Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-15
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
August 10.
Subject:-Saul Tries TO Hill David, I Sam.
xviii. S.l6-Go.Gen Text, Pisa. XII. l.
Memory Verses, l2.i4-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

I. David's promotion ". 81. $. David
went out. After his victory over Goliath
David was appointed to some post of COM
mand and went. out on military expedi-
tons. Wisely" This word combines the
ideas of prudence and consequent success.
Set HIM over. etc. This is probably the
same appointment as that referred to in
v. IL. David was not made the leading
officer over all the host. for Abner held
that position tchap. 1850, but Saul gave
nm some principal command IN the army
and made him captain of regiment.
Was accepted The elevation of the
shepherd boy was in the hearts of the COM
mon people. and no doubt the sentiment
OF the nation at this time had had some
influence on Saul in his promotion OF
David 'SauVs servants" Even the cour.
tiers. who were the most Likely to be dis
pleased with this new favorte, were glad
TO receive the youthful conqueror and
recognize his authority
III. David's victory celebrated Tvs. COY.
6. Was returned There has evidently
BEEN depression in the narrative Tvs. l-5)
ito relate the circumstances OF David's
permanent reception into Saufs service,
the commencement OF the friendship be-
tween him and jonathan. and his ultimate
promotion and success" The narrative
now goes back to the welcome which David
received when the army returned in tr-
the Phiiistine war. This verse should be
read in connection with CHAP. 1884;
though some time may have elapsed, dur
ing which the army was occupied in fol-
lowing up its first success. Women came
out. II was the principal business OF
certain women to celebrate victories, sing
at funerals. etc. "Of all the cities" They
came together from all the neighboring
cities. ''>n9ing and dancing" This is a
Characteristic trait OF Oriental manners.
On the return OF friends long absent, and
particularly on the return of a victorious
army, bands OF women and children issue
from the towns and villages to form
trlumphal procession, to celebrate the vic
tory with dancing. music and songs. III
honor OF the generals who have earned
the highest distinction by feats OF gal
lantry. The Hebrew women, therefore,
gratulations to David US the deliverer of
their country; Tabrets-timbrels." That
is. the hand-drum. an instrument still
used by the Arabs. and described as a
hoop over which piece OF parchment IS
drawn. Sometimes pieces or brass are
fixed in it to make a iinglins 1t is beaten
with the fingers. The instrument must
have been similar to the modern tam
BOURNE.
:. Sang one to another" They sang
alternately. Some of the women began
the song with. saul hath slain his thou
sands and another company answered,
And David his ten Thousands" This
was neat poetic paralle.ism. The en-
thusiastic throng intimate that Daxid,s
triumph was OF more Importance than all
d Saufs victories In this they COM
mitted a grave indiscretion; they praised
a subject at the expense of their sovereign.
8, 9; Very wroth.' Saul conferred his
cipal cause of his trouble. He was al
ways. ready to seek the ruin of any man
by whom he imagined he might be injured.
But the kingdom The prophet had
distinctly told him in the day of his sin
that the, Lord had rent the kingdom from
him. and had given it to neigh5or that
was better than he (chap. l5:2S). In David
Saul could read the marks of such man.
Eyed David" Watched all his move
ments with suspicion and jealousy, which
soon rioened into deadly hatred.
III; Sauls attempt on David's life Tvs:
those prosecutions by which, during the
rest of Saul's lifetime, the conqueror of
Goliath was continually harassed. 1t
forms suggestive period .of Israelitish
history. and presents in striking contrast
the development OF Saurs great wicked
ness on the one hand. and OF David's many
e:xcellences on the other. These Persecu-
lions. however, were a most useful discip-
line for the psalmiss king.
TO-. Evil spirit" A demon like those
mentioned so frequently in the New Testa-
ment. From God" Sent by permission
Of God, as Satan in job 2:7. Game upon
saul He relapsed into state Of de-
"Propnesied" Rather, "raved" Saul's
condition is neither that of simple mad
ness or OF true prophecy. He is under
the control of power higher than him.
SELF. but it is an evil power. Saul was at
first inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
k,S 11es
foul demon occupies his place. and, ac-
cordinyly, instead OF hallowed ecstasy. his
religious exercises resemble the frantic
rawlings of mailman. He utters impas-
stoned cries. and perhaps falls PROSTATE
on the floor and breathes forth his inner
rawlings like one holding communion with
See chap. 1928. Also see +. V. There is
a wonderful power in music 10 soothe q
troubled soul. ~ iavelin." The javelin
or spear was the emblem OF regal authority.
III ancient times kings used a spear in
stead OF dadem. They always had it at
hand and In ancient monuments they are
always represented with it..
IL. Cast the jave,in." Saul, now
thoroughly Infatuated. determined TO make
an end OF the shepherd boy. After this
personal attack Saul never lost the idea
that David was the God-ordained king.
This parposc he resolved to defeat. and.
David's fife.
". David's further advancement Tvs.
lo-l6). y. l3. Was afraid OF David"
Saul became sensible that he was fighting
against God: this caused terror and con-
tnued to disturb him more and more.
Because the Lord etc. When God is
with us we are certain TO succeed: but
when the Lord forsakes a person he is
equally certain to be defeated. The Chris
tian is mighty only through Cod e Cor
3:lo). Captain" 1t is not certain that
this was the same appointment referred
to in v 5. but it is quite likely that it was.
1916. Behaved etc. David acted dis
crcetly; he trusted to the divine guidance:
God was with him. Because OF this saul
stood in awe OF him" ". Is, II. W.
This is stronger expression than the one
used in V. II, and denotes primarily the
avoidance OF. the person feared; Ali
loved David" Saul made David captain
over a thousand partly TO get rid OF him
from his presence. and partly perhaps in
the hope that he would lose his life in
n a.. IA -.