The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
For AUGUST Is.
Subject: Saul Tries to Kill David, 1 Sam.
xviii., 5-16-Golden Text, Psa. H., l.
Memory Verses, 12 12.14-Conimentary on
tho Day's Iesaon

SupJect: saul Tries to klll DAVID, sam.
xviii.. 5-16-Golden Text, Psa. 1l., l.
Memory Verses. 12 2.14-Conlmentary on
tho Days Lesson.
went % oat Ater f9f0V his Vietory t o. over GoIsth
David was appointed to some post of COM
mand and went out on military expedi-
tions. Wisely" This word combines the
ideas of prudence and consequent success.
same appointment as that referred to in
v. l3. David was not made the leading
officer over all the host, for Abner held
that position (ehap. 1855, but Saul gave
him 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 CON-
mon people, and no doubt the sentiment
of the nation at this time had had some
David. "Sauls servants" Even the cour.
tiers, who were the most likely to be dis:
pleased with this new favorite, were glad
to receive the youthful conqueror and
recognize his authority.
II. Davids victory celebrated Tvs. Coy.
6. "Was returned" There has evidently
been depression in the narrative Tvs. l-5)
"to relate the circumstances of David's
permanent reception into Sauls service,
che commencement of the friendship be-
.ween him and Jonathan; and , his @ ultimate l?:c
now goes back to the welcome which David
received when the army returned in tri.
umph from the successful completion of
the Philistine 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" It was the principal business of
certain women to celebrate victories, sing
came together from all the ,neiisghboring is
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 q
triumphal procession, to celebrate the VIC
tory with dancing, music and songs, in
honor of the generals who have earned
the highest distinction by feats, of gal
lantry. The Hebrew. women, therefore,
gratulations to David as 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 Of brass are
fixed in it to make jingling. 1t is beaten
with the fingers. The instrument must
have been similar to the modern tam
BOURNE.
7. "sang one to another" They, sang
the song with, .@Saul hath slain his thou.
sands" and another company answered,
"And David his ten thousands" This
was neat poetic parallelism. The en-
thusiastic throng intimate that David,ss
triumph was of more Importance than all
of Saul's victories" In this they com;
mitted a grave indiscretion; they praised
a subject at the expense of their sovereign.
s, 9. "Very wroth." Saul centered his
thoughts on himself. This was the prin1-
cipal cause of his trouble: He was al
ways ready to seek the ruin of any. man
"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 neighbor that
was better than he (chap. 1928. In David
Saul could read the marks of such man.
eyed David" Watched all his move
ments with suspicion and jealousy, which
soon ripened into deadly hatred:
III. Sauls attempt on David's life Tvs:
10, lD. Here commences the record OF
those prosecutions by which, during the
Goliath was continually harassed. It
forms a 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
excellences on the other. These ipersecu-
tions. however, were a most useful dlsclp-
line for the psalmist king.
10. Evil spirit" A demon like those
mentioned so frequently in the New Testa-
Of God, as Satan in Job 2:7. Game upon
EPropnesied." Rather, "raved." sauls
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 Hoy. Spirit of God,
but now that spirit has left him and
foul demon occupies his place, and, ac-
cordingiy, instead of hallowed ecstasy. his
rawlings of a madman. He utters impas-
stoned cries, and perhaps falls PROSTATE
on the floor and breathes forth his inner
rawlings like one holding communion with
an unseen world. "As at other times"
See chap. 1923. Also see +. V. There IS
a wonderful power in music to soothe.
troubled soul. "A iavelin." The javelin
or spear was the emblem of regal authority.
In ancient times kings used spear IN
stead of diadem. They always had 1t st
hand, and in ancient monuments they are
always represented with it..
IL. Cast the javeiin." Saul now
thoroughly infuriated, 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 purpose he resolved to defeat. and,
accordingly, made several attempts on
David's life.
IV. David's further advancement (vs;
l2-l6). IL, IS. Was afraid of David"
Saul became sensible that he was fighting
against God: this caused terror aud con-
tinued to disturb him more and more.
because the Lord" etc. When God is
with us we are certain to succeed; oet
when the Lord forsakes a person he is
tian is mighty only Through God" e Cor
2:lO). CAPTAIN" 1t is rot 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
crcet!y; he trusted to the divine guidance;
God was with him. Because of this Saul
stood in awe of him" ". Is, r. W.
This is a stronger expression than the one
used in V. y, and denotes primarily the
avoidance of the person feared; All
loved David Saul made David captain
over a thousand partly to get rid OF HIM
the o hone on, that he would lose his life in
battle Tvs. II, 25) but the result was that
he became firmly established in the affec'
ton of the people.
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