Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-14
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN

called from tending the hocks, anoinea to
be king over Israel After his amounting
he returned to his shepherd life again, and
was called away from it by king Saul to
act rs ii musician at the royal court. When
the evil spirit came upon Saul, music
a.,ed to quet him. So his chief officers
booan 10 advise him to secure as Il regular
attendant, ONE one who was skiIlful upon
the harp. The suggestion pleased the
kino. and it only remained to find the
man. David was highly recommended by
some Of his olli :ers, AMI hence S,ul AT
once called him into his presence and
appointed him his minstrel. 1t is probable
S,u knew nothing of Dlvd' 81 appointment
TO he his successor. He became greatly
attached to the young harper, and
appointed him to the very honorable posi-
ton of armor bearer. But soon the peace
fu life at court came to an end, and Saul
with his army again took the field against
The Philistires. David, probably reckoned
too young for campaign life, returned to
his old life among the tlocks of his father.
We do not know how long time passed
after be left S,ul before the events of this
Lesson, probably it must have been several
months. Fr forty days ,he Phiistine
champion had been sending his challenge
to the army of Israel, and, of course, soma
time must have been spent in getting the
bo Il. h,Io
lenge would be made. 1t appears at least
hat Saul did not recognize David When
he saw him in shepherd habit, as he
doubtless appeared on the morning when
this lesson begins. jesse had sent his
younges1 son to inquire after his three
elder brothers who were in the army, aud
to calrylhem some tokens of remembrance
from their fuher. 1t appears that Dtvd
was so prompt and vigorous about this
era that he arrived in camp us soon AS
the army was astir in the morning. The
seat of war was not far from his home
Just as he came to the field 1.-The armi
had been drawn up as for battle, and the
Phiistine Champion htd presented his
usual vaunting challenge to any one who
might dare to meet him in single combat.
The Phiistines had n 1t Of late BEEN sue
C ssful in a general enga cement with the
Israeles, and perhaps thought tt cir
chances were better in the single contest.
This method of warfare was not unusual
however, among the people OF the east
Goliath was of such mighty physical
strength, and 80 confident in his fighting
ability that no one was found among the
Israeites that dared encounter him. David
listened TO his challenge, and new idea,
not before considered by Saul or his men,
comes to his mind. This Philistine is not
uuerng his boast against the armies of
Israel simply, but against God For these
people are Gods leope. Man never
becomes 50 conf lent as when he hides
behind his Maker, and feels that the cause
in which he struggles is God S cause
David felt this truth ard drew insp'ra
ton from it. In conversation with his
brothers and their officers. he expressed
his willingness to engage with Goliath
He was brought before Saul and after
some questioning, the king consents to
have him make the trial; and as mark
of honor clothes David in bis own armor,
and causes his own sword to be glrded
upon him. But naturally, David finds
himself unable to do his best in this
unaccus' omed cqupage. While David
dispended upon God to give the victory
he unders tcod hat he was called upon to
make the wisest provisions for the conteFt
and 10 put himself in the best shape to
conuuer. We see in this that bis faith
was not presumption. 81 refusing Saul's
armor he takes up the weapons with
which he is familiar. Some critics con-
slider our word club as Il better rendering
of what is here called staff. They say
that it was not shepherds stall or
"rrook," but rather weapon still in use
smong eastern shepherds with which
lhcy are accustomed to drive off wolves
and doos from their tocks. However
that may be, David evidently depended
upon his sling; with this he was an
exlct. The account given us OF the
pallcy between Goliah and David IS
quite in keeping with what ancient hs'o-
llans tell us concerning the champions
who thus met for conflict. Gollah IS
yexed that so unwarike man should
dare 10 encounter him, and does not
seek 10 hide his contempt for David. lie
even curses him in the name OF tho Hods
of the Philislnes. David is equally conf
dent, pnt more serious and devout. Ills
language is not that of a boastcr but tliat
of one who has supreme confidence IN
the God he serves. The victory of which
he is confident is to be demonstration to
all men that there is a God in Israel.
The account of the contest is exceedingly
srmple hut as graphic as it is simple
Golnh becomes assured that DtVld IS
determined on an encounter, and delloef-
nnly advances toward him. David ran
That was Il part OF h,s plan of attack
lie could hurl stone more vlolently y
when he pat into the action the Whole
force of The body in motion. Inc ann
was exact. We are not informed whether
Gomhs armor had left a part oil the
head uncovered, this would be the case at
least with the eyes, or whe.h'r the stone
drove through his helmet. The g'anl
was not instantly slain, but stunned aud
lcllcd tolhe earth. In these circumstances
complete victory was easy. David win
Gulmh's own sword cut off his head ana
he philistinos, in full view of the pro-
cccdings, when they saw their champion
dead, betook themselves 10 flight.