an area that has its own local church and priest or minister


Introduction

Jeffrey R. Holland - I wish to speak of the Savior’s parable in which a householder “went out early in the morning to hire labourers.” After employing the first group at 6:00 in the morning, he returned at 9:00 a.m., at 12:00 noon, and at 3:00 in the afternoon, hiring more workers as the urgency of the harvest increased. The scripture says he came back a final time, “about the eleventh hour” (approximately 5:00 p.m.), and hired a concluding number. Then just an hour later, all the workers gathered to receive their day’s wage. Surprisingly, all received the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor. Immediately, those hired first were angry, saying, “These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” 

When reading this parable, perhaps you, as well as those workers, have felt there was an injustice being done here. Let me speak briefly to that concern.

First of all it is important to note that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. Furthermore, they were, I can only imagine, very grateful to get the work. In the time of the Savior, an average man and his family could not do much more than live on what they made that day. If you didn’t work or farm or fish or sell, you likely didn’t eat. With more prospective workers than jobs, these first men chosen were the most fortunate in the entire labor pool that morning.

Indeed, if there is any sympathy to be generated, it should at least initially be for the men not chosen who also had mouths to feed and backs to clothe. Luck never seemed to be with some of them. With each visit of the steward throughout the day, they always saw someone else chosen.

But just at day’s close, the householder returns a surprising fifth time with a remarkable eleventh-hour offer! These last and most discouraged of laborers, hearing only that they will be treated fairly, accept work without even knowing the wage, knowing that anything will be better than nothing, which is what they have had so far. Then as they gather for their payment, they are stunned to receive the same as all the others! How awestruck they must have been and how very, very grateful! Surely never had such compassion been seen in all their working days.

It is with that reading of the story that I feel the grumbling of the first laborers must be seen. As the householder in the parable tells them (and I paraphrase only slightly): “My friends, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage. You were very happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served. You are paid in full. Take your pay and enjoy the blessing. As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money.” Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”

Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”² as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

Background
David quickly became a hero after he killed Goliath.

1 Samuel 18
How did King Saul feel about David after the slaying of Goliath? (v.2,5)
Saul took David into his home and set him over his armies
Who was Jonathan and how did he feel about David? (v.1,3)
*** Why would it have been easy for Jonathan to feel jealous of David?
- As Saul’s son, Jonathan was next in line to be king. However, the prophet Samuel had anointed David to become the next king (1 Samuel 16:6–13).
- Jonathan received little attention for his own success on the battlefield, whereas David was honored greatly (1 Samuel 14:1–16).
*** Why do you think Jonathan was not jealous of David or threatened by him?

What prompted Saul to turn against David? (v.6–9.)
*** Why is it sometimes difficult to be happy about the success of others?
*** How do jealousy and pride affect our spiritual well-being?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Saul became an enemy to David through pride. He was jealous because the crowds of Israelite women were singing that Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment. What will men think of me? weighs heavier than What will God think of me?  Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. The proud love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest. Jesus said He did always those things that pleased God. Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?  Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod."

Saul offered to let David marry one of his daughters if David would fight the Philistines.
What was Saul’s real motive in doing this? (v.20–25)
He hoped David would be killed by the Philistines

1 Samuel 19
How was Jonathan a true friend when Saul sought to kill David? (v.1–7.)
Jonathan, Saul’s son, was one of the most noble men of ancient Israel. He could have seen David as a threat, as Saul did, since the oldest son generally succeeded to the kingship. But instead, Jonathan assisted David, even helping him to escape from Saul. Truly Jonathan loved David “as his own soul”
*** Who can share an experience of what it means to be a true friend?

Despite Jonathan’s efforts to change Saul’s feelings toward David, Saul continued to seek David’s life
How did Michal, David’s wife, show that she was true to her husband? (See 1 Samuel 19:11–18)
What does company of the prophets mean? (v.18-24)
After David escaped from Saul through the help of his wife, Michal, Saul sent messengers to kill him. But David had sought refuge with Samuel in what scholars called “Schools of the Prophets”. These scholars showed that such prophets as Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha conducted special schools that were called here “the company of the prophets. Elsewhere, the men who attended these schools were called “sons of the prophets” (1 Kings 20:35). This fact is of interest to Latter-day Saints because Joseph Smith set up a similar school in Kirtland, Ohio, to help teach priesthood holders their special duties. When the messengers from Saul and finally Saul himself came, they came under the influence of the Spirit, and thus David’s life was spared. The fact that the people said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” is explained this way: Saul “threw off his royal robes or military dress, retaining only his tunic; and continued so all that day and all that night, uniting with the sons of the prophets in prayers, singing praises, and other religious exercises, which were unusual to kings and warriors; and this gave rise to the saying, Is Saul also among the prophets? By bringing both him and his men thus under a Divine influence, God prevented them from injuring the person of David.”

This remarkable event has a parallel in latter-day Church history. During his mission to Great Britain, Elder Wilford Woodruff was delivered from the hands of government authorities through the influence of the Spirit.
“When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me. I asked him, ‘For what crime?’ He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’ I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting. He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced. At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable. The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’ I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
“The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life. The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach. They both were pricked in their hearts, received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else.”

1 Samuel 20
David and Jonathan renew their covenant of friendship, and Jonathan saves David’s life.
David was blessed with continued success on the battlefield
Why did David have to leave the city of Keilah after he had saved its people from the Philistines?
When Saul learned that David was in Keilah, he prepared his armies to destroy the entire city.
What changed Saul from a righteous king to someone who was willing to destroy an entire city in order to kill one person?
It's fascinating in v.7 that Saul is so misguided that he thinks God is delivering David into his hands.
Why are jealousy and hatred so consuming?
*** How can we rid ourselves of jealousy or hatred?

What Does “David Exceeded” Mean? (.v41)
Both men were tearful at their parting, but David’s distress exceeded that of Jonathan. Saul had taken David’s wife Michal and given her to another, and David was now banished from access to the tabernacle and the rituals of sacrifice because he was forced to hide from Saul. He had to live among the Philistines and send his parents to live among the Moabites for protection. Thus, “David’s distress must, in the nature of things, be the greatest. Besides his friend Jonathan, whom he was now about to lose for ever, he lost his wife, relatives, country; and, what was most afflictive, the altars of his God, and the ordinances of religion.”

1 Samuel 23-24
Saul continues to pursue David to kill him. During another attempt to find and kill David, Saul stopped to rest in a cave.
What did David do? (v.4–5). Footnote 4a, explains that David cut off the hem of Saul’s robe—the portion of the robe that symbolized authority.
Why did David refuse to harm Saul?
This chapter exhibits an aspect of David’s character that is much to be admired. Although anointed by God’s prophet to be king of Israel, and although Saul constantly sought his life, this chosen servant of the Lord still would not lift his hand against Saul so long as Saul lived. David understood an important priesthood principle, that is, that one has loyalty to those called by the Lord to preside even when they may not function perfectly in their calling. Saul was failing miserably, but David knew that it was the Lord’s responsibility to remove Saul, not his.
*** What does David’s example teach us about revenge and about responding to those who do evil to us?
What did Saul say when David spared his life? (v.16–19.)

The story of Jonathan and David reminds us that true friendship and love bring us closer to our friends and to God. The story of Saul reminds us that jealousy and hatred can consume us and lead us away from our friends and from God

1 Samuel 9-11, 13, 15-17 - The Lord Looketh on the Heart

Setup
Proverbs 3:5-6
To _ is better than to sacrifice Obey

Introduction
Balderdash (diaspora, hyssop, or laver) - guessing at the definition of an unfamiliar word is like making decisions based only on our own understanding. Just as we turned to a trusted source to learn the correct definition of the word, we need to trust the Lord and seek his will to make correct decisions in our lives.  This lessons teaches us the importance of trusting the Lord and seeking his guidance when we make decisions contrasting the experiences of two men, Saul and David.

1 Samuel 9-11 - Saul seeks guidance from Samuel and is anointed to be king.
The Israelites wanted a king like those of the nations around them. Yielding to the Israelites’ request, the Lord told Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.
What do the scriptures say about Saul? (v.2) He was goodlier than any other person
The word goodly seems to indicate many of the qualities that made Saul a logical candidate to be Israel’s first king. All that the Bible reveals indicates that Saul was honest, reliable, considerate of his parents, and altogether a very promising person for the great task ahead. Goodly also described Saul’s physical attributes. In this regard, Saul was potentially the hero and man of valour all Israel sought. He was about a foot taller than those of his generation
What did Saul do that demonstrated his good qualities?
- He was diligent in his search for his father’s donkeys (v. 9:3-4) 
- He was willing to listen to and follow the wise counsel of his father’s servant (v.9:5-10)
- He trusted the prophet Samuel and communed with him (v.9:18-25)
- He was humble (v.9:20-21)
- He was spiritually reborn, and he prophesied (v.10:6-10)
- He forgave his critics (v.11:11-13)
- He recognized the help of the Lord in Israel’s victory over the Ammonites (v.11:13)

1 Samuel 13 - Saul offers a burnt offering without the proper authority
Two years after Saul was anointed king, the Philistines gathered a mighty army to fight against Israel. Saul’s men were so afraid that many of them hid and scattered.
Why did Saul want the prophet Samuel to come to him at this time? (v.7-8) He wanted Samuel to offer sacrifices to the Lord in behalf of the people
What did Saul do when Samuel did not come at the appointed time? (v.9) He offered the sacrifices himself even though he did not have the priesthood authority to do so.

It was not long before Saul began to have an exaggerated opinion of his power and importance. This tendency is natural to men who forget the Lord and trust in themselves. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion  It is true that this was a time of great crisis. The Philistines were amassed in great strength and the people were deserting from Saul’s army. When Samuel was late in coming, Saul took things into his own hands and offered the sacrifices. This action was a great sin.

James E Talmage said “Think also of Saul who had been called from the field to be made king of the nation. When the Philistines were marshalled against Israel in Michmash, Saul waited for Samuel, under whose hand he had received his kingly anointing and to whom he had looked in the days of his humility for guidance; he asked that the prophet come and offer sacrifices to the Lord in behalf of the people. But, growing impatient at Samuel’s delay, Saul prepared the burnt offering himself, forgetting that though he occupied the throne, wore the crown, and bore the scepter, these insignia of kingly power gave him no right to officiate even as a deacon in the Priesthood of God; and for this and other instances of his unrighteous presumption he was rejected of God and another was made king in his place."

The circumstances were critical, but one of the purposes of mortality is to demonstrate that one will remain faithful and obedient under all circumstances. Saul failed that test and thereby lost his right to be God’s representative of the people.

What was Samuel’s response to Saul’s offering an unauthorized sacrifice? (v.13-14)
*** What did Saul’s offering an unauthorized sacrifice reveal about him? (v.14) He was no longer “a man after [the Lord’s] own heart”. He had grown impatient, failed to trust the Lord, and disobeyed. In addition, his presuming the authority to offer sacrifice suggests that he had an exaggerated opinion of his own power and importance.
*** In what ways are we sometimes impatient with the Lord or his servants? 

Note: Scholars believe that at this time the Israelites did not know how to work with iron. The Philistines guarded the secret carefully to maintain superiority in weapons over the softer brass weapons of the Israelites. As a result, the Israelites did not have the superior chariots of iron, nor could they manufacture swords and spears of iron. The other instruments mentioned, “share,” “coulter,” “axe,” “mattock,” and “goad,” had to be taken to the Philistines for sharpening. 
A share was a metal instrument used to plough the ground.
A coulter was a small garden hoe used to loosen the earth and weed the soil. 
A mattock was an Egyptian hoe or grubbing axe.
A goad was a sharp rod about eight feet long used to prod stubborn animals.


1 Samuel 15 - Saul disobeys the Lord in the battle with the Amalekites and is rejected as king
Saul was commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites
What did Saul do instead? (v.4-9) He spared the King and took the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, lambs, and all that was good.
What did Saul’s actions reveal about him? (v.11) He followed his own judgment rather than doing the Lord’s will.
Saul tried to justify his disobedience in saving the best of the Amalekites' animals by blaming his people for wanting to save the animals to use for sacrifice
What was Samuel's response for those justifications? (v.22) To obey is better than to sacrifice

1 Samuel 16 - The Lord chooses David as king.

What did Samuel learn when determining which of Jesse’s sons should be the next king? (v.6-7)  The Lord looketh on the heart

Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “We … tend to evaluate others on the basis of physical, outward appearance: their ‘good looks,’ their social status, their family pedigrees, their degrees, or their economic situations.“The Lord, however, has a different standard by which he measures a person. … He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others”

Why is it important that in our relationships with others, we see beyond the outward appearance and look on the heart? 

Because Saul had been disobedient, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him.

How did Saul seek relief from the evil spirit that came upon him? (v.15-23)  David played the harp

*** What outside sources do people today sometimes turn to as they try to find relief from their sins? 

What characteristics did David have that qualified him to be a leader? (v. 16:18)

1 Samuel 17 - David slays Goliath in the strength of the Lord.

What could the Israelites gain or lose in the fight with Goliath? (v.8-9)

Although it seems peculiar in this day of modern warfare, in ancient times it was not unusual for opposing armies, which were generally quite small, to select one representative from each side to fight a personal contest. The outcome of that contest determined the winner of the battle. 

Why were Saul and his army afraid to fight Goliath? (v.4-11) They did not think they could defeat Goliath because of his size, strength, armor, and weapons

Goliath’s height was six cubits and a span. The most widely accepted opinion of the length of a cubit is about eighteen inches or, roughly, the distance from the elbow to the tip of the extended middle finger. A span is said to be one-half the distance from the thumb to the end of the little finger when the fingers are spread as wide as possible. These measurements would make the height of Goliath approximately nine feet, nine inches!  It is unusual that anyone today is over seven feet tall, but it is commonly believed there were men in ancient times whose height far exceeded seven feet. There are references in the scriptures to giants in the earlier periods of history.  Experts have estimated the weight of Goliath’s armor to be about 150 pounds.

How did David get the courage to fight Goliath? David recognized that the Lord had delivered him from a lion and a bear while tending his father’s sheep, and he trusted the Lord to help him fight Goliath

Victor L. Brown said David’s actions showed that his answer to the question Who's on the Lord's side Who, would have been a hearty “I am!” Arriving at the battlefront at a time when the haughty giant Goliath had openly challenged Israel to send a man to fight him, David boldly volunteered to accept Goliath’s challenge. When accused of pride, the future king of Israel asked his oldest brother, “Is there not a cause?” Many young people of today are great joiners. They attach themselves to this or that organization or group because they wish to make the world a better place. They need a purpose for living, a reason to be—they need a cause. Young David, shepherd boy of Israel, had a cause. And this cause was emphasized when Samuel, the Lord’s prophet, anointed David to be a future king of Israel. Throughout his early life, David stayed close to the Lord. In all his military ventures, in the face of threats against his life, and despite numerous opportunities to slay Saul, David was true to his chosen cause. “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him”.

And what of today? Have we a cause? Indeed we have! We found that cause when we gained our testimonies of the true gospel and of the value of citizenship in the kingdom of God.

“I declare with all my soul—there is a cause! It is a cause worth giving one’s life for. It is the cause of righteousness. It is a cause that every youth in this Church should rally to as he declares war on Satan and his legions. As David said to Goliath, so each youth should declare to Satan, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

*** What challenges might we face now that prepare us for greater challenges? 

*** How do our responses to challenges affect our ability to battle the Goliaths that may come later?

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "There are Goliaths all around you, hulking giants with evil intent to destroy you. These are not nine-foot-tall men, but they are men and institutions that control attractive but evil things that may challenge and weaken and destroy you. Included in these are beer and other liquors and tobacco. Those who market these products would like to enslave you into their use. There are drugs of various kinds which, I am told, are relatively easy to obtain in many high schools. For those who peddle them, this is a multimillion-dollar industry, a giant web of evil. There is pornography, seductive and interesting and inviting. It has become a giant industry, producing magazines, films, and other materials designed to take your money and lead you toward activities that would destroy you. The giants who are behind these efforts are formidable and skillful. They have gained vast experience in the war they are carrying on. They would like to ensnare you.
It is almost impossible to entirely avoid exposure to their products. You see these materials on all sides. But you need not fear if you have the slingshot of truth in your hands. You have been counseled and taught and advised. You have the stones of virtue and honor and integrity to use against these enemies who would like to conquer you. Insofar as you are concerned, you can hit them ‘between the eyes,’ to use a figurative expression. You can triumph over them by disciplining yourselves to avoid them. You can say to the whole lot of them as David said to Goliath, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
Victory will be yours. … You have His power within you to sustain you. You have the right to ministering angels about you to protect you. Do not let Goliath frighten you. Stand your ground and hold your place, and you will be triumphant."

Closing
Important to trust the Lord and seek his guidance when we make decisions
As we defeat the lions and bears in our lives, we will develop the confidence, character, and faith to defeat our Goliaths.

1 Samuel 2,3,8 - God Will Honor Those Who Honor Him

Setup
Tray, Towel, Picture of Christ, Mirror, Others, Map

Introduction

President Monson told the following story: “Let me share with you the experience of a faithful home teacher and his companion in what was then East Germany. Brother Johann Denndorfer had been converted to the Church in Germany, and following World War II he found himself virtually a prisoner in his own land—the land of Hungary in the city of Debrecen. How he wanted to visit the temple! How he desired to receive his spiritual blessings! Request after request to journey to the temple in Switzerland had been denied, and he almost despaired. Then his home teacher visited. Brother Walter Krause went from the northeastern portion of Germany all the way to Hungary. He had said to his home teaching companion, Would you like to go home teaching with me this week? His companion said, ‘When will we leave? Tomorrow, replied Brother Krause. When will we come back?’ asked the companion. Oh, in about a week—if we get back then!

And away they went to visit Brother Denndorfer. He had not had home teachers since before the war. Now, when he saw the servants of the Lord, he was overwhelmed. He did not shake hands with them; rather, he went to his bedroom and took from a secret hiding place his tithing that he had saved from the day he became a member of the Church and returned to Hungary. He presented the tithing to his home teachers and said: Now I am current with the Lord. Now I feel worthy to shake the hands of servants of the Lord! Brother Krause asked him about his desire to attend the temple in Switzerland. Brother Denndorfer said: It’s no use. I have tried and tried. The government has even confiscated my Church books, my greatest treasure. Brother Krause, a patriarch, provided Brother Denndorfer with a patriarchal blessing. At the conclusion of the blessing, he said to Brother Denndorfer, ‘Approach the government again about going to Switzerland.’ And Brother Denndorfer submitted the request once again to the authorities. This time approval came, and with joy Brother Denndorfer went to the Swiss Temple and stayed a month. He received his own endowment, his deceased wife was sealed to him, and he was able to accomplish the work for hundreds of his ancestors. He returned to his home renewed in body and in spirit."

President Monson shared that story should we feel an assignment too arduous or time-consuming.  He also made the following statement to show how the Lord honors those who honor Him: “Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.

Background

Hannah prayed for a son in the temple and promised to give him to the Lord.  Eli the high priest in the temple comforted her.

Chapter 2
The sons of Eli honor themselves above the Lord.
Hophni and Phinehas were sons of Eli, the high priest, and were priests themselves. However, they were wicked. When Israelites came to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle, Hophni and Phinehas forcibly took the flesh of the sacrificial animals before the fat portions had been burned on the altar. They also took some of the flesh that the offerer was boiling for the sacrificial meal. These were serious transgressions of God’s laws, equivalent to robbing God. Eli’s sons also committed the extremely serious sin of seducing women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle.
What effect did the actions of Eli’s sons have on other people in Israel? (v.17,24)
What do the actions of Eli’s sons suggest about whom they chose to honor? (uncover the mirror.) 
*** In what areas of our lives do we sometimes honor and please ourselves rather than the Lord?
Entertainment, Sabbath observance, Dating and morality, Fasting, Church callings 
*** Why do you think we sometimes choose to please ourselves rather than God?
*** What are the consequences of honoring ourselves more than God?

Eli honors his sons above the Lord.
What responsibility did Eli have when he learned of the wickedness of his sons? 
What did he do? He reprimanded them
In what way had Eli honored his sons more than God? (uncover others)
Under the law of Moses, willful disobedience to parents was punishable by death, and the parents were obliged to see that the punishment was carried out. Hophni and Phinehas compounded their already serous sins by disobeying their father, and Eli failed in his parental responsibility as well as in his office as the presiding priest. Although he rebuked his sons, he took no action to see that the abomination in his family and at the tabernacle was corrected. Therefore, “a man of God” came to Eli and pronounced the Lord’s curse upon Eli’s house“[thou] honourest thy sons above me”
That is, Eli’s relationship with his sons was of more value to him than his relationship with God.
see (v.27-29) 

*** In what ways do we sometimes honor other people more than God?
- We allow our peers to persuade us to do something we know is wrong.
- We act dishonestly because we are afraid of what other people might think of us.
- We fail to correct family members or friends in their wrongdoing because we want to maintain good relations with them.
President Joseph F. Smith taught: “There should [not] be any of us so unwisely indulgent, so thoughtless and so shallow in our affection for our children that we dare not check them in a wayward course, in wrong-doing and in their foolish love for the things of the world more than for the things of righteousness, for fear of offending them”
*** How can parents fulfill their responsibility toward wayward children in a spirit of love?

Chapter 3
Samuel honors the Lord.

Background (see v.1)
The word precious used here means scarce. The word of God was seldom heard in all the land. Elder Harold B. Lee explained why as follows: “There was no prophet upon the earth through whom the Lord could reveal his will, either by personal experience, or by revelation. And it came to pass that Eli was laid down in his place and his eyes were dim, and Samuel the boy also lay down to his sleep, and you remember through that night there came a call, ‘Samuel,’ and thinking that Eli had called him he went to Eli’s room to be told that Eli had not called him. And he lay down the second time again to be called, and yet the third time. And by this time Eli, sensing the fact that he was being spoken to by an unseen speaker, said, ‘The next time that you hear, then you shall answer, “Here I am Lord, speak to me.”’ And so the next time when the call came, Samuel answered as he had been directed. Now it says, ‘Samuel (up to this time) did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord revealed unto him.’ And after he had recognized the Lord and said, ‘Thy servant heareth,’ then he was told that the Lord was to proceed to ‘do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it, shall tingle.’ And then he explained the reason why Eli could not receive further messages from the Lord. ‘His sons make themselves vile, and he restrained them not,’ or in other words he allowed his sons to curse God and therefore were leading the people of Israel astray
How did Samuel learn it was the Lord calling? (v.8-9)
*** How does the Lord communicate with us?
*** How can we prepare ourselves to receive and understand communications from the Lord?
In what ways did Samuel honor the Lord? (uncover the picture of the Lord.)
- The Lord said Samuel would do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind (v2:35)
- The Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I (v.4)
- Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth (v.10)

The Lord promised to honor those who honored him (v.2:30)
How did the Lord honor Samuel? (v.19)

Chapter 8
Israelites honor the world.
What type of government did Israel have during Samuel’s ministry? Governed by judges
Why did the children of Israel want a king? (v.5,20)
In asking for a king, whom did the Israelites honor? (uncover the map)
In asking for a king “like all the nations,” whom did Israel reject? (v.7)
What did the Lord instruct Samuel to say about the problems of having a king? (v.9-18)
What was the response of the Israelites to Samuel’s warnings? (v.19-22) Still wanted a king
*** In what ways do we sometimes desire to be “like all the nations”?

Ruth 1-4, 1 Samuel 1,2 - All the City...Doth Know Thou Art a Virtuous Woman

Background
Many years had passed since the Israelites had crossed the Jordan and formed a loose tribal confederacy in the central highlands of Canaan. As they established their own settlements, they gradually discarded their nomadic traditions and adopted an agricultural way of life.

“Yet their position remained precarious. The northern tribes were almost constantly at war with those walled cities that remained under the control of the Canaanites, and they frequently had to defend themselves against invasions by people from the east: the Ammonites and Midianites. In contrast, Judah, which occupied the southern end of the Israelite territory, seems to have been relatively tranquil and not involved in the great wars that concerned the Judges.

“The people of Judah regularly battled another sort of enemy: the climate. Judah occupied a rugged plateau in the semiarid lands west of the Dead Sea. Normally, the land was fertile enough to sustain fields of wheat and barley, grape vineyards and groves of olive and fig trees. But occasionally the rains failed, the crops withered and there was famine.

“During one such disaster, a Judean man named Elimelech, who lived in the town of Bethlehem, fled the land with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The family traveled to Moab, a kingdom on the eastern borders of the Dead Sea. The distance was not great—perhaps 30 or 40 miles along the edge of that inland sea.

Chapter 1
Elimelech + Naomi
   - Sons Mahlon and Chilion

Travelled to Moab
     Elimelech died
     Mahlon married Ruth (Moabitess)
     Chilion married Orpah (Moabitess)
They dwelled there 10 years
     Mahlon and Chilion died

What did Naomi decide to do? (v.6) Return back to Moab, since the famine had ended
What did Naomi tell her sisters-in-law to do?  (v.8) Return back to their families
*** What can we learn from Naomi’s concern for her daughters-in-law that can help us in our family relationships?
How did Ruth and Orpah respond to Naomi? (v.14-16) Orpah left to go back home and Ruth stayed with her

What do we learn about Ruth? (Loyal, Loving, Sacrifice being away from family, Selflessness)
What did Ruth give up to go with Naomi? Homeland, Family, Friends, Religion
What did she gain? (v.16) The gospel of Jesus Christ
Look up Chemosh in the Bible Dictionary
What do you think it means when Ruth said she wanted to make Naomi's God her God?
There were lots of false Gods in the Old Testament times. The primary god of the Moabites was Chemosh. While there is no indication that Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, were believers in this false god, two verses say that Ruth was converted to the true God of Israel. In her beautiful expression of loyalty and devotion to Naomi, Ruth said that she not only wished to stay with her mother-in-law but also desired to make Naomi’s people her people and Naomi’s God her God. Later, Boaz, praising Ruth’s concern for Naomi, says to her, “A full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust” (Ruth 2:12; emphasis added). Both of these passages indicate that Ruth was converted.

*** What can we learn from Ruth about making sacrifices for the gospel?

How did the people in Bethlehem react to seeing Naomi and Ruth? (v.19-20)
Naomi here used a play on words based on her name. In Hebrew Naomi means “sweet or pleasant” and Mara means “bitter.” When, after many years’ absence, the people greeted her in surprise by asking, “Is this Naomi?” (v. 19), she responded by saying, “Call me not Naomi [pleasant], call me Mara [bitter]: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (v. 20). This reply was not an accusation, only Naomi’s way of saying that she had endured much tragedy while in Moab.

They came to Bethlem at the beginning of harvest.

Chapter 2
How did Ruth get to work? (v.2) Glean ears of corn to gain favor in the sight of Boaz
Harvesting was difficult work and demanded long hours. Young men moved through the fields grasping handfuls of the grain and cutting through the stalks with sickles. These small bunches of grain were then bound into bundles called sheaves. As the men worked rapidly, a number of stalks fell to the ground. If the men were careful and took the time, these too could be gathered up. However, any stalks that dropped were allowed to remain where they fell. Poor people, following the reapers, were permitted to ‘glean,’ or gather, the random stalks—possibly all that stood between them and starvation. In addition, the edges of the field, where the sickle was not as easily wielded, were left unharvested. The poor were welcome to that portion, as well. “The destitute of Bethlehem now included Ruth and Naomi, and Ruth offered to go into the fields and glean.

Chapter 3

What did Naomi tell Ruth to do? (v.1-4) 

What was Ruth's purpose in going into Boaz? (v.6-9)

What does spread they skirt over thine handmaid mean? (v.9)

Naomi wanted to help her faithful daughter-in-law secure a husband and family.  To do this, Naomi considered the levirate marriage, a practice that had prevailed for many years in Israel.

see Deuteronomy 25:5–10 for the levirate marriage obligation in Israelite families) 

How did Ruth make her proposal to Boaz? v:6-9

“When Boaz awoke from his sleep by the pile of grain, which he was guarding as was the custom during harvest time, he was startled by Ruth’s presence. She was direct in her proposal. The word rendered ‘skirt’ also means ‘wing,’ and her request is not unlike our idiom ‘take me under your wing.’ Gesenius, the famous Hebraist, says it was a proper proposal of marriage—even though the girl was doing the proposing!”

The idiom means “protect me,” or, in other words, “be my protector or husband.”

“According to our customs, indeed, this act of Naomi and Ruth appears a very objectionable one from a moral point of view, but it was not so when judged by the customs of the people of Israel at that time. Boaz, who was an honourable man, and, according to (v.10), no doubt somewhat advanced in years, praised Ruth for having taken refuge with him, and promised to fulfil her wishes when he had satisfied himself that the nearer redeemer would renounce his right and duty. As he acknowledged by this very declaration, that under certain circumstances it would be his duty as redeemer to marry Ruth, he took no offence at the manner in which she had approached him and proposed to become his wife. On the contrary, he regarded it as a proof of feminine virtue and modesty, that she had not gone after young men, but offered herself as a wife to an old man like him. This conduct on the part of Boaz is a sufficient proof that women might have confidence in him that he would do nothing unseemly. And he justified such confidence

“The word here rendered ‘redeemer’ we translate literally from Hebrew go’el and this is its proper translation. It is rendered merely ‘kinsman’ in the King James English translation. The function of a go’el was to make it possible for a widow who had lost home and property to return to her former status and security and to have seed to perpetuate her family.

“It is easy to see why the later prophets borrowed this word from the social laws of Israel and used it to describe the functions of Him who would become the Divine Redeemer: Think of what He does to restore us to proper status with God, and to give us future security and eternal ‘seed.’

When Ruth’s husband died, his nearest male relative was supposed to marry Ruth. Boaz was not the nearest male relative, but he agreed to marry Ruth if the nearest male relative did not wish to do so

What was Ruth's reputation among the people of Bethlehem? (v.11) All the City Doth Know....
*** Why is it important that our family members, friends, and neighbors know what we believe in and what values we strive to uphold? 

Chapter 4

How was a public agreement made legally binding? (v.7-12)

The public life of an Israelite village was concentrated at its main gate. It was here that matters of law were brought for adjudication before the elders of the community. They also were the official witnesses for transactions such as the one in which Boaz agreed to marry Ruth if her kinsman would give up all rights to her dead husband’s property. A man renouncing property rights removed a sandal and presented it to the new property holder, a gesture that everyone understood and considered binding if witnessed by the elders

Who married Ruth? Boaz.  They had a child together (v.13)

What significance came of this marriage? They had a child who was a descendant of King David

see Matthew 1:5-16

President Thomas S. Monson called Ruth a heroine

1 Samuel

Hannah, wife of Elkanah, was childless. Each year at the temple she wept and prayed for a son

What promise did she make with the Lord? (v.11)

Conclusion

The book of Ruth contains one of the most beautiful stories ever written. Despite being set in a day when political chaos and moral degeneracy existed in parts of the land, this story contains not a single demeaning feature and is uplifting and heartwarming. The following are examples of quiet devotion and obedience from this story:

1. Ruth’s marriage to Mahlon led to her conversion from the Moabite to the Israelite way of life.
2. Ruth’s choice to remain with her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, is an example of selfless concern for others.
3. The acts of kindness exhibited by Ruth and Boaz had a positive effect on those around them.
4. Ruth’s virtue and integrity impressed the noble Boaz, and he was honorable in his relation to her, showing willingness to assume family responsibility.
5. The union of Boaz and Ruth produced a royal posterity from whom came King David and eventually Jesus Christ.

President John Taylor used the example of Ruth to describe modern Saints who also were willing to give up homes and kinships to be where their God wanted them to be: “‘Thanks be to the God of Israel who has counted us worthy to receive the principles of truth.’ These were the feelings you had and enjoyed in your far distant homes. And your obedience to those principles tore you from your homes, firesides and associations and brought you here, for you felt like one of old, when she said, ‘Whither thou goest I will go; thy God shall be my God, thy people shall be my people, and where thou diest there will I be buried.’ And you have gathered to Zion that you might be taught and instructed in the laws of life and listen to the words which emanate from God, become one people and one nation, partake of one spirit, and prepare yourselves, your progenitors and posterity for an everlasting inheritance in the celestial kingdom of God.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). The truth of this declaration is evident in the contrasting stories of Samson and Ruth. The prophets have always been anxious that the Saints find that peace which comes from living a Christlike life. 

President Spencer W. Kimball gave us this challenge:

“Would a frequent housecleaning be in order for all of us?

“I may not be able to eliminate pornographic trash, but my family and I need not buy or view it.

“I may not be able to close disreputable businesses, but I can stay away from areas of questioned honor and ill repute.

“I may not be able to greatly reduce the divorces of the land or save all broken homes and frustrated children, but I can keep my own home a congenial one, my marriage happy, my home a heaven, and my children well adjusted.

“I may not be able to stop the growing claims to freedom from laws based on morals, or change all opinions regarding looseness in sex and growing perversions, but I can guarantee devotion to all high ideals and standards in my own home, and I can work toward giving my own family a happy, interdependent spiritual life.

“I may not be able to stop all graft and dishonesty in high places, but I myself can be honest and upright, full of integrity and true honor, and my family will be trained likewise.

“I may not be able to insure family prayers, home evening, meeting attendance, and spiritual, well-integrated lives in all my neighbors, but I can be certain that my children will be happy at home. They will grow strong and tall and realize their freedom is found at home, in their faith, in clean living, and in opportunity to serve. As Christ said, ‘And the truth shall make you free.’

“No virtues in the perfection we strive for are more important than integrity and honesty. Let us then be complete, unbroken, pure, and sincere, to develop in ourselves that quality of soul we prize so highly in others.

Ruth's loyalty, integrity, selflessness, sacrifices, and dedication to the gospel blessed her with the gospel and ultimately led to the birth of the Savior through her lineage.  There are righteous women among us with such divine qualities.  We are so blessed to have the examples of these women to help us desire and achieve such righteousness.

Judges 2, 4, 6-7, 13-16 - The Reign of the Judges

Introduction
Take a Ping Pong ball and place it in a funnel. Have someone try and blow the ball out of the funnel. The ball will spin, but not be blown out of the funnel. When we stand steadfast and immoveable, knowing exactly where we want to go with our lives and determined to live our lives by the teachings of the Savior, we will not be taken of our course when the winds off the world blow.


President Gordon B. Hinckley told of a time when he planted a young tree in his yard but neglected to use supporting stakes to help it grow straight. In time, the wind caused the tree to lean badly to one side. President Hinckley realized that if he had tied the tree to stakes, it would have been supported until it was strong enough to resist the wind on its own

We may sometimes be like that young tree, unable to withstand the wind (the temptations of Satan) on our own. In the book of Judges we learn about some of the "stakes" that can support us.

Background

When Joshua and the leaders of Israel who served under him died, the national spirit of Israel also died. Tribal loyalty replaced national unity. Each tribe began to look to its own resources without giving help or asking aid from their fellow Israelites. Joshua’s generation remained faithful to the Lord, but spiritual apostasy soon occurred in the following generation.

None of this apostasy needed to happen. The Lord had directed Israel into the promised land and had provided them with a political covenant. He was to be their divine sovereign. Their temporal leaders were to be ruling judges, under whom the people retained religious and political liberties. (Such a form of government was advocated in the Book of Mormon by King Mosiah in Mosiah 29)

Israel’s political covenant showed the mercy and long-suffering of the Lord and would have been the best possible government in Israel. As can be seen in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, however, under the rule of the judges the people must demonstrate loyalty to the Lord and His commandments for this ideal form of government to function properly. Since Israel usually broke their covenant during the reign of the judges, the governmental system did not function properly, and Israel fell out of favor with the Lord.

The reign of the judges is similar in many ways to the history of the Nephites prior to the coming of Christ. It is a story of one continuous cycle of apostasy and repentance. When the Israelites turned from the Lord, their enemies began to prevail (see Judges 2:14–15). Suffering under oppression and war, the people would cry unto God and He would raise up a Deborah or a Gideon to deliver them. But once peace and security were reestablished, the people turned again to their former ways (see Judges 2:16–19).

The story of the time of the judges is thus primarily a sad and tragic one, although in this period lived some of the most remarkable men and women of the Old Testament. In their lives of courage, faith, and personal greatness, as well as in the lives of those who forsook the Lord and pursued selfish ends, are many lessons of importance for Saints today.

In the book of Judges, the children of Israel experienced several cycles of righteousness and apostasy.

Cycle of Apostasy: Apostasy > Bondage > Humility and Repentance > Deliverance > Freedom

Judges  2

How Did the Canaanite Culture Affect the Lifestyle of the Israelites?

“Perhaps inevitably, the Israelites, who had no distinct culture or knowledge of settled life, gradually absorbed many aspects of Canaan’s sophisticated culture. The architectural style, pottery, furniture and literature of later Israel were all borrowed from those of Canaan. In many ways this borrowing was beneficial. The Israelites were able to profit from the techniques of construction, farming and craftsmanship which had taken the Canaanites centuries to develop.

“But in the eyes of Israel’s religious leaders, the pagan ways of the Canaanites posed a continual threat to the integrity of the nation. The Israelites’ only strength lay in their common covenant. Any weakening of this basic loyalty left the individual tribes without the strength that comes from unity. When misfortune came, it was [because of] the faithlessness of the people, who again and again turned away from the Lord.” (Great People of the Bible and How They Lived, p. 114.)

What Resulted from Israel’s Not Driving the Canaanites Out of the Promised Land?

“The Book of Judges makes clear that Israel did not conquer all of Canaan when first she entered it. … For a long time during the days of the Judges many of the Israelites were essentially ‘hillbillies’ [see Judges 6:2], hemmed in by their enemies on every side. After the generations of Israelites who had been acquainted with Joshua passed away, the effects of Canaanite morals and religion began to be apparent upon the younger generation. For long periods of time the Canaanites conquered Israel and this fact alone would tend to disrupt her settled religious life and practice. Times were rough and banditry was rampant. As the record itself states: ‘In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes’ [Judges 17:6]. All of this seems to have taken place because Israel did not drive the Canaanites completely out. The Lord said to the Israelites: ‘Ye have not hearkened to My voice; what is this ye have done? Wherefore I also said: I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be unto you as snares, and their gods shall be a trap unto you.’ [Judges 2:2–3.] … Israel’s conduct during this period had a lasting effect upon her religion and morals. For centuries Israel’s prophets and wise men referred to it and denounced her allegiance to old Canaanite practices. It is plain that Israel, during the period of the Judges, compromised her relatively high religious ideals with Canaanite practices and certain elements in her population must have apostatized completely.”

Who Are the Judges?

The so-called judges, according to the record, appear to be more military heroes rather than officers of the judiciary. “The English word ‘judge’ doesn’t well describe these leaders. Though the root of the Hebrew word used means primarily ‘to judge,’ it is used secondarily also in the extended meaning ‘to govern.’ Most of the ‘judging’ done in this period was a matter of giving advice and rendering decisions. Regular court procedures are nowhere described for the times of the Judges in Israel. In fact, the most common function they are seen to perform is that of military leadership.” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 1:149.)

The judges did not reign over all of unified Israel during their period of leadership. The chronicler of these stories likely took the choicest of the heroes from each of the tribes during this generally apostate period and combined into one book their righteous achievements and their moral lessons for Israel.

 How did the cycle of Apostasy begin? (v.10, 12, 17, 20, 22)

The children of Israel left God and left the ways and the covenants of their parents.
***Why do children sometimes forsake the righteous teachings and ways of their parents? 
***How have your parents or other family members strengthened you in righteous living?
***How can we recognize the early signs of apostasy? 
***How might we appropriately help a family member or friend who seems to be falling away?

Judges 4
What did the Lord command Barak to do? (v.6-7)
On what condition was Barak willing to go to battle against Sisera and his 900 chariots? (v.8)

Israel was sorely lacking in leadership at this time. The regular priesthood leadership was not in effect because the covenant had been broken. Deborah did not direct Israel in any official sense; she was a prophetess who possessed the spirit of prophecy, one of the gifts of the Spirit. She was blessed with spiritual insight and leadership qualities that were not being put to use by any man.


What can we learn from Deborah about being a true friend? 
One thing we can learn is that true friends inspire us to obey the Lord and give us the strength to do what is right. 
***How have your friends helped you face difficult challenges or obey the Lord’s commandments? ***How can we be better friends to others?

Judges 6-7
Why Was the Presence of the Midianites and the Amalekites such a Terrible Scourge to Israel?

“The Midianites and the Amalekites were the children of the desert who, through their roving habits which begot naturally a desire for plunder, led them into a systematic practice of robbing the Israelites. During the seasons of harvest they came from the deserts on the south and the east like great swarms of locusts and carried away the corn [grain] and the live-stock upon which the Israelites subsisted.

“For seven years Israel was thus impoverished, and adopted every means at their command to conceal their property and to hide themselves from the dangers of slaughter by the Midianites. In that period, through southern Palestine, they made caverns in the earth that may still be seen. In time, however, they came to feel so deeply their suffering and humiliation that they appealed to Jehovah, the God they had forsaken in their worship. He was their last refuge, their last means of escape from the awful bondage of those times

What was the Israelites situation at this point in time? (6:1 - Israelites did evil. Same as in 4:1, 13:1)
What resulted of this apostasy?  The Israelites were in bondage to the Midianites
What did the Lord command Gideon to do? (6:14) Deliver Israel
When Gideon believed that the Lord had truly commanded him to deliver Israel, he went forward with faith.  Gideon had an army of 32,000 and the Lord had him reduce it down to 300.
Why did the Lord want the army reduced? (v7:2) The Lord wanted the Israelites to trust him and recognize his power, not their power.) 
***How does the Lord teach us to trust him and recognize his power today?
***How has the Lord helped you do something that he asked you to do that was difficult

Judges 13-16
Nazarites made covenants with the Lord to separate themselves from the things of the world and become holy unto him.  Samson could have been one of the greatest leaders in Israel since Joshua if he had been true to his Nazarite vows and to his Lord. An angel announced his birth and said he would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The Lord blessed Samson with many gifts, including great physical strength. He was foreordained and chosen by the Lord, if he had been able to master himself, he could have set an example of spiritual and physical courage that would rank with the finest in history. But we can learn from Samson’s failure to avoid self-justification and uncontrolled passion so that we might join modern Israel in becoming a mighty and pure people before the second coming of the Lord. 


Some of the covenants Samson broke are:
   - He married outside the covenant house of Israel (v.14:1-3)
   - He was immoral with a harlot (v.16:1)
   - He had his hair cut (v.16:4-20)
Samson’s life is truly one of the great tragedies of history.


The covenants we make with the Lord should be a source of strength, guidance, and commitment. What covenants do we make with the Lord? 
***How have these covenants strengthened you?