The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-22
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson vlIl.-Second Quarter,
For May %, 1915.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text of tho Lesson, u Sam. II, f.7j v,
1-S-Memory Verses, v, 2, 3-Golden
Text. Ps. xviii, 7-comnsntary Pre-
pared by Rev. D. M. Stsarns.

'e~S - S~~'i, f-Somnohtary Fre-
pared by Rev. D. M. Stsarns.
In the two portions assigned for this
lesson we have the record of David's
second and third anointings over
Judah and over all Israel III. q; v,
81, the first amounting being ut the
hands Of Samuel Il Sam. xvi. 13). As
all anointings are suggestive Of the
work OF the Holy Spirit and Of Him
whom God anointed with the Holy
Ghost and with power (Acts Z. 3S),
who also anoints and seals the believer
with the Holy Spirit (II Cor. 4. 81. 22l,
we will turn for a few minutes to the
other lesson for today In l Cor. xii,
lib to notice that no one can say that
Jesus is the Lord. but by the Holy
Spirit, and that by the same Spirit
each believer receives gifts for service
as the Spirit sees fit: TO every man ac-
cording to bis several ability, to every
man his work (Matt- XIV, 15: Mark
xiii, 34). AS our Lord Jesus Christ, the
son of David, is waiting for His king
dom, when He wi occupy the throne
| Of David, so all true believers, anointed
kings and priests, associates Of Him
who shall be priest upon His throne,
the true Melchizedek, are waiting with
Him and for Him. He at the Fathers
| right hand and we in the conflict here
| Uuke 1. 80. 33; Rev. l. 8, 8; Zech. vi, IS;
Gen. xiv, is; Ps. cx, l, A.. While we
wait 1t is our privilege to suffer with
Him Qnh n Hin, In
place which He may assign to us,
knowing that the glory of His king
dom will abundantly recompense for
all suffering or service during the little
while of waiting. Returning to our
lesson I'm Samuel we note that. though
Saul was dead. the rule over all Israel
did not come to David at once, but in
Hebron over judah for seven years
and then In Jerusalem over all Israel
and Judah for thirty-three years CHAP
| ter V, o.
We may find an analogy in the COM
ing Of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus
Christ when all the kingdoms of this
world shall have become His Rev. xi,
15J, and we may then see more clearly
the significance Of David's three anoint-
ings.
We cannot help noting David's Ia
mentation over Saul and Jonathan,
with its thrice repeated How are the
mighty fallen!" QI Sam. 1, 10, 26, 2D-
How he could say that Saul and Jona-
than were lovely and pleasant in their
lives do not know unless ON the same
principle that God did not see iniquity
In Jacob nor perverseness in Israel
Mum. xiii, 2D, grace covering up the
wrong. We can more easily under
stand how David could say of Jona-
than, Thy love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women" q. 30,
and that leads us TO the greatest love
that was ever seen or known-the love
of God In Christ Jesus to sinners
Rom. V, s; John fill, 16; John Iii, 16;
iv, 10). See David's habit of inquiring
of the Lord concerning guidance in all
matters of the kingdom iii, l: v, 10, %;
also l Sam. xiii, ., 4; xxx, 81, remind
ing us of some of the good advice OF
his son, Solomon, '1n all thy ways ac-
knowledge Him, and He shall direct
thy paths" prov. iii, O..
Although David knew that the king
dom was now his, he would not do
anything without the Lords guidance
as to when and where At the Lords
command he went to Hebron with his
own and his faithful followers house
holds. and there the men of Judah
anointed him king over the house Of
Judah. See the story of Hebron in
connection with Abraham and Isaac
and Caleb. and let us learn to live in
fellowship with God. David's words
to the men of Jabesh-gilead. are for
us also, that We may be strong and
valiant for God iii, y. The intervening
chapters in our lesson story tell of the
opposition to David by the house of
Saul, but that David waxed stronger
and stronger and the house of Saul
weaker and weaker Oil. y. In our
present conflict 1t cannot be said that
the devil is waxing weaker and weak
er, for his greatest effort will be Just
before his final overthrow, but In due
time he will be overthrown, and Jesus
Christ shall reign ops. lxxii, III.
After David became king over all
Israel 1t Is written that David went
on and grew great (went going and
growing-margin), and the Lord God
of hosts was with him" ", 10). That
the Lord was with him is repeated
again and again In his story q Sam.
xvi, IS; xviii, IL, IA, 29 and reminds
| 3 - g.
Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and 9th
ers and of His word to all who go
forth In His name as His messengers
Gen. XVI, 3; xviii. 10; Elk. Ill, IL;
Josh. 1, 8; Judg. vi. 16; lisa. XII, 10;
Hag. ii, 4, 5; Matt. xviii, 2O. The
Lords presence does not insure us
freedom from all adversaries, but It
does assure us of victory over them.
David had to say concerning some
with whom he had to deal, IL am this
day weak, though anointed king, and
these men, the sons Of Zerniah, are
too hard for me" Oil, 39D. Compare
Mum. xi, IA; Kings xix, Z; Ps. xxxv,
10; lxxiii, 10, and then thank God that
nothing is too hard for Him Gen. Xviii,
Ia; Jer xxxii, 10, and roll all cares
and burdens upon Him, and trust Him
to carry you and them. All real work
for God must be by the Spirit Of God,
and when He is in control we will
fear no mountain nor despise any small