Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-12
Sunday School Lesson for September ! 3 Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.


INTRoDUCTION-There were sew
eral times when by a sudden movement
of his own Saul might have been de-
throned and David might have succeeded
him. But the latter was not willing to
lead revolution or to come to place
of power through violence and blood. In
this decision he displayed rare qualities
as man and won the hearts of the peo-
pie. He determined to abide Gods time.
to gain the crown by a method that
should secure for him the Loyalty and
support of all. The death of Saul and of
Jonathan, the king and the heir. as
studied last week, removed all obstacles.
Besides. David entered with unfeigned
sorrow into acts of mourning for the
dead sovereign. In this beautiful eN-
preston he displayed the spirit of for
giveness toward an implacable enemy
and thus prevented all criticism.
INQUIRY.-Now that the throne is
vacant, how shall the successor be in
troduced to office? Although anonted by
the great prophet whom the nation rev
erenced Il Sam. xvi:l3 David did not
attempt by any sudden military move
ment to secure what was rightfully his.
he resolved to wait on Providence
psalm, xXXvii:23. But he did mot sit
Hown in idleness and indifference, but re-
sorted TO prayer, the privilege and duty
Iof all who would find the right way.
(Acts iX:6). He first inquired whether
he should go up to reside in one of the
cities or Judah. to which he belonged.
Receiving a favorable reply. he prayed
again and was directed to Hebron. stu
ated among the mountains twenty Roman
lies south of Jerusalem. Hebron was one
of the most ancient cities of the world a
Wen known town In the time of Abraham.
built seven years before Zoan in Egypt
(Numb.. Xiii:22D. Although in the midst
of a fertile valley. it is probable that
few ambitious men of our day would Sc
lect 1t as the home of a prospective king.
But ii was the place selected by the Al
mighty, and, as events afterward showed,
1t proved to be the strategic point in the
advancement TO sovereignty and to honor.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to the voice
of God. David established himself in
Hebron. He had resided for year and
four months q Sam. Xxvii:6-O in alag a
city I'm the country of the Philistines.
which had been given to him by Achish.
the King of Gath. az an asylum in the
time of his trouble. The situation of the
town cannot be determined, but it was
probably southwest and not far distant
from Hebron. David's family at that time
had begun to take on that FORM contrary
to law and nature. which was common
among oriental kings. the chief cause OF
his trouble in late life. Besides his first
wife. Sauls daughter, not then with him
u Sam. iii:14), he had two wives, Abineam
and Abigail the latter the widow OF
Nabal q Sam. xxv:3W. and doubtless a
numerous household. There went up with
David also goodly company of those
who had eSpoused his cause and desired
to promote his welfare q Chron.. KILT
49,. Brave men they were, skilled in war
and the number Is stated to have been
at one time "a great host like the host
of God q Chron., Xii:2D. Having
served him faithfully in the time of his
adversely they were not forgotten when
prosperity came. David stationed these
followers in the small villages round
about Hebron. constituting them his de-
tenders and helpers. and forming a kind
of camp on a civil basis which might be
quickly prepared for active service in the
field.
MESSENGERS.-W consummate
wisdom David proceeded. after he had
been anointed by the men of Judah. to
acquaint the people of the other tribes.
His first act was highly concilatory and
diplomatic Learning, that the men of
Jabesh Gilead after the severe battle in
which Saul died had shown kindness to
the dead. he sent them fraternal greetings.
He commended their deed. and invoked
the Divine blessing, a course we'll calcu-
lated to win all hearts And then he
promised to requite their kindness TO
this he added a bare statement of the
fact that he had been anointed at Hebron.
but without asking any one to acknowl-
edge him as king. Evidently he intended
to leave them free to act according to
their pleasure. He would win their loyalty
without any threat or bride or even per-
suasion. He would gain sovereignty by
popular choice over the eleven tribes.
This splendid letter was delivered by
trusted messengers greeting from the
tribe of Judah to the population lying I'm
the extreme northeast.
ASSENTPJ Y-Tba old TINA ,,,thoa
was employed in making David king over
all Israel. AS the people came together
at Mizpeh q Sam. KID, forty years be-
fore, to select sovereign. when Saul. the
son OF klsh. was taken: SO now the tribes
gathered at Hebron. There were repre-
sentatives elders, in whom power was
vested from ancient times Deut. xxxi:2S)
from far-away Asher and Naphtali on the
north, all the territory intervening, form
ing most imposing congregation. The
intelligence. wealth, social standing and
military power of the nation entered into
that body. They came with no division
of thought or purpose. There were no
factions urging the claims of rival can
didates. One desire animated the assem-
bly--to place the son of Jesse on the va
cant throne. They came by concerted
self-prompted action. responding to popu-
lar sentiment. They did not wait for
party machinery. but they sought their
future monarch in his own home This
model political convention, a promise of
the days of prosperity. of unity and
achievement, that followed. Who shall
say that the Almighty who prepared His
servant (Acts. xiii:22) did not at the same
time prepare the way before him?
ADDRESS.-Havingt thus assembled
the people presented an address to David
It was probably prepared by some scribe
and pronounced in his hearing by one
appointed. There were three points in