The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-07


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INTRODCCTION.-Afte serving for
brief time as musician to the King. David
returned to his home. och. xvii, 15.) War
with the Philistines soon brought him TO
notice again, but in new capacity. by "A
singular circumstance. The enemy had en-
tered Judah and passed on to the valley OF
Terebeth, among the western hills of Ben
jamin, and the Israelites had rallied to ex-
pei them. The three Oldest sons OF Jesse
had joined the army, and David was sent
by his father to inquire for their welfare
and deliver some provisions. On reaching
the camp he found 1t greatly excited, be-
cause a giant named Goliath. descendant
Of the old Rephaim Deut. ii, 20 had chai-
lenged Israel to send a man TO meet him.
but no one responded. On learning this
condition OF things David volunteered and
was ushered into the presence of the King,
who doubted his ability. But David re-
affirmed his purpose, basing confidence upon
the fact that he had killed both lion and
a bear that attacked the sheep. and believ-
ing that the Lord would deliver the Philis-
tine into his hands. Whereupon he was ac-
copied as the representative.
ARAIOR.-it seems that Saul had adopted
the mode of warfare common to other ma
tions, and had provided coverings for the
more exposed portions of the body. He
deemed 1t necessary that David should be
clad in these, the more necessary because OF
the enemy to be met. och. xvii, 4-7)
Hence he put upon David a coat of mall,
and upon his head an helmet Of brass.
dressed him up like soldier in the royal
armor. The young man suffered this to be
done. perhaps not liking to object and
then glrded on a sword. But. on attempt
ing to go, he found himself uncomfortable,
for he had never used THESE garments and
they did not fit. Had he gone thus 1t would
against armor, giant against youth,
with all the odds in favor OF the. former.
Matt, XVI; 81 Besides. had the issue
ascribed largely to Saul and the instru-
ments he supplied. Politely informing the
King that he, he could %, not use what mad ben Oda
doubtless to the great surprise OF all
David did not abandon the fight. He only
age had not failed, ' but nj rather increased
He proposed in this encounter to be his
his skill. and for the help of God in whom
he trusted psalm xviii Si) His own shep-
stood as he was IS when he left home '' with
the message of q. fathers love och. xvii,
l. Isl G,asPing his staff with h,1aS Which he
| stopped down and took Ave smooth stones
from the brook and placed them in his
he he ca Mas abe s to SLING dsa IN MS b w
Thus. equipped he stepped in front of
Israel's lines and advaqced toward the
heroic deeds Of history. The The flower Of the
| Philistine army. naughty and defiant, SYM
Sol r Of the military power Of the heather
ponderous shield, was in the distance. APP
preaching him was mere stripping, alone.
| DISADVANTAGE the daily calls for forty
days (Ch. xvii, 16). Goliath had reason to
expect that II anyone accepted his chal-
| some stalwart, whose form, like his own,
might indicate his proves. He may have
known bs of Ssur S stature TURF ch < 90 In which
| ably designed to meet physical strength
with physical strength. Looking: therefore.
over the field. the giant disdained the rudy
youth before him. 'Comest thou to me with
staves?" he asked-,thou a shepherd. a
warrior. Do you dare to meet me with
Philistine's scorn found further express
SION in oaths. He probably deemed himself
insulted. volley after volleey of imprecations
| In the name of his God were hurled at
David. Thereby the warrior displayed his
weakness, as did the trembling King of
Moab iNumb. xxi, $50. when he invoked
| through Balaam curse upon victorious
Israel. Self-conscious strength. true brav-
cry, IS calm and unmoved. A little soul I'm
and seek by words to gain victory over a
big soul IN small body.
.,s cH,A,L L giant might have re-
presented was unworthy, as Corbett might
| do IL some tender child were to enter the
ring. II the champion gains. an easy mas
terry over youth from the sheepfo.d, there
will be no glory in it.. Instead, 1t will be
an abiding shame to be remembered and
rehea arse for, for years after Every Ameri-
rage. Neither would anything be gained
In the test Of national va,or and strength,
az Iayng down bis life for love &c OF conn,
try and OF God. But this giant was not
the man to retire-his mental and moral
with a physical inferior was not to be de-
clined. With much assurance and boast
ing, he drew near for the encounter. his
ap G fa Vew nine fee @ IN height s
flesh unto the fowls of the air and the
beasts of the held,' he said With one
| sever the young mans head from his body,
and leave the lifeless form TO be devoured.
And who could anticipate any other re-
suit from such an unequal contest?
REPLY.-After these swelling words. 1t IL
| David's turn TO speak. There was no evi-
dence OF perturbation. He seemed as
proposed to his brethren to meet the in
| solent Philistine. Every word bore the
| marks of a great soul composed III prospect
of triumph. His speech VERSES As and ~
admitted the giants physical superiority,
coming with sword and spear and shields
but declared that he came in the name
of the Lord. psalm xvii. p He desired
it to be KNOWN that this was to be.
not fight between warrior and shep>
herd, but between warrior and the God
of Israel. He then declared that the Lord
would deliver Goliath into his hands. There
| was the keynote-he had come down TO re-
| ceiye the enemy whom God would subduc,
the old-time spirit being in the heart. Oeut.
| vii, o0) He went on to predict the result.
| Having the man in his power, David would
cut off his head and the carcasses OF the
| beasts. (Rev. xix, 1872 Then the earth
| should know that there was a God in Is
rael, and that assembly should learn that
the battle was the Lords. Josh. X, 81
Modesty, faith and zeal were in that ad-
| dress.
| arose AMI advanced, and David. fleet OF
foot. FASTENED to meet him. Placing a
stone in his sling. he hurled ii with dexter
and irresistible force. as il guided and i'm
| sped through the air. like some rifle ball or
bolt from heaven. ii Kings tx. "a Striking
the giants forehead, IL broke through his
| skull and buried itself In his brain. Be-
fore the defiant boaster had drawn his
| sword before he had reached his desp!sed
antagonist. his huge form was laid pros
trate in death. moment more David
stood upon him. Drawing the great sword
of the fallen Phiistine, he cut off the head
and held it alof,. The work was done. The
b,asphemous tongue Was silenced. The
x.1 haH fvfss al