Scholarship, context and study plans for Come, Follow Me
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 25
“The Battle Is the Lord's”
June 15–21, 20261 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–78 chapters · 256 verses
A shepherd boy faces a giant with a sling and five stones: “Thou comest to me with a sword … but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.” David's success wins Jonathan's lifelong friendship and Saul's jealousy. Twice David could kill the king who's hunting him, and twice he refuses. Abigail's wisdom keeps him from vengeance. At last David becomes king, brings the ark to Jerusalem, and receives a promise: his throne will be established forever.
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Study guide
David's rise is a story of faith, friendship and restraint. These notes help you follow his path from shepherd to king and see the promise that points to Christ.
How to read this week
Watch how David talks about God. In chapter 17 he refers everything to the Lord (17:26, 37, 45–47). Faith shapes how he sees the giant.
Notice the friendships. Jonathan, heir to the throne, gives David his royal clothing and loyalty (ch. 18). Abigail turns him from revenge (ch. 25). Good friends make David better.
Compare chapters 24 and 26. Twice David spares Saul. He refuses to take what God has promised by his own hand.
Understand Uzzah. The ark was supposed to be carried by Levites with poles (Numbers 4:15). The scripture helps explain the lesson.
Read 2 Samuel 7 as a key prophecy. God promises David an everlasting throne. The New Testament calls Jesus the “Son of David.”
David's rise
Valley of Elah — David defeats Goliath (1 Sam 17)
Saul's court — Jonathan's covenant; Saul's jealousy (1 Sam 18)
En-gedi — David spares Saul in the cave (1 Sam 24)
Carmel — Abigail turns David from revenge (1 Sam 25)
Hebron — David anointed king over all Israel (2 Sam 5:1–5)
Jerusalem — David takes Zion; the ark arrives (2 Sam 5–6)
The promise — An everlasting kingdom (2 Sam 7)
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
1 Sam 17:40
Five smooth stones
Simple tools in the hands of faith.
1 Sam 17:39
Saul's armor
Trusting borrowed strength instead of the Lord.
1 Sam 18:4
Jonathan's robe
Loyal love that gives up position.
1 Sam 24:4
Corner of the robe
Restraint and respect for the Lord's anointed.
2 Sam 6:14
David's dance
Wholehearted worship.
2 Sam 7:16
An everlasting throne
The Messiah from David's line.
Restoration connections
D&C 132:39 — David's blessings, and how he later lost them.
Luke 1:31–33 — The angel tells Mary that Jesus will have “the throne of his father David.”
D&C 98:23–48 — The Lord's law of forbearance and leaving vengeance to Him.
Alma 56:47–48 — The stripling warriors' faith, like David's, came from those who taught them.
Questions for the week
What “Goliath” are you facing? How can you face it “in the name of the Lord” (17:45)?
What past deliverances strengthen your faith now (17:37)?
Who is a Jonathan or an Abigail in your life? How can you be one for someone else?
David waited for the Lord's timing instead of taking the throne. Where do you need to wait (24:6; 26:9–11)?
How does the promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 point to Jesus Christ?
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.