The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Lesson vIl.-Third Quarter, For
Aug. 16, 1903.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text of the Lesson, ! Sam. xviii, 6-16.
.iemory Verses, 14-16-Goiden Text,
Ps. lxxxiv, 11-commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
lCopy,ight. 1905, by American Press association
After David's great victory over
Goliath and the defeat of the Philis-
tines by Israel the soul Of Jonathan.
Saurs son. became knit with the soul
of David, and it Is written at least
three times that he loved him as his
own soul (xriii. 1, 8; Xxx, 10. but as
that will be the topic Of next wenk's
Z lesson we must pass it for the present,
simply asking all to consider it well
till next week. for there is not so great
topic in the Bible as the love of
God, and all human love, even the
love of mother. Is bat faint retec-
ton of the love of God. who COM
mendeth His love toward US in that
while we were yet sinners Christ died
for us from. Y, s.. From that day ots
victory Saul kept David by him and.
set him over the men Of war, and ne
was accepted in the sight Of all the
people and also in the sight of Saufs
servants (verses 2. 81. But as the peo-
ple came out to meet Saul returning
from the battle the women sang. Saul
hath slain his thousands and David
le
pleased Saul and led him to say.
..What can David have more but the
kingdom3 So he became very jealous
of Eayid and sought to Kill him. for
Jealousy is cruel as the grave; the
Goals thereof are Goals Of fire; most
vehement fame" (Song viii. g.,
Saul had not the lowliness of mind
to esteem another better than himself
Phil. ii. 81. however much that other
might deserve it: he had not the spirit.
OF God. but an evil spirit which led
him to say to Samuel. Honor me now
before the elders and before lsrael
(xv, 30). He was in measure type
Of him who shall yet exalt himself
and magnify himself above every god
(Dan. II, 36j. David was low the
anointed king. and Saul had been re-
jected, but God allowed him to con-
finue a little longer. The Lord Jesus
Christ is the anointed one whom God
has appointed to rule Israel and all
nations. but the time Is not yet. and
the devil is still permitted to be the
god of this world QI Cor. iv. a; John
xiv, 30). 1t is q truly marvellous plan
which God has unfolded to US in His
word and foreshadowed IN all its rec
ord. even His eternal purpose which
He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord
(Epb. iii. III And the time will come
when. Notwithstanding all the rage of
the great adversary and the vain
iraginations Of the people. He Will
set His king upon His holy hill of
Zion (PS. liz.
During all this present age. while
our Lord is still rejected and by the
world dsowned and we. like Joseph In
Egypt or Daniel in Babylon or David
waiting for his throne. are called upon
to wait and suffer with Him. 1t iS9ur
privilege to have it said Of US. as II
was of David THE Lord was with
him" oversees -. ~. or Of Joseph Gen
xxx. 3. 8. 2l, 23l. or of Isaac as
when the Philistines said. We saw
certainly that the Lord was with thee
(Gen, XVI, 2Sl One reason why we
are permitted to come into hard places,
and especially trying circumstances. is
Just that it may be seen that God IS
with us and. that He may be glorifed
In u.s.. On the plain of Dura. where all
the world was gathered that great day
to worship NebuchadnezZar's golden
image. the only people with whom the
Son Of God was seen to be were Dan
iers three friends in the fiery furnace
iCDan. Lii. 25 Saul humiliated David.
and from being over the men Of war
he made him captain over thousand.
vet David behaved himself wisely in
all his ways, and all Israel and judah
loved him Compare verses 8. 1916.
Whether exalted or humiliated, David
could say as Paul said: II have learned
in whatsoever state am Herewith to
be content know both how to be
abased and know how to abound
phil. iv. u. 10, Then sef tho snare
that Sail ,,:l Tor navi.:. IN Offering
him his daughter for u wife, his one
thought being that David might fall
by the hand of the Philistines (verses
IT. 81. 25). David. however. prospered
in spite Of all the snares laid for him.
and when Saul saw it be was the
more afraid Of him and became his
enemy continually ((verses %, 29).
David probably had these days in
mind when he wrote, "The wicked
plotteth against the just and gnasheth
upon him with his teeth; the wicked
watcheth the righteous and seeketh to
slay him" (Ps> XxXvii. II. 32), and
many similar words If We will follow
Jesus fully we must expect to be
treated as He was. even as He told
us, for the servant is not greater than
his lord John XIV. 1920. AS He was
made perfect through suffering. there
can be no other way for US as His
followers. Unto US it is given in the
behalf of Christ not only to believe
on Him. but also to suffer for His
sake" (Phil. i. 29,.
We may be called to pass through