The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-11
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
DECEMBER Is.
Lesson Text: tsDavld and Jonathan"
! Samuel Xxx, 32-42 - Golden
Text: Prov. xviii, ID
Commentary.


81. "And Jonathan answered Saul, his
father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall
he be- slain? What hath he done?" After
David had slain Goliath and had finished
speaking with Saul, it is written that Jona-
than, son of Saul, loved David as his own
soul and gave him his robe and garments
and sword and bow and girdle (chapter
xviii, 1-5), and that Saul also set him over
his men OF war and would let him go no
more home. But when the women sang
saul has slain his thousands and David his
ten thousands" xviii, y, then Saul became
Jealous and sought to take David's life.
Having rejected the Lord by his dis
spirit, but the Lord was with David and
prospered him xviii, 10-16). AS Saul's
prosecutions of David increased. David said
one day to Jonathan, "As the Lord iveth,
and as thy soul liveth. there Is but step
between me and death" Xxx. 81. but Jonathan
could not believe that his father meant death
to David and so agreed to sound his father
Xxx. 12) in David's absence, and then let
David know. Saurs answer was that David
must die (verse 81. hence Jonathan's reply
as In this first verse of our lesson.
SO. "And Saul cast a iavelin at him to-
smite him. whereby Jonathan knew that II
was determined Of his father to slay David"
If there was anger enough in Saul to Kill
his own son. then ii was certainly poor
prospect, humanity speaking, for David, We
see in Sanl what may become of man wher.
he rejects God. Saul might have been tho
Lords own representative, honored by Goo
and man, for everything was put within his
reach for his good.
34 "He was grieved for David. because
his father had done him shame" There
fore he arose from the table and went away
To- 70 fno tuha
heart Is grieyed, and il our love to Jesus
Christ was more like the love of Jonathan
to David we would be more sensitive con-
cerning the sights put upon our Saviour
and not find pleasure and degree Of salts
faction in persons and places and things
which dishonor Him. Oh, for whole heart
for Christ!
IS. "And 1t came to pass in. the morning
that Jonathan went out into the field at the
time appointed with David, and little lad
with him." See the story OF this appoint
ment in verses 18 to 23 and n.ote Jonathan's
faithfulness in keeping it. Our comfort Is
not in our faithfulness In keeping our word,
but in the faithfulness Of our covenant keeIt-
ing God and Saviour. See David's comfort
when he came to his dying hour (lI Sam.
xiii, s. See also Cor. l.. 9; x, IS; Thess.
", "a; II Thess. ILL.,, 8.
fetch unto me the arrows which I shoot.
And as the lad ran he shot nm arrow beyond
him." I suppose any lad would cheerfully
go anywhere with the kings son for "any
manner of service" q ChroII. xviii, 2D.
Think how cheerfully Samuel ran at the cup
posed call of Eli three times In succession In
one night. Let the question search us, "Am
I ready and cheerful messenger for the
King and His Son at all times?" Cu SamI
XIV. 15).
81, jonathan cried after the lad and said,
Is not the arrow beyond thee?' See the sig
niflcance of this in verse a. How It must
have gone to David's heart, for 1t was even
as he feared He must separate himself even
from Jonathan, he must become stranger
and flee for his life because IN enemy is on
the throne which rightfully belongs to him.
But it is all a part Of the foIeordained plan
for him, and Gods way for him to reach the
throne in due time. See Eph. H., 10; Math.
xvi. "a.
9s. "And Jonathan cried after the lad,
Make speed, haste, stay not" In additional
grievous word for David from the heart that
loved him as its own life, but 1t was for
David's sake and just because Jonathan loved
him 80, for it hurt Jonathan as much, X not
more, than David. All that God says or does
to us Is infinite love; the very worst that can
come to us Is love and goodness and mercy,
as God sees 1t, and We must trust Him.
49, "But the lad knew not anything, only
Jonathan and David knew the matter" So
we go on not knowing. He holds the key OF
all unknown, and we are glad. When He
asked Philip about feeding the 5000, it was
oniy to prove him, for she Himself knew
what he would do" (John VI, O.. The lad
with the loaves knew nothing, but was evi-
IDENTIFY ready to he used "Jesus knew from
the beginning" and that Is enough.
40. "And Jonathan gave his artillery (R
Y. weapons) unto his lad, and said unto him,
Co. carry them to the city," The lads bust.
ness was simply to do what he was told; run
after the arrows, gather them up, bring
them to his master and nowtake them home.
His master knew what he was about, and the
lad did not need to know. There are many
things which we now do not need to know;
we do need 10 obey and to laveimpllcit con-
fidence in our Master, and In all that He does.
Thus In quietness and in confidence we shall
find strength elsa. Xxx, 15). Whatsoever the
King does should please all His people (ll
Sam. ILL.,, 36).
one with another, until David exceeded"
TT cir love was wonderful, passing the love
of women CII Sam. l., 26). There was moth.
ing that they would not do for each other II
1t lay in the power Of each other to do 1t.
Yet this was but rhe faintest shadow OF the
love of Christ to US. Jonathan's love cost
him much and brought him much SERVICE
YET II was StohQldSt 10 tuo cuu. Dafiu hoNoL
injured Jonathan nor rejected nor wounded
his love. The love OF Jesus cost Him thirty
three years Of absence from home and OF hu-
initiation and suffering indescribable, and 1t
was all for His enemies. Behold what man"
ner OF love q John ILL.,, 2, 81.
42. "And Jonathan said to David, Go In
peace" And 30 they parted, each having
the peace of God in the midst OF much tribr-
lation. See John xvi, 33; XIV. 27; Math.
XIV, 6. They met again. and Jonathan
strengthened David's hand in God and baoe
him fear not, telling him that he (DayiO
would yet be king in Israel and he would be
next to him (chapter xiii, 17). Such self re-
nouncing is very rare. 1t is truly Chris:-
like AS next weeks lesson will be Christ
mas lesson, and the next review, we will
not return to the Old Testament story till
July, 1885, Whar better thought could we
carry with us than that which Is here shall
owed forth, the love Of the Kings Son who
"Loved me and gave Himself for me-" He
has given Himself and all the benefits OF Bis
finished work to each one who accepts Him.
He shall be King and we shall reign with
Him Grew. t., s, 6; v, 9, lW.-Lesson Helper