Lesson 29: “He Took Up … the Mantle of Elijah” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 – 1 Kings 19:15-16

1 Kings 19:19

Reading 2 – 2 Kings 2:1-8

2 Kings 2:9-13

Reading 3 – 2 Kings 2:14-15

Reading 4 - President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “There is no mystery about the choosing of the successor to the President of the Church. The Lord settled this a long time ago, and the senior apostle automatically becomes the presiding officer of the Church, and he is so sustained by the Council of the Twelve which becomes the presiding body of the Church when there is no First Presidency. The president is not elected, but he has to be sustained both by his brethren of the Council and by the members of the Church” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 3:156).

Reading 5 - President Gordon B. Hinckley explained how this procedure was followed when he was ordained and set apart as the prophet and President of the Church following the death of President Howard W. Hunter:
“With President Hunter’s passing, the First Presidency was dissolved. Brother Monson and I, who had served as his counselors, took our places in the Quorum of the Twelve, which became the presiding authority of the Church.
“[A few days later] all of the living ordained Apostles gathered in a spirit of fasting and prayer in the upper room of the temple. Here we sang a sacred hymn and prayed together. We partook of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, renewing in that sacred, symbolic testament our covenants and our relationship with Him who is our divine Redeemer. The Presidency was then reorganized, following a precedent well established through generations of the past [this precedent is explained in the preceding statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith]. There was no campaigning, no contest, no ambition for office. It was quiet, peaceful, simple, and sacred. It was done after the pattern which the Lord Himself had put in place” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 92; or Ensign, May 1995, 69).

Reading 6 – 2 Kings 5:1-5,8-9

Reading 7 – 2 Kings 5:10-14

Elder Rex D. Pinegar asked, “Are we not sometimes like Naaman, looking for big or important things to do and bypassing simple things which could change our lives and heal us of our afflictions?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 106; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 80)

Reading 8 - After recounting the story of Naaman, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “The way of the gospel is a simple way. Some of the requirements may appear to you as elementary and unnecessary. Do not spurn them. Humble yourselves and walk in obedience. I promise that the results that follow will be marvelous to behold and satisfying to experience” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 143; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 96).

Reading 9 - Elder Boyd K. Packer has written: “Others among us are willing to sustain part of the leadership of the Church and question and criticize others of us.
Some of us suppose that if we were called to a high office in the Church immediately, we would be loyal and would show the dedication necessary. We would step forward and valiantly commit ourselves to this service.
But (you can put it down in your little black book) if you will not be loyal in the small things, you will not be loyal in the large things. If you will not respond to the so-called insignificant or menial tasks which need to be performed in the Church and kingdom, there will be no opportunity for service in the so-called greater challenges.
A man who says he will sustain the President of the Church or the General Authorities, but cannot sustain his own bishop is deceiving himself. The man who will not sustain the bishop of his ward and the president of his stake will not sustain the President of the Church.” (That All May Be Edified , p.238-239)

2 Kings 6:12

Reading 10 – 2 Kings 6:15-17

Reading 11 – Jeffrey R. Holland, then President of BYU, said: "In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed."

Naaman

One of the most striking of Elisha's miracles involved Naaman. From the Bible Dictionary:

Naaman

Syrian noble cured of leprosy by Elisha (2 Kgs. 6; Luke 4: 27). He came to Elisha at the suggestion of a little Hebrew maid, captured in war (2 Kgs. 5: 2-3). He was ordered to bathe seven times in the Jordan, which, after some hesitation, he did, and was cured. He showed his gratitude by returning to Samaria, a distance of 30 miles, to thank Elisha. The prophet refused to accept any payment, and his servant Gehazi was punished for taking Naaman’s present. Naaman took with him to Syria two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kgs. 5: 17), on which he intended to erect an altar to Jehovah. He did this because he believed that the God of Israel could only be worshipped on Israelitish soil.

Elisha

When Elijah was translated, Elisha became the prophet of the Kingdom Israel or the Northern Kingdom. From the Bible Dictionary:

Elisha - God of salvation or God shall save

Attendant and disciple of Elijah, and afterwards his successor (1 Kgs. 19: 16-21; 2 Kgs. 3: 11); but while Elijah was a child of the desert, Elisha lived in cities. He was of a gentle and affectionate disposition, and without that fiery zeal by which his master had been distinguished. They seem to have been together some six or seven years. After Elijah’s translation, Elisha was the leading prophet of the northern kingdom, and the trusted adviser of the kings of Israel. His miracles form the chief part of his recorded work. These were for the most part acts of kindness and mercy, and included healing a bitter spring; dividing the waters of the Jordan; obtaining water for the people and livestock to drink; multiplying the widow’s oil; raising a boy from the dead; curing Naaman of leprosy; healing a poisonous pottage; causing an iron axe to float; and striking the Syrians with blindness (2 Kgs. 2: 19-22 - 2 Kgs. 6: 18). His ministry lasted more than 50 years, during the reigns of Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash.

Elijah

We will be completing our study of Elijah during this Sunday's lesson and I thought it might be useful to have an overview of Elijah from the Bible Dictionary.

Elijah - Jehovah is my God.

Called the Tishbite, but the meaning of this name is quite uncertain, no place being known from which it could be derived. He was “of the inhabitants of Gilead,” the wild and beautiful hill country east of Jordan. The nature of the district and the lonely life which men lived there produced its full effect on the character of the prophet. Nothing is known of his parentage. The northern kingdom was the scene of his work, at a time when, owing to the influence of Ahab and Jezebel, the people had almost entirely forsaken the worship of Jehovah, and had become worshippers of the Phoenician god Baal (1 Kgs. 16: 32; 1 Kgs. 18: 19). An account of Elijah’s life is found in 1 Kgs. 17 - 2 Kgs. 2, and 2 Chr. 21: 12-15; there are also the following references to him in the N.T.: Matt. 16: 14; Matt. 17: 3; Matt. 27: 47-49; Mark 6: 14-15; Mark 9: 4; Mark 15: 35-36; Luke 4: 25-26; Luke 9: 30; James 5: 17.

The deep impression Elijah made upon the life of the Israelites is indicated in the fixed belief that prevails that he will return, as spoken of in Mal. 4: 5. The foregoing references from the N.T. show that many mistook Jesus for Elijah returned. Among the Jews he is still an invited guest at the passover, for whom a vacant seat is reserved and the door is opened.

His recorded words are few but forceful, and his deeds are explicit evidences of his strength of will, force of character, and personal courage. He was an example of solid faith in the Lord. With his ministry are associated such colorful events as his pronouncements upon the life and death of Ahab and Jezebel (and their subsequent fulfillment); calling down fire from heaven; sealing the heavens with no rain for three and one-half years; blessing the widow’s meal and oil; and raising a boy from the dead. His life closed dramatically; “there appeared a chariot of fire, . . . and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven,” (2 Kgs. 2: 11-12) and thus was he translated. As a result of Elijah’s ministry, Baal worship was greatly reduced as a threat to Israel. At his translation Elijah’s mantle (shawl) fell on Elisha, his successor; the term “mantle of the prophet” has become a phrase indicative of prophetic succession.

We learn from latter-day revelation that Elijah held the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood and was the last prophet to do so before the time of Jesus Christ. He appeared on the Mount in company with Moses (also translated) and conferred the keys of the priesthood on Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17: 3). He appeared again, in company with Moses and others, on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland (Ohio) Temple and conferred the same keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. All of this was in preparation for the coming of the Lord, as spoken of in Mal. 4: 5-6 (D&C 110: 13-16). As demonstrated by his miraculous deeds, the power of Elijah is the sealing power of the priesthood by which things bound or loosed on earth are bound or loosed in heaven. Thus the keys of this power are once again operative on the earth and are used in performing all the ordinances of the gospel for the living and the dead.

He Took Up … the Mantle of Elijah

Lesson 29: “He Took Up … the Mantle of Elijah”, Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 20

2 Kings 2; 5–6

Study the following scriptures:

a. 2 Kings 2:1–18. Elijah prepares Elisha to become the new prophet (2:1–10). Elijah is taken up into heaven. Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle and becomes the prophet (2:11–15). Fifty men search for Elijah for three days despite Elisha’s counsel (2:16–18).

b. 2 Kings 5. Elisha heals Naaman of leprosy (5:1–14). Naaman praises God and offers Elisha a reward, which Elisha declines (5:15–19).

c. 2 Kings 6:8–18. Elisha guides the king of Israel in a war with Syria (6:8–10). The king of Syria commands his men to capture Elisha, and the army surrounds the city of Dothan (6:11–14). Unafraid, Elisha prays, and the Lord reveals a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire, then smites the Syrian army with blindness (6:15–18).

• What can the story of Naaman teach us about following the counsel of the prophet—even when we may not like or understand it or when it may be about small or simple matters? What are some of the small, simple things we have been asked to do by the prophet or other Church leaders? Why are these things sometimes hard to do? How can we increase our willingness to follow the counsel of Church leaders?

• What did Elisha mean when he told his servant, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them”? (2 Kings 6:16). How have you seen that Elisha’s statement is still true today?

Lesson 28 - After the Fire, A Still Small Voice

Sherwood Hills Gospel Doctrine Lesson 28 from the Old Testament


1 Kings 17–19

Purpose

What doctrine if understood would help us put God first in our lives and to find guidance and comfort in the words of the living prophet and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost?

President Monson:

“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.’ ”

Ask: How would you react if you were asked to give up all your possessions to serve the Lord.

Rest of the experience:

“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’ ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, 83; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, 56).

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 tells about two people—Elijah and the widow of Zarephath—who received great blessings because they were willing to follow God even when it was difficult to do so.





Background: After Jeroboam led the kingdom of Israel into idolatry, he and his descendants were destroyed. They were followed by another succession of idolatrous kings. Of those rulers, Ahab was the king who “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). He married Jezebel, adopted her practice of Baal worship, and encouraged his people to join him in the worship of this false god. The prophet Elijah delivered words of warning to Ahab and his kingdom.


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

1 Kings 17

Because of the wickedness of Ahab and his people, Elijah declared, “There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1;

Why was Elijah able to make such a statement?

(Compare Elijah to Nephi, the son of Helaman, who was given a similar power.

The Lord’s reasons for allowing all things to be done according to Nephi’s words are found in Helaman 10:4–5.)

4 aBlessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with bunwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine cown life, but hast sought my dwill, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that aall things shall be bdone unto thee according to thy cword, for thou shalt dnot ask that which is contrary to my will.

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?

(See 1 Kings 17:2–5.) What can we learn from Elijah’s response?

2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and ahide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is bbefore Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

President 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.’ (1 Kings 17:5.)

“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” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1971, 159; or Ensign, Dec. 1971, 123–24).

How did Elijah survive in the wilderness after the drought began? (See 1 Kings 17:4, 1 Kings 17:6.)

6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

What experiences have you had when the Lord has sustained you physically or spiritually?

Whom had the Lord prepared to help Elijah after the brook in the wilderness dried up? (See 1 Kings 17:7–13.)

7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8 ¶ And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a awidow woman there to sustain thee.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of abread in thine hand.
12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.


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” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 41; or Ensign, May 1996, 31).


How did the widow respond to Elijah’s request for some water to drink? (See 1 Kings 17:10–11. She went without hesitation.)

What did the widow say when Elijah asked her for food? (See 1 Kings 17:11–12.)

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she awent and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.


What did Elijah promise her? (See 1 Kings 17:13–14.)

What did the widow then do? (See 1 Kings 17:15.) What can we learn from the widow’s response?

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” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 39; or Ensign, May 1996, 29).

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? (See 1 Kings 17:16.)

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” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1988, 3, 6; or Ensign, May 1988, 4, 6).

What did Elijah do when the widow’s son became sick and died? (See 1 Kings 17:17–22.)

17 ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his asickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my asin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
21 And he astretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s bsoul come into him again.
22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he arevived.


By what power was Elijah able to bring the widow’s son back to life?

How has your life been blessed through the power of the priesthood?


2. Elijah challenges the priests of Baal and opens the heavens for rain.


1 Kings 18

In the third year of the famine, the Lord commanded Elijah, “Go [show] thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth” (1 Kings 18:1).

1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that aAhab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have aforsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the aprophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the aprophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between atwo opinions? if the Lord be God, bfollow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

How did Ahab react when he saw Elijah? (See 1 Kings 18:17.

Note that Ahab blamed Elijah for the famine.) What was the real cause of the famine? (See 1 Kings 18:18.)

As Elijah had requested, Ahab gathered all of Israel and 850 false priests at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19–20).

When the people gathered to hear Elijah speak, he asked them, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).

What do you think it means to halt between two opinions?

How do we sometimes halt between two opinions? (See Matthew 6:24.
24 aNo man can bserve two cmasters: for either he will dhate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and emammon.

Note that the word mammon refers to worldliness.)

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” (That My Family Should Partake [1974], 22).

Diane will give a brief report on Elijah’s confrontation with the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:17–40).

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the aevening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know athat thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their bheart back again.
38 Then the afire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

• What was Elijah’s purpose in challenging the priests of Baal? (See 1 Kings 18:36–37.)

How did the people react to the Lord’s display of power? (See 1 Kings 18:38–39.)

How were they blessed for acknowledging the Lord and his power? (See 1 Kings 18:45.)

How can we more fully acknowledge the Lord and his power? (See 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Alma 34:38; Moroni 7:33–39.)

16 Rejoice evermore.
17 aPray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give athanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

38 That ye acontend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the bname of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and cworship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in dthanksgiving daily, for the many emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

33 And Christ hath said: aIf ye will have bfaith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is cexpedient in me.
34 And he hath said: aRepent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with apower and great glory at the last bday, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he awithheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that amiracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of bunbelief, and all is vain.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not afit to be numbered among the people of his church.



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

1 Kings 19

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” (1 Kings 19:4). The Lord blessed Elijah by sending an angel with food and water. point out that even prophets can experience despair and need the comfort and guidance that only God can provide.

Why was Elijah discouraged? (See 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14.

4 ¶ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a ajuniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they aseek my life, to take it away.
14 And he said, I have been very ajealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am bleft; and they seek my life, to take it away.


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.)

What did he do to gain peace? (See 1 Kings 19:4, 1 Kings 19:8. He prayed and fasted.)

What can we learn from Elijah’s experience to help us if we feel discouraged, depressed, or despairing?

How did God comfort Elijah on Mount Horeb? (See 1 Kings 19:9–13.)

9 ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they aseek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a astill small bvoice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?


What can we learn from this about how God communicates with us?

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” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 71; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 51).


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” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 46; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, 32).

Besides being the Comforter, the Holy Ghost is also a teacher (John 14:26; 2 Nephi 32:5).

26 But the aComforter, which is the bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my cname, he shall dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will ashow unto you all things what ye should do.

What did the Lord—through the Holy Ghost—instruct Elijah to do? (See 1 Kings 19:15–16.)

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be aking over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou aanoint to be king over Israel: and bElisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou canoint to be prophet in thy room.


How can serving the Lord help us when we are discouraged?


One way the Lord comforted Elijah was by telling him that there were still many Israelites who had not adopted the worship of Baal (1 Kings 19:18).

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

How can fellowship with other faithful Latter-day Saints comfort us?

What influences do you have around you that help you know you are not alone? What can you do to help others when they feel alone?


Conclusion

I Testify that we will be comforted and guided as we put God first and heed the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Reading Assignment for Sunday July 15, 2010 - Lesson 28 Old Testament

Lesson 28: “After the Fire a Still Small Voice”, Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 19

1 Kings 17–19

Study the following scriptures:



a. 1 Kings 17. Elijah seals the heavens against rain, flees from Ahab and Jezebel, and is miraculously sustained in the wilderness (17:1–6). The Lord sends Elijah to a widow who gives him food and water (17:7–16). Elijah raises the widow’s son from the dead (17:17–24).


b. 1 Kings 18. After more than two years of famine, Elijah meets with Ahab and challenges the priests of Baal to call down fire from heaven to consume their sacrifice (18:1–2, 17–24). The priests of Baal fail, but Elijah prays and the Lord sends down fire to consume the sacrifice he has prepared (18:25–40). Elijah prays to end the famine, and the Lord sends rain (18:41–46).


c. 1 Kings 19. Jezebel tries to kill Elijah (19:1–2). Elijah flees into the wilderness and is fed by an angel (19:3–8). Elijah goes to Horeb, where he is comforted by the Holy Ghost and instructed to continue in God’s work (19:9–19).

After Jeroboam led Israel into idolatry, he and his descendants were destroyed. They were followed by another succession of idolatrous kings. Of those rulers, Ahab was the king who “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). He married Jezebel, adopted her practice of Baal worship, and encouraged his people to join him in the worship of this false god. The prophet Elijah delivered words of warning to Ahab and his kingdom.



• Why do you think the Lord commanded the poor widow to feed Elijah before feeding herself and her son? (See 1 Kings 17:14–16.) In what ways are we asked to put the things of God first in our lives?


• When the people gathered to hear Elijah at Mount Carmel, he asked, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). How do we sometimes halt between two opinions?


• How did God comfort Elijah on Mount Horeb? (See 1 Kings 19:9–13.) What can we learn from this about how God communicates with us? 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?

Lesson 27: Outline - The Influence of Wicked and Righteous Leaders

1. Introduction

a) We have seen the character arc of three kings of Israel

i) Saul

(1) The goodliest man in Israel

(2) Ends with obsessive jealousy of David

(a) Tries to murder David several times

ii) David

(1) The boy who killed Goliath

(a) 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 . . . . And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands – 1 Samuel 17:45,47

(2) Ends by committing adultery with Bathsheba and committing murder by giving an order that will kill Uriah to cover up David's sin

iii) Solomon

(1) Begins by praying, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? " 1 Kings 3:9

(2) Ends by marrying out of the covenant

(a) Remember how much effort was put into finding a righteous wife, Rebekah, so Isaac could marry in the covenant.

(b) Solomon marries out of the covenant and his non-Israelite wives persuade him to worship false gods

(i) Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites – 1 Kings 11:5

b) Pride Cycle

i) Often speak of the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon

(1) Righteousness and Prosperity

(2) Pride and Wickedness

(3) Destruction and Suffering

(4) Humility and Repentance

ii) Pride cycle can operate with a people who have the doctrine necessary to understand that they must humble themselves

(1) In the end, the Nephites were destroyed because they would not humble themselves – cycle stopped with destruction and suffering.

iii) In the life of an individual, the pride cycle can also come full circle

(1) However, there is no guarantee that the individual life will not end like the Nephites – stuck in destruction and suffering

iv) The Kings of Israel

(1) Saul ended his life in destruction and suffering

(2) David ended his life holding earthly power, but having lost is eternal inheritance

(3) Solomon ended his life holding earthly power, but also having fallen away

(a) Never made it to Humility and Repentance

(b) Solomon's actions would lead to many problems with his posterity and for Israel

2. The kingdom of Israel is divided, primarily because of Rehoboam’s harsh leadership

a) Reading 1 – 1 Kings 11:42-43

42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

b) Who is Rehoboam?

i) Rehoboam is the grandson of King David, and the third great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz. Rehoboam’s mother was an Ammonite princess Naamah.

c) Reading 2 – 1 Kings 12:1-4

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)

3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,

4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

d) Rehoboam's response is to tell the people to come back in three days.

i) It is clear that, in his later years, Solomon was putting great burdens on his people

(1) Taxes

(2) Force labor

e) Rehoboam consults with two groups of people concerning the request of the people

i) Reading 3 – 1 Kings 12:6-7

6 ¶ And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?

7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

(1) ASK – Can we think of a king who lived as the old men of Israel counseled?

(a) King Benjamin

(b) READ Mosiah 2:12-14 (Benjamin is speaking)

12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

ii) Rehoboam doesn't like what the old men tell him

(1) Reading 4 – 1 Kings 12:8-11

8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?

10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.

11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

f) Rehoboam gives his answer

i) Reading 5 – 1 Kings 12:12-20

12 ¶ So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.

13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the ^aold men’s counsel that they gave him;

14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the ^acause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by ^bAhijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

16 ¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel ^adeparted unto their tents.

17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of ^aJudah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

(1) Note – footnote to Verse 20 – Septuagint reads that Judah and Benjamin followed Rehoboam.

g) 500 years after Moses, the children of Israel have divided into two parts

i) Kingdom of Judah – tribes of Judah and Benjamin – AKA The Southern Kingdom

(1) Ruled over by Rehoboam

(2) Included Jerusalem

ii) Kingdom of Israel – the other 10 tribes – AKA The Northern Kingdom

(1) Ruled over by Jeroboam

(2) Who was Jeroboam?

(a) Jeroboam had been one of Solomon’s 12 superintendents over taxes and labor – promoted while he was very young.

(b) Toward the end of Solomon’s reign, the prophet Ahijah had prophesied that Jeroboam would become king over ten of the tribes of Israel.

(c) Jeroboam had formed conspiracies against Solomon, but fled to Egypt in order to protect his life.

iii) This division will permanently weaken all of Israel

(1) At times the Northern and Southern kingdoms will battle one another

(2) Kingdom of Israel will be taken into captivity by the Assyrians and never return

(a) Ten Lost Tribes

(3) Kingdom of Judah would be taken into captivity in Babylon

(a) Will eventually be freed from captivity when Babylon falls to Cyrus the Great of Persia

(b) Estimated that less than 20% of the Kingdom of Judah returned from Babylon to resettle Israel

3. Jeroboam and Rehoboam lead their kingdoms into idolatry

a) Jeroboam

i) Through the prophet Ahijah, the Lord promised Jeroboam that he would be given a “sure house” (a secure kingdom) if he would walk in the Lord’s ways

ii) READ – 1 Kings 11:38

38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

iii) Jeroboam failed to keep the conditions given to him by Ahijan

(1) Worried that when his people went to Jerusalem, the site of the only temple, to perform sacrifices, they would come under the influence of Rehoboam and follow him.

(2) Jeroboam worried that he would lose his kingdom.

(3) What was Jeroboam's solution to this problem? Golden Calves!

(a) Built two golden calves

(i) Said "behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." 1 Kings 12:28

(b) High places: original altars that were built on hilltops. Jereboam desecrated these altars and used them for idol worship.

(c) Made priests who were not Levites

(d) Created a new feast day

(i) Remember that in Deuteronomy, the Lord had given Moses specific holy feasts, all of which pointed to the coming Messiah

(ii) Made sacrifices to the golden calves and in the high places

b) Rehoboam

i) Rehoboam also lead the Kingdom of Judah into idolatry

ii) READ – 1 Kings 14:22-23

22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.

(1) Groves were used for pagan worship where people sometimes engaged in immoral behavior.

c) Terrible consequences of evil kings

i) Remember the warnings of Samuel when Israel asked for a king instead of judges so they could be like other nations

ii) Remember the counsel of Mosiah about the terrible consequences of even a single evil king – citing Noah – when he counseled the Nephites to establish a structure of judges who would enforce laws made by the voice of the people.

iii) The children of Israel would never fully recover from the consequences of the reigns of Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

4. Jehoshaphat leads the kingdom of Judah to follow the Lord and His prophets

a) Jump forward in time to Rehoboam's great-grandson Jehoshaphat, who was the king of Judah

b) Reading 6 – 2 Chronicles 17:3-6

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

c) Jehoshaphat sends out Levites to teach the people

i) Reading 7 – 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

7 ¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

(1) Verse 9 – the priests that Jehoshaphat sent out taught from the scriptures

ii) Reading 8 - President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 44)

d) Judah is attacked by the armies of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir

i) Jehoshaphat's first response

(1) Reading 9 – 2 Chronicles 20:3-13

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

5 ¶ And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,

6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

13 And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

e) The Lord's Response to the prayers of the people of Judah

i) READ 2 Chronicles 20:14-17

14 ¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.

f) The people of Judah went out to face the armies the next morning.

i) READ 2 Chronicles 20:20-23

20 ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.

22 ¶ And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.