Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-09-12
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 5th.
DAVID sPARING SAUL SAM. XIV, Al

From the New York Independent.
NOTES.-BehOld, I 1CiU delirer thine
enemy into thine hGnd.-It seems that
the Lord had made a prediction regard
ing David's coming power that was well
known to his adherents. Perhaps this
was the reason of his great and faithful
following. They worshiped the rising
sun; l Sam. xiii, II. indicates that such
prediction was well known.-Cut off
tie skirt Of fSGuFSrO6e-His purple fringe
perhaps indicating royalty. 1t was a
sure proof that David had him in his
power. Saul rose up O1tt Of the caoe.-
Among the limestone cliffs of Engedi are
many huge caves capable of sheltering
thousands at time. 1t was probably in
the largest of these that Saul sought
shelter at the mouth, while David and his
forces were invisible far within. tits the
most natural situation imaginable
My .fathe1.-A gentle title of respect
ont Of the a0icked conleth forth aoicked-
ness Whether this be an old Hebrew
prOverb or not we cannot say, Christ's
version of the same sentiment is, by
their fruits ye shall know them. "A
deGd dog, after q tieG.-The first is the
most harmless; the second, the most in
significant object of royal attack.
lNSTRUCTION.-lt is an old saying that
adversely is the best school. 1t oftener
proves the worst i'll the stern tight of every
day life. Yet David is shining example
of IA chastened conscience under the sad
dest of prosecutions.
David was wrongfully attacked and un-
abused. That is a pretty com
mon fate. Five-tenths of public SANDER
is baSeleSS and false. Almost every one
has been misunderstood once in his life
time, and consequently very disagreeably
treated. The most harmless man the
world has produced, the most beneficent
man in history, the Christ who combined
these two qualities, was bounded to
death. That circumstance did not make
him lose his Self-cOntrOl. 1t did not be-
tray him to anger or even resentment
Here are two examples of self-constraint
under tie most aggravating conditions.
But this discipline positively did David
good. There is the final test, not me;ely
to bear it stoically but to profit by it. a
warm feeling arose in DaYid'S heart to-
born when he had a thousand chances of
solitary talks with God. No man that |
walks hand in hand with his Maker will |
fail to become nobler, even if he is led |
from the fascinating groves of Engedi in
to dreary barren caves for season of |
1t generally comes about that almost |
every one has his enemy delivered up to |
him at some time in his life. eff | only |
had my hand on him, I'd wiring his neck
is too common sentiment. There is a |
difference between enemy and enmity.-l
The one is concrete; the other abstract |
Enmity is to be fought, not an enemy
When enmity is conquered the enemy
comes over of his own accord.
The low and brutal are the only ones
that wreak the utmost of their power for
evil. The holy are they who exercise, as
far as their force permits, their power for
good. Had David killed Saul, which
would have been strictly according to the
etiquette of his time, his fiercer passion
would have swayed the man.
But forbearance is among the most
of virtues. 1t is easy for the
strong but very hard for the weak to ex-
erciSe. Yet it is winning stroke that is
pound to carry in the long run. Thai
fringe from the garment of Saul was the
most effective banner that David ever
waved in his hand. By it he conquered
lis tens of thousands.
Saul gave in with good grace for the
line. 1t is not an easy thing to give in
gracefully and acknowledge ones self in
he wrong. What must have been the
ceilings of Thomas when he enthusias-
,ically exclaimed: "My Lord and my
Iod!"
The proverb in the thirteenth verse
suggests the words of Christ as given in
he note. But the other side of the medal
S just as true, Goodness prOceedeth from
he good. If you see an ignoble person
10 a noble deed, there is the spot to begin
he work of regeneration. 1t is reflective
y more cheerful task to look for the
rain of wheat than to pry for the tares.
David dared to stand before Saul with
clear conscience. The feeling that one
S in the right though a thousand oppose
S the most potent engine in the world.