2 Samuel 18

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, I AM, the premortal Christ

And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. 2 Samuel 18:28

Ahimaaz praises the LORD (Jehovah, the premortal Christ) as the one who delivered David from those who rose against him. The same credit is given in verses 19 and 31.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! 2 Samuel 18:33

David wishes he could have died in place of the son who rebelled against him, but he could not. Jesus Christ did what David could only wish: He died for us while we were still rebels, so that we could live.

• alluded to by Romans 5:8-10 — While we were yet sinners, and enemies, Christ died for us.