Ellen G. White describes the miracle of Jesus breaking the five loaves to feed the multitude as follows: Jesus saw a large, hungry crowd of five thousand men, plus women and children. He asked His disciples to find food, and they brought a boy with five barley loaves and two small fishes. Although the disciples thought this was not enough, Jesus instructed them to bring the food to Him. He directed the people to sit down in groups for order, then took the loaves and fishes, gave thanks, and broke them. Jesus handed the food to the disciples, who distributed it to the crowd. Miraculously, the food multiplied in their hands, and everyone ate until they were satisfied. After the meal, Jesus told the disciples to gather the leftovers, and they collected twelve baskets full of fragments, showing that nothing was wasted. Ellen White presents this miracle as a lesson in faith and generosity, teaching that when we give what we have to Jesus, He can multiply it to bless many. Key references: - "Jesus gave thanks and placed the food in the hands of the disciples to be distributed. They gave to the multitude, the food increasing in their hands. And when the multitude had been fed, the disciples themselves sat down and ate with Christ of the heaven-imparted store." (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 263.1) - "He then took the loaves and fishes, and, having given thanks, distributed them to the disciples and to the multitudes, in quantities sufficient to satisfy their appetites." (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 262.1) - "When this was accomplished, Jesus took the food, 'and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.' 'And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.'" (The Desire of Ages, p. 365.3) - "The food did not diminish, as Jesus handed it to his disciples, who in their turn served the people. As often as they returned to him for a fresh supply, it was furnished them. After all had been satisfied, he directed the disciples to gather up the fragments that nothing might be lost; and the broken fragments filled twelve baskets." (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 262.2) If you would like the full text of any of these references, just let me know! Academic references: - White, E. G. (1899). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 263.1. - White, E. G. (1877). The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, pp. 262.1–262.2. - White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages, p. 365.3.

Ellen G. White discusses the sins of David in several of her writings, emphasizing both the seriousness of his transgressions and the lessons of repentance and divine justice. Here are the key points: 1. **David’s Major Sins**: - The most prominent sins mentioned are his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent arrangement of Uriah’s death. White calls these acts “heinous in the sight of God” and makes clear that God did not excuse or sanction these sins (1SP 378.1; 4aSG 86.2). - David’s polygamy is also mentioned as a sin that brought trouble upon his house (4aSG 87.1). 2. **God’s Response and Judgment**: - God sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David, declaring, “The thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of the Lord.” (PP 723.1) - As a result, God pronounced judgments: “the sword shall never depart from thine house,” and David’s own family would suffer (PP 721.4; PP 722.1-2). 3. **David’s Repentance**: - Unlike Saul, David humbled himself, confessed his sin, and sincerely repented. Because of this, God forgave him, though the consequences of his actions remained (PP 726.3; 1SP 378.1). - David’s penitential psalms (such as Psalm 32 and Psalm 51) are cited as evidence of his deep remorse and genuine repentance (PP 724.2; 4aSG 88.2). 4. **Consequences and Lessons**: - David’s sins had far-reaching effects, giving “great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (PP 722.2). - White stresses that David’s story is not an excuse for sin, but a warning that God does not justify wrongdoing, even in those He once favored (PP 723.1; 4aSG 87.1). - The narrative is also a source of encouragement for repentant sinners, showing that God accepts sincere repentance, though He does not remove all consequences (PP 726.4). 5. **Other Sins**: - David’s sin in numbering Israel is also mentioned as a serious transgression, for which he repented but still faced divine punishment (1SP 385.2; 4aSG 92.2). **Key annotated references:** - “His crime in the case of Uriah and Bath-sheba, was heinous in the sight of God. A just and impartial God did not sanction or excuse these sins in David, but sent a reproof and heavy denunciation by Nathan, his prophet, which portrayed in living colors his grievous offense.” (1SP 378.1; 4aSG 86.2) - “The word of God plainly declares, ‘The thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of the Lord.’ … Though David repented of his sin and was forgiven and accepted by the Lord, he reaped the baleful harvest of the seed he himself had sown. The judgments upon him and upon his house testify to God's abhorrence of the sin.” (PP 723.1) - “David humbled himself and confessed his sin, while Saul despised reproof and hardened his heart in impenitence.” (PP 726.3) - “This passage in David's history is full of significance to the repenting sinner. … David's sincere repentance and confession were accepted by God, notwithstanding he suffered for his transgression.” (PP 726.4) - “The work of numbering Israel is not fully completed before David feels convicted that he has committed a great sin against God. He sees his error, and humbles himself before God, confessing his great sin in foolishly numbering the people.” (1SP 385.2; 4aSG 92.2) If you need the full text of any specific reference, let me know! **Academic references:** - White, E. G. (1877). The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 378.1; vol. 4a, pp. 86.2, 87.1, 88.2, 92.2. - White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 721.4, 722.1-2, 722.2, 723.1, 724.2, 726.3, 726.4.