The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-09-12
Oh Samuel 2: II; :: i-s)

~ s7A''hNA - - . . ,
Golden Text: David went on and
grew great. and the Lord OF Eosts
was with him II Sam, 5; 10
When Saul died David was in South
ern Judah. He heard Of the awful dis
aster. lie knew his hour had come.
There would be no more personal per-
secuton by the king unless il should
come from Saurs son, lshbosheth,
whom the commanding general. Abb
ner, had crowned as king over Israel.
David at once prepared to establish
himself as king. His first act was a
public lamcntaiior over the death OF
the king and the crown Iri7ce.
His next act was 10 seek divine guild
ance as 10 his course II seemed wise
10 him to make direct assertion OF
his right 10 succeed to the throne be-
cause he had been anointed hy Samuel
He was not quite sure, so he asked OF
God Here is where the lesson be-
gins
There are two parts 10 the lesson.
The first narratcs the GROWING OF
David rs king al Hebron in the tribe
az Judah The second part tells how
after seven and hall years all the ma
ton accepted David as king. Between
the two parts there lay much troublous
time Civil war Is always fearful.
Ishboshcth and his army were no
match for David with Joab as general.
Davids men were hardy and under
perfect discipline There was only one
outcome possible Abncr rcvolted
from the king he had made Then
Joab. for revenge, slew Ahucr lShbo.
shcth was slain. and the whole country
submitted to David.
VERSE STUDY.
Chapter > vs. I. David inquired.
etc How We cannot saw Men went
with their desires to God God has al.
ways made men know by events. by
headings by deep movinRS 81 soul what
they ought 10 do David had been
thinking utcntly. Has my ,ur Gomez
was his question to himself He was
sure It had He asked in mis- prayer,
Shall ] 60 up 10 any city, He was
sure God answered. YES" He asked
a second question: ITO what city shall
J CO. Then nc was sure God said
Hebron /, WAS the great stronghold
al Judah II was Calcb'S old home
il was a city OF refuge Human wis
dom would have said Go there"
NSS. - That was great demon
strat'un They went to stay David
had two wives now Both were from
the north II must have made a great
impression on the whole people David
had band. 4 large band oi trained
soldiers. and with them were their
families They took possession Of
Hebron and its villages, and the old
citv took on new life
VS.. !. They came and anu;ntcd
David king. What else could they do,
He had taken possession 81 the city.
He was a man 81 Judah Samuel had
anointcd him He claimed To be king
Judah had no love for Saul who had
failed So Signally They made him
king Then they told him OF the &C,
al the heroes OF Jahcsh Gilcad.
NSs. 81. This is the first royal mes.
sage sent by David 1t was good poll
tics. as men say now. lie thanked the
heroes. He called Gods blessing down
upon them. lie tells them how much
he appreciates their act, and suggests
that he is king II was polite bid
for the support OF the men OF Jabcsh-
Gilead. He did not say. have as
sumcd the Kingdom: but put the re-
sponS;billty upon the tribe These
men OF Judah had done this. he said
Judah was the strongest tribe OF the
twelve. That fact would have weight
IN determining the position which the
men 81 JabcSh- Gilcad would take.
For seven and one half wears David
was king over Judah in Hebron BY
degrees he uvcrcamc all opposition,
and when the last 81 Saurs sons was
dead the whole country submitted The
chief stain upon these years MAS the
treachcruus murder 81 \tncr by Joab
That David never forgot
Chapter " l. Then came all
vention 81 men from the other tribes
David did not 60 ont after them. They
came 10 him. II was a great national
assembly. and the first for many years
Behold. We are thy bone, etc"
These delegates claim kinship with
David. II was a great declaration oi
national unity II shows the pride OF
these people IN him, and also 81 how
much Importance he had become
vs. This was q very tactiu allus-
ION I" hts service rs commander OF the
armies ~ Saul The thought was Of
course, IT yuu could So thoroughly beat
out cpurirv's enemies. then. you can
now, and wc want you for leader.
vs., ! The speech was effective
King David made league with the
elders 81 Israel. II was probably a
mutual agreement H. Ia what each
party should do in the new kingdom.
Once more there was a formal anont-
ing. This was the third The first was
by Samuel acting Tor Jehovah The
second was from the men ui Hebron
acting Tor the tribe The third was
from the elders OF Israel acting for the
nation. David's title was never qucs-
toned until AbSaloms rebellion and
the answer made to the question was
fearful, Joah was great soldier and
utterly devoid Of the spirit oi mercy.
Nss. Is These tell simply the age
OF the king and the length OF his reign.
His administration was through the
very best years Of his life. Few men
are mature before thirty Most men
are senile after seventy
An outlaw in the desert with his