Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-22
Sunday School Lesson for August d Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
DAVID AND JONATHAN. Samuel * 3O-42

CONTEXT-From the day David
| slew Goliath or during the time he was
in the service of Saul his manner and
spirit won the heart of Jonathan, Saurs
| son, and the affection was returned and
a covenant made. Jonathan gave his
garments, sword. bow and girdle to his
new-made friend. who went out afterward
at the kings direction and gained VIC
tories. On returning he was greeted with
shouts by the women. These demonstra-
tons awakened the jealousy of Saul. who.
| on several occasions attempted David's
life. Even the kings daughter was given
in marriage after snare had been lad
och. xviii:2D. Matters came at last into
a desperate state and David felt that
| there was but a step between him and
death (Ch. xx:3). He opened his heart
to Jonathan. who remained steadfast, not
withstanding his fathers enmity. and
they devised a plan by which to test the
real purpose of the king and to deter
mine what course to pursue.
MEDIATOR.-It was agreed that on
| certain feast occasion David should re-
turn to his fathers house. with Jona-
than's approval. AS it was customary for
the kings family to assemble at such
times. SauIs disposition might be judged
as he noticed the absence. 1t occurred as
was anticipated. Jonathan answered his
fathers questions. Saurs anger was in
| stantly kindled against his son. although
! previously they had been on terms OF
great intimacy and affection. which fact
had given ground for hope of successful
| intercession och. xx:2). He employed
highly abusive language. accused Jona-
than of duplicity. declared that the
| friendship for David would result in his
| ruin and keep him from the throne. 1t is
evident that he had knowledge of the fact
that the son of Jesse had been anointed
| by Samuel. He then demanded that
| David be brought and put to death.
Wherefore should he be slain?' inter-
| posed Jonathan prov. xxiv:11-12). like
| a true mediator. What hath he done?"
Tense John vii:5D he made an appeal
to the sense of justice. which is to some
extent in every heart. hoping to turn
aside the wrath of the king, as he had
| previously done (Ch. xix:4).
| PASSION.-The questions had just
the opposite effect prov. xxii:24. Saul
perceived that his son had confidence in
David. that he desired to shield him and
| would prevent even his fathers designs.
| The evil spirit that had controlled him
since his rejection now wrought nightly
| and swept across his soul with tremen-
dOus force duke. tx 300. A storm of UNI
| governable passion ragged. Sizzling a
| javelin the king cast 1t with murderous
such an attempt seems to some persons
| totally incredible, and yet it bears no
proportion to his subsequent impious and
| most barbarous murder of the priests,
their wives and children (Ch., xxii:11-19),
| because the latter was deliberate. while
| the former was the result of sudden and
furious rage. Rising quickly from the
table Jonathan escaped his heart beating
with Indignation and grief Mark. iii:5.
He not only saw what was in store for
| his friend, but also the deplorable state
| into which his father had fallen. kind
| of desperate madness, endangering the
| lives of his household, destined to end in
his destruction (Ch.. xxxf:6).
| SIGNAL.-Jonathan did not fail to
| keep his pledge with David. At the ap-
pointed time next morning. having abb
| sented himself from his father mean
| while. he went out to the field. accom-
panied by lad. Shooting an arrow. he
sent the lad to bring it. crying. us it not
| beyond thee. Make speed. haste. stay
not This was the agreed signal by
which David, who had concealed himself
purpose and secure himself by retire
ment. The people of the east as best
suited their ardent nature. were accus-
toned to express many things by actions.
| sometimes by actions accompanied by
words Job. ii:12). This procedure, how
ever was not wholly because of such
custom. When Jonathan and David made
the arrangement three days before Ch..
| tney HOt hHOW tiidl tucy
could meet alone in the field. and they
desired a method of communication which
might be understood by them, but be I'M
Ineligible to any others who might be
within hearing distance. When two
hearts are joined in friendship they fire.
| Quently have secrets and seek modes of
confidential intercourse.
| GREETING.-It so occurred that one
was in the field. delivering his bows and
arrows to the lad (who understood not the
| significance of what had tranSpired), and
dismissing him. Jonathan advanced, and
David came out of the hiding place. The
greeting was prolonged and cordial.
David's conduct united all the respect and
| honor due to Jonathan's rank with the
most earnest affection and glowing graft
tude. He fell on his face to the ground,
an act of respect bestowed upon a su-
perior benefactor i'm oriental countries
| Gen. xlii:28). And this he did thrice,
completing the duty of reverence the
rabbis claim. although Jacob exceeded
this Gen. xxxiii:3. When the two met
they embraced and kissed each other.
This was no unusual practice in those
days Gen. xlviii:1O, the simplicity of
manner among men leading them to con-
duct now common only among women.
Whether the people of the west have
gained by maintaining more reserve is a
matter of some uncertainty. In this in
stance, looking backward and considering
all observation-disclosures, no one can fail to
admire the unrestrained expression OF
David and Jonathan each for the other.
| SORROW.-There was more than love
in that meeting. Mingled with it, and
| intensifying it, was sorrow. There is no
affection so deep, so beautiful as that of
adversely prov. xvii:1O, and grief makes