The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-12-05
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL


David and Goliath n Sam. 17'SS-B1.
Specially Arranged from Peioubet's Notes
GOLDEN Trxr-Ths battle IL the Lord'a-
TnR-Probably about b u 100 Two or
three years after the last lesson
PLACE-Ths upper part Of the valley Of
Elah, which extended from the Philistine
country beyond Gath, southessterly TO the
hills near Hebron The exact spot was neaf
Shoohoh, ct place called Ephes-dammin II
was fourteen or fifteen miles southwest Of
Jerusalem, and nine or ten from Bethlehem
EXPLANATORY.
Through the middle Of the valley Of
Elah wound q ravine with steep sides,
the bed of the winter torrents, forming
q natural defense to any force drawn
up on either side of It. The Philistines
were encamped on the southern slopes,
and Saul had assembled an army Of de-
fense on the northern, with the valley
between, and neither army dared to
leave it's position and make an attack
across the ravine, whose steep sides
would give the enemy great advantage.
There was scarcely mile between the
two armies While the armies were in
this position, within sight and speak
ing distance of each other across the
ravine, there came out from the Phil
istine ranks giant champion, who pro-
posed that the Israelite should send
forth a warrior to meet him, and have
the whole battle decided by single COM
bat. Armed and plumed, the giant
stalked down into the valley, in sight
of Saul's camp, and in a voice answer
ing to his huge form detied the armies
Of Israel morning and evening for forty
days.
The three eldest of David's brothers
were in the army of Saul, only about
ten miles from home, and Jesse, feel
ing anxious for news about them, sent
David to the camp with some fresh pro-
Visions 1t was the fortieth day of Co.
liath's challenge when David reached
the camp, and heard his naughty words
He soon took in the state of affairs
His inquiries and comments brought
upon him the rebuke of his Oldest
brother. But he kept on till his words
came to the ears of Saul.
3S. 'And Saul armed David with his
armor:" rather apparel. Probably
special military dress adapted to be
worn with armor Over it was placed
the "helmet of brass" and the "coat of
mail"
SO. And he essayed to go:" en-
deavored to go, but he found this armor
a hindrance rather than help. "For
have not proved them:' He had not
used such things enough to be able to
use them effectively. He then put on
his simple and easy shepherds dress,
which gave him full play for his activ-
ties.
40. He took his staff in his hand"
His usual weapon of defense. Sand
chose him five smooth stones:" They
were smooth, SO that they would fly the
more swiftly and accurately at the
mark; and five, so that if one. failed
others would be at hand. "And put
them in shepherds bag-a scrip" A
small bag or wallet made of the skins
of kids stripped off whole and tanned,
in which were carried food and other
things. And his sling was in his
hand" The sling of the ancient Egyp-
tians, which probably was the same
sort as that of David, was thong of
leather, or string, plated, broad at the
middle, and having loop at one end.
by which it was fixed upon and firmly
held by the hand; the other extremity
terminated in lash, which escaped
from the fingers when the stone was
thrown, and when used the singer
whirled it two or three times round his
head to steady it and to increase the
impetus.
AZ. "And when the Philistine y. y
saw David, he disdained him." he looked
contemptuously upon the youth,
armed with a stick, as If he were in
tending only to drive away dog from
his sheep.
4S. "Cursed David by his gods:" These
gods were such as Dagon, Baal and
Astarte.
A. II will give thy Aesh," etc. It
was with such threats as these that
Homer's heroes used to defy one Ian-
other.
45. "Then said David to the Philis-
tines" David gave all the glory to God.
46. THE Lord (Jehovah) of HOSTS"
The hosts Of angels in heaven, and of
men on earth, all forces and powers,
organized to do HIS will.
Al. 1.-The Lord saveth not with sword
and spear:" Brute force does not rule
in this world. There is a power
mightier than earthly weapons. At
the same time no amount of depend
ence on God will supersedc the neces-
sity of using the means God has placed
in our power.
40. David - = took thence a stone,
and slang it," On wings OF faith and
prayer the smooth stone took its fatal
fight. "And smote the Philistine in
his forehead" The stone either en-
tered at point unprotected by the
helmet, or it may even have pene-
trated and passed through the helmet
itself. "And he fell" (Psa. 27:2).
so. "Smote the Philistine, and slew
him." The actual Staying of the Philis-
tine is spoken of by anticipation in this
verse. The stone stunned him, and
felled him to the earth, but his life was