The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 80.

Subject: David Spares Saul, Sam. xvi.
b-12, 2,21-26-Golden Text, Luke vi, 27-
Memory Verse, 21-Study Verses, 1.25-
Commentary on the Days Lesson.
I. David in exile. These long years OF
exile must have been hard indeed for David
to bear, and yet they were important years
in his life. The Lord has frequently seen
fit to give those whom He has intended to
perform some important work just such
severe training. Moses was forty years
in the desert and Paul was three years in
Arabia. These years with David were
most, fruitful "as his apprenticeship, foI
matters" ID By his exile among other
nations he learned their characteristics
and how best to deal with them. (2) He
could contrast the effects of their religion
with those of the religion of Jehovah,
and thus become confirmed in true religion
and patriotism. This led to the marvellous
development Of religious institutions and
of the service of song under his admins.
tration:. (3 The exile experiences pre-
served him from the dangers to which bis
sudden elevation to power and popularity
would expose him. He learned his weak.
ness and his need of divine help. (D He
ing acquainted with the people, their griev.
ances under Saul, their needs, their dis:
positions and tendencies. He understood
their spiritual as well as their temporal
wants. (5) He had practice in the art Of
governing. .(6) He gained experience in
war. (T. He obtained knowledge OF
the country. (s) In this school of fighting
men were trained those generals and wise
strattegists who in the golden days OF
David's rule commanded his armies, and
raised Israel from the .obseurlty Of an
ARAB" tribe, who with difficulty held
their own among the ancient Canaanites,
of the old Eastern world. (9) He had
around him a, trained band, like "the Old
Guard" which enabled him to take imme-
diate possession of the kingdom when the
time came. (l0) Many Of his sweetest
songs were wrought out by this long and
hard experience, for the comfort and hope
not only of his own people, but for Gods
children in all ages. (ll) In spite of his
few lapses from faith and perfect truth,
he grew in character and manhood, he be.
came strong in faith and virtue, large.
hearted, wise, noble, eonsecrated to God
II. Sauls life in David's power Tvs. s.
12). David, with six hundred men, was
secluded in the hill of Hachilah. Fhe Zip.
hites Informed Saul as to David's where
abouts, twhereupon Saul took three thou.
sand chosen men-his select standing army
and went in search of David. When
David heard of SauPs approach he sent out
spies to make sure that such was the case.
A most willy chieftain was David, and
not to be taken unawares by Saul, or any
other foe.
s. David arose." Probably soon afte,
dark Csps tG the place. i Paid sIi
he wished to survey the situation with his
the tNH wagons si X. Y Af; The word may T mean m
either (l) the circular rampant round the
camp; or (2) barrier formed by the bag.
gage wagons round the camp; or (3) the
place where the baggage wagons of the
6.S. "Abishai-Joab." These men were
brothers, David's nephsws, sons Of Zeruiah,
David's sister. Abishei distinguished him.
self by saving David's life in one of his
ahiiistine wars e Sam. 2l:l7). Joab was
1s & death By yssssS s9SR0n WSsa SEas dfni asa
Abishai reached Sauls camp they saw
SauPs spear stuck in the ground at his
head. 1t was the custom for king to al.
ways have his spear with him. The Arabs
still have the same practice. Let me
smite him." Abishai asked permission OF
David to smith the king, and promised
that the execution would be complete at
the first stroke, that there would be no
need of shifting him the second time.
g.. Destroy him not" Saul had been
in David's power on previous occasion
Il Sam. A:1:7(, and David would not in;
jure him. "The Lords anointed." Saul
having been made king by Gods special
appointment, David looked upon it as
srL, - aff al 10 i'm
David's heart smote him before when he
merely cut off the skirt of Saups robe
i0.f2. "The Lord shall smite him" He
shall die by a. stroke of the dig9e ,judg'
ment, or he shall die a natural death,
which in the course Of nature will be be-
fore mine, or he shall fall in battle by the
enemies of his country. "Cruse of water"
A small jar or flask. 1t resembled in
some measure the canteens of our soldiers.
The cruise of water at Saups head is In
exact accordance with the customs of the
people at this day. No one ventures to
travel over these deserts without his cruise
of water, and it is very common to place
reach it during the night. Deep sleep
from the Lord" The word used here is
the same as that used in Gen. 2:2l to de.
scribe the sleep which God caused to fall
upon Adam. when he formed Eve out of
his side. Thus we see that divine provi-
dence favored David in this daring enter.
prise.
M. A conversation between Saul and
David Tvs. 1926. 1t was probably early
the next morning that David took his
position on hill so valley would be &
tween them, and called to Saul: The peo'
pie in these mountainous countries are abln
from long practice so to pitch their voices
as to be heard distinctly at distances al.
most incredible. David expostulates with
Saul and refers the whole matter to. God
as the vindicator of the, oppressed;
2l.25. "I have sinned." David's words
had a good effect on Saul: The king saw
his wicked course and admitted that he
had sinned; but this did not pardon past
offenses or cause him to live right in the
future. Saul needed what every sinner
needs new heart. played the fool"
Saul humbles. himself exceedingly. The
Lord render" etc. David here refers to
himself. He is not sounding his own
praises, but, as before (chap. A:!2), -
declaring his confidence that God will
eventually recompense him. for his upright
behavior. $50 let my life" He prays that
God would show mercy on him and spare
his life rs he had spared SauPs: "Blessed
be thou" Saul perceived that it was use
less to contend longer against David,
things" "To his place" To his homs
In Gibeah. They never met again.