Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-28
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.

The position of David has grown more
and more perplexing a. every step since
our last lesson.
Saul not only sought his life by the
basest kind of plotting, but had command
ed all his officers and jonathan his son TO
kill him wherever he should be found.
by the aid Of his wife SauI's daughter,
and by the nterpositicn of Jonathan,
David has twice been saved from the
infatuated king. At length the time of
the new noon came, and according TO the
Jewich custom feast was observed on
the occasion. David would be expected
day; but he had become thoroughly
reused TO the fact that there was no safety
for him in the presence of Saul. Hence
he sought an interview with Jonathan,
who was his fast friend and who had
sworn to remain such. Jonathan hardly
believed that his fllher's threat would be
executed, and he certainly had some
ground for such an opinion, for Saul had
on Il former occasion promised him with
n solemn oath that he would not harm
David.
At last, however, he seems 10 have
accepted David's view of the situation,
but promises 10 use his influeace TO satisfy
the king that David was excused on valid
grounds from attending the festival.
David was to remain secreted near at
hand. and if the king accepted the excuse
and appeared friendly Jonathan was to
inform David, and the same if the king
should be enraged. They agreed upon
certain signals, mutually understood,
other and parted. As David had feared,
he was missed at Saul's table, and the
king was greatly eDraged at his absence.
| He evidently suspected also the ruse by
which David and his son had thought 10
thwart his murderous purpose. For be
Immediately commands Jonath IN to 20
and fetch David that he may Stay him
assuming that Jonathan knew well where
he was to be fund. At this juncture in
the history our lesson opens The reply
of Jonathan is worthy the brave man and
loyal friend that he was. In the face 0 f
the kings command, and at his own peril
he virtually refuses to obey unless the
king can show cause why David should be
slain. His protest is manly and emphatic
II is put in form of question, ut is really
the strongest form of assertion that David
is alloge her innocent. Saul was in no
mood to heed a remonsrance, even
though it came from his son for whom he
was trying 10 keep the kingdom. He
could not answer his sons question, but
he could silence the question 50 in his
frenzy of rage he hurled his iavelin at his
son. We are ready to believe in view OF
such conduct that the scripture Statement
Of the case is correct. Saul was vexed
wi b an evil spirit.
Jonathan escaped with his life, bat was
greatly enraged at his fathers unreason-
| able and cruel conduct Jonathan appears
10 have had very correct and keen
appreciation Of justice. He knew that
David had only meritcd honor and good
will from his father; and when he became
convinced that his father was determined
to Stay him, he was angry at the gross
ingrattu1e and wrong. Jonathan himself
WIS absent from the feast the second day,
probably in part from fear Of his fathers
'ge, and partly from bis own anger at his
fathers conduct.
On the morning of the third day of the
month, when the feast was over, Jonathan
went cut into the fields under the pretext
of induIging in Il little archery practice,
but really to apprise David of the state of
things u. court. They had before agreed
upon the signals, and the plan was alto
geher successful. The conversation which
Jonathan carried on with The lad who
accompanied him was all intended for the
ears Of David, and he would have been
sufficiently inform ed if he had not spoken
word with his faithful friend. But JON
athan loved David SO well that he would
not leave the place without personal
interview, however much it might cost
him. So he sent away the lad with his
bow and arrows, Che word artillery Is
used in its old and absoete sense here,
and then occurs one of the mos remark
able and touching interviews hat pen has
ever depicted. Jonathan, the natural heir
to Israel's throne. and David who has
been aBnointed by divine command to fill
that place meet together as trusted, loving
friends. Jonathan risking his own life
that he might spare the life of his friend, |
though this friend was really his rival for
the throne
David pays due honor TO the
kings son and prospective ruler by falling
upon his hands and knees in the dust, nd |
bowling himself three times until his head |
touched the earth according TO the eastern
custom. Then these brave, stout. hearted |
men embraced each other and wept. So
deep and strong was their attachment that
1t was great sorrow to them hat they must
be separated. But other causes brought
tears. David could not fail to be touched
with the noble, self-forgetfuness of his |
friend. $50 we read that David exceeded. |
He was entirely overcome with emotion.
Hencelorh David must be removed from
this noble friend and from the society of his |
own household and people. from the com
partnership of his fellow officers, and lead
Il vagaboad life because of Saul's unjust
Jealousy. The covenant, which they have
before made. is again renewed, and made
to extend to the descendants of each |
Thcts i al in'imntion in this that iona
than began to understand the rank David
was to hold, aud wish to secure his seed |
against royal 1aaiou>y AT length they |
part, and we have no record that they met
again save for one brief interview