Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-08
Sunday School Lesson for August 9 Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
DAVID AND GOLIATH. I Samuel xviii IS a.
ANNN


nine feet in height. rising up in Gull view.
Il will give thy flesh. unto the fowls of
the air and TO the beasts Of the field. he
said With one stroke of his mighty arm
he expected TO sever the young mans
head from his body and leave the lifeless
form to be deyoured. And who could
anticipate any other result from such an
unequal contest?
REPLY-After these swelling words
II was David's time To speak. There WAS
no evidence of perturbation. Tie seemed
as confident and seif-rusS"ssed as when
he first proposed 10 his brethren to meet
the insolent Philistine. Every word bore
the marks of great soul composed IN
prospect OF triumph. His speech admitted
the giant superiority. coming with SWORD
and spear and shield: but declared thai he
came in the name of the Lord. He de-
sired it to be known that this was TO he
not fight between a warrior and a shep-
herd. but between a warrior and the God
of Israel. He then declared that God
would deliver Goliath into his hands.
There was the keynote-he had come to
receive the enemy whom God would sub
due. the o.d-time spirit being I'm his
heart. He went on TO predict the result.
Having the man In his power DAVID
would cut off his head and the carcasses
of the Philistine host would be given to
the beasts. Then the earth should know
that there was a God I'm Israel. and that
assembly should learn that the battle was
the Lords Josh. x:s). Modesty, faith
and zeal were I'm that address
L.
Hath arose and advanced. and David.
fleet of foot. FASTENED To meet him. Piac-
ing a stone in his sling. he hurled WIN
dexterous movement. With marvellous
precision and irresistible force. as II
guided and impelled by superhuman pow
err. that stone sped through the air ike
some rifle ball or bolt from heaven q
Kings, ix:24). Striking the giants fore
head. II broke through his skull and
buried itself in his brain. Before the de-
| fiant boaster had drawn his sword. be-
| fore he had reached his despised antago-
mist. his huge form was laid prostrate In
death. A moment later David stood upon
| him. Drawing the great sword or ne
| fallen Philistine. he cut of the head ana
| held it aloft. The work was done. The
| blasphemous tongue was SILENT The
young man. trusting God. had trfumphed
| over his enemy. There was no credit due
| to Saurs armor. The glory belonged to
God. The prediction had been fulfilled.
PURSUIT.-The whole scene was
Immediately changed. The multitude that
| had invaded Judah, expecting to sub5u-
gate the chosen people. lost hope when
their champion fell. and sought safety In
precipitate flight leaving their tents be-
hind (verse GD. And the men OF Israel.
who had waited and feared for weeks.
regained their courage and went In hot
pursuit. Thn Gays had returned. the days
of Moses. of Joshua, OF Gideon and OF
Samuel the days of mans faith and or
Gods power. stone from a shepherd
|
heroes. The reproach uf Israel was re-
moved. and. best of all. a new name has
come into history. a new life force. new
rule of action, a new philosophy OF gov
eminent. destined to usher in a better
era. Israel pursuing her enemies SYM
bolizes the new monarchy overcoming in
| righteousness.
| TEACHING.-There are many In
| structive points in our lesson. The most
| important lies on the surface recognized
| by all, just suggested-the strength and
| worth Of a man of God CHeb., xi BAD. Con-
| trast David with Saul. forsaken. chal-
| lenged and hopeless. Contrast him with
| Goliath, boastful. scornful. dying He is
| more than king more than giant. What
causes and institutions have suffered be-
cause such men have delayed their COM
| ing! And when at length, they have APP
peared. how the difficulties and evils have
| been overcome! And how have men been
| inspired and led on to noble achievement!
| Oh. that God would raise up in the church
| and state men Of zeal, volunteers in time
of distress. who are able to slay the
giants to put to flight the forces OF evil
and to rally the faint-hearted In the cause
| of truth