The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-28

IL CONTEfT.-The agreement between
David and Jonathan, studied last Wees.
was faithfully kept by the latter. Learn
Ing his fathers evil designs concerning
Ills friend, Jonathan went forth into the
field and made them known by the APP
pointed signals. Immediately David fed
for safety. Proceeding to Mob. he obtain
cd bread for refreshment and the good
sword OF Goliath. which had been laid
UP with tho priest. Thus armed he first
fled TO Achisn. king OF Gath. afterward
to the cave OF Adulium, where many un-
fortunate men Joined him. With these no
ADVANCED TO MiZpeh and then took refuge
In tho forest OF Hareth. Intelligence OF
his hiding was carried to Saul, who at
once determined upon has destruction.
Pursued by the king. David was thereaf-
ter a fugitive, remaining but little time
In one place. While be was concealed
IN the wilderness Of Zipn, Saul came WI IL
three thousand men to capture him. To,
days lesson relates an interesting event
in that connection.
APPROACH oversees and 0).-On some
occasions, David had fed when he knew
his enemy was near deeIning II most
prudent to be at a respectful distance.
But In this instance he determined upon g
bold movement In the hope OF winning me
favor OF the king. what, to some would
seem to be extremely nerllous. He waited
until night ca me when Saul's men had
gone into camp and had fallen asleep. none
haps una Ware that the one they sought
was near. The king and his great cab
tain. Abner. leader OF his forces, lay IN
the midst Of the men. their weapons OF
moments notice. q Sam xiy:5Q. Inform
ed OF The situation OF his spies David call
ed into his counsel "A bimelech ana Apisn
two trusty warrirs. the hrst Hlsiiee t fn.
volunteer to accompany him 70 ,ne
xing's camp He did not propose to send
but to go. and he desired an assocla, G,
without him. Abisha offered himself.
PROPOSAL. Oversees and 81. The TWO
set out together on their erranu' of
sleeping warriors they stealthlly pursued
Their way until they came 70 tne sp ,ha
where the king Jay ~ "a 1he h nusa IN the
m p4anaS m siood his sa Spear which his own
si i J hand might Weld in war. AROUND
him we're loyal men, ready at mon'e tn,s
signal to do his bidding. me me si hsa sent
MON MON abraham, Gen. xv:l2) so that no
mar, knew that David the shepherd youtn
was in their midst. moment 10 siner .ne AZ ~.
ishai saw in the circumstance proyi y,
dence. he believed that God had aes hga',,d
this as the moment In which DAVID a. snou lla
be freed from his PersWSfIa ah one we!l-di
r reeted 1 stroke delivered by steady hand
and powerful arm, no promised that the
deed should be done and Saul should die, g.,
aG 9e gariietsA SisRa i to
Ma nrrnnse He who had been SO long
pursued returned good for. evil and stood
in defense OF one who mlght nave. at,,3
slain. Whatmotive pzompte leo ms nart, First.
tho deed would be one Of enor nous ~l tSa
edness Saul had been anolnted oy me
prophet Samuel Il Sam. KID, ~ tn sn,s ~ ~
Vas scared. TO kill him would have been
murder and treason, both crimes punish
able with death. GI Kings ll:s9; Aow
could either Of these two escape gulit,
Ing Ing the act? second, Saul would die by
Some other method The Lord might sm1t Q
as he had slain other bad men, and It
would be better to leave nm IN the hah l1e
would come TO die no matter how or
when, however LONG delayed the end OF
life would surely come (ieb. ix;2!( or he
might fall IN bfte as nG acsIhaiy a by
the Lords hand, or the hand OF an enemy
or by ordinary course Of nature, soFleti tho
king pass !r,,l Gw VA Z go -, Rock
of these motives was another that did not
in the least diminish the force OF Da-
vids speech to Abishai; but rather cast
new light upon It. IN coming down to the
King there was no purpose OF blood, such
as somo mon would have cherished, but
instead q hope OF Transforming q cruei
enemy into a friend, This he attempted
by remarkable strategem. Ablshal was
directed to take the spear and the cruise
OF water from Saul's head, the one the
wea non of defense, the other the source
OF refreshment, both, needed on Waklnk
would be quickly missed, Their removal
was a sign to all that the owner had been
suddenly rendered powerless either 70 40
harm to others or ito maintain his own
comfort. and that this had been done
While he slept, that. therefore, some one
had been near enough TO dlsnrm MIN ~!
spared his life, Bearing the spear ana no
the cruise the two men returned as they
came No one walked, no one knew o.
their movements, Softly and safely on
thew came With their trophies toward tho
little band e Yhieh they Yera rbe P por-
ton Of the narrative Oversees 10 to eO,
omitted from our study, shows what use Us
David made OF his venture to- tho camp
If Saul. Standing on an. emlne,nce, ne
Weakened the sleeper. held IN the cap,
tured spear and with loud voice ca!ieu
TO Abner. Gliding him for neglectlng 20
Voice. and then David had opportunity
t ~ he might hence forth be free from
,r, mn pursuit., The effect was, what
,nirht have been expected. The kings
ih,st reiented, He saw that, his son-ln-
law had no evil Intentions that ne was
Worthy of confidence. He acknoWledgea
that he had erred eHceedlnslv. y and lna ma
he would no longer attempt " .ta 90 h Mt,tn
o 20 fess,o nv was an Indication Of return-
49, -. nnitv Though forced by tho PEE