The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-08-29
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON FOR SUNDAY SEPT. 4.
Subject David and GoIiath."I Sam.
xviii, 32-5f-GoIdcn Text: Rom.
will. 81 Commentary

Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled
linn lchap. xvi, l4l; and that evil spirit is
mentioned five times in the closing verses OF
the chapter as well as in chaps xviii, 10;
xix, 9. Saul having refused TO obey God
and follow Him, is simply left by God to the
guidance of the one whom he preferred
David after his amounting, returned 90 the
care OF his fathers sheep: Saul, having
learned that he was skilltul player on tho
harp sent for him that he might thus quiet
him when troubled with the evil spirit, and
so he became Saurs armor bearer, but seems
tohaNe at times returned to feed his fathers
sheep at Bethlehem xvii, l5.
81 And David said To- Saul. Lot no mans
heart fail because of him. Tho armies VI
Israel and of the Philistincs were in battle
array upon two mountains facing each other,
and between thom lay valley: for forty
days morning and evening, Goliath the
giant the champion of the Philistincs stood
and cried for some man of Israel to come and
fight with him. saying, II he kill mo we will
be your servants, and IL | kill him you will
be our servants. Thus he dpiicd or rcpruached
The armies of Israel, aud inasmuch ns he WAS
man over nine feet high, his coat of mail
weighing over 100 pounds aud the head of
his spear about twenty pounds, no man in
Israel was willing to try battle with him
David had three brothers I'M the army, hut
among all the thousands Of Israel there was
no ono, from the King down. who had faith
enough in God 90 contend with this proud do
liant and wicked adversary At this time
David arrives in camp, bringing from home
some food FOR his brethren and present for
the captain OF their thousand, and, seeing
how matters stood. expressed surprise that
the armies Of the living God should he dpiicd
10y man, and he an uncirCumCiSed Philis-
tine. He is brought before Saul and says to
him the words of this verse
30. a." And Saul said To- David, Thou art
not able Saul. like all his soldiers, saw only
with his natural eyes, and looking upon
Dnvid's youth and apparent ineSpcrieuce in
matters of war, said; Thou art but youth,
while this lhilstine is n man of war from his
youth and therefore thou art not able To go
against him 90 fight with him. In Sauls
eyes II was simply question OF man against
man, and SO It secu,ed to he in tho eyes of all
Israel and the God of Israel, the Lord God
Of Hosts, was not thought Of, much less relied
upon. How could people whose history
from their very beginning was SO full of the
mighty power of God on their behalf ever
forget Him or fail 60 trust in Him.
A-3b. "llc hath deiicd the armies of tho
Living God.' The Living God was to David
n far greater reality than this mass Of defiant
and disappearing flesh aud blood. If David
was but "a youth aud unskillcd IN tho art of
war, he knew the Living God and had per-
sonal dealings with Him.
81. "The Lord that delivered me-
will deliver me- This sounds like the great
apostle 10 the fcntileS when he said; II was
delivered OUT of the mouth of the lion: and
the Lord shall deliver mo from every evil
work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly
Kingdom II Tim iv., H. IS What simple
confidence in God, what grand assurance;
and yet SO many Christians cannot get he
yond 81 hope IL is well with me- IL trust [
am child of Cod
IS, 80. And David said, | cannot go with
these; for have not proved them When
Saul saw the grand confidence of David in
the Living God, he said, "Go, and the Lord
be with thee thcn he armed David with his
armor aud David assaycd To go, but he was
glad to put il Off for he was not accustomed
10 rely upon such helps. He had no armor
but the presence of God when he slew tho
lion and the bear, and he would go now with
the same.
40. And he drew near to the Phlistinc.n
Putting OIL the armor which lie had not
proved. hc took his staff and with his sling
in his hand which he had proved, he chose
iiyo smooth stones out of the brook and put
ting them into his shepherds bag he went
forth. We can only use IN the service Of
God the truths which we have proved in our
own daily life; what we have not eaten for
our own benefit We cannot well give TO
others. The Bible brooks are full of stones
each Of which, told forth in the power of tho
Spirit, is capable of killing any giant of un-
belief or fear or proud defiance. How many
IN your Bible have you already marked
tried and proved.
4l-i4 "When the Philstinc looked about
and saw David he disdainod him. So tho
flesh always despisas the Spirit just as Tsi-
maol Knocked Isaac, but the flesh shall bo con-
quercd and the Spirit will prevail
-. Thou comest with sword, spear and
shield; but | come In the name OF the Lord
Of Hosts tho God Of the armies Of Israel,
whom thou hast deiied." Goliath repre-
sented simply himself and his own power
and skill; but David thought nothing of HIM
calf, h, hn I,r 81 - L..
God Of Israel, and the question was not what
could David do but what could he do ia
whose name David went forth.
40. That all the earth may know that
there is God in Israel" David says what
God will do, and that through him as the in-
strument but the object will he to honor
God and not David. Had there been in
Davids heart any desire for his own fame he
could not havo gone forward So confidently.
AZ. "All this assembly shall know that the
Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for
the battle is the Lords and lie will give you
into our hands" SOC how David is nothing
and God is everything; it is Paul's cry, Not
|, but Christi" Not |, but the Grace of Godn
(Gal. H., 20; Cor. ", 1O).
~, 40. David bestcd, and ran toward the
army 10 meet the Philstine." What a
moment of intensest interest il is as David
now runs 10 meet his enemy. and as he does
30 sends with deadly aim, and more than
human power, stone from his we'll tried
sling. In an instant the giant falls upon his
face 90 the earth, the stone having sunk into
his forehead Where is now his strength or
The power of his gods in whose name he had
cursed Davidy lis has ceased a. reproach the
God Of Israel, his tongue Is silent in death.
God could have done IL as easily without
Davids help, but He chose thus 70 honor His
servant who delighted % honor Him.
80. 80 David prevailed over the Philis-
tine with n sling aud with IA stone.n Tho
giants great stature, helmet of brass, coat of
mail greavos, and spear and sword were in
u moment rendered worthless by the God di-
rected stone from the shepherds sling.
"Cursed be the man that trustoth in man,
and maSeth flesh his arm, and whose heart
departeth from the Lord,n IAN flesh Is
grass, and all the goodness thereof is as tho
flower Of the field; but the word of our God
shall stand forever
81. David ran, and stood upon the Philis-
tine and took his sword (thc giants,
and cut of his head herewith Thus the great
defer of God lost his head by his own sword.
Death seems to be Satan's mightiest weapon,
but our David has through death destroyed
him that had the power Of death, that Is the
devil Heb. H., IA thus Staying him with his
own weapon; and although he is still roar
ing lion going about seeking whom he may
devour, he isa conquered lion; and the God
of Peace will most offsctually and forever
bruise him under our feet shortly. As faithful