Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-07-30

Golden Icxt.-"Bc kindly aHecc0ned
one to another with brotherly love-
Rom. IL: TO-
David's kindness Is the subject of the
lesson, found in 2 SAM, D: 1-13. Chapter
contains summary Of the chief wars
of the first part OF Dayid's reign, which
made him master Of a territory several
times as large as the original home of
the nation. He brought under his sway
the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians
and the Edomitcs. The two latter ma
tons were In later times among the fore
most enemies of Israel. Having estab-
lished his empire over this great stretch
Of land, extending perhaps to the Eu-
pirates on the north, David had time TO
think once more about domestic affairs.
He took the opportunity to do n very
graceful deed to the crippled son of his
friend JONATHAN. t
Suggestions for Study.
j. Read chapter eighth. rs
z. The story OF the lesson is simple ana
needs little comment here. 1t Is omitted
from Chronicles, doubtless because II
does not concern the religious history OF
David's reign.
Lesson Outline.
/. David seeks out Mephibosheth. VI.
Is.
2. Mcphibosheth's future provided for.
VS. 6-13.
Explanatory.
j. The time OF this incident is not def
nitely fixed. 1t must have been number
OF years after the beginning of David's
reign, because Mephibosheth was only )
years old at the death OF iona than, and at
In Inc 90 al. II. l.. ..,,I
has n young son.-"ls there yet any that
is left:" it Is not surprising that David
was not acquainted with the history Of
the lame boy who had been living in Sc
cusion for eight or nine years since the
death OF his uncle Ishbosheth.-"Fo
Jonathans sake;' not only because of
the friendship but also in accordance with
the covenant related in l. Sam. 20: IL
II, AZ
3. ".rhe kindness of Cod" see I. Sam.
~: IA. Such kindness as God shows to
mcn.-"Lame on his feet" see the ac-
count of the cause of his lnmeness, 4: 4.
4. "Machr;" he was among the prom
inent men that welcomed David ut Ma
hanaim, in his flight from Absalom. II:
21-29.
q. Fell on his face and did reverence
not understanding, perhaps, with what
intent he had been sent for.
Z. "All the land OF Saul thy father
Saurs estate at Gibeah had been forfeit
cd to David at his accession, y: =.
Father" is here used for grandfather.
y. "A dead dog" term Of greater con-
tempt in the east than with us.
.. 1t seems from this verse probable
that Ziba had been acting MS steward or
oyerseer of the estate. lie is now in
structcd to turn over the revenues to
Mephibosheth
10. "Shal eat bread Away at my ia
ble;" mark Of distinguished honor.
Teaching Hints.
/. so far as can be seen there was no
political motive for this kind of act OF
David. 1t was simple kindness toward
the son of his friend Contrast this with
the ordinary treatment of surviving mem
bers of n rival house i'm ancient times,
e. e., Jehus slaughter of the family OF
Ahab.
. David went out of his way to do
kind act. 1t is not always the things that
lie right in our path that need most to be
done. Sometimes we must look round and
find out what we can do for others. Such
thoughtfulness can be cultivated.
3. David knew how to do n good thing
in the best way. He did not spoil the
kind act by condescending demcanor.
A lesson in courtesy.
4. How small thing it was after all, |
in comparison with the love Of God in |
sending his son to deliver men. There |
was no covenant there which obliged him |
to show mercy to the undeserving. Yet
he sends for the outcast and wretched of |
earth and brings them into his household. |