The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-16
Third Quarter; Lesson VII; Sam
 uel xviii, 5-1s; August 16, 1908.
Saul Tries to Kill David.

Saul Tries to Kill David.
 It was soon evident that David's val orous deed was not a sporadic incident It was the natural fruit of a valorous life. and there was more fruit of the same kind to follow. In the quhint phrase of the narrative. he behaved himself wisely. He was so prudent that he dis armed even the courtiers who would nat uraliy have been jealous of his advance ment They might have disdained the in trusion of shepherd boy in court. They would have done so if slightest pretext or opportunity had been given. Success had evidently not made David conceited. the especial bane of military men.
 But the murderous envy of Saul is the inky agate on which the character of Da- vid stands out like fair cameo in clear cut and lovely outline. The provoking cause of Saul's jealousy in this instance seemed to be the popular ovation in which in Oriental style for such occasions the women took conspicuous part. The rule of their exclusion made this excep- tional appearance the more effective. They chanted some favorite old folk-song and added as a refrain, Saul has slain his thousands and David his myrlads. '' It was an outburst of patriotic joy. The song was antiphonal, one chorus respond ing to another with the accompaniment of some crude instrument, called literally ''the threes," describing, perhaps. the tri- angle or an instrument of three strings. The youthful and beautiful singers accen- tuated their song with rhythmic move ment of the body. The refrain was 50 constantly repeated that it became the sustaining impression of the whole affair In 1t the need of praise was distinctly given t9 the Bethlemite stripling. Com parison9 on such an ocasion are especial ly odiQns. 1t Is quaintly said that lavish commS adations of those whom we admire in sucM world as this often prove a real injury. So the daughters and matrons of IsraRl did David an unconscious, but 'yerita disservice. The self-centered king e I'd not brook the supposed lndig- nlfy.
 This account is drawn to the line psy- chologically Saul harbored a mean pas sion. It confused his moral sense. He became its veriest slave. He had heard Samuefs intimation that a neighbor bet ter than himself should take his crown. He was on the watch for that rival. and recognized him in David He saw in this incident the unfolding of a divine purpose to supplant him, and determined rashly and impiously to nip that purpose in the bud.
 Saul tried one expedient after another to secure his cruel and wicked end. Twice with his own hand, in murderous rage, he hurled his javelin at his young armor- bearer, aiming to pinion him to the wall But David in both instances availed him self of that dexterity he had learned in meeting other wild beasts. Next. Saul re- quired dangerous exploits at David's hands. anticipating that in some of them he would be slain. but David seemed in- covered with the Inpenetra- be shield of Providence. The new posi- tions which the king gave him with such sinister motives put him in touch with the populace. as one attached to an Orl- ental court could never be. So that Saul soon found that he had given new op- portunities to his rival.