Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-15
Sunday School Lesson for August Is Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
SAUL TRIES TO KILL DAVID. I Samuel. xviii els
IA DN ~
ESSMdD!;;2

smite David to the wall with it," This
occurred on two occasions.
REMOVED Nerses 12-I3l - The at
tempt upon the life OF David failed be-
cause he was evidently under Divine pro-
tectlon. Saul recognized this fact and
hated him all the more. and with that
hatred came genuine fear. Unable TO
restrain his evil purpose. he was unwill-
ing further TO attempt its execution. lest
some judgment should he melted out by
the Almighty. II was felt To be a hazardous
and presumptuous act 10 destroy the life
OF one who is i'm the keeping OF God. Saul,
who had lost the Divine favor. dared MOI
again try To attack David. who retained
the favor of God He, therefore. resorted
TO an expedient that the hated one might
DC put away by other hands. Placing him
In command OF a thousand men, and re-
moving him entirely from his pr, sence.
Saul sent David into battle. thinking To
expose him to peril and hoping that i'm
this way he might fall tverse Id. IL slain
by the Philistines no blame would attach
to the king, who would nevertheless be
freed from his rival, and who might pos
sibly regain his place in the esteem of the
people. The motives We're conceal led from
human eyes, but the great Searcher OF
Hearts saw distinctly the intention OF the
act.
BEHAVED Oversees l4-I5).-It is inn
possible to harm a good man q Peter,
ln:l3). He may indeed be the object OF
the ill will of evil persons. and that he
may expect and prepare for, but i'm such
event he will lose nothing and gain much
Matt. v:lD. Saul did not consider when
he removed David from his house and
sent him into battle that he was in real
ity doing him favor. He gave opportu-
nifty for the display of those noble quail
ties which brought him into public notice.
And as he went out and came I'm he be-
haved himself with that propriety which
always characterized him. 1t was the
same honest. intrepid David in battle. al
lxn-.a 10.
was evidently with him. There was in his
speech. bearing and achievements that
which plainly showed a divine presence
AMI blessing. And IL came to pass
that the eyes of the people followed him
wherever he went. delighted by all his
movements and by all his achievements.
And daily he gained fresh laurels and
added TO his fame. Israel gradually came
TO feel that David was the man needed
as king Numb, Xxvii:1O.
BELOVED Verse 16-Thus the
hearts of the people turned toward David.
He went out from them in their name and
behalf. and he returned again to them. In
going and coming he was one of them
admired for what he was, but loved be-
! cause he stood as their representative
ever true to them. ever contending for
them, ever defan ling them against enc
mics. In Their yes he was an incarns-
ton of bravery, of wisdom, of public
spirit. They saw the whole nation in
him. Their ideals and aspirations and
hopes entered in him Withal he was a
unifying personality. The north and the
south equally gave him affection. The
revolt that came at the death of Solo
mon. nearly a century later. dividing the
land into two great parts. had been an
ticipated in the jealousies that existed be-
! tween Judah and Ephraim. the two chief
tribes. But now, while David conducted
himself with such propriety, Israel and
Judah were one. and all hearts gave
to him their love. II was a splendid
triumph for the youth. beautiful tes-
timonial, a complete defeat for the jealous
God-forsaken king, promise of that day
when a new king should reign in Israel.
REFLECTIONS lesson presents
two men in striking contrast-one stead
lily declines in character and influence and
the other as steadily and surely advances.
Each becomes a worthy subject of study.
one to be warning and the other an in
spiration. Saul began with generous i'm
pulses bestowing favors and delighting in
the exercise of confidence as he received
a young man into his home. Shortly the
praises Of the whole people bestowed upon
this same man changed his love into jeal-
Gods favor. the presence of an evil spirit.
and an attempt to murder. ending in fear
and deception. David, on the other hand
receives his honors unsought and bears
them with humility. He does not retaliate
when attacked, but seeks safety in flight.
He constantly maintains his faith I'm God
and wears unbroken the spotless robe OF
pure life. He goes to his post of duty
when assigned. even though ii is one of
danger. and there deports himself in
way to win the popular applause. There
is simplicity, dignity and poise in every
trying hour the marks of that superiority
that afterward made him truly famous.