The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-07
LESSON STORY.
Jonathan Intercedes for

1. Jonathan Intercedes 1or
David,-vs. 80 "a.
The scene is feast in the royal palace
at Gibeah; the second day of the three
days' feast to celebrate the beginning
of lunar month. King Saul, now the
luxury lover, sits on his throne next to
the wall, with spear or javelin in his
hand. the sign of his royalty. Men only
are present. Next to the king, in the
place of honor, sits Jonathan, the kings
oldest SOB, the heir apparent. Next to
him is vacant seat Next to the vacant
seat sits Abner, the general of the army
Then, according to their rank, are rang
ed large company of courtiers and
army officers.
The one vacant place is the one nota-
BILE thing at this feast. If it were not
for that unoccupied space the feast itself
would have long since gone into COM
plete oblivion.
David, according to the royal custom,
should have been in that place. AS the
husband of the kings daughter, his place
was next to that of Jonathan.
Truly, remarkable things have hap
pened to the son of Jesse since we last
saw him, a year ago. His sudden popu
larity, caused by his victory over Coli
ath. awakened an insane envy in the
heart of the king. In the expectation
that he would perish in the attempt the
king offered him his daughter as the
price of the lives of hundred Philis-
tines; and David soon had slain two
hundred of his country's enemies. The
kings daughter was given to him; but
this aroused the yet more virulent hatred
of the king. Saul has in his rage at
tempted to take David's life; David fled
to Samuel at Ramah. Saul pursued him,
thirsting for his blood; but the spiritual
atmosphere surrounding the aged
prophet struck terror into his heart and
turned his erased cruelty into crazed re-
pentance. Saul returned to Gibeah,
with profession of friendship for David.
Meanwhile Jonathan had become Da-
vid's sworn and fervent friend. The two
WolO VI hnOoAS' 1ObA& 49, 49,
passingly valiant in warlike service of
their country. Jonathan's soul was knit
to David's soul, and he loved him as his
own soul. Jonathan. generous himself.
cannot, as yet, be convinced that his ia
Their is really nursing murderous pur-
pose toward David.
David, presumably in answer to royal
summons, returned to Gibeah to attend
the royal feast. But he has convincing
reasons for believing that Saufs profess
tations of friendship are deceptive. He
obtains a private interview with Jona-
than, and his friend agrees with him that
it is advisable for him. on the first day
of the feast, to attend the festival in his
own family at Bethlehem; Jonathan
promises meanwhile to sound his father,
and on the morning Of the third day of
the feast. by preconcerted signal, in
form David whether it is better for him
to take part in the royal feast on its last
day, or to hasten beyond the reach of the
royal anger.
These facts enter into the explanation
of that vacant place between Jonathan
and Abner.
The first day Of the festival passed and
King Saul asked no question in regard to
David's absense. He assumed, the feast
being in a sense religious, that ceremon-
ial uncleanliness had prevented David's
presence on the first day; and that, his
publication accomplished, he would be
present on the second day.
Now the secord day has come, but no
David appears. Saul asks Jonathan for
an explanation of his friends absence;
for the king knows of the extraordinary
friendship between Jonathan and David.
And Jonathan tells him that David had
sought his permission to participate in
his home-feast in Bethlehem, and be,
one having royal authority for such
courtesy, had granted him the fraternal
permission.
The kings anger at once blazed forth.
He can govern neither his temper nor
his speech. He charged even Jonathan
with such a conspiracy as was never
heard Ola conspiracy to deprive him
self of the throne. in behalf of this son
OF Jesse. Saul demanded of Jonathan
that he shall at once bring David into
the royal presence that his life, which
stands in the way Of Jonathan's success
sion, may be cut off.