The Green Forest tribune., 1915-04-30

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 Aiehougn anointed by Samuel vic- torlous ln arms and promoted at conrt DaVlo was many years in reaching his throne. At first both court and army uid hlm honor (ch. 1S:2), yet he con- uucted himself with great modestv 'lS: lS, 2S). He also obeyed the king eApllcltly though he knew fully that ne was the God-appointed successor Of Saul, Escapes as wonderful and as prov1dential as Davids occur in the llves of most of us if we could hut know them.
 !. David and Jonathan. w. 1.s The story Of the love of David and Jona- than IS classic. With such close family relations and a son-in-law so successful at arms it is strange that Saups anger should vent itself unon David. At first Saul was much at tached to David but the admiration of the people for David aroused his ieal- ousy, (ch. 18:6) and jealousy is pecu- larly soldiers disease. The slave of jealousy never has peace. As sin and dlsobedience developed in his life Saul became subject to fits of insane rage during one of which, as David played upon his harp and endeavored to quiet the monarch's spirit, he hurled a iavelin, which served as his scepter, at the harpist (ch 19:10). Saul felt that David was divinely protected and he knew that God had departed from his own life (15:23; 16:14). Saul did not keep his grief and rage to himself for Jonathan and the nation alike knew all about it.
 II. Saul and Jonathan, w. AZ. It took courage and self-sacrifce on Jonathan's part to 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, 5 is unanswerable. David had not sinned against Saul; it was Jehovah who wrought a great salvation for all Israeli 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 Jehbvahs victory through David and for the time being Saul was persuaded (v. @ and made another of those impetuous promises which proved so fieeting. Ushered by Jonathan (Matt. 5:9) David returned to Sauls presence, entered once more upon the discharge of his duties and desisted only when he saw that his presence only aggravated the king and that he was uselessly exposing his life in Saul's presence. David was faith ful to God and to Gods anointed king.
 III. MichaI and David, w. 8-f2. 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. 8, 9. David had married Michal when about twenty-one years of age and Sauls attacks occurred dur ing the next three years. The evil spirit mentioned was demon (1S:l0; Acts 16:16-1S; Mark 1:23-26), a mes senger of Satan permitted by God for Saul's discipline (II 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 to refine them as pure gold Thus evil may be said to do Gods work (ch. 4:1) "to be sent from Jehovah"
 w. Summary. All who envy are murderers at heart (Matt, 27:1S; John 3:12, 15) The present day murderers hurl their javelins of islander, lying and vituperation against the reputa- ton of the men whom they hate. Or else they hurl unfair and unjust bus1- 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 murderer. Satan always overshoots the mark when he assails one of Gods anointed, chosen ones. Saul could not harm David though he wished to ever so much CPS. 37:32, 33; Isa. 54:17; Luke 4:S0; 1O:39). Saul's hatred stopped not even at the threshold of Davids house but invaded the sacred precincts of his home Envy is blind. it assalls 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 Michal David's danger was imminent, hence his speedy es- cape.
 Men are strong in so far as they sec Gods purpose and discipline in their lives.
 SauTs experience at Naioth (vv. 23, 24) was a response of his emotional nature to a religious appeal, another time when God was waiting to be gracious.
 Divested of his armor and outer robo. CouI Iav in a trance. overcome