Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-10-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON FOR OCTOBER SIXTH.
THE TRIBES UNITED UNDER DAVID.-II
SAM. V, 1-l2.

| From the New York independent
NOTES.-TheH.-An indefinite period
elapsed. 1t might have been months or
years before the people recovered them
selves sufficiently from the tragic death of
Saul to agree upon David d-HebrOn.-
The home of Abraham. Near by was the
cave of Machpelah. Not more than a
few moments walk away was the brook
ESchOl from whence the famous cluster
of grapes were plucked by the spies four
hundred years before. No place was
more fit to be the central watch-tower of
the nation. None could more swiftly
stir by its memories sluggish patriotic
spirit. all the elderS.-ChrOnicles
mentions a total of three hundred and
thirty-nine thousand six hundred men,
with twelve hundred and twenty-fOur
chiefs, who were probably considered
elders at the same time.-MGde O cOCe-
ndItt NTH them.-David was not sudden
ly raised to irresponsible power. He had
his rights and duties and the people had
theirs. 1t was almost constitutional
monarchy. The people were represented
tiOns David had his power limited and
he agreed, in holy league with the people,
to uphold this new covenant before the
LOrd-He reig1ed OoeT Juddh.-South-
ern Palestine, and patiently waited his
opportunity to unite the northern tribes
under his sway. Northern Palestine was
at this time captained by Abner and
nOminally ruled by IShbOsheth, son of
Saul. These naturally feared to ac-
knowledge David, not knowing what his
position on the PhiliStine question would
be and whether their rights would be
granted them. But after long intrigue
Abner lost and David wOn.-AgGjllSt
the JeblLsjteS -CanaaniteS who held the
fortress of Zion, thus possessing the key
of Jerusalem and controlling tactically
the country for thirty miles around
Jerusalem was the natural center of mill
tary as well as religious operation, and it
was necessary for David to take it before
he could think of ruling PaleStine.-
EGcept thou take GlDdy the blind and the
L0Hle-ThiS was taunt of the JebuSiteS
The fortress was considered so strong
that even the blind and the lame could
protect it.-Let him get up to the 1OGter-
is prize offer which JOab
won. The WatercOurSe was probably
large subterranean one that led from the
valley into the center of the fortress. This
method was worthy of great general
and was a complete and victorious sur
prise against the ,JebuSites.-DLDeHi iIl |
the str0nghoId.- citadel the impreg-
nable part of the -MHIO.-PrOba- |
bly, the name of an important fortress
some OutermOSt and otherwise |
scantily protected part of the city.
of Israel was finally effected under the |
leadership of great man. The signs of i
the times are pointing to the economic |
necessity of the civilized nations agreeing
under one broad constitution and one |
language. It's to the shame of ecclesias-
ticiSm, not Christianity that the Churches
do not unite under one management. But
if the time be near at hand and must |
come that nations unite under some
banner, let the name of the great
est leader in the history of mankind be
written upon it-CHRIsT. And if one
universal tongue shall hold sway, let it
be the language of love. The principles
of Christ, if viewed by the SterneSt hu-
are broad enough to insure
prosperity without the arts of
Offense and defense. The brotherhood
of mankind will be but dream unless it
has substantial foundation on the high
est religious principle we have yet had
placed before us-that of mutual love
which, when carried out to its farthest
development, guarantees Immortality to
us on the honor of our Spiritual General,
Christ.
David had made a sufficient mark in
his youth to be trusted with the govern
ment at thirty years of age. Young peO
pie form their constitution, spiritual as
well as physical, before they are thirty.
The time of youth is the season to guard
ones thoughts, tongue and actions so
that fit and trusted maturity be the
sequence.
Atheists need never be too sure that
their fortress is impregnable. They are
TOO apt to cOntide their case to the "blind
and the lame trusting that poor argu-
ment or poor life is sufficient to put
Christians to flight. But the deeper one
goes into the subterranean recesses of
5he inner life the more deeply we feel
and futility of existence with
Dut Christ
Nevertheless, each pastor, teacher or
friend will take the stronghold of that
heart if it be done by courtesy, patience
and prayer.
Let the Christian, like David, make an
alliance with the unbeliever. 1t is better
10 have him as friend than as an enc
Hiram nSpfnl