The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-09-02

Sept. 6. Saul and Jonathan Slain
in Battle. Sam. 81 lib.
The lesson of this date has few
bright spots. The verses recount the
ignoble death of Saul the first king
over Israel and that of his three sons,
of whom Jonathan was the more i'm
portant.
The mind reverts to the day when
as strong innocent young man Saul
departed from his fathers house to
find the lost animals; to his first
meeting with Samuel; his modesty
and lack of confidence in himself
when it was suggested that he is to
be the king, to those days when his
heart was right toward God. and SO
enjoyed His favor. In time, his hum
bleness leaves him, and he forgets
that God had made him all he was
and thus was entitled to complete
obedience.
David in his lament over the death
of Saul and Jonathan cried out GLOW
are the mighty fallen' and their fall
it is indeed awful to contemplate.
Saul SO strong. 80 tall. whose aims
ere SO high IN the beginning. loses
life, reputation. all earth holds dear.
because of disobedience to God.
through overwhelming ambition.
He was warned by Samuel but to
no avail Alas! how many. many,
men like Saul are about US, on every
hand. They come to life estate
fresh. beautiful. filled with good am
billions and great career is hoped fol
them. In time the cares of the
world. and the deceitfulness of riches,
the alleged pleasures. which are not
so, love of the praises of men, all
combine and the life goes out in
gloom and disgrace. The important
question of Jesus can we'll be put
here, "Whau shall it profit man il
he gain the whole world and lose his
own soul7' Would that the study OF
this lesson would cal halt in some
careers, and decide some to turn to the
true life of happiness in loving anc
obeying Jesus.
Saul fell on his own sword because
of fear of being killed in battle by
his enemies. How indeed. had the
mighty fallen when the great kin,
Saul would rather commit suicide thar
die struggling with the foe to tn,
end. This but shows to what low
estate the man had come. Physica
and moral courage had left him.
| 1t was in this battle that the be
loved Jonathan was slain. Thi
beautiful characte. fell in an effor
to uphold the failing fortunes of hi
/ bad father. A look at life as we fin
it. calls to mind many cases wethe
the good, noble. virtuous. son. daugh
liter. wife, are dragged down throug
1.-the vileness of others.
4 If men like Saul could die to them
I.selves. and not pull down others i
1.-THE ruin, it would sometimes seer
more fitting, but the way of the worl
fis not so. Nothing is more pittifu
than the innocent suffering with tn
guilty. 1t sometimes seems strang
that men do not consider suffering t
their loved ones when they begin
lawless career. When caught by tn
law. they 80 often set up a plea fo
\ leniency because of the innocent wifi
\ and children. The feelings of thes
| should have been considered long az
l by the one causing the trouble.
| The Lives of Saul and Jonathan Civ
opportunity for ample study. Bot
went out on the fatal day. One CAV
up in eiispalr. deserted by the Go
who had in times previous helpe
him. Saul said as to himself, eco
is departed from me. and answered
me no more'' How awful was his con
dition. Jonathan died loved and re
spected, his name the emblem of pur
friendship, and honor.