Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-08

INTRODUCTION.-Af serving for
time as musician to the king. David
returned to his home. War with the
Philistines soon brought him to notice
again, but in a new capacity. by sim
gle circumstance. The enemy had en-
tered Judah and passed on TO the valley
among the western hills of Benjamin.
and the Israelites had rallied TO help
them. The three oldest sons of Jesse
had Joined the army, and David was sent
by his father TO inquire for their welfare
and deliver some provisions. On reaching
the camp he found 1t greatly excited. be-
cause a giant. named Goliah. a descend
ant Of the old Rephaim Deut. xi:20)
had challenged Israel to send a man to
meet him. but no one had responded. On
learning this condition of things David
volunteered. and was ushered into the
presence of the king. who doubted his
ability. But David reaff1rmed his pur
pose basing confidence upon the fact
that he had killed both lion and bear
that attacked sheep. and believing that
the Lord would deliver the Philistine into
his hands. Whereupon he was accepted
as the representative.
ARMOR.-It seems that Saul had
adopted the mode of warfare common to
other nations and had provided covering
for the more exposed portions OF the
body. He deemed 1t necessary that David
should be clad in these, the more neces-
sary because of the enemy to be met
Hence he put upon David a coat of mail
and upon his head an hemlet of brass.
dressed him up like a soldier in the royal
army. The young man suffered this to be
done. perhaps not liking to object. and
then girded on a sword. But. on attempt
ing to go. he found himself uncomfort-
able for he had never used these gar
ments before. and they did not fit. Had
r.
against sword. armor against armor. a
giant against a youth, with all the odds
In favor of the former Matt. xxvi:52).
Besides, had the issue been favorable. the
honor would have been ascribed largely
to Saul and the instruments he supplied.
Politely informing the king that he could
not use what had been given, he laid
all the soldiers outfit aside. doubtless to
the great surprise Of all present.
SHEPHE1RD.-In laying off the arm
or David did not abandon the fight. He
only refused Saurs method of fighting.
His courage had not failed. but rather
increased. He proposed in this encounter
to be the real self. to give room for the
display of his skill and for the help of
God. in whom he trusted psalm xviii:
3D. His own shepherd apparel was re-
stored to him and he stood as he was
when he left home with the message Of a
which he had been familiar from child
hood he stopped down and took five
smooth stones from the brook and placed
| them in his bag. He carried his sling in
his hand. with which he was able to deal
terrible blow. Thus equipped he step
ped in front of the Israelites line and
advanced toward the Philistine host. 1t
was one of the most heroic deeds Of his
tory. The flower of the Philistine army.
naughty and defiant, symbol of the mill
| tary power Of the heather world. preced-
ed. by servant bearing his ponderous
shield. was in the distance. Approaching
him was a mere STRIPPING. alone that day
taken from the flock.
| forty days Goliath had reason to expect
| that if any one accepted his challenge it
would be some mighty warrior, some stall
| wart whose form. like his own. might in
of Saurs stature. in which the Israelites
had pride. and it was probably designed
| to meet physical strength with physical
strength. Looking therefore over the field
| the giant disdained the rudy youth be-
| fore him. CONTEST thou TO me with
staves?" he asked. Thou shepherd. I
am a warrior. Do you dare to meet me
| with such weapons as il l were dog?'
The Philistine's scorn found further ex-
preston in oaths. He probably deemed
| himself insulted. Volley after volley of
| imprecations in the name of his gods were
| hurled at David. Thereby the warrior
| displayed his weakness. as did the trem-
bling king of Moab plumbers xxi 3-6)
upon victorious Israel Sef-conscious
strength. true bravery. is calm and I'M
| moved. A little soul in big body may
| rave and tremble and seek by words to
| gain victory over a big soul in small
body.
CHALLENGE-Th giant might have
retired in contempt that the one presented
| was unworthy. as prize fighter might do
| If some tender child was placed In the
ring. If the champion gains an easy mas
| tory over the youth from the sheepfold
there will be no glory in it. Instead. there
will be an abiding shame. to he remem-
| bered and rehearsed for years after.
Every American boy would cry out con-
| demning the outrage. Neither would any
thing be gained in the test of national
valor and strength except that a young
hero would be crowned as laying down his
life for love of country and of God But
this giant was not the man to retlre-hls
mental and moral fiber were of such char
acter that fight with physical inferior
was not to be declined. With much as
surance and boasting he drew near for
the encounter. his immense figure. over