Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-07-05
CHRISTIAN ENDeAvOR
Prayer Meeting Topic For tn. Week

Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning July 9. 1911.
Topic. from great lives.-vII
David-I Sam. xviii 32-51. Edited by Rev.
Sherman H Doyle, D. D.
The life Of David is one Of the most
interesting and instructive to be found
in the Bible. He was the greatest of
fsrael's kings and the great ancestor OF
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
who Is called the "Son Of David" he
was attractive in personal appearance.
strongly religious In disposition and
received his education under the d.
rection of Samuel. His early years
were spent In caring for his fathers
hocks. They were years of close fell
lowship with Gcd 1t was at this
time also that he developed the genius
for music and poetry that was aft
erwarl consecrated In the Psalms.
After the incident Of the Staying OF
the giant Goliath he entered upon his
varied relations with King Saul. which
formed such an important part of his
life. David was anointed king three
times. The first occasion was by
Samuel while he was still youth In
his fathers home. In the next place
he was anointed king of judah at
Hebron after the death of Saul. Seven
and half years later be was called
by the people TO reign over the united
Kingdoms. He died, according TO
Josephus. at the age Of seventy and
'was buried in the city of David"
The life of David is well worthy Of
our study for the useful lesson that it
may teach US.
/. The life Of David teaches lesson
on trust In God The one predominant
ing Characteristic of David's conflict
with Goliath was his humble yet sub
lime trust in God Goliath trusted in
himself, In the power of his mighty
weapons, but David. discarding the
coat Of mail that Saul put on him.
went forth 'fn the name Of the Lord
Of hosts. the God Of the armies Of
Israel" whom Goliath had defed.
Nor was his trust misplaced David
was confident that 1t would not be.
God had been with him before when
he was in danger and had delivered
him from the lion and the bear. Since
he had been with him In the past
David rightly concluded that he would
still be with him. especially when the
welfare Of the nation was at issue.
David's trust in God was strong
throughout his entire LIFE. His Psalms
constantly breathe spirit Of conf
dence and Of trust. In all the perplex-
ing experiences Of his life he trusted
In the Lord and always found Him
faithful We, too. may have the same
confidence In God
2 The life of David teaches a les
son on friendship. History contains
few examples Of friendship that equal
that which existed between David
and Jonathan. Jonathan formed the
strongest attachment for David, and
his friendship was returned. 1.-The
soul of Jonathan was knit with the
soul Of David. and Jonathan loved
David as his own soul" A friend Is
another self" Friendship really
seems to consist in loving rather than
in being loved 1t Is wishing per-
son what we think good for his sake
and not for our own and as far as in
our power. though exerting ourselves
to procure 1t. And friend Is he who
entertains and meets return Of this
feeling" Such conception of friend
ship was realized between Jonathan
and David. Jonathan sacrificed every
thing for David's interests. and David
appreciated and returned his love.
Friendship in some degree Is neces-
sary in all our lives. In our friend
ships let us try to manifest the quail
ties that were embraced in that be-
tween Jonathan and David-"apprecia-
ton. love, confidence. tenderness. IN
suspicious intercourse-with an add
tional religious element"
3. The life Of David teaches les
son in Gods mercy. David was not a
perfect man. Yet In his disposition
and aspirations he was man after
Gods own heart He sinned most
grievously. yet he repented Of his sins.
and God in His abundant mercy gra-
ciously pardoned him. And He is still
willing to exercise mercy toward all
who have wandered away from Him
The Lord Is ''plenteous In mercy"
His mercy endureth forever"