Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-15

slain, as studied in the last lesson. the
army Of the Philistines fed, pursued by
the encouraged Israelites. A complete
victory was gained. delivering the land
from enemies. The brave act of the
shepherd boy excited the admiration of
Saul. who sent for him and retained
him as part of the royal household
During the interview between the king
and David. Jonathan was present. and
his heart was drawn out toward the
victorious youth. AS a mark of affec-
ton he gave him some of his outer
garments and sword. thereby express
ing his utmost approval. Jonathan and
David became fast friends. and a pledge
was given each to the other to be true
under all circumstances, a league or
covenant of mutual assistance. This was
one of the most surprising and beauti-
full intimacies, not unlike that formed
between Damon and Pythias. the two
Pythagoreans. renowned in literature
for their devotion to each other. Jona-
than and David appear to have discov-
cred affinity at first sight.
APPOINTED Verse -. - Youth as
he was. David received a captains COM
mission at the hand of Saul. who at
the beginning had the utmost conf
dence in him. With prompt obedience.
he went to the field OF conflict leading
the men of war intrusted to him. In
every engagement he behaved himself
wisely. displaying military genius of a
high order and winning victory after
victory. In those days the arts of war
were more easily learned than now.
There was no need of long schooling
such as is given at West Point in this
country. Natural bravery Joined with
int
cipal qualities. and IL physical strength
were added a soldier of the first rank
would be the result. 1t is believed that
David was not twenty-one years old.
yet he had suddenly risen from the po-
sition of a shepherd to be a chieftain
and hero. And in this new position he
easily gained applause. The servants
OF Saul and the masses of the people
sounded his praises and rejoiced in his
achievements.
HONORED Oversees s-O.-From the
earliest times down to and including our
day the people Of all nations, whether
civilized or savage. have assigned the
highest place to- those who have succeed
ed in war. The victorious general. upon
his return. has been received with dem
onstrations of approval. These have been
in various forms, sometimes by the loud
acclaim. sometimes In the triumphal
march. sometimes by gifts and speeches,
but always suited to the genius of the
greater esteem than in any other part of
the world, were employed to express the
popular rejoicing. This appears to have
been the method for many centuries.
eek. xv:2O): There was great propriety
in such mode. for the women. more than
any other class, suffered when defeat
came. and they had therefore cause for
joy when their husbands and sons won
the battle. Uud.. xi:34). And SO out of
all the cities of Israel came the women to
II fn 6o rot, al frpv, Ho
battle. They bore with them instruments
of music, and they sang and danced Saul
hath slain his thousands and David his
ten thousands" Thus ii was that they
gave the chief honor to the son of Jesse.
DISPLEASED Oversees $50. The
songs of the dancing women precipitated
conflict severer than any waged upon
the field of carnage. King Saul heard 1t
and his soul was agitated to the depths.
He may have struggled for a time against
the emotions that were awakened. but all
in vafn-they soon gained the victory.
The youth whom he had taken from the
sheepfold, whom he had trusted with
service in the army. whom he had seated
ular favor. He was honored ten times
more than his sovereign. (Eccle., iv:D.
Short lived indeed was the royal glory. 1t
had faded in the presence of one who had
suddenly risen by his own valor and
worth. Saul looked steadily before him
to discover that In this eclipse his station
was of little worth. David had gained all
but the kingdom, and that must shortly
be his also IL the wish of the people were
regarded. Then jealousy entered into the
heart Of the king to rob him of his peace,
and he fastened his eye upon his rival.
Day after day passed in which the passion
grew and mastered and troubled it's vic
tim.
PROPHESIED Oversees 1O-1D.-Jeal-
ousy. the ''green-eyed monster as
Shakespeare called it. having gained pos
session of Saul. polluted the very fountain
of his being, and transformed him into a
hypocrite and a would-be murderer. In
his own home, while conducting family
worship, he pretended to be prophesying.
for so the Hebrew word signifies. while
David played upon his harp and made
music appropriate to the occasion. This
be did to conceal his intention to kill the
young man, whom he hated. The spirit
of God had departed from him, and an
evil spirit had been permitted. as a
former occasion, to possess him Il Sam.
xVi:14. 1t Is not true, as some think, that
God sent this spirit, but that a demon
came because God suffered him to do SO
dob. i:IE. There is no room here to dis
cuss this subject at length 1t is quite
sufficient to say that both In the Old
Testament and New. Satanic influence
over men is recognized as possible Luke.
xxii:3D, when they depart from God.
While these religious exercises were in
progress. the unsuspecting David contrib
uting his part, and the king acting as a
domestic priest. the latter suddenly cast
his javelin, saying to himself. L will