The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-10-14
Oct. IS. David's Kindness

Oct. Is. DaNld>s klndneSS to
Jonathan's Son. Sam. 9.
The lesson ef this date calls to
mind the beautiful example of unset
fish friendship shown by Jonathan, the
son of King Saul. to David. 1t will
be remembered that back in the days
when David had just returned from
accomplishing the death of Goliath,
/ Sam. 1871, the record says that
''the soul of Jonathan was knit with
the soul of David and Jonathan loved
him as his own soul.' 1t will also be
called to mind that the two men COW
enanted together as told in 2 Sam.
20:14-17. This VOW covered not alone
while Jonathan lived but Forever. -
At the time of our lesson David was
firmly on the throne over all Israel.
Jonathan had long been dead. having
died on the field of battle at the same
time his father came to his end. Da-
vid now remembered his vow and
made enquiry as to whether there
were any of the direct descendants of
Saul yet alive. for he wished to show
them kindness for the sake of Jona-
than.
1t was found that there was sou
of Jonathan alive by the name Of
Mephibosheth, cripple. lame in
both his feet. He was sent for at
once, and came. He of course thought
David expected to have him killed to
make sure that no one of Saul's seed
should be alive to make claim to the
throne. The son compared himself
to a "dead dog" David ordered
that he should be member of his
family and eat at his table, and the
land of Saul be restored to Mephi-
bosheth to be cultivated by his ser
want. Thus did David redeem his
pledge to Jonathan.
Among many practical thoughts to
be gained from this story of David
we note the following: l. If one
makes an agreement or promise they
ought to keep it. Only too common
is the forgetting and nonfulfillment
of such moral obligations. No man
can be right in the sight of God who
does not keep his word. 2. What
satisfaction there is in fulfilling such
q promise. The very fact that it
might be disregarded and the world
would say that it need not be done.
makes the act the more commendable.
and gives the greater satisfaction to
the person performing the good deed.
3. Those of us who are parents are
storing up treasures for our children
when we so conduct ourselves that
people will love and respect US. The
results to our loved ones should be at
all times an incentive to right actions
and to keep from doing things which
would cause them disgrace and pain.
We do not wish to leave this lessor
without calling attention to the
Golden Text found in Eph. 4-32. Il
is one of the strongest verses writer
by the great Apostle Paul. 1t reads
'.And be We kind one 20 another, ten
der hearted. forgiving one anothe
even as God for Christ's sake has for
given you. 1t would take a book t
set forth the full import of what thi
verse conveys. 1t calls for forgive
ness, gentleness, toward each other
When we consider how much we nee
each day to be forgiven it shout
make US humble and ready to forgiv
the small things with which our fel
low men offend US. With this vers
we'll in mind the world would be hap
pier by the half. Many people max
life long enemies of their childre
and associates because of some far
cied or even real grievance. when
they stopped and thought of how muc
they themselves need to be forgiven
they would wipe instantly off tt
slate the enmity against the child {
neighbor.