The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-09-13

tain the respect and confidence Of hi!
people and his army II he failed Il
master the Jebusites and gain posses
sion Of their stronghold? Such wers
the questionings which troubled
him from within; and from without
there came the fresh protests Of the
| people of Judah whose possessions
| were near to Jerusalem.
What use for US TO plant our vine
yards ahd to sow our fields il these
Jebusites are to descend upon us in
the night and take away the fruits
Of our toll? And when we pursue
them they find refuge within their
stronghold and cast ridicule upon us
from the walls"
Such was the last bitter complaint
and David found himself asking the
question whether he could turn deaf
ear to their pleadings? Could he re-
fuse to put forth effort to help? To
be sure II seemed like difficult task,
but ought he not try? But the failures
OF the nations about to conquer the
place gave him little confidence that
he would prove more successful In
any attempt he might put forth.
But you can try came the clear
voice OF conscience from within. vic
tory belongs TO the Lord, and he will
not fail the one who putteth his trust
In him." he added half aloud to him
self.
Yes" continued David to himself,
as the reused confidence within made
him see more clearly his duty In the
matter. Yes. it Is reproach upon
David that such stronghold should re-
main unconquered. What an ideal
place that would be for the placing
of the tabernacle of the Lord, that
God might have his dwelling place
there, II God has given us the land
did he not wish and expect that we
would take this place, as well?"
One noble thing about David was
that as soon as he saw his duty clear
ly he did not delay action. For him
to come face to face with an issue and
realize that 1t must be met If he re-
manned true to God and to his nation,
was all that was necessary to bring
him into action, For this reason
that very hight orderE went cut TO
tho army 70 be prepared FOR an early
start upon the morrow, when ther
would go up against jerusalem
The order created some little dis.
but this was quickly dis.
1elled whehn David himself appeared
,lad in his armor and declared his
purpose to lead the army In the diff
;ult and dangerous task which lay be-
ore it, But as they came beneath
he steep, lofty precipices with which
nature had surrounded the place they
sought by every device to scale some
,oint and gain admittance to the
'lace, they realized more forcibly
han ever what task lay before
hem. And to add to their discom.
ort, the lame and the blind of the
'ebusites were gathered upon the
walls and nailed upon them, saying:
Except We take the lame and the
hind ye cannot come In hither"
Then we will take the lame and
he blind" David muttered under his
reath. THE seeming impossible shall |
'ecome possible with Gods help. The
nemy itself has told us the way we
hall enter the city.
And with that determination taken,
David ceased the efforts at scaling the
walls and directed his men to search |
he secret underground aqueduct |
which supplied the city with water, |
aging unto them:
whatsoever getteth up to the gut.
er and smiteth the Jebusites and |
he lame and the blind, that are hated |
( David's soul, shall be chief and
aptain.
And thus encouraged, the ascent of |
he precipice was made and the gate
( the city quickly opened, so that
David entered in triumph the place
'hoch had defied him.
And David dwelt in the fort and
allied 1t the city of David and as
e sat contemplating the victory from
he heighths of the city, he ex.
Il never knew before that Judah
nd the land of Israel were so fair.
What would the kingdom have been