The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-05-20
LESSON FOR MAY q
DAVID KING OVER JUDAH AND
a ISRAEL.

Saul ceased from pursuing David
II Samuel 27,D when he fed into the
land Of the PhilLstines for he feared
them greatly II Sam. 1855. 81. David
fought with Saul's enemies but never
theless was not wanted (2s:s.ii). His
wives being taken captive. he, with
400 men destroyed Zikiag. sending the
spoil 10 his friends In Judah q Sam
30). Following the death Of Saul and
Jonathan I'll sam chapter u we read
David's wonderful lament (ch. ~.
7. David, King Of Judah ~
psvid's Kingdom, eh. 2:fa II Ia now
seven or eight years since Samuel
snointed the young shepherd to be
king In Saui's place David was prob
ably Twenty-Five years OF age He
had now q fourfold assurance OF his
throne (a) Gods decree q Sam, -
1l.l0. Oh The death OF Saul lch. -
~: (c) Gods command " ~. and
tdD The choice Of the people ". ~.
His every step seems to have been
led OF God. therefore he had made no
false moves flames 1851. see also Pc.
1913. ip. How Coo by means OF the
stones In the priests breastpiate made
known his will we are not told and Il
IL idle TO speculate. We have q bet
ter way. the inspired word and the
living spirit through which we may
receive guidance. Such guidance 10
conditioned upon obedience u Sam.
2s:s: Acts 5:32). God directed David.
after Saul's death 20 go up" 20 Heb
ron. which means Fellowship" II
was here that Abraham. the man OF
faith. had lived David thus began
his conquest OF the land in fellowship
with God David implicitly obeyed
Gods decree ". ~. took his family
with him and also brough, his men
with their households This Is q sue.
gestion relative 20 household fellow
ship with God They left nothing be-
hind 10 lure them back as Lot was
lured when he left Sodom These
men had been David's partners in his
adversely and are now TO share In his
glory Luke 22:2s. 20: II Tim. 2:lz;
Rom si7. l0.
(2) osvId's Diplomacy. 2:s7. II
was good politics for David 10 honor
these men OF Jabesh. yet he was hon
est and sincere for he honored Saul
rs his rishtfui and God -anointed SOW.
ereign Il Sam. ?t:ts: 2s:7iD. These
men had shown kindness TO Saul and
now Jehovah would show kindness TO
them ". 81. A. We SOW We reap
Matt ST.: e:1&. rs; II Tim i:l6-IO.
David took pains 10 inform them that
he had been chosen king but assures
them that he would strengthen them.
As they had been faithful 10 Saul. let
anointed In his stead To have adopt
ed any other policy would have alien
ated their support
(3) Ish-bosheth's Kingdom. 2:etf.
As contrasted with this God directed
kingdom OF David's was the man-direct
ed kingdom Of Ish.bosheth. His name
means, name OF shame" He was
about forty years OF age. Saurs Oldest
son. but not his intended successor.
Ish-bosheth was: (a) selected by man
~ 81: (b) ruled by man ". 81 and
tc) made war upon Gods elect (x. II.
ch. SD. He only reigned two years
and his kingdom In the northern part
OF the land was separated from that
OF David by that portion in the center
controlled by the Philistines Abner's
untimely death at the hand OF Joab
tch ~ deprived Ish.bosheth OF a
leader He was slain by his own serv-
ants and his kingdom became a part
OF David's.
u. David. King OF israel. 5:i-5.
David passed through seven and one
half years OF delay in his progre
towards the throne. II was not lonE
after lsh-bosheth's death that great
assembly met ut Hebron. II was
truly national gathering Every tribe
sent soldiers-sso 900 in all-and the
elders OF the people were the spokes'
men. They proclaimed David bone
Of their bone" w. ~ and that even
while Saul was king. David had been
their real shepherd " i2l But better
still they recognized David as Gods
chosen successor 10 Saul and pro
claimed to all men that they had 10y
ally accepted his choice.
The story OF navid's conquest OF
Jerusalem and the establishment OF
the seat OF his government at that
place is interesting and suggestive ana
should be studied before next sun
days lesson IL considered
After being anointei in Hebron
David began al once 90 subdue theland'
Thus we see the loose tribal gov
eminent nodded into a powerful. domi-
nant and respected kingdom. DAVID
was On Patient. awaiting Gods time
(2l Energetic; (0 Courageous; 'il
Tactful; C5l Trusting t6l Loyal 20
friends and to God; () Patriotic; 80
obedieut. and above all tsl Religious,
for We read. the Lord Is with him
Il sam, l6:iSl. and. David waXed
greater and greater; for the Lord, the
God Of hosts. was with him Oh sam
5;lOl
These principles. faithfully adhered
"a win bring success In A. ID. 1919 az
well as D. c. 1860.