The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-08-06
DAVID AND
GOLIATH
Sunday School Lesson Tor Aug. 9. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

LESSON TEXT. II Samuel 1889
Memory verses. 4s, 20.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"In the Lord put
ny trust"-Psalm I'LL.
| TIME.-It is uncertain how long after
mis- amounting was Davld's victory over
3oliath. Prof Bescher imaginss 1t to
De about four years. Ussher gives b. G.
l068 for the date.
PLACE.-The Phllistines lived in the
plain bordering the Mediterranean, south
west Of Palestine. The armies were
gathered at Ephes- -dammim, "the boun-
1aries Of blood" toward the head of the
valley Elah. running up from the Phil
istine country toward Jerusalem The
scene of the battle was IA miles south
west OF Jerusalem, and ten miles west
of Bethlehem.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
A guiding Providence is plainly dis
csrned in this story, the meaning Of
each part being unseen till the result
showed the reason for every step. The
Significance of Providence Is often
written as with invisible ink, and can
not be read till the consummation is
reached. The three Oldest of David's
brothers we're In the army of Saul,
only about ten miles from home, and
Jesse, feeling anxious for news about
them, sent David to the camp with
some fresh provisions. for the soldiers
there, as often in later wars, furnished
their own supplies. II was the fortieth
day of Goliath's challenge when David
reached the camp, and heard his
naughty words He soon took In the
state OF AFFAIRS. His inquiries and
comments brought upon him the re-
buke of his Oldest brother. But he kept
on till his words came to the ears Of
Saul.
Saul was convinced by two argu-
ments.
Q) The courage, skill and power
shown by David In Staying lion and
bear in defense Of his sheep.
(2) His trust in God as his deliverer
from the paw Of the lion and the paw
OF the bear.
What God has enabled one to do Is
the proof of what he, can do In the
future, as we'll as a preparation for do
ing 1t.
David's Weapons.-Vs. 3S-40. Saul
was far from seeing the advantage
OF David's use of the weapons In the
use OF which he had gained great
skill. Hence he began by putting on
David his own armor, the best the
kingdom afforded. Eut this was worse
than useless, and David put 1t of.
v. 40 "He took his stan" His shep-
herd staff and means of offenBe and de-
fense, In days when no firearms ex-
I, listed. A shepherds stan from Pales-
| Al. l.. t,,A,v ta
' club Five smooth stones" Smooth
. in order to move straight to the mark;
"fve," so that II one failed, others
would be on hand Such pebbles as
David would choose would weigh be-
tween six and fifteen ounces. In
shepherds bag a scrip" "As
the shepherd is ever moving in search
of pasture and water, he Is very often
far from his headquarters, and there
fore he. carries slung over his shoulder
skin-bag, primarily to contain his
bread, olive berries, raw onions, and
dried fruit, figs, or raisins."-Mrs
Howie. in Sunday School Times. The
forelegs tied together form the handle
of the scrip. His sling was in his
hand" sling sklfully used was by
far the best weapon with which to de
feat a huge, mailed warrior. II could
g be used from a safe distance, but was
s very powerful. David had doubtless
n become accurate with his sling as q
" means of defense, as the Benjamite'
in the time of the Judges-"everyont
could sling stones at a hair-breadtf
and not miss" (Judg. 20:1O.
v. Al. "And the Philistine came on.
u In his shining armor, with his dread
full clanking tramp under the hundred
weight OF metal" Conder suggests
" that they walked down the stream
on either bank, conversing as the!
" went
IS V. 43. Cursed David by his gods.
u These gods were such as Dagon, Baa
" and Astarte. The combat thus be
IL came question not merely between
u David and Goliath, but between Coz
a and idols; between true religion AM
&c false, as David fully expressed In nj
L answer to the giant ". 46) that al
'e the earth may know that there is
- God In Israel"
u, V. At. THE battle is the Lords,
who will defend his own cause an
- not only had moved David TO learn hi
Ie weapon, but guided the stone to 1t
- mark.
= v. As. David hastened, and ran
!, giving impetus to his sling, and
!. nearer mark for accuracy.
- So Paris In the Had:
- "With his full strength he bent his ansr
I'd Ana winged the feathered venseancs Z
k the foe" ..... ,,.
~ v. 40. David took theme
Id a stone, and slang IT," ION wings
a faith and prayer the smooth ston
I'd took ito fatal night" And smote th
1t Philistine In his forehead" The ston
to either entered point unprotected b
er the helmet, or It may even have PEN
IN trated and passed through the helm'
itself.-Prof w. H. Green.