Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1907-09-11

sue. and so he did the only thing any
man could do under the circum
/ stances. called his men together and
prepared them to go forward with
Achish and his men.
| But we will leave some OF tina men
to guard Ziklag during out absence?"
questioned one of the leaders under
David
NO" responded David. 1--WE shall
have need of all our men this day"
And so, in obedience to the com
mand of their leader, Davids mel
marched forth. And David said with.
in his heart. as he grimly marched on
and on towards his own belosc1
| land:
God will provide a way OF escape
| Surely, he will not suffer my hand t.
be lifted against my brethren and
against the Lords anointed Surely
when my hand has been stayed from
taking the life of my enemy hereto
fore. it willsnot fall now as the ally
or these ungodly Philistines."
The day wore on and at Aphek III.
armies of the Philistines went mt
camp, while in the distance could he
seen the hosts Of Israel preparing he
battle front. How Davids heart
smote him as he looked upon the
scene, and how an agony of prayer
rose to God for help. His meditation
was interrupted by the coming OF
Achish, who appeared greatly trou
bled. and with many words of apology
and assurances as to his faith 10
David's integrity. he told David of the
dissatisfaction OF the Philistine lords
at the presence of David and his men.
anG asked that they depart and return
to Ziklag.
David was too willy to reveal his
true state. of mind to Achish. and he
left the latter to believe that he fell
deeply srieved that ne was not per.
mitted TO serve with the Philistins
army. but as he and his men took VI
the return march the next morning IL
was with lighter heart than he had
had as he had come thither. Lighter
heart? Yes. But there was the deeu
anxiety he felt as to the fate of his
brethren in Israel. How would the
battle go? He was almost tempted to
yield to the mutteree suggestion of
some OF his men that they return and
cast their lot with the aNny of Israel
But the wisdom OF such course did
NOT seem clear to him and so he con.
tinued the march towards Ziklag.
The exclamation of one of his men
caused him to look up.
Smoke in the distance."
What could it mean? With cries
or apprehension the men pressed for
ward with quickened steps and soon
came upon the smouldering ruins OF
the city which they had left in such
seeming security the day before.
After the first outburst of anguish.
FOR every man mourned the loss of
loved ones, they turned upon David
with savage reproaches See what
he had brought upon them. Had they
not counseled that part of the men be
left behind? This was the Judgment
OF God against them for having pre-.
sumed to go out against their breth.
rem
And was not David responsible fol
IL all? The angry storm grew. until
some OF the more violent actually took
up stones TO hurl at their leader.
III was then that the splendid and
heroic character of David stood forth.
Stone me if you must" he cried
facing them without a tremor God
KNOWS that the intention of my heart
was right. | have suffered with Won.
In this hour of need let us not fight
each other. Rather let us look to God
He will guide us"
The hands which held the stones so
menacingly above his heaf were low
cred and Abiathar. the priest. selling
the opportunity came forward with
the ephod and inquiry was made OF
the Lord. and the Lord answered
David and told him that he should
pursue after the Amalekites AID re-
cover all
The taking up OF the pursuit OF
those who had burned Ziklag abrupt.
ly ended all talk of going up to the aid
OF the armies of Israel. and David
found a welcome relief from his anx
ious, troubled thoughts in the swift
hard journey. In accordance with the
word OF the Lord. their expedition
was favored with complete success
ana the next day found them all back
at Iiklag-wives, children and pos
sessions. together with much spoil
which they had taken from their enc
mics
a David sat before his tent door
that night he could not help but con
trast his feelings with those which
had filled his heart only a few nights
before when he had given his promise
TO go out and fight with the armies Of
the Phiiistines against Israel
And now. instead have rich spoil
with which 20 send my brethren an
Offering. he exclaimed How won
dcriuily God has wrought good ont
OF seeming evil How wonderfully he
has delivered his servant from a
snare that would have swallowed him