Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-27
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lesson Comments For
August 80.
Subject: Dsvld Spares Saul, l Sam. XVI. S.l1
2l-25-Golden Text, Luke W., H-Mem.
DRY Verses, 2l-Study Verses. I.25
Commentary on the
Days Lesson.

-S0WWeutdIy OIL TIC
Days Lesson.
I. David in exile. These long years o!
exile must have been hard indeed for DAVID
to bear. and yet they were important years
in his life. The Lord has frequently seen
fit to give those whom He has intended to
perform some important WORK. just sucn
a severe training. Moses was forty years
in the desert and Paul was three years IN
most fruitful las his apprenticeship for
the kingdom, as his schools and school.
masters?' () BY his exile among other
nations he learned their characteristics
and how best to deal with them. t2) lilo
could contrast the effects of their religion
with those of the religion of Jehovah,
and thus become confirmed in true religion
and patriotism. This led to the marvellous
of the service of song under his admins
tration. (3) The exile experiences pre-
served him from the dangers to which his
sudden elevation to power and popularity
would expose him. tie learned his weak
ness and his need of divine help. AZ He
had the best OF opportunities for beconf
ing acquainted with the people, their. griev
ances under Saul, their needs, their dis
positions and tendencies. He understood
their spiritual as well as their tempora
wants. (5) He had practice in the art OF
governing. 10Y He gained experience IN
war. q. lie obtained knowledge Of
the country. 81 In this school of fighting
men were trained those generals and wise
strategists who in the golden days OF
David's rule commanded his armies, and
raised Israel from the obscurlty of an
their own among the ancient Canaanites,
to the position of one of the great nations
Of the old Eastern world. (9) He had
around him trained band, like "the Old
Guard" which enabled him to take imme'
date possession of the kingdom when the
time came. (lO) Many OF his sweetest
songs were wrought ont by this long and
hard experience, for the comfort and hope
not only of his own people, but for Gods
few lapses from faith and perfect truta.
he grew in character and manhood, he be
came strong in faith and virtue, large
hearted, wise, noble consecratcd to God.
III. Saul's life in Davids power Tvs. 3
l2), David. with six hundred men, was
secluded in the hill of Hachilah. The Zip
hitca informed Saul as to Davids where.
sand chosen men-his select standing army
and wen in search of David. When
David heard of Saul's approach he sent ont
spies TO make sure that such was the case
a most willy chieftain was David, and
not to be taken unawarcs by Saul, or any
other foe.
:. David arose Probably soon after
dark. Came to the place David WAS
not content with the report Of his men;
own eyes. ''rhe trench" - he place Of
TIE wagons R. V. The word may mean
either ~ TIE circular rampant round the
camp; OF On barrier formed by the be-
gage wagons round the camp: or l3l the
pare where the baggage wagons ot the
amy were kept.
"a. "Abishai-Joo,." These mcr were
Harid's sister. AbSh1i distinguished him
SET by saving David's lie in one Of hi.
rhiIistine wars e Sam. Pm, Joah was
put to death by Solomon's order Il Kings
9;2S-@il. His spear" When David and
A6isnai reached Saul's camp they saw
S-us spear stuck in the ground At hla
head. 1t vas the custom tor king TO al.
ways have MS spear with him. The Arabs
tt:!l have the same practice. Let me-
David to smith the king. and promised
that the execution would he complete ri
the first stroke, that there would be no
need OF shifting him the second time.
Q. Destroy him not" saul had been
n Dayid'S power on a previous occasion
Il Sam. PAID, and David would not IL.
jurc him. The Lords anointcd." SAIL
appointment. David looked upon it "a y
E,yh crime to offer any violence TO hlu
DIvii's heart smote him before when he
merely cut off the skirt OF Saal's robe
lo-i2 The Lord shall sr,itc hun" re
shall die hy a stroke OF tho divine jud,s
ment. or lie shall dig a na;urel, DEATH
which in the course OF ra.ure will be be-
fore mine. or he shall tal! IN battle by ths
4 snail jar ms or Go" GasI 1t U rc,em6sl in
some measure tho cantecrs OF our soldiers.
The cruise OF water at SauIs head i n
exact accordance with the customs OF the
peop,e at this day. No ONE ventures to
travel over these deserts without his cruss
Of water, and it is very common to place
one at Tie bolster, go thnt the owner can
from the Lord" The word used here -
the same as that used III Gen. @:2l to Le.
scribe the sleep which God caused to fall
upon Adam. when he formed Eve out OF
his side. Thus we see that divine Prov,
dence favored David in this daring enter
plisc.
III A conversation between "aul and
David Tvs. 1929 Il was probably cary
the next morning that David took his
Il
tween Them, and called to aaul, The PEG
PIE in these mountainous countries are adv
from long practice so to pi.2h their voices
as 10 be heard distinctly at distances al
most incredible. David eXrostnlatcs with
Saul and refers the whole matter to God
az the vindlcatoy cf the oppressed,
2l25. Il have s,nncd," D.v!ls words
had good effect on Saul. The king saw
his wicked course and admitted that he
had silHed; but this did not pnrlon past
ortenses or cause him To live right in the
future saul needed what every sinner
neels-a new heart PLAYED the fool
Saul humbles himself cxcee dmg'y, The
Lord render" etc, David here refers to
himself. lie is not sounding his own
pra ise,. but. as before (chap. 4:l2), il
declaring hia confidence that God will
eventually recompease him for his upright
behavior. $50 let my lie" He prays chat
God would show mercy on him and spare
hs life a. he had sralc Saul : Blessed
be thou" Saul perceived that 1t was use.
less to contend longer against David,
whom he saw God Intended Tor great
things" ITO his place" To his home
In Gibeah. They never net again.
Fish Skin Clothes.
Until recently few people thought