Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNMSQIOOL
LESSON
(Dy E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course Of Moody Bible
Institute. chlcago)
LESSON FOR JUNE 6
NATHAN REsukEs DAVID.

This is a lesson that demands great
care In it's presentation and treatment.
which will differ 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 suf1-
cient. With such, throw the emphasis
upon the danger of harboring evil
thoughts and the need of heart purity
tsee 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
to emphasize the fact that the cure
is not in regulation or reformation but
in the regeneration of the human
heart.
I. DaVid's Many Good Deeds, II
Samuel, and >. AS a background
for his most repulsive sin David had a
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 the 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.
Again, David's treatment Of Mephibo-
sheth, Jonathan's son, in accordance
with the covenant made between those
two men, is an inspiring episode and
one of great spiritual ggestiveness;
It has furnished material for countless
sermons.
II. David's One Great Sin, u Sam
ueI, 1875. David's victories over his
enemies are dismissed in a 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 "off guard"
in the matter of temptation, danger
Gus position for all, both soldier and
| ClNllldu. AdNAu leu hoh wv AOh6 AhA
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 "off 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" ". 27 R. W; no psalm writ
ing then.
III. Nathan's Parable, II. Samuel,
12:1-7. 1t is an evidence of Gods
grace that he sent his servant to 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
33.11; Matthew 23:37). No parable
ever had its desired effect more quick
ly than this one. 1t brought conviction
and repentance w. 13) and led to the
writing of the fifty-first psalm. 1t waE
a delicate task set before Nathan thus
to rebuke the king. yet 1t 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 lee
David to condemn, unwittingly. his
own course of action. This was bet
ter than to begin by upbraiding ant
denunciation. Verse two suggests, in
ferentially, Gods great goodness tC
David, which made the offense one o
gross ingratitude. The picture of thu
rich man selfishly sparing his own ant
seizing the poor mans treasure-hii
all, which lay on his bosom, dranl
from his cup and was as child. ex
hibits the worst sort of scoundrel
No wonder David grew indignan
E (Romans 2:1 and declared that sucl
e a man lis worthy to die" ". r. W
~. Thou Art the Man"-V. Ia. Thu
e far the story is one all too common
s then and now, of the strong crushing
|, the weak and glorying in their selfish
d ness What follows is the evidence
|. of Gods response to mans repentance
e the parallel to which has nowhere els'
{ been found in the ancient world. Th
i glory of it is that David heard ant
6 needed Gods messenger. The who'll
s sordid story with its resultant actiol
!, on David's part brings us many price
s less lessons. % That man who ha,
l. lived a life of faith and communion
( fell most miserably when he neglected
Il his duty and took his eyes off God
. There is a grave danger ahead of tn
man who begins to tri1e with sin I
Cor. 1912. (2) Though a man fal
(the godly mani yet he is not utterl
: cast down. There is pardon for tn
vilest sinner and the most abjec
backslider. David's murderous hand
and sin-stained soul found pardo
= Cps. 80 and 51). 49, A mans sins
!, though he may find pardon, will clou
all of his future.
Il David felt it in his own life and fan
lily; both daughter and sons felt 1t
blight (see chapter 13). and it brough
forth Davids immortal lament owe
l. Absalom.
David's trusted friend Joined tn
sons rebellion and caused David grea
sorrow (see 11:3; 23:34; 1921 an
Ps. 55:12-14.
Davld's hypocrisy upon receivin
the news of Uriah's death deceived n
d one and put him into the power {
& / Taoh x.,ho honor,a q nursa n hin, a ~