Middletown transcript., 1915-05-15

Professor Beecher gives 1865 B. c.
as the date of this lesson and the
death of Samuel. Saul had been on
the throne 81 years and David was
twenty-seven years Of age. There are
ten famous episodes between the les
son Of last week and that of today.
(D David and the shew-bread; (2)
Goliath's sword; (3) David feigns
madness (ch. 21); (4) The cave of
Adullam; (5) His care of his par
ents; (6) The killing OF the priests
(ch. 22); (O Wandering in the will
derness (ch. 23); (S) The cutting Of
Saul's robe (ch. 24); (9) Nabals churl.
ishness, and (1O) Abigail's kindness
(ch. 25). 1t might be well to have
one scholar give summary of each Of
these events.
!. David and Ablshal, 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 ". ", 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.
IJnwittingly 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 were scat
tered about sleeping within the place
of the wagons" ". R. W, with Saul
in the center, the spear marking his
resting place and the bolster beneath
his head. Doubtless Saul trusted Alb
ner's protection, but no arm of flesh
can save or protect sinful man. From
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 2S:1S-16) and later be-
came leading figure in David's king
dom, accepted the challenge.
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, If 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 provocation. but David rec
ognized in this experience the hand
of God, nor would he profit by an
others hand upraised against the
Lords anointed" ". 81. A conscience
less keen could have found an excuse
for allowing another to strike blow
to his own profit. Saul was rejected
Of Jehovah, yet David preferred to
let Jehovah execute his own DEGREES
(ch. 24:15 CT. Ps. 105:15). Here we
have a great principle. In this dis
pensation all Christians are anointed
Of God Il John 2:20), and while some
Of these may be rejected ones" GA:
6, 4; II Sam. 1:16) still we must be
satisfied to let God avenge our wrongs
and establish us in that place to which
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. It appeals
to our pride and our love of power
to have revenge within our 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 "re
viled not" we can forgive even as he
forgave and do good to them who de-
spitefully 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. 13-16.-
Returning to his vantage point,
doubtless the brow of hill on the
opposite side of the valley, a point
Of safety, David awakened the sleep.
ing camp. Abner replied, "Who art
| 4I,N,,o FThic crv onuudo ek,o,roI., III.
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. 16:15).
It would seem like a humiliation for
this proud, naughty general, Abner, to
be taunted 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 10 announcer one or his moments
| of repentance wv. 17-2D.
~. The Result, w. 17-25.-David's
address to Saul, is a remarkable one
He first appeals to reason w. 1877 and
desires to know what, If any, fault
he has committed. He next challenges
the motives which impelled Saul. Was
1t God who sent him on this journey
or was it the evil counsel of men
". 1872? II this latter then let G,d