Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-20
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson ComKnents For
August so.
ssblects David Spares Saul, | Sam. XVI 5.l7
2-2S--0olden Text, Luke w., 27-Mem-
ory Verses, 2l-Study Verses. I.25
--Commentary on the
Days Lesson.

--Commeatary on the
Days Lesson.
ri. The covenant renewed Tvs. l2-23).
| IL. Jonathan said" The Revised Yer.
sion gives the meaning here. Jonathan
calls God to witness that he would assist
| David by letting him know exactly what
sauIs purpose , was r9c concerning r. ,sho nm. \.
had Questioned his father. III there be
good,' etc. The private dialogue which is
here detailed at full length presents most
| beautiful exhibition of these two amiable
and nsble-mindcd friends. Jonathan was
| led, in the circumstances. to be the cher
speaker. The strength of his attachment,
his pure disinterestedness, his warm plety
his invocation to God consisting OF
prayer and solemn oath combined-thc
calm and full expression he gave to his
| conviction that his own family were by
! tho divine will to be disinherited and
David elevated to the possession of the
| throne; the covenant entered into with
| David on behalf OF his descendants, and
of them who should violate his part OF the
conditions; the reiteration of this covenant
on both sides w. ~ to make it indis..
soluble; all this indicates such power OF
mutual affection; such magnetic attract
iveness in the character OF David: such
susceptibility and elevation OF feeling. IN
the heart of Jonathan, that this interview
for dramatic interest and moral beauty ls
unrivaed in the records of human friend
ship.
l8. "The Lord be with thee etc: These
words show that jonathan expected DAVID
TO occupy the throne of Israel No doubt
Saul had now fully made up his mind tthat
David was his rival for the throne; that
he was the man after Gods own heart OF
q, Il l,J +n1
fact that Samuel had anointcd him was
now generally known. Jonathan had all
these facts before him and yet he had no
jealousy, but loved his rival as b's own
soul.
u, i. "That I die not" etc. Convinced
that David will succeed to the kingdom.
Jonathan cxacts promise from him to
show kindness to his posterity after his
death as we'll as to himself during h,s HE
time. His words like SauPs in chapter
24:2l. are prompted by fear lest even
David should conform to the barbarous
Oriental custom by which the first king OF
new dynasty often tried to secure hlm-
self or the throne by mnrderlng ms pre-
decessors family David fulfilled his nror-
isc by showing Kindness to Mephibosheth.
See Sam. n:l-l3; 2l:1.
l6, II. Made a covenant" Namely: by
obtaining from David u promise to, sho"
kindness to himself and to his family for
ever. Shall require. IT. ctc' mere Is
much ol.etencr 9t & "pt''t% th;s h "ersa # is
generally understood to be a continuation
| Of the historians words, and that this Is
mere statement OF the tact may o tne dno 1-oau
Woua luqutc III th ','I b,nd nf Davids enemies
Tenson iT EXPLAINS it as follows: If either
Jonathan or any Of his house shall prove
encmleS 20 )aVld or TO nus iouse' n,,ornl,, oet
Lo.l' 'nt t,, WE ,,;n,otors Of i "To swear
paiI, pn|ain, Bv his is meant that he again
entered into solemn covenant. because
he IoVed h'm. ,l'S E',ns ,,;nj,;, rG,1 y fr;endv
,11,it l,', "",,'" t'~cnv t,ci, nnstcritv