The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-09-03
DAVID MADE KING
OVER ISRAEL
AND JUDAH
Sunday School Lesson for Sept. -, 1908
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-"David went on and
grew great, and the Lord God OF Hosts
was with him."-2 Sam. $40.
THE COUNTRY.-The cleavage which
became permanent after Solomon had
long existed in tendency. Apparently
united under Saul, the tribes showed their
divergence In the early years OF David
a northern and a southern kingdom.
PLACE.-David's first capital was at
Hebron. Later he made Jerusalem his
capital as more central, and more easl-
~ defended.
TIME-David was king over Judah
seven and one-half years. b. c. loS5-lOiS
(Ussher); or as revised by the Assyrian
Eponym Canon. about 40 years later.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
David had fitted himself for the
kingship. lie had almost ideal quail
files. But he needed training by less
er and easier tasks for the great, en-
during. glorious kingdom he was to
create and rule. Hence. for seven
years he was faithful over a few
things in order that he might rule
well over many things.
David was now 80 years old. He
had had a checkered life for the last
ten years: but every hour Of It was
a part of his preparation.
II takes a great variety of expert
ences to make us complete and fitted
to do the greatest good. David's life
was filled with the strangest vicissi-
tudes swinging trough an arc that en-
braced much II not all OF human ex-
perience Edward Irving finely says
OF him, Every angel OF Joy and OF
sorrow swept, as he passed. over the
chords Of Davids harp, and the hearts
OF hundred men strove and struggled
together within the narrow continent
OF his single heart Professor
Moorehead
Hebron. the Capital. was one OF the
most ancient cities in the world, sit
uated in a high. mountainous region.
1900 feet above the sea. II was easi-
ly defended II was far enough from
the Philistines and from the northern
tribes to be safe. IL was I'm a region
familiar TO David in his exile. and
where he himself was well known.
Hebron had been the home of his au-
cestor Abraham. In the side Of a
neighboring "ravine was the cave CT
Machpelah. where the fathers of the
nation slept in God" Isaac and Re
bekah had lived here. Near by was
the the brook Eschol where grew the
luxuriant vine from which the spies,
more than four centuries before, had
cut down the famous clusters. Says
Professor Blake. ITO live in Hebron.
and not feel faith quickened TO new
life. would have indicated a soul dead
70 every impulse of patriotism and
piety."
V. 4. "The men OF Judah
anointed David king" This was the
public ceremony OF coronation. The
kingdom came to him. not only by
divine appointment. but by choice OF
the people themselves ". III Chron.
11:1-3) The two conceded.
David Relgned at Hebron seven and
one.half years q Sam. SOD, in a quiet
and peaceful manner. growing in ia
vor with God and man, and laying the
foundations for his great work of con.
solldating and reconstructing the ma
ton
brought all the other tribes into sub
mission TO the dynasty of Saul. next
proposes to conquer David and Judah.
Then he will be at the head of the
whole nation.
Note that David tries to unite the
tribes by kindness and peace; Abner
seeks to conquer by war. David acts
only on the defensive.
All through the long war that fol-
lowed--nearly two years-"David
waxed stronger and stronger, and the
house of Saul weaker and weaker"
q Sam. SD.
David Became King In the Best Pos
sible Way ID He did not seek the
Office. but the office sought him. V.
|. Then came all the tribes OF Is
rael TO David" They came by their
elders ". 81. representing, according
to l Chron. 12:23-i0. 1896 warriors.
They gave good reasons.
90 He was Saul't natural successor.
being his sonin-law; and to make this
more evident, he insisted that his wife
Michal who hal been taken away from
him by Saul. should be returned to
him. They said I'VE are thy bone
and thy flesh," both by race and by
alliance with their royal house.
CD He had proved himself strong
and worthy leader, both as warrior
and statesman. They recalled his
splendid feats of arms when all the
tribes were one kingdom. V. 3. Thou
vast he that leddest out" etc. All
through his past life. since the con.
Dict with Goliath. David had shown
generalship, wisdom, skin. forbear-
ance. courage. knowledge of men. and
trust In God.
ca He was divinely appointed. tho
one whom God saw to be the best one
to be their hng-"the Lord said TO
thee" The man whom God chooses
for an Office is the man the people
need.
90 He had the right ideas concern
ing the duties OF king. Thou shalt
feed" Literally. Thou shalt shep-
herd" IA natural metaphor to express
an. o.. Ii. Il a..