The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
CONNECTING HISTORY.

OF the many interesting events IN the hic-
tory of David and Saul, contained in chap
tiers XIV to Xxx, (Which should be carefully
read) the following is brief outline.-Da-
yid, distrusting Sauls promise, went again
to his stronghOld.-Samuel died, full Of
years and honors, but David could not join
the national lamentation at Ramah.-Da-
vid, provoked by Nabars churlishness,
would have put him 70 death, but for tbs
prudent interpOsition of Abigail, his wife
Nabal died shortly after, and David married
his widOW.-Saul again pursued David, and
was a second time spared by him when in his
power.-Saul again relented and confessed
81 have sinned ;" and there was recon
ciliatiou and final parting.-DaVid to avoid
Saul, whom he still distrustsd, went second
time to Achish, king of Gath, and had assign
ed him, as home for himself and followers,
Ziklag, where he remained year aud four
months. During this time he made raid
among some of the old enemies of Israel on
the South, but told Achish he had been
against Judah.-.The PhiIstines marched
against Israel, aud David accompanied
Achish-Saul brought out his army, but
dreading the forces eneamped against him,
went in his despair to a witch at Endor, and
called up Samuel, but only to hear bis own
doom frOm the man of God.-Before Achish
Joined battle with Saul, at the instance of
his princes, he sent David back to Zklag,-
On returning he found the Amslekites had
invaded the land, robbed Ziklag, and car
ried off the wives and children Of himself and
his men. He pursued the band of robbers,
destroyed them, and recovered all they had
carried away, besides taking much spoil,
which he distributed to the cities of Judah.
NoTEs ON THE LESSON
Verse l. The Battls.-Whilst David was
rejoicing over his victory, Saul engaged in
a disastrous battle. The Philistines had
come into the borders Of the great plain of
Esdraelon, or Jezreel, famous in all the his
tory of that country as the contending place
of armies. They advanced on the northern |
side of the valley Of Jezgeal, which is one Of
the eastern extensions of the great plain run
ming up between the spurs of the mountains;
and encamped at Shunem xvii: 4 and
afterwards at Aphek, xxx; /. near the
former place, and upon the Southern slope
of Little Hermon, as it approaches the val
ley. Saul took his position on the opposite
side of the valley on the northern slope Of
Mt. Gilboa xvii at the springs of
Jezreel xxx: ~ Whilst the armies stood
thus face to face, Saul made most perilOus
trip BY night with two attendants, BY a rug
ged route around or across Little UermOn
in the rear of the Philistines, to visit the
Witch of Endor. Thomson says: " It must
have been perilOus in the extreme, aud moth
ing could have induced Saul to venture
thither but the agony of despair.
The Philistines advanced toward Jszreel
xxx H. and attacked the Israelites, who
fed before them up the sides Of Mt. Gil
boa. They may have attempted to rally
upon the more rugged asCent, but all in
vain, they " fell down slain in Mt Gilboa.
Verse ,. Saurs Sons SlaiE.-In the pur-
suit Saul and his sons were the special aim
Of the enemy. We might suppose that the
interview with Samuel the night before was
but a poor preparation for the shock Of bat
tie, and only increased the fears (zxviii 81
that led him to seek that interview; and
that the king, who in his early reign made