A NOTE TO THE TEACHER: The phrasing of 2 Samuel 11:4 is such that it is possible that Bathsheba’s participation was unwilling. While I certainly wouldn’t discuss this with Primary aged children, it may be useful for you to know that she may not have sinned in this incident.
URIAH THE HERO: Explain that Uriah is mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy (see Matthew 1:6) even though he isn’t Jesus’ ancestor. This may be Matthew’s effort to include him in the story because he was a righteous person. For example, he declined the special privileges that David offered him (see 2 Samuel 11:9-11).
FOCUS ACTIVITY: Invite a child to the front of the room to do a math problem that is possible but challenging for a child their age. First, talk loudly in her/his ear and ask irrelevant questions. Then stop and let them work in peace. Ask what made it easier or harder to solve the problem. Explain that impure thoughts are like the math problem: we can make it easier for them (by giving them our complete attention) or harder for them (by distracting them with other thoughts and influences).
RIGHT PLACE, WRONG PLACE: 2 Samuel 11:1 is a critical verse: note that David is supposed to be in battle but has sent someone else instead. Discuss the idea of being where we should be and avoiding where we shouldn’t. Ask your students for examples of places where they shouldn’t be and what might happen to them if they go there. You may want to have the children generate a list of commandments and then list places that make it easier to keep that commandment and places that make it harder to do so.
ANOTHER NOTE: This is obviously a difficult story to teach. You may want to devote some time to other scripture stories that teach the same principles but are more appropriate for children of this age. This might include: Abinidi (like Uriah, he makes good choices but is punished for them), the Ten Commandments (coveting), the First Vision (Joseph’s experience with evil before the vision), etc.