The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-08-19
The SABBATH SCHOOL,
International Lesson Comments For
August 70.
Subjec: Devid and Jonathan, Sam. Xxx. II.
zJ-Golden Text, Prov. xviii, zl-Mem.
ory Verses, l4.l7-study versss, I.42
Commentary on the Days
Lesson.

ory verses, H'l7-Study Versss, l.42
Commentary on the Days
Lesson.
IL. The covenant renewed Tvs. l2-33).
IL. Jonathan said" The Revised Yer
sion gives the meaning here. Jonathan
calls God to witness that he would assrst
David by letting him know exactly what
Ssurs purpose was, concerning HIM.
had questioned his father. III there be
good,' etc. The private dialogue which is
here detailed at full length presents most
beautiful exhibition OF these two amiable
led, in the circumstances. to be the chief
speaker. The strength of his attachment,
his pure disinterestedness, his warm piety
his invocation to God consisting OF a
prayer and solemn oath COMMUNICATING
calm and full expression he gave to his
the divine will to be disinherited and
David elevated to the possession of the
throne; the covenant entered into with
David on behalf of his descendants, and
the imprecation ". 10y denounced on any
of them who should violate his part of the
conditions; the reiteration Of this covenant
on both sides ". ~ to make it indis::
soluble; all this indicates such power OF
mutual Affection such magnetic attract.
iveness in the character OF David: such
susceptibility and elevation of feeling in
the heart of Jonathan, that this interview
for dramatic interest and moral beauty IL
unrivaled in the records OF human friend.
ship.
Is. "The Lord be with thee" etc. These
words show that Jonathan expected David
to occupy the throne of Israel. No doubt
Saul had now fully made up his mind that
David was his rival for the throne; that
he was the man after Gods own heart OF
whom Saul had told him; and perhaps the
fact that Samuel had anonted him was
now generally known. Jonathan had all
these facts before him and vet he had no
jealousy, but loved his rival as his own
soul.
Ia, lJ. "That I die not" etc. Convinced
that David will succeed to the kingdom,
Jonathan exacts a promise from him to
show kindness to his posterity after hls
death as well as to himself during his life
time. His words, like Sauls in chapter
24:2l. are prompted by a fear lest even
David should conform to the barbarous
Oriental custom by which the first king OF
new dynasty often tried to secure him
self on the throne by numbering his pre-
decessor's family. David fulfilled his prom
ise by showing kindness to Mephibosheth'
See Sam. Glib: 2l:7.
49, II. made covenant" Namely, by
obtaining from David a promise to, show
| kindness to himself and to his family for
ever. "Shall require it" etc. There Is
much difference of opinion as to the mean
ing of the second part of this verse. II is
| generally understood to be a continuation
| of the historians words. and that this is a
mere statement of the fact that the Lord
! would require the fulhlment OF the cove
| nant even at the hand of David's enemies.
Benson explains it as follows: If either
Jonathan or any OF his house shall prove
enemies to David or to his house, let the
Lord the witness OF the covenant. severely
punish the violators of it.. TO swear
again" BY this. is meant that he again
entered into solemn covenant. BECAUSE
he loved him" His great love to David
made him anxious, to maintain friendly
Is, 10. "Seat-empty." 1t seems that
there was one table for Saul, Jonathan:
David and Abner; Saul having the chief
seat, that next to the wall. "Stayed three
days" Either with your family in Bethie'
hs snwN or wherever you find dus it @oyamen
would be necessary in order to avoid being
detected. ."The business. etc, Literally,
"On the day of the business" referring
either to the incident recorded in chapter
l9:l-7, or to some unknown matter. Ezei.
The name of stone near Gibeah, wei
known to US.
2O.23. "And I will shoot" etc. Jona
than thus provides for informing David OF
Saul's designs without making persona,
interview between them necessary, ss II
might be hazardous to attempt to meet
again. Though David was the anointed
king to reign after Saul. he had everything
to fear from Saul, and therefore concluded
it better to secure himself than to get
into danger. He. might, have rallied an
army in his defense, but he had not
sought the kingdom, or public notice, ana
affairs in his own time and way, He who
even in Gods way, runs before he is sent.
runs at random; runs without light, and
without divine strength. Gods, children
may suffer wrong, but while they keep
true at heart, God will surely attend to
having them delivered without fail, though
they are permitted to suffer some prya
tions before reaching the place where God
will honor them. Read 2 Cor. 4:l7, Is;
Pet. 3l3.. The promises OF God, cannot
fail Faith and obedience secure their tul
fi,ment. "As touching the matter" Thi;
sign agreed upon.
III. Saul's intentions tested Tvs. 24Si)
Jonathan soon discovered that his father
was very angry against David and hac
determined upon his death. Saul lso be
comes enraged against Jonathan and cast;
this time Jonathan had not believed that
his father really intended to kill David
but now he knows the truth. >,
w.. The, parting Tvs, 3542). In tn
morning, which would be tine tniru uay
since Jonathan left David, Jonathan took
lad and went into the field to carry out
the plan arranged between them. Afte,
:he warning signal had been given David
.he lad was sent back to Gibeah, and find
ng no one near Jonathan seized the op
oortunity for one more interview WITT
.he one he loved as his own life. And the,
kissed one another. and wept one with
another, until David exceeded: The sep
aration of two such faithful friends wa
equally grievous to them both, but David
case was the more deplorable, for, wher
Jonathan was returning to his family anC
friends, David was leaving all his com
forts, even those of Gods. sanctuary, anc
therefore his grief exceeded Jonathan s
At last Jonathan said to David, Go il
peace" 1t was kindness in Jonathan Z
bid David depart, SINCE his life, was il
auch danger. They referred to the cove
hant they had made with each other, t.
be faithful and kind to each other iron
generation to generation. They foun'
yome comfort in this way in the niournfu
; ,eparation. Nothing can be conceive,
more pathetic than this parting;. and w
tlo not find that they met more than one
more in this world.