Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-08-28
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
August 30.
Subject: David Spares Saul, Sam. XVI. 5.R
Zi-ZS-GOlden Text, Luke vi, 27-mem'
DRY Verses, 2l-Stndy Verses I'25
Commentary on the
Days Lesson.

exile must have been hard indeed for David
to bear, and yet they were important years
in his life. The Lord has frequently seen
tit to give those whom He has intended 10.
perform some important work. just sucn
a severe training Moses was forty years
Arabia. These years with David were
most fruitful las his apprenticeship for
the Kingdom, as his schools and school
masters" (D BY his exile among other
nations he learned their characteristics
and how best to deal with them. (2( lie
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
development Of religious institutions and
Of the service Of song under his admins
tration. (3) The exile experiences pre-
served him from the dangers to which his
would expose him. He learned his weak
had the best of opportunities for bccom
ing acquainted with the people, their grieY
ances under Saul, their needs, thsir dis
positions and tendencies. He understood
their spiritual as well as their Temporal
wants. (5) lie had practice in the art OF
governing. co. He gained experience in
war. ~. lie obtained a knowledge Of
the country. (S) 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
Arab" tribe, who with difficulty held
their own among the ancient Canaantes,
to the position Of one of the great nations
of the old Eastern world. (9) lie had
around him trained band, like "the Old
Guard" which enabled him to take imme'
date possession of the kingdom when the
time came. Q0) Many Of his sweetest
songs were wrought out by this long and
hard experience, for the comfort and hope
not only of his own people, but for Gods
children in all ages Ql) In spite OF his
few lapses from faith and perfect truth
he grew in character and manhood, he be-
came strong in faith and virtue, large
hearted, wise, noble, consecrated to God.
~. David, with six hundred men, was
secluded in the hill of Hachiah. The Zip.
h:tcs informed Saul as to David's where.
a5outs, whereupon Saul took three thou.
s4nd chosen men--his select standing army
and wen in search of David When
David heard of Sauls approach he sent out
spies to make sure that such was the case.
4 most willy chieftain was David, and
not to te. taken unawares by Saul, or any
5. "Dayid arose, Probably soon after
dark. Game to the place" David was
not content with the report Of his men;
own eyes "The trench" "Thc place OF
the wagons."-R V. The word may mean
either ~ the circular rampant round the
camp; or ~ barrier formed by the beg
gage wagons round the camp; or (3l the
place where the baggage wagons OF the
army were kept.
6-8. "Abishai-Joab." These men were
brothers, David's nephews, sons Of Zeruiah,
David's sister. Abishai distinguished him
self by saving David's life in one of ha
Philistine wars z Sam. 2l:l7. Joab was
put to death by Solomon,s order Il Kings
2:2S-34. His spear" When David and
Abishai reached Sauls camp they saw
Saups spear stuck In the ground at his
head. It was the custom for king to al.
ways have his spear with him. The Arabi
still have the same practice. LET me
smite him." Abishai asked permission Of
David to smith the king, and promised
that the execution would be complete at
the first stroke, that there would be no
need OF shifting him the second time:
0. Destroy him not" Saul had been
In David's power on previous occasion
Il Sam. PAID, and David would not in:
jure him. "The Lords anointed:" Saul
having been made king by Gods special
appointment, David looked upon it as o
high crime to offer any violence to him.
Dayid's heart smote him before when he
merely cut off the skirt of Saul's robe
(chap. PA, 81.
1912. ",fhe Lord shall smitc him" He
shall die by stroke of the divine ,judg
ment, or fte shall die natural death,
which in the course of nature will be be-
fore mine, or he shall fall in battle by the
enemies of his country. "Crusc of water"
A small jar or flask. 1t resembled i'll
some measure the cantecns of our soldiers
The cruise Of water at Saups head j. in
exact accordance with the customs OF the
people at this day No one ventures to
travel over these deserts without his cruise
Of water, and it is very common to place
one at the bolster, SO that the s,9 owner can
from the Lord.h The word used here is
the same as that used in Gen. 9:2l to de-,
scribe the sleep which God caused to fall
upon Adam, when he formed Eve out OF
his side. Thus we see that divine provi
dence favored David in this daring enter
prise.
III. A conversation between Saul and
David Tvs. 1926. 1t was probably early
the next morning that David took his
position on Mil SO NaEcy Wouiu DC De-
tween them, and called to Saul. The peo-
pie in these mountainous countries are able
from long practice so to pitch their voices
as to be heard distinctly at distances al
most incredible. David eXpostulatcs with
Saul and refers the whole matter to God
as the vindicator Of the oppressed.
2l-25. II have sinned." David's words
had a good effect on Saul The king saw
his wicked course and admitted that he
had sinned; but this did not pardon past
offenses or cause him 10 live right in the
future. Saul needed what every sinner
needs-a new heart. "Playcd the fool"
Saul humbles himself exceedingly. 'The
Lord render" etc. David here refers to
himself He is not sounding his own
praises, but. as before (chap. 24:l2), is
declaring his confidence that God will
eventually recompense him for his upright
behavior. $50 let my life" He prays that
God would show mercy on him and spare
his life as he had spared Saul blessed
be thou" Saul perceived that it 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 met again.