Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-13
NO. 20.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
International Lesson Comments for
August 10.
Subject Saul Tries TO Nil David, | Sam,
xviii, 5.l6-Goldcn Text, psl, XII, l.
Memory Verses, l2:H--Commen!ary
on the DAVIS Lesson.

XVIII, 5'lO-u0iGcn lext, FSl XII, i
Memory Verses. l2.A-Commen!ary
ON the Days Lesson.
I. pavid's promotion w. g. S. David
wenNOut." After his victory over Goliath
David was appointed to some post of com
mand and went out on litary expedi-
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 (chap. 1850, but Saul gave
him some principal command in the army
and made him captain of a regiment.
shepherd boy was in the hearts OF the COM
mon people, and no doubt the sentiment
of the nation at this time had mad some
influence on Saul in his promotion of
David. "Saul's servants Even the cour.
tiers, who were the most likely to be dis.
pleased with this new favorite, were glad
to receive the youthful conqucror and
recognize his authority.
III. Davd's victory celebrated Tvs. G,9).
0. "Was returned" There has evidently
been DEPRESSION in The narrative Tvs. l-5)
ito relate the circumstances Of David's
permanent reception into SauIs 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 trl.
umph from the successful completion of
the Philistino war. This verse should be
read in connection with chap. T:j4;
though some time may have elapsed, dur
ing which the army was occupied in TO-
lowing up its first success. Nv omen came
ont" 1t was the principal business Of
certain women to celebrate victories, sing
at funerals, etc. ''Of all the cities They
came together from all the ncighborinG
ctGs Gsns 4;, and d foHens" Ih. is
On the return a, Of fri.nd, long nLsrnt' and
nar, ;nn,,rIv on y tbn retnrn nf ,rtnyio,
nrr arn,, hani, of Woman nmd ch;,Jren ;,.un
from, tbn town, "o ond vil,ares ' f. form " ~
tr,,nnhal nrocrssirn to r"irhrotr tho v;r.
torv With dancinc music and eongs, in
honor Of the gnnrroIs Who have ra,nnd
tha % hiohost t"I dstincto, WV hv fn"ts If m,'.
lantrv Tbo Uahrcm. wnn,on thNrcr6rc
,"nro ,,era', n,,.int hn n',.i,uca'. cn,,'
crot,lntions to naT;d ne thn InTyGrcr Of.
the;r conntrv "Tahrct',--t;,nhrr's" " 1hat,
IA tbn bani .dnm an in.tr,n1r,t sIIi
nsod -" hv .hn Arahs nI., ,nd LctcnhoI -, '',,
hoon over Which a picrc of parchment i;
drawn Sometimes niccos df brnss arr
fveJ in II r. mako = ;mr,;n~ II is bc,trH
WIZ WIN II tbo GnrnrI ' Thn ms,ru,ncmt must.
ha,.a boz, s;,n;Ior ~ tbo rnn'I,rn t,,,.
h"n,;no hanu o''n '''''''"' " WV ''''''
'' .Sonr ono r. ono,bcrn - Thov San,
altcrnatnlv' Some Of The women bcca6
the snn9 With "Sou; hath s,nin his thon.
@AnJ s4, Dan;d a,, "b''Ll b;s tn, thnnv,nf. rEs
wns nnu D"at' nnat nnr1c 't n,rajlcI;,m The on,
M"s ;le"t p"Tt'' ,ran th,t nov;G.
tI;u,,l, wa. v,',J of nora i,nnortanrc than rlI
of '"r Sanrs ,ctnrns In NE ,hcv rom.
mittcJ NJ aI' n crave ndiscrction. @ thew nrai,rd
a ''l suh;ect et thc rvnrn.c Of thrr Soyrrcian'
s S.? Q "Vcrv wv wrGth'" Saul centcrcd his
cipal cause OF his trouble. lie #as ~
ways ready to seek the ruin Of any man
by whom he imagined he might he 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 a ncighbor, That
was better than he (chap. lJ:2S). In David
Saul colld read the marks Of such nan.
.Eycd David" Watched all his move
mcnts with suspicion and jealousy, which
soon ripeucd into deadly hatred
III. Sanls attempt on Davlds lite Tvs
10. lD. Here commences the record OF
those prosecutions by which, during the
Goliath was continually hara,scd. 1t.
forms a suggestive period of lsraclitlsh
history. and presents in striking contrast
tle DEVELOPMENT OF Saul's great wicked
ness on the one hand, and of Davids many
.ycelenccs on the other. These pcrsccu'
lions. however, were most useful discip-
Gne for the psalnst king.
10. Evil spirit A demon like those
msutioncd so frequently in the New Te>ta-
IF God. as satan in Job 81. Game upon
saul" lie rclapsed into state of de-
,noniac possession. Sec chap. lG:lt,
"propncsied." Rather, "raved," Saul's
,ondtjon ia neither that of simple mad
ness or of true prophecy. lie is under
The control of a power higher than him
self. but it is an evil power. Saul was at
6rst inspired by the Holy Spirit of God,
but now that spirit has left him and u
foul demon occupies his place, and, ac-
,ordinrly. instead of hallowed ecstasy, his
religious exercises resemble The frantic
ravinrs of a madman. He uttcrs impas-
s;onp5 cries, and PERHAPS falls PROSTATE
IN the floor and brcathcs forth his inner
ravinG, like one holding communion with
an unseen world. as at other times
Snc chan. 1873. Also see r. V. There is
wonderful mower in music to soothe a
1roubled soul' "A iavelin." The javcln
W snear was the emblem of regal authority.
In ancient times kings used a spear in
toad GI' of n diadcm. They always had it at
hand and in ancient monuments they are
aiways renrescnted with it.
IL. Coast the iaveiin.' Saul, row