The Battle is the Lords

“Holy War”: The Sacral Ideology of War in the Book of Mormon and in the Ancient Near East

Stephen D. Ricks

Warfare in the Book of Mormon (1990)

Alma 16 reflects a sacral ideology of war similar to that found both in Israel and in the ancient Near East. Before going into the wilderness to retrieve the Nephites taken captive there, Zoram and his two sons inquired of the high priest Alma.

1 Samuel 16–31: King David’s Call to Lead Israel

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel: Religion 301 (2003)

An overview of chapters with commentary, such as: “The story of David and Goliath is so well known that some readers take David’s courage for granted. But his courage was not born of self-confidence alone, although he did believe in his own skills in battle. As a young shepherd, he had much practice at slinging stones. It was an effective way both to keep wolves and other vicious animals away from the sheep and to attract the attention of straying sheep and drive them back to pasture. As a result of his experience, David had confidence in his skills, but the true source of his courage was faith in the power of the living God.”

Lessons from the Old Testament

Lynn A. Mickelsen

Ensign 36, no. 6 (Jun. 2006)

“Saul was unwilling to befriend David as Jonathan did because his own disobedience had caused him to fall out of favor with God, and he knew it. In contrast, Jonathan did not feel threatened by David, for he did not worry about his own place in the kingdom.”

Meeting Your Goliath

Thomas S. Monson

Ensign 17, no. 1 (Jan. 1987)

“There was one, however, who did not quake with fear nor run in alarm. Rather, he stiffened the spine of Israel’s soldiers by his piercing question of rebuke toward them: ‘Is there not a cause? . . . Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine’ (1 Sam. 17:19, 32.) David, the shepherd boy, had spoken. But he did not speak just as a shepherd boy. For the hands of the prophet Samuel had rested upon his head and anointed him; and the Spirit of the Lord had come upon him.”

What’s in a Name? Alma as a Hebrew Name

Paul Y. Hoskisson

Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7, no. 1 (1998)

The name Alma appears more frequently in the Book of Mormon than any other name besides Nephi. The name has a logical derivation from a Hebrew root that means “youth” or “lad.”

Why Were the Shepherds in the Field at Night When the Angel Came?

S. Kent Brown

BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2013)

Friend or Foe

Charles Didier

General Conference (Oct. 1983)

“We can learn a great lesson from the friendship of David and Jonathan, which was based on a covenant to be faithful to the Lord,” to love and to speak well of others.

Lessons from the Old Testament

Lynn A. Mickelsen

Ensign 36, no. 6 (Jun. 2006)

“Saul was unwilling to befriend David as Jonathan did because his own disobedience had caused him to fall out of favor with God, and he knew it. In contrast, Jonathan did not feel threatened by David, for he did not worry about his own place in the kingdom.”

Meeting Your Goliath

Thomas S. Monson

Ensign 17, no. 1 (Jan. 1987)

“There was one, however, who did not quake with fear nor run in alarm. Rather, he stiffened the spine of Israel’s soldiers by his piercing question of rebuke toward them: ‘Is there not a cause? . . . Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine’ (1 Sam. 17:19, 32.) David, the shepherd boy, had spoken. But he did not speak just as a shepherd boy. For the hands of the prophet Samuel had rested upon his head and anointed him; and the Spirit of the Lord had come upon him.”

A Nickname and a Slam Dunk: Notes on the Book of Mormon Names Zeezrom and Jershon

Stephen D. Ricks

Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, no. 9 (2014)

The name Zeezrom, possibly meaning “He of the silver (money),” may be used as more of a nickname than an actual given name. The place name Jershon likely means “place of inheritance.”

David, King

Norman J. Barlow

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

David was perhaps the greatest king of Israel. His strength and reliance on the Lord marked him as an exceptional leader and hero. His name is linked with that of the Messiah. His sins are apparent, yet he sought to take responsibility (see 2 Samuel 24:15–17).

Kingship, Democracy, and the Message of the Book of Mormon

Gregory Steven Dundas

BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017)

This article discusses kingship in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon. Tradition sees kings in both a positive light because they bring stability to society and a negative light because they can cause great damage when they are sinful. We can understand people’s desire for a king who would be a protector of his people. Samuel resisted people’s demands at first, but the Lord instructed Samuel to grant the people’s wish for a king (1 Samuel 8).

The King Called David

Arthur R. Bassett

Ensign 3, no. 10 (Oct. 1973)

David, one of the most complex and tragic heroes of all Israelite history, was a powerful and influential king. This article lists David’s accomplishments and trials. David was not only a skilled warrior and statesman, he was also a musician and poet. While we do not know which psalms David wrote, these psalms prophesied often of Jesus’ anguish, and Jesus quoted Psalm 22 from the cross.