Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DEcsMB=R 27.

Eeyiew-Cead Psalm 1G3, LIZA Final
Survey cf the Lessons For the Last
Quarter of the Ycar-Gnltlen Text, Psa
1913, l.-Sum,nary OF the Topics.
Introduction. The lessons this quarter
mark the time between the bringing in
of the ark to Jerusalem under David and
the dedication OF the temple. In the his,
torv of David and his sons Sc, the great
truth emphasized that whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap. During
the quarter Gods love and mercy have
been extolled and we have seen the JOY
that comes through forgiveness.
Summary.-I.esson !. Topic: bringing
the ark to .Ierusa;e lem. The ark was a
small chest: the lid was called the mercy
seat. 1t was sign of the divine presence;
for seventy years it had lain in neglect;
David now decides to bring it into .;eru
seem. Proner reverence. IS not shown;
pleased; the ark is left at the house of
Obed- edom: three months later David
takes the ark and brings it into .Ierusa,em (;
the priests and Levites and chief men are
called together: great procession is
formed: sacrifices are frequently offered;
there is music and singing. II was the
greatest dav of David's life.
III. Topic: Gods PROMISES to David.
David desires to build house for the
ord The ark was on Mt. Zion and David
was living comfortably in his own house
OF cedar; David spoke to Nathan the
prophet about his desire and Nathan at
once encouraged him to proceed with the
forming him that David's desire could
not be granted; he mad been man of war,
and there was still much to do in eStab.
fishing the kingdom. He could prepare
the material, but his son should build the
house. The Lord said that He would es.
IL IL,
III. Topic: David praying for forgive.
ness. When David was about fifty years
of age he committed two great sins. About
a year afterwards the Lord sent Nathan.
the prophet, to him to show him his great
wickedness; the kings heart was tender;
This psalm shows the depth of his repent
ance. He pleads for forgiveness. and that
his transsressions may be blotted out and
that he may be washed and cleansed. David
has great confidence in God. and prayS
earnestly that the Lord would still Uphold
him with His free Spirit. He resolves to
emn:oy his life from this time fully in
Gods service.
". Topic: Gods mercy and love. This
is one of the seven so-cal|ed renitential
psalms: it has reference to the forgiveness
that was granted David after he had com
mitted his great sin. In psalm tifty-one
we see him repenting and pleading for
mercy; with the opening sentence o. this
psalm we hear him. say, Blessed is he
is covered he speaks here $50 of his deen
repentance and of his confidence i'll GOD.
God WAS to be his mighty deliverer
V. Tonic: Absa'om's rebellion. the
bitter fruits of David's own unho.y course
are now being seen; David's sons were
wicked; Absa'om was wicked. proud
voung man: he was renowned for ms
hoo ,fx-. hn lo,I Not TO tnyptx hn
government and seize the kingdom, he
sto'e the hearts of the neop'e by his sub
t,etv: he then lied to his father and went
to Hebron and set Np government Of his
own: he SCOT started with an army to-
wards Jerusalem. David fed from the cit:
and crossed over Jordan and established
headquarters at Mahanaim.
VI. Topic: Putting down the rebellion.
When David fed from Jerusalem he re.
fused to take the ark with him: Absalom
and his army marching from Hebron en-.
tered Jerusalem the same day: Absa:cm
at first intended to fo"ow David immedi-
ately and overtake his father while he was
time and raise LARGE armv Absa!om was
king in Jerusalem about three months: he
then went ont TO battle with David's war
riors; Absa'om army was defeated and
he was s'ain. David mourned over the
death Of his son.
VII IODlc: fralSf ana THANKSGIVING
for Gods goodness. This is one of the
psalms supposed to have beer written hv
David during the latter rart Of his life it
contains two figures: !. The Shepherd and
his sheep. 2. The Host and his guest.
Christ is the good S',euherd: His penpic
are the sheen: the divine Shepherd gives
soul rest, soul satisfaction and soul liberty.
Gun r',nne+h over.
VIII. Tonic: The woes Of intemrerancc.
The wise man writes OF the curse Of strong
drink. This lesson refers to the personal
experiences of the drunkard as we'll az to
the inference of strong drink in general.
Strong drink causes poverty: it mocks peo-
PIE: destroys happiness; brings sorrow.
many are deceived; it ruins character and
destroys the prospects Of eternal life.
N. Tonic: Solomon's duties outlined.
After David's victory over Absalom he re-
turned to JeruSa EN-; he was now growing
cd and a new king must be selected Da-
princes of Israel We're assembled and
David commissioned his son to perform
the great work OF building house for the
] ord; David had nanv sons but among
them all Solomon had been chosen for
the throne; David charges Solomon to
know God and serve Him perfectly
X. Topic: So'omon's request and Gods
SPi!' N''CH oiIeL ooio'HOH ueCdIHc KING
he assembled the people at Gideon: the
Lord appeared to Solomon and asked him
what he desired most; Solomon replied
that because he was young and inexperi-
crced and the kingdom was great, he most
of all desired wisdom and understanding
in order that he might guide the affairs Of
the nation Alright. The Lord was p.easei
with this request and not only gave him
wisdom. but also gave him riches and
honor in ABUNDANCE
Nj. Topic: The various services at the
dedication of the TEMPE. As soon as 500.
mon was made king he began to prepare
for the building of the ten1pe; the mate
rial was nearly all ready; the tempe was
TO be large building surrounded with sew
eral courts, and was to contain many ar
tic'es of furniture. When it was finally
built the ark was brought in and the house
was eedicatctl; solomon offered the ded-
catory prayer; God accepted the house and
flied the teE,ple with cloud.
MI. Tonic: Wise men seeking Jesus.
When Chr:tt was born in Bethlehem of
Jndea. in the DAYS of Ferod wise men
came FIN the East seeking Him; they
knew cf the coming Messiah, and were
directe> l" Bethlehem Nv star; they
went to Herod and asked him about
Christ; 11erod secretly decided to kill
Jesus: he asked the. wise men to inform
him concerning Christ in order that he
too might so and worship Him. but the
Lord warned these men and they returned
another wav. thus defeating Hesod.