Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-08
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lesson Comments for
August 9.
Subject: David and Goliath. Sam. xviii, SS'as
Golden Text, Rom. will, ai-Memory
Verses, 4s-47-Commentary on
the Days Lessoa.

I. David offers to fight Goliath Tvs. So
81. The giant Goliath. who came out as
the champion of the Philistines. belonged
to the primitive race OF tine Anak!m, ol
which the lsraelites had found small
remnant at the time OF the conquest, ioS G
hundred years before iNum. 1882, -;
Josh li:l2). These. driven out by the
Israelites. attached themselves to the Phil
istines; and Goliath appears to have been
one of family of giants, all or whom were
slain by David and his men u Sam. u 10
22). Goliath's height has been variousiy
estimated ut from nine to e,even feet. HIS
armor Is estimated to have weighed about
l57 pounds: while the head OF his spca,
weighed about nineteen pounds. In those
times great size and strength and arnos
were OF im1neasurah.c advantage IN battle.
This armed and plumed giant dctied tho
armies OF Israel morning and evening for
forty days. His appearance sent dlslnaH
into the hearts OF Saul and his people
None OF Sall's soldiers dared to hight With
him. for no one could overcome him Wit =
the ordinary weapons OF wal. But Jus:
a; this point David appeared on the scene.
and, much to the asionishn.en; OF Saul.
offered to champion the cause OF lsrae'
and go out and meet the FhllStine.
ii. The weapons chosen Tvs. :s-40). o,
50. His armor." The word for "arlnorf
in the Revised Version is apparel Proc.
ably a special military dress adapted to I'D
worn with armor Coat o: mail Tho
ancient Hebrews were particularly atten-
tive to the personal safety OF their war
riors. The coat of mail was usually madd
of leather or some plant material, some.
times covered with metallic scales, and
capable OF taking the form OF the parts
of the body it protected. "Assayed to 60"
Endeavored to 60. BY making the attempt
David showed his courtesy and Difference
l.,
The shrewd. practical sense OF David adj
monished him of the folly OF attempting
such a combat with weapons with which
lie had no skill. He is a wise man who
knows what he cannot do as well as what
he can. Put them off" This was hike.
wise from the Lord. who would have u
made manifest that His servant fought and
conquered by faith. and that the victory
was from Him. who WORKS by the most
despised means and instruments.
80. His staff" His shepherds crook
give smooth stones" Had they been
rough or angular. they would not have
passed easily through the air. and the
passage have given them false Girec
ton. Had they not been smooth, they
could not have been readily sent from the
sling. Shepherds bag Used to carry
his daily food. Sling" 4 iavorite weapon
Of Eastern shepherds: II was also very
p,oyed. not only by the lsrae.ite. troops;
hut also b. the Syrians, the Egyptians and
the Persans The sling is composed OF iva
strings and leathorn strap. The strap
is in the middle. and is the Place where
the stone lies. The string on the right
end OF the strap is firmly fastened to tne
hand The string on the left is held be-
tween the thumb and middle joint OF the
fore-tinger. 1t is then .wnir.ed two. or
three times round the head. and when
discharged. the finger and thumb let. 90
their hold OF the lett end OF the strin,".
The sling WAS formidable weapon III We
hand oi skilful person. 4 sTonc, co@'d
lie hur,ed with ve'oc,tv t5at would MAKE
it as fatal as riac-hall. 1t was very
common weapon in Davi@s ti,ne. Seven
hundred left-handed Ecriamites coa.d
Sing At a hairs breadth and moi miss:
III. David and Goliath meet *. l-!N.
tl-43; "Phiistine cane on. G2 ia, IN
ny tramp under the hundrcdweight OF
r,etal." Looked about" He scanned The
rhole scene. and coad hardy persuade
himself taat this boy was israc. > cham,
por. "Di. iainId him" Goiath seemed
asuted that snch younS uAArmed iad
IS David should api'yoach him; An
I dog He hurs n thrust ut Davld. sug-
resting that he knew no more than To con-
.rol his shepherd dog, and ignorant,y sup
,o.ed he could b" as successful with Tim.
Pride goeth before destruction. and
h.u..hty spirit before fall prov. lG;iSl.
'By his gods" These gods were such, q.
n,con. Baal and Astarte. The combat
.b,is became question not merely between
David and Goliath. but between God aad
dos. II Goliath was successful then 100
airy would gain stronger hold upon the
a. -. Come to me- lie darcs David
20 venture near, declaring he Will exhibit
MS great strength IN pulling HIM inte
pieces 1t was common when two cham
oions met that each should make speech
% the other, and thus Goliath scorned
Inc shepherd boy Then said David"
There was no mistake about their coming
:ogether. 1t was intended. DAVID spoke
With as much assurance as did GoAatn,
md felt no shame because of tn, contrast
.xceed the moGesty, the faith. the p!cty
md the yea! for the glory of God and the
.ause of Israel and OF true religion, winch
flow in this most beautiful speech. "Has;
ieicd" David trusted IN the God whom
..;oliath defed and relied upon Him as
safely as Goliath did upon his sword and
Psaf and P Wi Up poTT erd deliver Tbi.
vas the language OF faith. He gave the
s:orv to God in advance. Earth may
inowv" Here the language is prophetic
,ad rises above that immediate occasion
l1d declares now otner nations ana t4,Hes
shall hear OF that days victory and shall
i've God TIE, glory This assembly
David speaks as ii it were gathering Tor
worship instead OF battle array. lie
addresses himself to this combat, rather
rs priest going to offer sacrifice to the
Justice OF God. than as a soldier going to
engage an enemy o. his country. <
~. Goliath slain (vs. $50. As. 40.
AROSE and came" Goliath saw that his
.hallease was accepted. though scornins
10 fight with David. yet he advanced to
meet him in great pretcnse to dignity
David hasted" He did not try to make
display of his power. He was. intent
IL being instant in season, and advanced
TO 90 real execution. He could not wait
.o- Goliath to strike the first G!ow. That
would be presumption. When each adj
ranged to meet the other. it was proper
10 taaac the attack. In his forehead"
1t does not appear that the ancient he!'
nets had any covering for the face. The
SeTt.!1-int supposes that the stone passed
through tic helmet, and sank into his
to.ehesd. - ( - - ..-~'.ese
5o-5.. David then ran and took the
sword of Goliath and Gu. of the head Of
the giant As soon as the Philistines saw
that their chaulpion was dead they fed In