The National tribune., 1896-07-23

words are so suggestive, no other words so
penetrating no other words are so revealing,
no other words are so quickening, and no other
words so satisfy the soul as the words in which
the Spirit has been pleased to reveal Gods
will 10 u.s."
part of the pledge of every Christian En-
deavorer is to read, each day, some portion OF
Gods Word.
DAVID AND MEPHIBosHETH.
We have this one account. Q Sam. Chap. o.
References.
Verse l. Jonathan's sake. / Sam, 1873 ;
&c IA, IS, Is II, AZ; Prov, 27:10.
Verse 2. Ziba. l6:l; 10: IL, % &
Verse B. Kindness of God. SAM, 90: IL, Is.
Lsme on his feet. 4:4; 9:13.
Verse 4. Machir. 7:2.
Verse 6. Mephibosheth. 4:4.
He is also named Merib baal Chr,
1874; $40.
Verse T. Eat at my table. II 10; 10: %.
Verse 9. Dog Sam, "a: II; SAM, 1879.
Verse TO- Fifteen sons and 20 servants. 1917.
Verse IL. Micah. Chr, s:3i
Time.
We date A. ~, 1904 or d. c. 1910
Place.
The location was Jerusalem.
NephiLosketh.
He was a grandson of Saul, and 8 son Of
Jonathan. When five years OF age he met with
an accident. His nurse let him fall, and the
result was lameness 10 AZ Of both feet. ~. 49,.
After IshbnsiIeth died Mephihosheth WAS the
heir to the throne. David may some time have
seen him. Yet, as heir to Saul, it may have
been policy TO keep him at a distance and un-
known. Dynasties Of time have often found
heirs by a preceding dynasty very troublesome.
Iii. t,,tu
ence of David he may have had some appre-
tensions. But he was welcomed. He had
son, Micah. / Gu, 8 81. Mepbibosheth was
also called Merib basl 1t seems he was brought
up by Machir. Sam, 8: a. Mschir appreci-
atel the kindness of Dayid to Mephiboshetb.
aud became a helpful friend to the King.
Il: 27-29. We find, that David restored to
Jonathan's son his patrimony aud continued
Ziba rs its manager.
TIE Facts.
At their several interviews, and particularly
when they last parted, David and Jonathan
entered into a pledge in which David promised
to favor Jonathan and his family. David had
reached a point where he could pause. He set
to work at once 10 right matters as to the fam
lily of Jonathan. Ziba was well acquainted
with all the affairs OF Saul's descendants. Ac-
cordingly, David sent for him and inquired as
to the family of Jonathan. He learned about
Mephibosheth and sent word to him to report
at the palace. 1t is plain Jonathan's son was
somewhat alarmed. David, seeing this, babe
him Fear not" Mephibosheth felt utterly
unworthy the favors promised TO him by the
King. He, in the presence of royalty, felt as
though be were out Of place-more worthy to
be treated by David as q dog than as a member
of the royal family. We remember David
Judged himself as dog before Saul. ! Sam,
"a Ia. The King must have recalled this
statement when Sauls grandson uttered prac-
tically the same common expression (proverb)
indicating huniblcness.
Suggestions.
]. Never become too busy to keep agree
ments. Covenants must be respected. Graft
tuhe is VIGOROUSLY forgetful. III you make
pledges TO father as to his family, affecting
the interests OF children after the decesse of
the father, remember all such promises Many
a covenant made at death bed is regarded
null after the decease. Even death cannot re-
Iieve you from keeping your promises uttered
10 others before their sickness or at the time
of their dying. Make no mere formal promises.
Let every assurance be sacred. Let dependence
oh your covenant be comfort to the dying by
their undoubting conviction you will do as it
is agreed.
We can see that David was distressed by the
thought he might have neglected to carry out
to the letter all that was meant in the covenant
made between him aud Jonathan. BE con-
scicntious- David did not say, Jonathan is
dead. He knows nothing Of my want OF
veracity. Never mind" We know nothing
about how much the so-caled dead are aware
of events going on in our world. And. whether
they know or not, no mans conscience is right
who allows himself any laxness because he is
sure no one will know of his lack of truthful
ness by exact performance OF promises.
.. Seek opportunities to do good. Send for
objects of charity. DO not avoid the presence
of the needy. Find out whether others want
help. Employ agents to search out the desti-
tute. The absence of Mephbosheth-the fact
he kept out OF the way. making no appeals for
asSistance-did not lessen the obligation of
David TO do him favors. That last interview
with Jonathan burned into the memory and
conscience Of David, aud set him to seeing
whether it were possible he Deglecting to
keep III any particular his promise to the son
of Saul.
If you cannot reward a-frend in person, you
can remember his clIildFen or friends Jona-
than was dead. David owed him great deal.
Ia fact, he was under obligations by covenant
to be favorable not only to Jonathan, but to his
family. Had Jonathan lived. and had David
then helped him, Mephibosheth would have
been benefited. David decided he should not
he deprived of such favor because his father
(Jonathan) was dead. but lie aided because
lie was the son OF Jonathan, and that an unfor-
tunate son. ~
s. BE kind 20 the deformed. II would seem
Ziba mentioned that Mephibosheth was lame
in both feet TO show how utterly useless WAS
the grandson of Saul. cripple is not worth
notice. He just mentions him to David. But
the very condition Of Jonathan's son was an
appeal to David. Children should be taught
kindness to associates who are one-eyed, who
stuiter. who limp. etc, To laugh at de-
formed boy or girl is a shocking cruelty. Be-
cause at school. Oh the playground in tho street,
children are often inclined to make fun OF au
associate, teachers should notice how kind
David was TO the crippled boy, Mephbosheth.
We remember how Christ helped the lame.
4. Punishments duo to a wrong-docr should
not descend to his offspring. 1t is principle
of the Constitution of tho United States that
the being traitor must not faint the blood !;
that children shall not suffer in rights Of prop
erty or in courts of justice on account Of their
parents having been disinyal to the Govern
menr. We fnd, in the 18th chapter Of Ezekiel,
the principle thoroughly developed that he
that sinneth shall be punished that sou
shall not suffer for the ii-doing Of q father;
that each person must answer for himself
5. BE forgiving. 1t Is of God TO be lenient.
IL IL 9od-Iike to be tender hearted. A kindly