The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-05-15

Professor Beecher gives 1865 B. G.
as the date of this lesson and the
death of Samuel. Saul had been on
twenty-seven years of age. There are
ten famous episodes between the les
son of last week and that of today.
~ David and the shew-bread; (2)
Goliath's sword; (3) David feigns
madness (ch. Ply; az The ave of
Adullam; (5) His care of his BAR
ents; (6) The killing of the priests
(ch. 22); (D Wandering in the will
derness (ch. 23); (S) The cutting Of
Saul's robe (ch. S4); (9) Nabars churl-
ishness, and Q0) Abigail's kindness
Och. 25). 1t might be we'll to have
one scholar give a summary of each of
these events.
!. David and Ablshai, w. ST.
Once before, the Ziphites had in
formed Saul as to David's whereabouts
(23:19). Learning that Saul evident
ly intended to follow him into the will
derness ". AZ, David sent spies to
learn the exact location of Saul and
the 5000 men under command of Abb
ner. Abner was a cousin of Saul. a
brave man with a remarkable history.
Unwittingly they had placed them
selves in David's power, and that for
a second time (24:3-S). Like the
camp of the Midianites which Gideon
visited, Saul and his men we're scat
tered about sleeping within the place
Of the wagons" ". 5 R. W, with Saul
In the center, the spear marking his
resting place and the bolster beneath
his head. Doubtless Saul trusted Abb
ner's protection, bat no arm of flesh
can a v or protect a sinful man. From
a ~neighboring rock David and his
friends could distinguish the spear
and the outlines of the camp. David's
challenge was directed to both of his
companions. Ahimelech. the Hittite,
declined the summons, whereas Abb
shat, David's nephew who had already
proved himself in the affair at the
well (II Samuel 23:13-16) and later De-
came a leading figure in David's king
dom, accepted the challenge.
n. David and Saul, w. 9~-12.-Abishai
was quite right that God had deliv-
cred Saul into David's hand ". 81, but
he was wrong in his conclusion as to
what that meant. God delivered Saul
that he might, IL possible, save him.
1t was a challenge that tested David's
magnanimity, his sense of honor and
also an event wherein he could appeal
to Saul's honor. Abishai's anger is
evident from his words, II will not
smite him the second time" There
was ample propagation, but David rec
uguized in this experience the hand
of God, nor would he profit by an
others hand appraised against the
Lords anointed" ". 81. A conscience
less keen could have found an excuse
for allowing another to strike a blow
to his own profit. Saul was rejected
Of Jehovah, yet David preferred to
let Jehovah execute his W DEGREES
(ch. 24:15 CT. Ps. 105:15). Here we
have a great principle. In this dis
pensation all Christians are anointed
of God u John 2:2O), and while some
of these may be rejected ones" GA:
6, z; II Sam. 1:16) still we must be
satisfied to let God avenge u wrongs
anu GbIdUlAoh ub III bhoI PAoSO ~ VhASAA
he has called US, resting assured that
he will see to it that we get to that
place. To have yielded to the lowest
motive would have been termed
good policy" but for the future king
to have been accessory to the fact
would have endangered his own fu-
ture safety. David yet loved Saul
in spite of his cruelty. 1t appeals
to u pride and our love of power
to have revenge within u grasp, but
It is a greater evidence of power and
grace to be able to withhold, and still
more noble to have no spirit of re-
sentiment. BY keeping Christ before US
constantly, remembering that he IRE
viled not" we can forgive ven as he
forgave and do good to them who de-
s~pitefully use us. Instead of killing
Saul, David carried away his spear
and his cruise, both emblems of Sauls
kingly office and power. These would
be sufficient evidence that God had
delivered Saul's life into David's hands
and that David had not used to his ad-
vantage this opportunity.
III. David and Abner, w. 1916
Returning to his vantage point,
doubtless the brow of a hill on the
opposite side Of the valley, a point
of safety, David awakened the sleep
ing camp. Abner replied, who art
thou?" This cry sounds strangely like
the ~present-day replies to the chal-
lenge of our David when a sleeping
camp of sin is aroused. This call
came at night. When our King shall
return his visit will be unexpected and
at night Il Thess. 5:2-4; Rev. 1918.
It would seem like a humiliation for
this proud. naughty general, Abner. to
be tainted by David ". 15). AS chief
officer he was responsible for the
kings safety and his life. David
therefore might well reproach and
chide him. for his lack Of fidelity was
worthy Of death. When Saul was
thoroughly awake to the fact of
David's visit to his camp and the fact
that his life had been spared. he was
moved to another one OF his moments
Of repentance wv. IT'D.
~. The Result, ~. H-2b-David's
address to Saul. is a remarkable one.
He first appeals to reaso ". 1877 and
desires to know what. II any, fault
he has committed. He next challenges
the motives which impelled Saul. Was
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