Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-07-07


S5s > ssT: then. Ta'i Be. 9 Ts. f s'as.
W " dom developed greatly in
extent. but this was the
least important line il its
new life. There was a new organization OF
all its forces, a new religious life, and new
manifestations of and means OF impressing
that life upon the people, through song and
music, and organization of the religious
workers. From this lesson We may learn not
little that will rebound to the advantage
of our own country and the religious life
which is its central force. The Map
Trace Davids movements the map, and
show by the situation the advantage OF
Jerusalem. Time.-B. G.. l04S, seven and
half years after Saul's death and David's
becoming king Of Judah. Place.-Hebron
first. and then Jerusalem. David, 81 or
IS years old Contemporary Events.-ryre
was louriShng under Hiram but at this
period during the tenth and eleventh cen
turtles +. c.. the Assyrian power was de-
pressed. and Egypt declined in influence be-
tween b. C. 1900 aud Il. c. 800 the date of
the accession OF Sheshonk. Thus an oppor-
tunity made for the development Of ths
kingdom Of Israel.
Today's lesson includes . Samuel ): 1-12.
|. Then came all the tribes of Israel to
David He did not seek them. but they
sought him. They came by their elders
". 3D. representing according TO | Chroni-
ces L. 1910. 800, coo warriors They gave
good reasons.
>. Thou vast he that leddest out" etc.
All through his past life, since the conflict
with Goliath David had shown generalship,
wisdom. skin, forbearance, courage, knowl-
edge of men. and trust in God. He was
divinely appointed. the whom God saw
to be the best one TO be their king-'the
Lord said 10 thee" He had the right ideas
concerning the duties of king. Thou
shalt feed" Literally. Thou shalt shep-
herd uXN. Pomaneisp: natural metaphor
to express the rulers care for his people.
Thou shalt be captain over Israel" not
only to lead the military forces when neces-
sary, but TO be the example and leader in
every form of good work-to better ways. to
nobier conduct, to higher lives, to victory
over all enemies.
>. And king David made league with
them" This league was probably solemn
contract in which the king, on the one hand.
promised him their allegiance. Some kind
OF a charter, defining the kings rights. was
in existence Il Sam. 10: 2J); and later on
We find the people demanding some mi-
tation of these rights Il Kings Il: ff). The
Israelite monarchy was not an absolute and
irresponsible espotism.-Cambrdge Bible.
Before the Lord Ii was a religious cere-
mony. They anointed David king" This
was his public coronation. with great
feast lasting three days q Chron. ~: 50, iO.
6. Unto the Jebusites the inhabitants OF
the land" These were one tribe of the
Canaanites, descendants of Jebus, the third
Of Canaan. They held the fortress OF
Mount Zion, surrounded on three sides by
deep valleys, and controlled the city.
while the other portions were inhabited by
Jews and Canaanites in common Which
spake unto David, saying Except thou take
away the blind and the lame" Better as
in K. ". margin. Thou shalt not come
in hither, but the blind and the lame shall
turn thee away" Their position was so
strong that blind and lame soldiers could
defend it.
Z. David took the stronghold OF Zion"
The manner of capture is described in the
next verse. Zion was 10 feet higher than
Morah, the site of the temple.
s. "Whosoever getteth up to the gutter
or by the watercourse. David had quietly
noticed that there was one way of reaching
the citadel where few defenders would be
watching, since expected an attack
in that direction The lame and the blind"
whom the Jebusites said We're enough to de-
fend the stronghold. which assertion stirred
David's indignation. Possibly they placed
such soldiers upon the walls, and they were
hated of David's soul" He could not bear
the thought of such defenders keeping him
from gaining possession. He shall be chief
and captain" So l Chronicles IL o. Pos
sibly David wanted TO find some one to
supersede Joab but Joab took the hint, and
with few men captured the fortress.
Wherefore they said" Ii became proverbs.
THE blind and the lame. etc Better as in
Il. ". There are the blind and the lame;
he cannot come into the house. And yet
David did get into the house.
Q. Called il the city OF David" David
added city to the history of the world-one
OF the three most influential cities the world
has known. "Henceforth his race were to
cling to il with passionate love-" and it
still is the type of the redeemed world the
perfected city OF God with it's gates of pearl
and streets of gold. Built round about from
Milo" rather. The Milo probably a
fortification that defended the city on its only
exposed sidc-the north. lie completed the
defences.
10. And David went on, and grew great"
The kingdom bursts upon the world in a
splendid development of material prosperity
and religious progress. The Lord God OF
hosts" The hosts of heaven. the organized
forces OF earth, of every kind natural and
spiritual. Was with him." He was de
vout and obedient servant OF God. seeking
to do Gods will in everything. and under
the guidance OF his Spirit. so that God could
teach him and bless him in all his ways.
The tws high priests. Zadok, under Saul.
and Ablathar, with David in his exile, were
made coordinate high priests.
r. Perceived that the Lord had estab-
ushed him" David recognized that all he
had was from God This kept him humble
and enabled him 20 steer clear of the rocks
of self-conceit. which many have been
wrecked.
H. And Hiram king of Tyre" on the
Mediterranean coast, the capital of the com
mercial and enterpriSing Phoenicians. Sent
messengers" 10 form an alliance with
David. lie would opea up friendly COM
merce, for Tyre depended upon Palestine
for its supplies of wheat and oil and would
like a market for It's manufactures. lie
built great palace, in the way OF learning
TO build the temple. And cedar trees"