Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-05-05
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson W.-Second Quarter, For
May 9, 1915.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text Of the Lesson, l Sam. Xxx, 32-42.
Memory Verse, e. Golden Text,
Prov. xvii, 17-commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. IA. Stearns.

Friendship of David and Jonathan"
but the lesson verses give only one in
cident out of many. AS our next les
son will be in chapter XVI. we will
consider the David and Jonathan in
cidents in chapters xviii to xiii. In
chapter xiv the name of Jonathan is
mentioned twenty-four times, and in
chapter Xxx it is found twenty seven
times. His name may mean the gift
of Jehovah, and he surely was such to
David, a real friend and comforter.
making us think of Paul's words con-
corning some of his helpers. Fellow
workers unto the kingdom of God.
which have been n comfort unto me-
(Col. iy, III. In our first Introduction
to Jonathan chapters xiii and XIV. in
which we find his name just twenty
eight times, we see him as a brave SOL
der. relying upon Jehovah to fight for
him and with him xiv, 6, ". The next
mention Of him is after David's defeat
Of Goliath. when we read that his soul
was knit with the soul of David. for
he loved him as his own soul. He
AlPpcu AlluSCi1 "a SuiuCDl anu
armor and put them upon David ,chap-
ter xviii, IA; see also Xxx. II; III Sam.
/. 26). They were truly kindred spir-N
its. both strong In the Lord. We can
not but think Of Him who emptied
Himself for US, laid aside all His glory.
that He might redeem US. clothe US
with His Righteousness and share with
L. -, sr.1- ole rxf
the disciple whom Jesus loved, who
leaned upon his bosom, but we remem-
Der what is written In John xiii, /. of
all true disciples, He loved them unto
the end. to the uttermost" Or. ". mar
GIN.
The next incident is in chapter xix,
II. where Jonathan pleaded with his
father for David, reminding him that
through David the Lord wrought a
great salvation for all Israel. and so
David was for time restored to Saul's
favor, but we saw in last lesson how
worthless and uncertain it was.
In our lesson chapter we see David
returning from Samuel ito whom he had
fed to interview Jonathan and to tell
him that when near Saul he felt that
there was but step between him and
death and to ask him to find out If he
could just how his father really felt
toward him. for it would seem as IL
David could scarcely believe that Saul
hated him as greatly as these sudden
outbreaks of temper would indicate.
One may give way TO temper again and
again and yet really love the person
spoken or acted against. How beauti-
full was Jonathan's reply to David.
Whatsoever thy soul desireth / will
even do It for thee Xxx. n. or as in
the margin. Say what is thy mind
what thy soul speaKeth or thinketh.
and | will do it." What a friend to
have and yet listen to Him who calls
US friends. IF We shall ask anything
in My name viii do 1t" John XIV, Is;
xiv. 14. Jonathan seems not to have
believed up to this time that his father
meant any real harm to David, prob
ably attributing all to his fearful tenn
per, for he said. "If / knew certainly
that evil were determined by my IA
Their to come upon thee would not tell
it theeT' Xxx. o. They went out into
the field alone with the Lord and with
prayer. and. as In His sight. they made
covenant the one with the other and
arranged plan by which Jonathan
would find out certainly what his ia
TIERS attitude to David really was
Xxx, 11-23}. When the plan was work
ed out and Saul's anger against David
became so manifest that he tried TO
kin Jonathan for taking David's part.
then Jonathan knew that it was de-
termined of his father to STAY David.
So he arose from the table in fierce
anger. for he was grieved for David
Xxx. 1884. Then Jonathan in the
morning went out into the field and
communicated with David by pre-
arranged plan Xxx. 1924. 35-40p.
1t was three days interval verse
19). reminding us Of so many three
days stories. and it was a morning
farewell that these two friends now
had Verse 80. reminding Us by anal
ogy and contrast of SO many morning
stories. The statement in verse 30 that
the lad who gathered the arrows knew
not anything of the significance of his
doings nor Of the real meaning of Jon
nthan's words to him has often come
to me with power as | have given
His message from His word from time
to time. simply knowing that | was
seeking to be faithful to him. but not
knowing anything of what He might
be accomplishing by the message. but
sure always that He knew what He
was doing and that His word will al
ways accomplish His pleasure John
vi. g.: lisa. lv. Ill How pathetic the
farewell of these two after the lad had
gone the kissing. the weeping. the
committing Of each other to the Lord,
and Jonathan's Go in peace" verses
II. 42,. In the morning~to which we
look forward we shall be forever with
the Lord" Il Thess. iv. III. What a
contrast to this sad parting and all