The St. Louis Republic., 1903-08-22

done while he slept; that, therefore some
one had been near enough to disarm him,
but had spared his life. Bearing the spear
and the cruise the two men returned as
they came with their trophies toward the
little band OF which they were part
the narrative oversees 1s to 20 omitted from
our study shows what use David made OF
his venture to the camp OF Saul. Stand
ers, held up the captured spear. and with
2 loud voice called to Abner. chiding him
Tor nesleedng to defend his master. Sau!
opportunity to declare his Righteousness and
70 plead that he might henceforth be free
from murderous pursuit. The effect was
heart relented. He saw that his son-in-law
had no evil Intentions; that he was worthy
Of confidence. He acknowledged that he
had erred exceedingly, and that he would
had spared his life. This confession was
an indication Of returning sanity. Although
nevertheless showed that better side OF the
Kings nature. which. as In the case OF
all men, az at times asserted j Itself .r,
these words of Saul. spoken in due re-
pentence for the wrong and with the strong
purpose to change his course, David stood
the mobility OF his character and make a
fii.al impression upon the Jealous monarch.
Lifting UP the spear, he asked that
ycrng man be sent for 1t. not even desiring.
what most heroes prize. to retain the proof
OF his valor. He would restore the weapon
with which his own life had been attempted.
porsuniiy M @ to rea}t,rm his his rigl,seousness. l and
he called attention to the fact that he had
uiagnanimously spared when he might have
had all this in mind when he and Ahishai
visited the camp in the night before II IS
highly probable although the subsequent
could not have assg been 19 nea
lMstt. v. ~, hoping thereby to move a
end sousb, AZ DAVID wss saned aad
for the present. As he pleaded for deliver
ance because of his own generous deed;
plea that ought to prevail even with bad
man. SaurS spirit was changed. He would
have been an ungrateful wretch had he
failed to discern the high courage and noble
principle OF thS man whom he had 50
pulses were stayed and the old-time anec-
ton. experienced after the killing Of Goliath
q Sam. xviii. p was revived. my son
that that subsistsd % between them through
marriage Il Sam. xviii, 70 This outgoing
Of the heart was preceded by an invoked
followed by a prediction. It was plain to
the open vision of the penitent King that
the one he had hated was , destined d to to be hva
splendid career. And so the two went
their way-one delivered from his enemy.
the other from his sin.
REFLECTIONS. 1t II never wise to
Sake advantage of an enemy, to mete out
to him when we may what perhaps Is his
due. Such conduct strengthens in US the
worse elements Of our nature and leads to
wrongdoing. 1t is cowardly to strike in
the night. A lion will roar and warn his
prey. 3. Kindness is the most powerful
weapon that may be used against an enc
my. 1t shows that the one hated Is worthy
of better treatment, turns the venom into
sweetness. 3. 1t Is possible that God
may choose between the vindictive and the
benevolent spirit, inasmuch as the choice
Is the noble turning Of the soul and the
Strengthening Of its better promptingA 1.
It Is well to consider the result Of a deed
Had Saul been slain David would have come
to the throne by blood. Through mercy he
waited many years. but became King at
last without a stain. known and loved by
all people.