The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-29
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
L Samuel XVI, 5-12, 21-25-August 30,
10O3-David Spares Saul.


Here is a succession of the most ancient hero
tales of literature. They are unsurpassed
natural, spirited fascinating. Incidentally they
give helpful glimpses of the times and ways of
a primitive age-the customs social political
and military. But the narrative has higher
claim for consideration than that 1t faithfully
exhibits the ethical evolution Of the first man OF
that age. 1t shows the moral ideas which domi-
mated him and by which he. in turn dominated
his own and surrounding nations. What en-
hances the value OF the narrative is that IT gives
the real, not the idealized. man.
1t is the fugitive and exile period or Davids
life, covering seven years of incessant and ex-
IRENE personal hardships and peril. With all
its pains and privations 1t is really the richest
epoch In his life. 1t is an apprenticeship to a
throne Here too he learned in suffering what
he afterwards taught in song-psalms dear to
myriads were born in the caves and wildernesses
of this period Some one ukens them TO the
grapevines of Naples growing out of the burnt
lava.
1t is spiritually significant that David. In his
flight armed and refreshed himself In the sane
tuary He took his own trophy the sword Of
Goliath. a weapon. and ate the haiiowed
showbread, no other being available. thus Civ
ing an example Of violation of letter being coin
cident with keeping of spirit. a circumstance TO
which Jesus referred. The incident of madness
feigred at Gath. the shrewd device by whicn
the fugitive escapes after his identification by
Achish, comes next. Then the recruiting of the
army Of n1alcontents at the cave OF Adullam;
the terrible slaughter by Saul OF the innocent
priests at Mob, the shameful and bitter fruit of
Davids unnecessary deception; the last inter-
view between David and Jonathan; David's
SHARING of Saul in the cave Of En-gedi Nabal.
the churl his vineyard and his wife.
For a second time the life of Saul was In the
hands of David. The envious monarch was In
pursuit of his hated rival. He was encamped at
En-gedi with a troop of 5000 Of the most valiant
and experienced men. David was his own scout
and approached the camp near enough to see
that the posting of sentinels had been omitted
Taking comrade as dauntess as himself, ne
passed the barricade encircling the camp and
extemporized out of the baggage wagons as the
custom was. At the center of the sleeping host
David found Saul, he expected He was
easily identified by the spear thrust Into the
ground at his head. the Oriental sign OF head
quarters to this day. Abishai whispered TO his
commander the request that he might pinion
Saul to the earth There would be no danger OF
arousing the camp, for the skilled executioner
would see that his victim should be SO thor
CughIy dispatched by a single blow that not
groan would be emitted.
The unusual high moral level which David
had already attained was evinced by his conduct
in this emergency. dozen reasons would JUS
tify the killing of Saul according to the ethical
standards then current. Self-preservation, i'm
mediate accession to the throne. Sauls increas-
ing incapacty to reign, the opportunity come to
his hand second time. consideration for his
loyal followers, and These were the
guments which urged the deed. To all David's
calm AND sef-oblivious answer was. Vengeance
is the Lords: He will execute it in His own
way and time" Again, the sanctity OF the
Kings life and person is acknowledged. He is
the Lords anointed; no harm must be done
him." David is no regicde. He will continue
an exile and fugitive rather than appoint him
self the executioner of divine vengeance.
By most skillful device he secures unmis-
taxable evidence that the King has really been
at his mercy. He carries away the royal spear
which STANDS like a Flagstaff at the Kings pill
low. and the silver ever from which the King
refreshes himself. With these imperial trophies
David and his comrade in adventure safely
withdraw from tho camp. moment later
David's musical voice. which he has often prac-
ticed among the hills. rang out its haunting
challenge Abner. Sauls chief of staff Saul
recognizes the voice which has often Gained his
frenzy. David his opportunity to deprecate
the Kings course. Saul has one of his Oft
recurring, but entirely superficial. seasons of
conjunction. ending in stilted blessing upon
his rival
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
The cave and exile psalms cast light upon the
incidents of this period. They also show the
spirit and principles which dominated the heart
OF the fugitive. They may not have been liter
ally written by David. The theme and motif
of them may have been transmitted by tradition
and afterward put into permanent metrical
form. If that is so, the spirit has been singu-
larly preserved. 1t is quite possible that some
devout Hebrew Of later date so put himself in
complete sympathetic touch with David as to
interpret his emotions with absolute fidelity
That has often been done in literature.
The fight to Mob is supposed to be described