The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-19


Samuers review of his life of integ-
rity, his charge to the Israelites, Gods
testimony of displeasure over their
persistent desire to have king, and
Samuers words Of comfort and as
surance as found in chapter II, form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter 15 we
have the record of Israel again in dis
tress and of Saul's folly in his assum'
ing the priestly Office wv. Is, Ia.
|. Saups Distress, w. IA. That
Saul's disobedience, just indicated, had
incurred Gods displeasure, we know
1t evidently had its effect upon the
people also, for his army had dwindled |
during the intervening fifteen or eight
cen years, from 100000 (ch. 11:S) to
a feeble 600 ". .. They were further
handicapped by lack of weapons
(ch. 13:19-23). Deserted by Jehovah
by Samuel, Jehovah's priest, and py
nearly all of his enthusiastic subjects
(see 11:12) Saul was "in the uttermost
part of Gibeah" hiding under a pome-
granate tree (see Wv. II, % and 1870
This may refer to his being at Rlmm0n
Judges 20:43-47). In this retirement
Saul retains Ahiah ". 81 as priest,
thus keeping up the outward form OF
| Worship. This priest is not referred TO
! as ,Jehovah's. He was a grandson OF
| Phinehas, one of Ellis wicked sons
and as such was not to be successor
in the high priests office ten. Z:5o-
36). Such an outward form of dead
works" cannot take the place OF llv-
ing faith. For Saul to consult the or
acle of the Trim and Thummim worn
by the priest and later to call up IA
miliar spirits, shows his lack of splr'
itual apprehension. The references
made to Saul's conduct chapters H.
13) are an indication of his character
and emphasize the psalmists words
as found in Ps. 119:11, 1O5.
II. Jonathan's Victory, wv. Alb. But
God had one leader to whom he could
speak Jonathan, who is one Of the
finest and most attractive characters
in the whole Bible. This episode IS
among the most brilliant in the his
tory of the Israelitish nation. 1t was
a brave deed, and an evidence OF that
triumphant faith shown so clearly IN
Jonathans dealings with David. There
seems to be a suggestion that Jona'
than had lost confidence in his ia
; Their, for neither he nor the people
knew where Jonathan had gone
, Verses and 5 vividly picture the
. nature of the location wherein iona
v than undertook this feat Jonathan
r clearly counted upon the fleshly GOV
n enant sign as ground upon which Il
f expect help and victory over his enc
q mics. who lacked such sign ". %
h The army of the Philistines had beer
l.. divided into three sections (Ch. IL
q ~, and this gave Jonathan his op
4 portunity. The garrison at Michmasl
d was on the opposite side of the "a
h vine from Geba, Sauls headquarters
:. Hidden by the cliffs it was quite cas-
= to approach the Philistines. 1t is a.
4. interesting and enlightening converse
ton recorded as ensuing on that joul
Il ney.
a. Jonathan-It may be that the Lor
w will work for US; for there is no II
Ia straint to the Lord to save by many Q
IN by few ". g..
Armorbearer-Do all that is in thin
heart; behold | am with thee.
Jonathan-We will pass
ly over, and will discover ourselves.
The test, as recorded in verses
?? and 10 was a real one and rev
IS lation of Jonathan's shrewdness. M
to be invited up by the Philistine
would suggest desire they may haV
had to cover up any weakness. 10 3
asked to come" suggests their sci
n confidence.
Today's Message. Two young me
Of faith saved nation sunk in deSpa
n and disgrace. They inspired conf
II. dence in God and his promises "Yout
n for battles, old age for COUNSEL b'
NJ there are times that demand actlc
- more than conference and consider
=, ton. Courage is only of value, HOY
ever, when based upon much trainin
r. devotion to God, the interests of OF
" ers. and a clear vision. 1t is not
mere flash in life's pathway. Couras
is contagious; Jonashan's feat set
fire the soul of nation. Read aga
q? the roll of honor in the eleventh cha
On ter of Hebrews The highest coura'
. is not physical but moral. This cou
age is open to all, but it is intelliger
" grounded upon Gods sure revel
ton in his word and in the person
- his Son, our Lord. and his arme
c bearer after him"
d. Jonathan did not 60 alone. On Il
It. other hand it is not probable this your
II. lad would have gone up those roc
70 had not Jonathan led the way;
~ cause one went before him, he W
able to scale the fortress. God alo
knows the heights to which we M
,ur attain, but does not ask us to 60 alor
he nor expect us to do the impossib
The greatest heroes are not milita1
they are Christian heroes, who p