The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-01
THE sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON.
4 Samuel xvi, 4-13-Aug. 2, 10O3-sam-
uel AnOints David.

That obscure Judean village is in tumuit.
The even tenor of its semi-rural life Is broken
nm An unlooked-for guest has arrived IN the
nerson of a man who outranks the king himseit
in the popular esteem and confidence. Samuei
the Judge has made detour from his ORDINARY
circuit and has to Bethlehem. least OF the
cities of Judah. What does his coming portendE
The dull town is aroused. while the elders hasten
to the gate to forestan. IL possible. any fmpend-
ing judgment.
A moment later the most prosperous home In
the place. that of the prosperous Judean sheak'
Jesse. is astir in preparation for guest who is
the most revered man of the nation. The sacri-
fetal banquet is ready. The goodly SAVIOR OF the
roasted heifer fills the place; the guests are
coming. servants hither and thither-
Samuel at once guest, host and symposiarch, is
about to take his place.
A shepherd lad. on the rough Judean steppes
near by, tends his fathers sheep. He may have
seen the prophet pass. or noted the tumult in the
town; but he is hdelity's self Curiosity nor
seIf-interest lure him from his duty. Shepherd
ing sheep has been his unconscious preparation
to shepherd men, His task has developed the
traits of courage. patience and sympathy. Soil
tude has been favorable to devotion AS de-
yout improvisatore he has often broken the
silence under the stars with the noble strains or
his psalmody, accompanying the same with his
harp, making yonder cliff come in with the re-
frain.
The last Is first He who was not hidden to the
loves. seat at the feast is called to the head OF
the table. A servant relieves David in the care
of the sheep, and he hurries. without opportunity
to make a toilet into the presence OF the prophet.
The candidate to the throne is in the bloom OF
youth. His healthful occupation has given him
a ruddy cheek, while auburn locks upon a marble
brow are suggestive Of the golden crown he shall
so wear.
But these adolescent charms of persons not
to be compared with the graces Of the heart for
which the Lord first makes His quest. David
breathes deeply the theocratic spirit He loves
God supremely. His foremost purpose is to be
loyal and dutiful to Jehovah, and loving and
helpful to his fellows. In this he is man after
Gods heart. This constitutes his singular adap-
tation to the theocratic kingship. a position sui
generis in history.
AS David enters the banquet room Samuels
holy mentor says in the prophets heart, "Upl''
"Anointr' In moment the beaten and fragrant
oil of the tabernacle Is glittering upon those
golden locks. Possibly 10 one in the company
the prophet, understands the significance OF
the A royal destiny for a shepherd boy
who could divine 1t? So. after this episode the
feast goes on. and perhaps the lad not having
been "sanctifed" for the feast, goes back to the
sheep.
But David must know the meaning of the
prophets enigmatical act. 1t slowly dawns upon
his illuminated consciousness Preparation for
his high calling keeps pace with his ever-increas-
ing knowledge Of the claims and duties OF that
calling. There is progressive occupation and
enlightenment of his inner life by the Spirit.
It matters little whether this divine culture OF
the young king mediate immediate. Sam
uel may have been his mentor he SauFs
The Bethlehemite lad may have made frequent
piIgrimages Ramah; or. like SAUL he may
have taken course in one OF the divinity
schools These mediate methods however are
In way inimical to the immediate influence of
the Spirit Of the Lord which came upon David
the time of his amounting. from that day for
ward.
However that may be. when the hour of cor
onation came. the kingly office matched by
a kingly character. The manifold and imperative
exactions of position which has no precise
parallel in history were met by a versatile char
acter developed and Injured to meet those ex-
actions David could both compose battle hymns
for his army and in person lead to battle He
could both make law and administer It, He
could maintain the delicate equilibrium between
the recluse and the man OF affairs With a
master hand he changed the whole face OF He
brew history.
Samueps amounting OF David was the last off,
cial act the golden climax OF a long, useful and
honorable career.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
Samuers grief for Saul was evidence OF his
generous and humane disposition. While he still
lived he could not easily treat him as II he were
dead. Though he did not visit him. he bitterly
lamented his downfall. But there was a boun-
dairy beyond which this grief improper
That limit was the point at which IL disqualified
IT, nhnAfn ca 80
country In finding a TO the fallen
monarch. Grief is natural. IL Is even honorable;
but there Is always a point at which a halt
must be called TO It. That point is where II be-
gins to disqualify one for the evident duties OF
life.
The cure OF grief IL here Indicated;
Submission: have rejected him.
Work: Fill thine horn and go.
Hope: / have provided q king
DIR. Trumbuil. the versatile editor OF the Sum
day school Times. carries his proposition "A lie
never justihable.' far to inhibit military
maneuvers In war;. I am not certain now he