The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-01

SAMUEL ANor,rs DAVID samuel. xvi:
David, the Glorious.

DAVID, the GlorlonS-
The veil OF Scripture story that We
are now studying in our lessons lifts
upon one the grandest and most beauti-
ful characters depicted in the whole his
tory OF the world. The man who does
not admire the character of David, King
OF Israel. is surely destitute of the high
est instincts OF manhood himself Even
Davids faults are interesting. because
they are faults OF high and not a low
nature. There never was" says Ed
ward Irving, "a specimen of manhood so
rich and ennobling as David. the son of
Jesse. whom other saints haply may
have equaled in single features Of his
character; but such a combination OF
manly, heroic qualities, such a flush of
generous. God-like exceuences. have
never yet been seen embodied In a sin
gle man" David was the climax of the
best life of the chosen people of God.
the consummate flower OF the religion
Of Noses" says Dr. Clifford. He was
e man Of striking mental and moral
opulenee; rich in gifts and rich in
achievement a poet and q politician; a
chief OF guerrillas and a champion OF
the armies of God: vassal OF the Phil
istines and the creator of the Hebrew
fatherland; simple as a child In hunger
for love. in beautiful humility. and IN
frank selr-avowal; but prudent. eau
tious. and self-controlled IN the onset
OF danger tender-hearted, even TO folly.
as father. but wise. sagacious, power
full. as ruler of men.
But none OF these qualities. nor all OF
them together, were the reason for his
being called a man after Gods own
heart. David was sincerely and pro-
foundly a theocrat. He was not a per-
feet man IN his ethical life; far from il;
but he had right ideals. He believed in
no sovereignty that set Jehovah aside.
He never desired to be anything higher
than Jehovah's lieutenant governor.
though he WAS not proof against the
temptations TO indulgence that be-
set throne. He was singularly faith
rul 10 the ideals Of that kingdom of
God which developed through the cen
turtles. from patriarchal days down TO
the 'fulness OF time when the Son of
Gcd came. This loyalty TO the theocracy
was the true reason for Gods choice OF
him"
What an ideal childhood and youth
David lived up to the time saul tried to
kill him. What mag7animity he con-
tinually showed toward Saul in his
murderous rage toward him, What
military genius DAVID always displayed
as soldier! What greatness as King
he displayed when he came 70 the
throne of his peoplei What a wonGrous
spiritual nature he always exhibited:
how reverential. how trustful. how 10y
al to God he was, What talent he had
IS poet and musician, He was just
the kind of man whom men instinctively
honor. women love. and. If We may say
so. God glorlhes,
David Is an interesting study in char
acter because God himself has said that
he was "a man after his own heart
in other words. Gods idea OF a man.
Old-Time Religious Scene.
To Samuel, his pure-minded. faithful.
and loyal servant, God revealed the fact
that He Was about to select another
man TO be King in Saurs stead. Samuel,
like true patriot and fatherly- hearted
man that he was. had been mourning
over the spiritual decline. downfall, and