Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1915-03-18
LESSON FOR MARCH Fl

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LESSON FOR MARCH Fl
JONATHAN AND HIS ARMoR-
BEARER.
sLESSON TEXT Samuel N:1-13.
GOLDEN TExT-Let US put on the ar
NOR of light.-Rom. 1872.
Samuel's review Of his life Of integ.
ritS his charge to the Israelites, Gods
testimony Of displeasure over their
persistent desire to have king, and
Samuel's words of comfort and as.
surance as found in chapter II, form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter 13 we
have the record Of Israel again In dis
tress and of SauPs folly in his ASSUME
ing the priestly Office wv. 13, ,1D. r
!. sauI's Distress, w. "a. That
Saul's disobedience, just indicated, had
incurred Gods dspleasure, we know.
It evidently had its effect upon the
people also, for his army had dwindled
during the intervening fifteen or eight
cen years, from 1000 (ch. 11:S) to
feeble 600 ", ~. They were further
handicapped by lack Of weapons
(ch. 13:19-23). Deserted by jehovah.
by Samuel, Jehovah's priest and by
nearly all Of his enthusiastic subjects
(see 11:12y Saul was 'in the uttermost
part Of Gibeah" hiding under 8 porne-
granate tree (see w. II, % and 1850.
This may refer to iiis being at Rtmmon
Judges 20:43-47). Infthis retirement
Saul retains Ahiah fv. 3D. a. priest
thus keeping up the, outward form or
worship. This priest is not referred to
as Jehovah's. He was 3 grandson OF
Phinehas, one OF ELS wicked sons,
and as such was not TO be q successor
in the high priests ofice tca. $50
36). Such an outward form Of dead
works cannot take the place Of q Hy-.
Ing faith. For Saul TO consult the or.
acle Of the Urim and Thummims worn
by the priest and later to call UP fa-
miliar spirits shows his lack OF spir-.
'Itual apprehension. The references
made to Saul's conduct (chapters IL,
13) are an indication Of his character
and emphasize the psaimist's words
as found In Ps. 1851 tO5. n n
n. Jonathan's Victory, w. Ala. But
God had one leader TO whom he could
speak, Jonathan, who is one iof the
finest and most attractive characters
In the whole Bible. This episode is:
among the most brilliant In the Ms
..sr:.sss the sssraaIit itish nation IL Eas
R brave byidence or gsaesS
triumpt| shown 20 clearly tls
Jonathan,s dealings with, David. There.
seems to be q suggestion that Iona
snan had lost condolences IN bis fa's
ther, for: neither he nor the people
knew where Jonathan had gone.
Verses and 5 viyidly picture the
nature IF the location wherein, Jona-
than undertook this feat Jonathan
clearly counted upon the feshlyt GOV.
enant sign as ground upon which to
expect help and victory over his ene-
mics, who. lacked such 8 sign ". 81.
The army Of the PhiIistines had been
divided into three sections tCh. 13;
III, and this gave Jonathan his op-
portunity. The garrison at Michmash
was on the opposite side Of the ra'
vine from Geba, Saul's headquarters.
Hidden by the cliffs 1t was quite easy
to approach the Philistines. It is an
interesting and enlightening conyersa'
tion recorded as ensuing on that 1oufsi
ney. ct stns,
Jonathan-H may be that the Lord
will work for us; for there is no re-
straint to the Lord to save BY many OF
by few ". g..
Armorbearer-Do all that is In thine
heart, behold / am with thee.
Jonathan-We will pass &.
over, and will discover ourselves.
The test, as recorded in verses 3
and 10 was real one and reye-
lation Of Jonathan's shrewdness. Nor
to be invited up by the Philistines
would suggest desire they may have
had to cover up any weakness. To be.
asked to come" suggests their self
confidence. h.
Today's Message. Two young men
of faith saved nation sunk in despair
and disgrace. They inspired conn
dence in God and his promises. Youth
for battles, old age for counsel" but
there are times that demand action
more than conference and considera'
tion. Courage is only Of value, how
ever, when based upon much training
devotion to God, the interests Of 9TH
ers, and a clear vision. 1t is not
mere fash in life's pathway. Courage
is contagious; Jonathan's feat set on
fire the soul of nation. Read again
the roll of honor in the eleventh chap
ter of Hebrews. The highest courage
is not physical but moral. This cour'
age is open to all, but it is Intelligent
ly grounded upon Gods sure revela-
tion in his word and in the person OF
NApd hfa armOr-