The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-04

Ps., Si, 1-Commenrary Prepared oy
Rev. D. M. Stesrns.
Copyright, 1905. by American Press Association-]
We saw in last weeks lesson that
after David had been anointed in the
midst of his brethren with oil by Sam
uel and with the Holy Spirit by God
he returned to his focks. Saul, being
troubled By an evil spirit by Gods
permission. for if the truth is rejected
God allows delusion to take US Ql
Thess. Ii. 10, III. was recommended by
his servants to employ one who could
play skillfully on the harp to quiet
and soethe him. David. the son OF
Jesse, was mentioned as suitable
man. He was sent for and came. and
Saul loved him greatly, and he became
his armor bearer, and God gave him
success in driving away the evil spirit
{xyf, 1929. After this David returned
again to feed his fathers sheep at
Bethlehem (xvii. 15), and doubtless he
cared for the sheep just as cheerfully
as he waited on Saul, perhaps more so.
for there would not be as much Of
God in the atmosphere Of Saul's home
as out in the fields with the sheep. but
this spirit of being just as willing to
keep sheep as to serve king. or vice
versa, is the great thing. For any
manner of service wholly at Thy COM
mandment'' q Chron. xviii. 2D. While
David is thus employed in the quiet
home life. being fitted by communion
with God for greater things. like Moses
at Midian, or Paul in Arabia. or John
the Baptist in the wilderness. or Jesus
at Nazareth. the Philistines gather
their armies against Israel. and the
two armies are face to face in battle
array with valley between them.
Day by day their champion comes
forth in his strength, crying: II defy
the armies of Israel this day Give me
q man that we may fight together"
And so 1t continued morning and even
ing for forty days (verses 10, l6).
Although Saul was head and shoul-
ders taller than IN ordinary man. Go
Hath lowered away above him. and, as
1t was man against man and God was
left out, both Saul and all Israel were
dismayed and greatly afraid. and when
the men of Israel saw the man they
fed from him (verses II. 24l. The
three eldest of David's brethren were
in Sauls army. and while this state OF
things continued Jesse one day sent
David to carry some home food to his
brethren and to see how they Jared.
AS he talked with his brethren and
asked them of their welfare Goliath
came forth and in his customary style
defed the armies Of Israel, and David
heard him and saw Israel flee before
him. All his soul is stirred as he hears
this blasphemer defy the armies OF
the living God. and as he sees the re-
proach resting on Israel because OF
him he asks. What shall be done to
the man that kiIleth this Philistine
and taketh away. the reproach from
Israeli? His eldest brother heard him
and was angry with him and accused
him Of pride and haughtiness of heart
and of leaving his sheep to come down
to see the battle.
1t is more gratifying to the flesh to
talk back. but soft answer is Gods
way. Saul is told Of David and his
words. and so he sent for him. To
Saul's grear amazement. David offers
to go out and fight Goliath and tells
how God enabled him to kill both
lion and bear as be kept his fathers
sheep. and he was sure that the same
Lord would give him victory over this
Phnistine. In very fippant way. as
/ understand 1t. Saul said. Go, and
the Lord be with thee" (verse 80. 1t
sounds somewhat like some of the
"God bless you's" that we hear.
Words from the heart carry blessing,
but mere lip words are idle. What q
sight David must have been with
Ssul's armor on, but he was soon rid
Of 1t, for, as he said. he had not proved
it We can only use In the service OF
our Lord and in our conflict with the
devil that which we have proved IN
our own personal experience, and the
proving in private is often a qualifica'
ton for more public experience
With his staff and his sling and i've
smooth stones in his scrip. he went
forth to meet the great God defying
adversary. but conscious that he was
Gods man and seeking only the honor
Of Jehovah be could say. as he did say,
~ come in the name Of the Lord OF
hosts, the God Of the armies OF Israel,
whom thou hast detied," that all the
earth may know that there Is COO
in Israel and all this assembly shall
know that the Lord saveth not with
sword and spear, for the battle is the
Lords" iverses 45-4O.
What zeal for God! What splendid
confidence in Him! What forgetfulness
Of self and Of people! Gazed upon IN
wonder by the many thousands of Is
rael and with scorn and derision Dy
the giant and the vast multitude who
relied upon him as their champion. ne
went forth calmly and fearlessly, with
no thought but that God might be
gloriied. Goliath cursed him and said
that he would give his flesh to the
birds and to the beasts, but David
hastened and ran to meet him. and.
taking stone from his bag. he slung 1t
with unerring aim in the name and Ii
the mower of Jehovah, and il sank