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 26
“Hear Thou in Heaven Their Prayer”
June 22–28, 20262 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 118 chapters · 312 verses
David, at the height of his power, stays home from battle, sees Bathsheba, and falls into adultery and murder. The prophet Nathan tells him a story and says, “Thou art the man.” His son Solomon begins humbly, asking for an understanding heart, and builds the Lord's house in Jerusalem. At the dedication the glory fills the temple and Solomon prays, “Hear thou in heaven … and when thou hearest, forgive.” But in old age, Solomon's heart turns away too.
Chapter
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Study guide
These chapters show two great kings at their best and worst, with the temple at the center. These notes help you trace how hearts turn toward God and away from Him.
How to read this week
Trace the steps of David's fall. He stays home, looks, inquires, sends, takes, then covers up with murder (2 Sam 11). Each step was a choice. The manual suggests discussing how to resist temptation early.
Notice how Nathan teaches. A story lets David see his sin clearly before he realizes it's about him (12:1–7).
Read Solomon's prayer as a temple prayer. 1 Kings 8 asks the Lord to hear and forgive whoever prays toward His house. Compare the Kirtland Temple dedication (D&C 109).
Watch the word “heart.” Solomon asks for an understanding heart (3:9), prays for hearts perfect with God (8:61), and ends with a heart turned away (11:4).
See the temple's symbols. The scripture helps explain the molten sea and the meaning of the Lord's name on the house.
David and Solomon
David's reign — David's sin and repentance (2 Sam 11–12)
Solomon's accession — Solomon becomes king (1 Kgs 1–2)
Gibeon — Solomon asks for an understanding heart (1 Kgs 3)
Year 4–11 — The temple is built over seven years (1 Kgs 6:1, 38)
Dedication — The glory fills the temple (1 Kgs 8)
Solomon's old age — His heart turns to other gods (1 Kgs 11)
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
2 Sam 12:3
The poor man's ewe lamb
What David took from Uriah.
1 Kgs 3:9
An understanding heart
Wisdom that comes from God.
1 Kgs 6:7
No sound of iron tools
Reverence for the Lord's house.
1 Kgs 7:25
Molten sea on twelve oxen
A pattern for temple baptismal fonts.
1 Kgs 8:11
Cloud of glory
God accepting and filling His house.
1 Kgs 11:4
A heart turned away
Gradual drift from covenants.
Restoration connections
D&C 132:38–39 — David's sin and its eternal consequence.
D&C 109 — Joseph Smith's dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple.
D&C 124:37–41 — Temples built so ordinances can be performed acceptably.
Jacob 2:23–24 — The Book of Mormon on David and Solomon's many wives.
Questions for the week
What early warning signs of temptation can you recognize and avoid (2 Sam 11:1–2)?
How has the Lord sent a “Nathan” to help you see something you needed to change?
If the Lord said to you, “Ask what I shall give thee,” what would you ask for (1 Kgs 3:5)?
How have you felt the Lord's presence in His temple (1 Kgs 8:10–11)?
What helps keep your heart “perfect with the Lord” over a lifetime (8:61; 11:4)?
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.