The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 70,

Subject: David and Jonathan, 1 Sam. IL.
12.23-Golden Text, Prov. xviii. 24-s
Memory Verses, 14-17-study Versess'
1.42-Commentary on the Days Lesson
II. The covenant renewed Tvs. l223).
u. Jonathan said" The Revised YER
sion gives the meaning here. Jonathan
calls God to witness that he would assist
David by letting him know exactly what
ssops opnde99 hsr fbss s xshen
had questioned his father: "H there be.
good" etc. The private dialogue which =
here detailed at full length presents most
beautiful exhibition of these two amiable
and undetermined friends. Jonathan was
led, in the circumstances, to be the cf1iet
speaker. The strength of his attachment,
his pure disinterestedness, his warm pletyi
his INVOCATION to God consisting Of ..s 9
prayer and a solemn oath combined-the
calm and full expression he gave to his
conviction that his own family were by
the divine will to be disinherited and
David elevated to the possession OF the
throne; the covenant entered into with
David on behalf of his descendants, and
the imprecation ": l6) denounced on any
of them who should violate his part of. the
conditions; the reiteration of this covenant
on both sides ". l7) to make it indis-
soluble; all this indicates such power OF
mutual affection; such magnetic attract.
iveness in the character Of David; such
susceptibility and elevation. of feeling IN
the heart Of Jonathan. that this interview
for dramatic interest and moral beauty -
unrivaled in the records of human friend
ship. ~
words show that Jonathan expected DAVID
l.. 4lo kbroua IS Icroat Nm d0fff13.
Saul had now fully made up his mind that
David was his rival for the throne; that
he was the man after Gods own heart OF
whom Saul had told him; and perhaps the
fact that Samuel had anointed him wa2
now generally known. Jonathan had all
these facts before him and yet he had mo-
jealousy, but loved his rival as his own
soul.
IA, l5. t'That I die not" etc. Convinced
Jonathan exacts q promise from HIM 70,
show kindness to his posterity after hIs
death as we'll az to himself during his life
time, His words, like Sauls in cbaDtsrs
24:2l. are prompted by fear lest even
David should conform to the barharons
Oriental custom by which the FIRST Eng Or
a new dynasty often tried to secure hIm-
decessors family. David fulfilled his prone
ise by showing kindness to Mephibosheth.
See 2sam. lib; N:7.
l8, II. made a covenant" Namely. BY
obtaining from David promise to show
kindness to himself and to his family for:
ever. "Shall require it," etc. There -
much difference Of opinion as to the mean
ing of the second part Of this verse. IL ~
generally understood to be continuation
Of the historians words. and that this is g
mere statement of the fact that the Lord
would require the fulflment Of the cove
nant even at the hand of Dayid'e enemies.
Benson explains it as follows: II either,
Jonathan or any Of his house shall prove
enemies to David or to his house. let the
Lord. the witness of the covenant: severely
punish the violators Of it. To swear
entered into a solemn covenant Bseause
he loved him." His. great love TO DAVID
made him anxious to maintain friendly
relations between their posterity. s:
IS, l9. "Seat-empty" It seems that
there was one table for Saul, Jonathan:
David and Abner;. Saul having the Shief
seat, that next to the wall. Stayed three
days" Either with your family IN Bethle-
"Go down quickly "a quick movement
would be necessary in order to avoid being
detected. ''The business etc: Literally,
"On the day of the business, referring
either to the incident recorded IN chapter
1917, or to come unknown matter. Ezei,g
The name of a stone near Gibeah, we'll
known to Jonathan and David, bus unsy
known to us.
9O-23. "And ! will shoot. etc; Jona.
than thus provides for informing David Ct
Saups designs without making a aipersonadg
interview between them necessary, as y
might be hazardous to attempt TO meet
again. Though David was the anointed
KING to reign after Saul, he had everything
to fear from Saul, and therefore concluded
it better to secure himself than eSget
into danger He might have rallied an
army in his defense, but he had nos
sought the kingdom, or public notice, apa {
he chose to trust God to bring about h1s
even in Code way, runs before he is sem.
runs at random; runs without light: and
without divine strength. Gods children
NAV suffer wrong. but while they keep
true at heart, God will surely attend to-
having them delivered without fail, though
they are permitted to suffer some prIya,
tions before reaching the place where Goe
will honor them. Read Cor. 4:I7, 10;
Pet. 3:l3. The promises OF God cannos
tilment. "As touching the matter. Ims
refers to the covenant Just made and the
sign agreed upon. o,,
III. SauPs intentions tested Tvs. 24,34).
Jonathan soon discovered that his father
was very angry against David and had
determined upon his death. Saul also be
comes enraged against Jonathan and casts
his jayelln at him to smite him. Before
this time Jonathan had not beheved that
his father really intended to kill David, J.
but now he knows the truth:
w. The. parting Tvs. S5,42j In the
morning, which would be the third day
since Jonathan left David. Jonathan took \ =
lad and went into the field to carry ont
the plan arranged between them. After
the warning signal had been given David,
the lad was sent back to Gibeah, and find
inc no one near Jonathan seized the OPP
portunity for one more interview with
the one he loved as his own life. And they
kissed one another. and wept one with
another. until David exceeded. The sep
aration of two such faithful friends was
equally prievous to them both, but Davldys
case was the more deplorable, for, when
Jonathan was returning to his family ana
friends, David was leaving all his com,
forts, even those of Gods sanctuary, and
therefore his grief exceeded J9nathans.
At last Jonathan said to David, Go IN
peace" 1t was kindness in Jonathan TO
such danger. They referred to the cove
nant they had made with each other, to
he faithful and kind to each other from
generation to generation. They found
some comfort in this way in the niournful
separation. Nothing can be conceived
more pathetic than this parting; and we
do not find that they met more than once
more in this world.
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