Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-08-13
Subject: Saul Tries to Kill David, 1
Samuel 18:6.16-Golden Text,
Ps. 84:11-Read Chapters 18,
10-COmmentarv.

Ps. 84:11-Read Chapters 18,
19-Commentary.
TINIE.-1063 B. G. PLACE
Gibeah.
ExPOsITION.-I. saul's Envy of
David, Gil. David's great achieve
ment raised him at once to high po-
sition in the estimation of Saul, and
in the army. But 1t did not turn
David's head. He acted with remark
able modesty. He was perfectly obe-
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.. 18, 23). He con-
Quoted himself with great wisdom.
He patiently awaited Gods time.
Saul himself was at first disposed to
put David forward (v 81. He was
commander in chief over the rude and
undisciplined army which Saul had
gathered together (cf. ch. 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 cour-
age and prowess. Much more would
this be true in a 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 (Ex. 1920; Ju. 11:34; Ps. 6S:25).
Nothing Is dearer to the average SOL
dier's heart than the admiration and
praise of the fair women of the land.
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, but 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 a short time
since Saul himself had been the idol
of the people (ch. 11:11. 12). 1t is
hard to give up place like that to
another without pang of jealousy.
The song of praise to David was taken
up far and wide and became known
even among other peoples (cf ch.
21:11; $3.50. 1t was the popular air
Of the day Probably Saul heard
1t 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 4 spoiled child. In
the story of Saul we see the tragedy
of a soul. The same story in all its
essential features has been repeated
again and again. From that day on
there was no more peace nor JOY for
Saul. David was the ghost of his ex-
istence. THE evil spirit" was a
demon (cf. Acts 16:16-1S; Mark
l:23-26). 1t was said this evil spirit
was from God" He was a messen-
for Sauls discipline tcf. Cor. 12:O.
AS far as Gods permission was con-
cerned he was intended to torment
Saul and thus to bring him to re-
pentance. 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:D, though
unwittingly to themselves. The fur
tner 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 g Thess.
2:10-12). This is a solemn thought,
but 1t is taught by both Scripture and
experience. Under the influence CT
this evil spirit Saul "prophesied," /.
e., he went into an ecstatic state when
he was under the control of the
evil spirit (cf. Acts 16:16-18; l X.
1929; 22:12; 20:23). We see the
same thing in some forms of modern
clairvoyance and "inspirational speak
ing" There is but a step from envy
to murder (cf. Matt. 27:1S). Saul
took that step. In murderous hate he
hurled his javelin at him. Nowadays
the enviOus man casts his iavelin not
at the body but at the reputation CT
the man he envies. Saul missed his
mark, but he was no less a murderer
at heart. God was taking care Of
David and no Saul can hurt the one
that God protects FPS. 1892, 33; lisa.
54:17; Lu. 4:30; 10:39).
III. Sauls Fear of David, 1916.
Saul's tormenting hate now becomes
coupled with tormenting fear. David's
conduct commended him to God and
1.-The LORD was with David" (cf. ch.
1919. He had been with Saul in
the past (ch. 10:O, but He was now
departed from" him. There is no
more miserable man than the one
who once knew the presence and
power of God and has now lost it.
The man who hasn't the presence OF
God fears the man who has. But
David was still recognized as leader
(Nu. 27:16, II; 2 Sam. 5:2). David
continued to conduct himself with
great discretion. going on from sue
cess to success. Saul read his own
doom in each new triumph of David.
While Saul envied and hated and
feared, the hearts of the people be-
came more and more completely
David's (cf. Lu. 19:4S; 20:19).