The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-08-11
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM
MENTS FOR AUGUST 16.

ouUJects oauI IrIeS TO ALI DaVIu, y
Samuel 18:6-16-Golden Text,
Ps. S4:11-Read Chapters Is,
10 Commentary.
TIME. 1868 B. c. PLACE.
Glib eah.
EXPOsITION.-I. sauI's Envy Of
David, Gil. David's great achieve
ment raised him at once to high POI
sition in the estimation of SAUL and
in the army But it did not turn
David's head He acted with remark
able modesty He was perfectly ODE
dient to all Saul,s orders, though he
knew that he had been himself d.
vinely appointed to the chief leader
ship in Israel (cf. VS.. IS, 23). He con-
Quoted himself with great wisdom.
He patiently awaited Gods time.
Saul himself was at first disposed to
put David forward ". 81 He was
commander in chief over the rude and
undisciplined army which Saul had
gathered together (cf. CHI. 14:52) In
our day in times of war, men rise rap
idly from obscurity to place of great
prominence by some act of great ccur-
age and prowess Much more would
this be true in time of such primitive
warfare His deed was so splendid in
the eyes of all that none dreamed of
disputing his superiority. 1t was the
custom of the women of Israel to
greet their conquering armies with
dances and songs of victory and
praise as they returned from the bat,
tie Eek. 20; Ju. 11:34; Ps. 68:25).
Nothing is dearer to the average SOL
dier's heart than the admiration and
praise of the fair women of the lard.
David was naturally the idol of the
hour. He was the nations saviour.
Moreover, he had performed deed
of unparalleled bravery 1t is no
wonder that the women went wild
with enthusiasm. Their comparison
was just enough, bur not wise. Saul
was king and it was natural he should
be stung to the quick by having one,
who had just come to the front thus
highly exalted above himself. Fur
thermore, 1t was only short time
since Saul himself had been the idol
of the people Och. Hill, 12). 1t is.
hard to give up place like that to-
another without a pang of jealousy.
The song of praise to David was taken
up far and wide and became known
even among other peoples (cf. Oh.
21:11; $3.50. 1t was the popular air
of the day. Probably Saul heard
it wherever he went. David was not
to blame. Doubtless he would rather
that the women had not thus sung.
But greatness, no matter how humble
it is. is very maddening to mediocrity.
The small man can not forgive the
great man for being great. Saul
whimpered like spoiled child. In
the story of Saul we see the tragedy
of soul The same story in all it's
ffn1 Il !
again and again. From that day on
there was no more peace nor joy for
Saul. David was the ghost of his ex-
istence. f'The evil spirit was a
demon (cf. Acts 16:16-18; Mark
1:23-26). 1t was said this evil spirit
was from God" He was messen-
ger of Satan, but permitted by God
for Saul's discipline (cf. Cor. 12:7.
AS far as Gods permission was con-
cerned he was intended to torment
Saul and thus to bring him to re-
penlance. In this aspect of mercy he
was an evil spirit from God" Even
the evil spirits and the devil himself
do Gods work (cf. Matt. 4:1), though
unwittingly to themselves. The fur
Their truth is limited at here that if
men will not have the truth and the
good Spirit, then God gives them over
to error and evil spirits q Thess.
2:10-129. This is solemn thought,
but it is taught by both Scripture and
experience. Under the influence of
this evil spirit Saul .prophesied," i. s
e., he went into an ecstatic state when
he was under the control of the
evil spirit tcf. Acts 16:16-1S; X.
1929; 22:12; 20:23l. We see tho
same thing in some forms of modern
clairyoyance and "inspirationalspeak
Ing" There is but a step from envy
to murder (cf. Matt. 27:18). Saul.
took that step. In murderous hate he
hurled his javelin at him. Nowadays