The citizen., 1915-04-29

Although anointed by Samuel. vic
torious in arms and promoted at court.
David was many years in reaching his
throne, At first both court and army
did him honor tch 1s:2l, yet he con-
Quoted himself with great modesty
Gs:1s. 23) lie also obeyed the king
explicitly though he knew fully that
he was the God-appointed successor
OF Saul. Escapes as wonderful and as
providential as David's occur in the
lives Of most Of us II we could but
know them.
!. David and Jonathan. w. f-3. The
story Of the love OF David and Jona-
than is a classic. With such close
family relations and a son.in.law so
successful at arms II is strange that
Saurs anger should vent itself upon
David. At FIRST Saul was much at
tached 10 David but the admiration OF
the people for David aroused his jeal-
ousy. (ch 1880 and jealousy is pecu-
llarly a soldiers disease. The slave OF
Jealousy never has peace As sin and
disobedience developed In his life Saul
became subject to Ats OF insane rage
during one OF which. as David played
upon his harp and endeavored to quiet
the monarch's spirit, he hurled q
javelin, which served as his scepter.
at the harpist (ch 1870. Saul felt
that David was divineiy protected and
he knew that God had departed from
his own life t15:23; 1910. Saul did
not keep his grief and rage 10 himself
Cor Jonathan and the nation alike
knew all about Il.
N. Saul and Jonathan. w. ~. u
took courage and self-sacrifice on
Jonathan's part 10 speak on behalf Of
David Prudence and principle are
combined In Jonathan's plea. Those
who envy include In their hate and
anger all who speak kindly In behalf
OF their enemy. But Jonathan's argu-
ment (vv. 4. 81 is unanswerable.
David had not sinned against Saul; u
was Jehovah who wrought q great
salvation for all Israel on the day
David took his life in his hand and
overcame Goliath. Jonathan pleads for
God as well as for his friend He
called to Saurs memory his former
Joy at seeing Jehovah's victory
through David and for the time being
Saul was persuaded ". 81 and made
another OF those impetuous promises
which proved so feeting Ushered by
Jonathan Matt 5:9l David returned
20 Saurs presence. entered once more
upon the discharge of his duties and
presence only aggravated the king and
that he was uselessly exposing his life
In Saul's presence. David was faith
full to God and TO Gods anointed king.
~. MIehsi and David. w. st2.
Saul's hatred was too deep TO be per
manently overcome David went out
and won a great victory over the Phi
listines and as he followed his courtly
duty. Saul burst out with a fresh at
tack (vv 3. 81. David had married
Michal when about twenty-one years
OF age and Saul's attacks occurred dur
ing the next three years. The evil
spirit mentioned was a demon (1S:10;
Acts 6:l6-ls: Mark 1890. a mes
senger OF Satan permitted by God for
Saul's discipline I'll Cor. 12:D. God
permits evil TO come upon men not to
tempt them-solicit them to do wrong
but to bring them TO repentance or
10 refine them as pure gold Thus evil
may be said TO do Gods work (ch.
AID ito be sent from Jehovah"
w. Summary. All who envy are
murderers AZ heart Matt. 27:1s: ] John
3:12. 15). The present day murderers
hurl their javelins OF slander. lying
and vituperation against the reputa-
ton OF the men whom they hate. Or
else they hurl unfair and unjust busi-
ness methods at others that they may
perpetuate their power or else build
themselves up upon the ruins Of those
whom they envy. Saul missed David
but he was no less a murderer, Satan
always overshocts the mark when he
asssils one OF Gods anointed. chosen
ones. Saul could not harm David
though he wished to ever so much
Ups. s7:32. 80: lisa. 54:17; Luke 4:30;
10:39). Saul's hatred stopped not esen
at the threshold OF David's house but
invaded the sacred precincts OF his
home. Envy is blind. II assails all
that a man has. spares none with
whom he is connected and colors ev-
cry act and relation OF life even TO the
relations OF father and child. Saul
was frustrated by his own children.
Jonathan and Michai. David's danger
was imminent. hence his speedy es-
cape.
Men are strong In so far as they
see Gods purpose and discipline In
their lives.
Saul's experience at Naioth (vv. 23.
2p was a response OF his emotional
nature 10 a religious appeal. another
time when God was waiting to be
gracious.
Divested Of his armor and outer
robes Saul lay In a trance, overcome
by the power OF him who turns the
hearts OF men as rivers OF water.
The wrath OF man is made to praise
him. the life OF the prophet is pre-
served and likewise the life Of his
servant David.