The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-11
.penr. Tho worth Of Abner Is acknowl-
ped Il 4 ilis death BY David. III Sam,

Cd ged nt Ills death by David. III SAM
III: 8l.)
tsRAEL.-Frotn tho message Of Jabesh-
Glend, it is evident although no over
lures we're made, that David desires the
unity OF the nation under himself, but
oily through the FREQ action Of tho people
81 mo blood and religion, tho twelve
tribes might attain their destiny under
mo government Divided, they would be
involved In frntcrnnlt strife. and at length
they would fall before the power of sur
rounding nations. Tho elevation Of Ish-
boshcth was. therefore,, a calamity. It
prolonged the feud engendered BY tho
madness Of SAUL and It prevented the
early contamination OF plans destined to
elevate tho nation among tho foremost
powers Of the globe. 1t presented TO the
heather a mournful spectacle. calculated
to bring tho religion of tho covenant pco-
ple into contempt. Besides, as, Saul had
rebelled AGAINST God, 1sh-boshcth, in a
sense, might. be expected to follow, his
father,s example. His capital was set up
at Mahanairn, On the east OF Jordan
Gradually he was recognized by tho mon
OF Gilead, Ephraim and Benjamin, and
finally he ruled over all tho territory
which, at later date, formed tho king
dom OF Israel 1, but in two short years no
was slain "a Sam, ~: y
JUDAH.-David reigned over the tribe
OF Judah seven years and six months
(verse p. This period was divided into
two parts-fve years and q few months,
during which Abrer was captain In tho
north u and two years OF 1sh-bosheth's
reign. There was q steady progress In
tho southern kingdom. David first sub
dued the enemies, and at the same time
established himself IN the affections Of
Fla people,. He mad many excellent ar
ra gemen is, both civil and military, and
thug carried his little til kingdom to point
OF high excellence, preparing himself and
those about him for the larger sovereignty
to which he was destined. Many in other
tribes, recognizing his abilities, and re-
membering his services as captain under
Saul, went boldly over to the support OF
David Il Chron., xii: 523), and Abner him-
self, turning away from his sovereign,
gave his sword to the Judean king. That
reign at Hebron was a brilliant chapter
in tho history OF the son Of Jesse. It Is
probable that he grew moro In those seven
length. Whether In the management OF
lis own affairs at home, or in the field
against the sPhilistines or against the
arm sof Ish- boehethyihe8 was always sue
cessful. e. Sam, i'll: 49, vs. IA s.ii2f
zCONCLUSION.-Ou lesson reveals the
Law OF true promotion. man does not
rise to permanent honor except through
the application Of three great principles
First, he must have ability to I'LL a sta
tlon and render a service, without which
he cannot rise without falling again. Sec.
ond. he must SO deport himself that his
contemporaries will discover the ability
and recognize his goodness or his viii
lingness to- serve them. Ability Joined tc
a bad heart is always to be feared and
never trusted. Third, both these princi.
pies become operative most quickly wher
the man commits himself to God waits
God s time and follows His guidance
That increases the ability and the public
confidence. God has q work for every
man, and he succeeds who finds his ap.
pointed sphere OF work. Behold David
the warrior and the statesman, trusting
In tho living God and trusted by his
countrymen, the pattern man for all the
centuries Of great men, like him, though
perhaps, less eminent, have been most Of
those whose names have been written or
the long roll Of fame. whose deeds are
tho imperlshable inheritance OF mankind