The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-06-03
LESSON FOR JUNE 6
NATHAN REsuKEs DAVID.

which will diner widely according TO
age. For the younger the briefest sort
OF statement that David fell In love
with Uriah's wife and to obtain her
had her husband killed will be SUM-
cient. with such. throw the emphasis
upon the danger OF harboring evil
thoughts and the need OF heart purity
(see Golden Text.
With adults. however. some time
may be devoted to the social evil
which Is such a menace TO every ma
ton. care being taken lest the discus
sion become morbid. or that we neglect
10 emphasize the fact that the cure
is not In regulation or reformation but
in the regeneration OF the human
heart
.. DavId's Many Good Deeds, "
for his most repulsive sin David had
long list OF excellent deeds. His de-
sire for a better abiding place for the
ark was not according to Gods will
for two reasons first. that an ornate
house might easily corrupt. through
idolatry. the spirituality OF tie Hebrew
religion; second, David was a man OF
war and therefore not qualified for
temple building. Though denied. David
did not despair, but at once provided
that his successor carry out his desire.
u. David's One Great Sin. u Sam.
uei, ft:e. David's victories over his
enemies are dismissed in . few
verses. yet his sin Is set forth In de-
tail-another evidence OF the divine
origin and inspiration OF the Bible.
David had followed the example of
neighboring kings and taken to him
self many wives, evidently regarding
his fancy as supreme and himself as
above the law. David was "of guard"
in the matter OF temptation. a danger
Gus position for all. both soldier and
civilian. David had had too long and
too great a period OF success and pros
perity after his long period OF priva-
ton. and this led to carelessness and
pride. David was on duty" indulg-
ing In ease while Joab did his fighting.
As a result he became an adulterer
and a murderer. and the record In no
way seeks TO palliate his guilt. From
all this the record brings to Us many
important lessons Outwardly pros
porous and his army successful. Da-
vid must have felt In his heart the
spiritual blight in the words, but the
thing was evil In the eyes OF the
Lord" ". % n. VI: no psalm writ
ing then.
~. kathan's Parable. 10. Samuel,
f2:1.7. IL is an evidence OF Gods
grace that he sent his servant 10 re-
buke and restore this man after his
own heart" Such is his mercy. for
he does not will that any should per.
ish but that all might come TO the
knowledge OF forgiveness Ezekiel
33.Ii: Matthew $3.50. No parable
ever had its desired effect more quick.
ly than this one It brought conviction
and repentance ". 49, and led TO the
writing OF the fifty-first psalm. II was
a delicate task set before Nathan thus
TO robuke the king, yet II reveals the
essential nobleness OF David In that
he did not become angry. Nathan's
task and his wisdom are revealed In
his approach and in the way he led
David TO condemn. unwittingly, his
own course OF action. This was bet
ter than 10 begin by upbraiding and
denunciation. Verse two suggests, in
ferentially. Gods great goodness TO
David. which made the offense one OF
gross ingratitude.
~. ThoySArt the MANY, Ia. Thus
far the story is one all too common,
then and now. OF the strong crushing
the weak and glorying In their selfish
ness What follows is the evidence
OF Gods response TO mans repentance,
the parallel to which has nowhere else
been found in the ancient world The
glory OF II is that David heard and
needed Gods messenger. The whole
sordid story with its resultant action
on David's part brings us many price
less lessons. "a That man who had
lived a life of faith and communion
fell most miserably when he neglected
his duty and took his eyes of God.
There is a grave danger ahead of the
man who begins to trine with sin Il
Cor 1919. (2) Though-a man fall
(the godly mani yet he is not utterly
cast down. There Is pardon for the
vilest sinner and the most abIect
backslider. David's murderous hands
and Sustained soul found pardon
FPS. SO and 5D. (9 A mans sins.
though he may find pardon, will cloud
all OF his future.
David felt It In his own life and fam
lily; both daughter and sons felt it's
blight (see chapter 49,. and II brought
forth Davids immortal lament over
Absalom.
David's trusted friend Joined the
sons rebellion and caused David great
sorrow (see ii:3, 1884; 1871 and
Ps. b5:12-1D.
A human book would cover up. omit
or seek to palliate such an act by one
OF the great OF the earth (cf. the
story of Napoleon and Josephine), yet
the Bible tells all the facts to serve
a. warning and to reveal Gods
nAtchless grace and mercy.