Let Us Reason Together
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“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 24

“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”

June 8–14, 20261 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–166 chapters · 157 verses

Israel wants a king “like all the nations.” The Lord warns them through Samuel, then gives them Saul: tall, humble, and changed by the Spirit. But Saul grows impatient and starts doing things his own way, until Samuel tells him, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Then the Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem, where Jesse's youngest son is out with the sheep. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

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The text shown is the King James Version, the Church's preferred English Bible for classes and meetings. The General Handbook lists the ESV and NRSV as helpful translations for ages 14 and up. They are copyrighted, so they open on their publishers' sites. Highlighted verses have a study note with links to compare that verse.

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    Study guide

    These chapters trace the rise and fall of Israel's first king and the choice of the next. These notes help you see what went wrong with Saul and why David was chosen.

    How to read this week

    • Ask why Israel wanted a king. They wanted to be “like all the nations” (8:5, 20). The Lord grants their request but warns of the cost.
    • Follow Saul's decline. He begins humble and Spirit-filled (9:21; 10:6–9). He becomes impatient (ch. 13), then partially obedient and self-justifying (ch. 15). Note the steps.
    • Notice what Saul fears. “I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (15:24). Caring more about others' approval than God's leads him astray.
    • Read 16:7 as the theme. Saul was chosen in part for how he looked; David, for his heart.
    • Use the Joseph Smith Translation. The footnote on 16:14 clarifies that God didn't send evil spirits.

    Saul and David

    1. Ramah — Israel asks Samuel for a king (ch. 8)
    2. Zuph — Samuel anoints Saul privately (chs. 9–10)
    3. Mizpeh — Saul publicly chosen (10:17–24)
    4. Gilgal — Saul offers the sacrifice himself (ch. 13)
    5. Amalek — Partial obedience; Saul rejected (ch. 15)
    6. Bethlehem — David anointed (16:1–13)
    7. Saul's court — David plays for Saul (16:14–23)

    Images and ideas to recognize

    PassageImageWhat it means
    1 Sam 10:1Vial of oilBeing set apart by God; “Messiah” means anointed.
    1 Sam 10:9Another heartThe change the Spirit brings.
    1 Sam 15:14Bleating sheepEvidence of partial obedience.
    1 Sam 15:27Torn mantleThe kingdom torn from Saul.
    1 Sam 16:11The shepherd boyGod's choice of the overlooked.
    1 Sam 16:23David's harpMusic that brings peace.

    Restoration connections

    • Mosiah 29:13–23 — King Mosiah on why kings are dangerous unless righteous.
    • D&C 121:34–37 — How priesthood power is lost when people seek to gratify pride.
    • Articles of Faith 1:5 — Leaders are called of God by prophecy and the laying on of hands.
    • D&C 64:34 — “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”

    Questions for the week

    • In what ways are you tempted to be “like all the nations” (8:5)?
    • When has the Spirit given you “another heart” (10:9)?
    • Saul feared the people. Whose approval do you most want? How does that affect your choices (15:24)?
    • Why do you think the Lord values obedience over sacrifice (15:22)?
    • How can you see others, and yourself, as the Lord does (16:7)?

    Conference talks & Church resources

    Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.

    Scholarly papers

    Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.

    Podcasts & video

    Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.