Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-03
Sunday School Lesson for October 4 Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.


CONTENT.-After the amounting al
David To be king over all Israel. stud
led in the lesson for Septe IL. In,
sacred penman records the increase of his
family. Like other eastern kings. he prac-
ticed polygamy. becoming the head of a
numerous household. This fact is stated
riage is the same in all ages. but David's
conduct must be Judged in the light of the
times in which he lived. This reference
to family matters is followed 10y recita
of exploits in war. Learning that JeruSa-
lem had been taken. the Philistines cam,
up to battle. Repulsed, they came again
and were defeated oh, v:I1-e5). Having
conquered the strongest nation east of the
Jordan. Israel devoted its energies to in
ternal affairs. David conceived the pur-
pose Of bringing the ark OF the covenant
to Jerusalem Q;X.. NXv:>D. Captured 10y
the Philistines and returned. it had been
twenty years in Eirjath-Jearim, Eaal OF
Judah.
HONOE-David gathered together al
Kirjath-Jearim $1,000 chosen men of Is
rael. This vast representative conSrega-
ton had no military significance-thcre
would he no need OF force. Primarily 1t
was intended to honor the ark AZ the
sanctuary of Gods presence. Made by
Moses 400 years before, its very age. as
well as its associa lions, entitled il To rev
erencc. Moreover. the popular approval
was desifed for its removal. Many thou
sands bad repaired to worship during lis
stay at kir jath-Jearim. In its transfer Ia
the national capital it was proposed 10
make that the center and seat "fz4upilc
worship. Hence these thousands present
To participate would afterward go into AL
parts of the land To report. Such appeals
Ia the favor of the people attended the
whole course of Jewish history IL hinSs'
viii:D They We're Indications of the dig
uity with which revealed religion invests
the Individual. David's zeal on this occa-
sion was afterwarI celebrated psalm
cXXXii:4-J).
ESCORT.-When the people were as
sembled at Kirjath-Jearim the ark Was
brought out of the house of Ahinadab
and placed on a cart provided for the
purpose The sons of Abinadab. CzzaI'
and Ahio We're appointed to drive the
cart the latter going before ana tiif
other behind or at the side. These men
the ark in the place of their brother
Eleazar Il Sam. Wild. first appointed
supposed then TO be dead. The grea'
procession. comprising the king, ms
counsalors the elders and the men OF
war. moved away eastwardly toward Je-
miles. might have been easily covered II,
four or five hours. and the head or the
column might have reached the capital
as the rear was leaving Abinadab
house The whole of the way would have
thus been filled with moving mass OF
people. one OF the most notable process
sions in history. Its significance far eX-
ceeded any triumphal march OF vic
torious general returning with honol
from 4 foreign war.
MCSIC-WhiIe tending his father
flock David cultivated his harp. and his
skill in its use brought him early fame
and introduced l,im into the servlc,
of Saul Il Sam. Nvi:2:D His youthful
tastes We're carried to the throne. He
employed men singers and women singers
and introduced all manner of musical in
struments into Jerusalem and into the
palace. All this he turned to religious
account Il Chron., vi:3D, rendering pup
lie worship season of delight. so on
this occasion the harp. the psaltery. the
tembrel, the cornet and the cymbal were
played as the ark ard its royal escort
moved toward their destination. David
himself was among the musicians, ali the
arfor of his early years being awakened
to EXPRESS the gladness Of his heart In