The National tribune., 1896-09-03
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Sept
13, 1896. y
Subject: Dayid's Gratitude to God. 2 SAM,
2e:4O-5l.
zone reading these notes should hrstcsrelniy
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures ~
indicated above.i $3.50
INTRODUCTION.
We must become thoroughly conscious OF the
value of the Book we study. 1T has been
strikingly said" remarks writer in the New
York Star, that were Shakspere's WORKS ae-
stroyed, every Ike that ne eve. wroIe eouia os
recovered from the pages Of other authors ana
the speech of the people. So, every text In the
Bible has been quoted by somebody as proof
or illustration, to point moral or adorn taie:
Even our secular literature is sweetened and
elevated by thought aud expressions from the
Scriptures 1t would be IS impossible to SUBJ
tract the Bible from our modern Engiish iitera,
ture. which is read by everybody, as to unbraid
the sunbeams, and extract the yellow or violet
rays from the tides of light that fill the solar
system with warmth and cheer. And people do
not now read the Bible as a book as they did in
former DAYS. because they do read what con-
stitutes it's spirit and its life the very substance
and essence of it, in every book and painphiet,
in every story and newspaper they take up.
We no longer 20 to the we'll with our pitchers
to get water as in the olden time, for the water
has been brought into our houses, so that we
have only to touch knob in any room to have
our wants supplied. If the Bible to-day Is read
less as book, and is read less everywhere, it is
very largely because that which makes the
reading of it serviceable and edifying has gone
in to all other books and is unconsciously aD-
sorbed by all who read anything"
All this may be true, and yet we must go to
the original sources We must study GODS
Book at first hand. We keep up our Sunday
schools for the very purpose OF teaching the
PRINCIPLES which are found to underlie to SO
great an extent our literature, politics, press,
aud even our current conversations.
GENERAL REMARKS ON 2 SAM, %.
The chapter is called "song." v. We
find it repeated in the Book of Psalms. 1t is
the 18th Psalm The changes, and Abarbinel
notices "a, we're made. it is thought, by David
when he introduced it into the Book OF Psalms
At first, he used it for private worship. linen,
when advanced in age. he introduced IL 1nco
the Book of Psalms, handed it over to the
chief musician (see title of Psalm 49,, to be
used in public worship.
A few hold that David composed this psalm
after his victories over Saul and other enemies
aud before he entered fully into the kingship
So Abarbinal. But the general opinion is that
the words were written toward the close OF his
life. So say Josephus. Ros, kimchi, kenni-
colt, Rev. E. Venables. Plumer
We notice it is twice quoted in the New Tes-
tament-Rem., 1879; Heb, 2: Ii. Verse 81 is
quoted in Prov, 30: 5; Verse "a, in Hab., 3: H.
There are differences Of opinion as to whether
the words apply literally and only to David, or
only to the Messiah, or 70 both. Views: :,
a. David alone is meant. Patrick, keli,
Delitzsch. sssM
b. To Christ alone. DR.. Kennicott Bishop
Horne, Morrison, Montanus Horsley.
c. To both Christ and David. 1t has double
sense. Calvin, Dr. A. Clark, Scott, Alexander,
Plumer.
We may divide the chapter as follows:
I. David praises God for deliverances VS.. Ia
II. The deliverances stated 5-2o
III. The grounds of said deliverances 2l-2o
~ Helps and victories detailed 1916
Y. Renewal of praises to God 47-5l
SAM, 90: 40 46. INCLUSIVE.
Data.
In addition to the account in SAM, %: 40
as. we have Ps., 10: 39-45, inclusive.
AeJeTeHCtS
V. 40. Thou hast girded me with strength
for battle. 1sam.. II: 49r5I; 90: 5; Ps., Is: 49,
SO; Is, 45 IS; COL, / IL.
| 44:5; 144:2.
V. ii. Necks of enemies. Gen., 40 g.; JOSH
| 10: 24 Ps., IS 40, A.
Destroy them that hate me. Ps., els. 9
| ST. Luke, 10: ID, 81; Th., 1:8, 8.
| V. AZ. Lord answered not. l Sam. %: 6
Job, 81 %; 35: II; Prov, / :2s; Isa., 1:15
Jer IL H. Ia: l2; Eze., 8: 10; Eze., 20: 81
Micah, 3:4; Zee, Z 10; st. Matt, 1872, %
ST. Luke, 1925, 26.
V.43. Beat small as dust. 2 XII, 1877; Ps.
| 10: ~; 35: 5; DAN, g 80; NAL, Al.
| Mire of the street Ps., 49,: AZ; Is, 1875
| Micah, 7:10; Zecb. 10: 5.
Spread them abroad. Deu., 80 26; Is, 26: Is
| Zech., g: 6; st. Luke, 81: "a.
v. a.. Thou has delivered me from striving!
of my people. 80, 10; 3:1; 5, /; 1876. g.
1919, IA; 20:1. 2. %; Ps., 9 Il, 6; 1s:43
| Acts. LES. %; 5: 80, 81.
David the head of the heather. s:1-A
Deu., % 10; Ps.. 2:5: CO.'S, 8; 1878, 8
HOG; Isa, 90: IL; DAN, z: IA; Ro., Is IL
Rev., Ills.
| A people which know not shall serve me
| Is.. $3.50; 65:1 Hos. g: 90; Ro., g.: %, 26.
V. 49, Strangers (tlie Hebrew means, son
of strangers). Isa., 1913, g.
Shall submit themselves. Deu., 80: 90; Ps.
1874, As; 1913; 81: Is; Acts, 8 10, 2l-23.
Y. 49, Fade away. Ps, 3; Is., "a 6; 81
James, I'LL.
Out of their close places. Is, 2: 10, 81
Amos, 9:3; Micah, 7:17.
Time.
We date A. NJ 1886, or B. C. 1913. Davi,
was 6S years old.
Definitions.
l. Girded " 40 See Pc 19. 20 20 Me,
of the East in early times used to wear Ion
garments Whenever there was call 70
special action they drew their garments tigh
about the waist and fastened them aroun
with grdle. With loose garments they wer
at the mercy of an enemy. The girdle wa
necessary. With clothes girded they could us
their strength. Men to-day who are about
undergo any severe struggle in work, athleticl
war, etc., divest somewhat This would
! specially called for in contests at running
! leaping, etc. job. 12: 10; Prov, 81 II.
, 2. Subdued. V. 49, Sec Ps., 49, 80. TIL
Hebrew translated subdued, means ben
, down. Is, go IA Rev., 3:9.
3. Given me the necks. V. A. See Ps
, 1S: 49, David had his enemies completely q
, his mercy. Vctors used to cause prisoners t
lie down while the soldiers pressed thei
, necks with their feet. Josh, 10: PA. We hay
! Egyptian monuments showing prisoners
war with halters around their necks.
India an owner of slaves is said to have thel
by their necks. To tread rpn the neck Of a
a | enemy was regarded as very disgraceful to tn
q | victim. Then, to have the ,necks signifed tn
death of the prisoner of war. The head We
often cut Oft Sam, 20:21 The idea ma
be that of subsection IA in the case of the O