The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-08-14
THE SUNDAY SCHOOLs
LESSON VII. THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, AUG. 10. p
Text of the Lesson, Sam. xviii, o-1G:
Memory Verses, I2-14-GOlden Text,
Ps. XVI, documentary Prepared
by Rev. ID. NJ. stearns.

ny ittf. -. We
copyright, 1903, by American Press Association
5. And David behaved himself wisely
(prospered, margin). and Saul set him
over the men OF war. and he was accepted
in the sight of all the people and also in
the sight of Sauls servants
The II. V. of chapter xvii, 10, is that
David went TO and fro from Saul to feed
his fathers sheep but now after his
great triumph and his virtually lead.
ing the hosts of Israel to victory Saul
will not let him return any more to his
fathers house Verse y, but promotes
him. as stated in this verse Of our less
son. That David was accepted by the
people makes us think of Mordecai, of
whom ii is written that he was next to
the king. accepted of the multitude of
his brethren. seeking the wealth of his
people and speaking peace TO all his
seed (Est. Y, -. His being promoted
by Saul seems very small matter
when we consider that he had already
been anointed by Samuel to take Saul's
place in due time.
60. And the women answered one an
other as they played and said, Saul hath
slain his thousands and David his ten
thousands. and Saul eyed David
from that day forward.
This was part OF the song with which
Saul and David were greeted on their
return from the victory over the Philis-
tines and which stirred in Saul a spirit
Of jealousy and hatred of David, so
that he said. What can he have more
but the kingdom?" If Saul had re-
membered and believed the words of
Samuel in chapter Ky. 28. he would
have known that the kingdom was as
surely DavidS as if he was already in
possession of it.
TO- II. And 1t came to pass on the NOR
row that the evil spirit from God came
upon Saul and he prophesied in the
midst of the house. and David played
with his hand as at other times
AS David played on his harp at other
times the evil spirit departed from Saul
xvi. 23). but now Saul was too much
under the control of the evil spirit and
did not seem TO desire its departure,
for there was murder in his heart, and
he attempted to kill David. AS to the
evil spirit from God SO often mentioned
xvi, II. %; xix, 81 and similar seem
ingly difficult statements. the simple
truth was that Saul, having refused
to obey God and follow Him, is left by
God to the guidance of the one he pre-
ferred
- c., f~,y %
cause the Lord was with him and was
departed from Saul. - And David be-
haved himself wisely in all his ways and
the Lord was with him.
Although Saul humbled him to be the
captain only Of a thousand Verse 49,,
David kept evenly on his way and
walked wisely in the sight of the Lord,
conscious of His presence and approx
al. The phrase behave wisely" is the
same as prosper" or have good sue
cess" Josh. j, I, s; Jer. xiii, -, and III
Ps. xxi, s, ii is instruct" BY the
Spirit of the Lord nightly upon him
xvi, Is, r. W he was so instructed
that he could say. 81 will behave my
self wisely in perfect way" ops. CT,
-, and by the grace of God he did. If
we allow ourselves to be affected by
or come under the power of people
or circumstances. we do not prosper or
behave wisely. but to have Il heart only
for God-that is true prosperity. BY
the grace of God David SO lived that
his name was much set by. or precious
(verse so and margin), in the eyes Of
the people. The words, THE Lord
was with him" verses 10. If and 2S).
remind us of Joseph and his trials and
that both as slave and prisoner the
Lord was with him and he was pros
porous man (Gen. xxx, ., 3. 81, 23).
IS Wherefore when Saul saw that he
behaved himself very wisely he was afraid
of him.
Sin and guilty conscience make
towards. Adam. having sinned, was
afraid and sought to hide from God.
Abraham was afraid that they would
kill him for his wife's sake, and he and
she consented TO liz, and so also did
Isaac and Rebekah Gen. iii. 10; xii, -;
Xxx, II; XVI -. The testimony of an
upright life is a rebuke TO one living in
sin, and there is conscience that also
upbraids God knows and the guilty
person knows; they know together
conscience even if no one else knows.
16. But all Israel and Judah loved David,
because he went out and came in before
them.
Long afterward when he was anoint-
ed king at Hebron, they spake to him
in these words: when Saul was king
over us, thou vast he that leddest out
and broughtest in Israeli Gil Sam. V, y.
Going out and coming in is a phrase
that seems TO cover all ones daily life.
When Solomon became king. he said to
God: Il am but little child. | know
not how to 20 out or come in" q Kings
iii, ~. So the beautiful promise in Ps.
cxxi, 8, "The Lord shall preserve thy
going out and thy coming in from this
time forth and even forevermore," with
the assurance in Deut xviii. q. BLESS
ed shalt thou be when thou contest in
and blessed shalt thou be when thou
goest out" includes the whole life. When
thus blessed and kept by God. we need
not fear the hatred or i'll will of any