The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-03-18

NV ~
samueI's review OF his life OF integ-
rity, his charge TO the Israelites. Gods
testimony OF displeasure over their
persistent desire 10 have a king. and
samuers words OF comfort and as
surance as found In chapter II. form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter IL we
have the record Of Israel again In dis
tress and OF saul's folly In his assum-
ing the priestly once tvv. IL. iD.
!. saul's Distress, w. -. That
saurs disobedience, Just Indicated. had
incurred Gods displeasure. we know.
II evidently had its effect upon the
people also, for his army had dwindled
during the intervening fifteen or eight
cen years. from $4,000 (eh ii:S to
a feeble 500 ". ~. They were further
handicapped by q lack OF weapons
(ch. i3:Ig23). Deserted by JehRA
BY Samuel, Jehovah's priest. aby
nearly all OF his enthusiastic subjects
(see ii:i2) Saul was in the uttermost
part Of Gibeah" hiding under a pome-
granate tree tsee w. II. 70 and 1850
This may refer to his being at Rimmon
Judges 90: t3-t7. In this retirement
Saul retains Ahiah ". ~ AZ priest,
thus keeping up the outward form OF
worship. This priest 10 not referred 10
as Jehovah's. He was q grandson OF
Phinehas. one OF Eli's wicked sons.
and as such was not 70 be q successor
IN the high priests once (ch. 2:3o-
36). Such an outward form Of dead
works" cannot take the place OF liv-
ing faith. For Saul 20 consult the or
acls OF tho Trim and Thummim worn
by the priest and later to call up IA
miiiar spirits. shows his lack Of spir-
itual apprehension. The references
made TO Saul's conduct tchapters II.
l3) are an indication OF his character
and emphasize the psaimist's words
as found In Pa. 1911. i05.
%. Jen..haa's Victory. W, Ala hut
God had one leader TO whom he could
speak. Jonathan. who Ia 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 Il was
. brave deed. and an evidence Of that
triumphant faith shown 90 clearly In
Jonathan's dealings with David. There
seems 20 be q suggestion that iona
than had lost confidence In his IA
Their. for neither he nor the people
knew where Jonathan had gone.
Verses 4 and wildly picture the
nature of the location wherein iona
than undertook this feat Jonathan
clearly counted upon the neshly COW
enant sign as ground upon which to
expect help and victory over his enc
mics. who lacked such q sign ". 81.
The army OF the Philistines had been
divided into three sections tCh. IL:
10, and this gave Jonathan his OBJ
portunity. The garrison at Michmash
was on the opposite side OF the ra-
vine from Geba. saufs headquarters.
Hidden by the cliffs II was quite easy
to approach the Phillstines. II In an
Interesting and enlightening converse
ton recorded az ensuing on that Jour
ney.
Jonathan--It may be that the Lord
will work for us: for there 10 no re-
straint to the Lord TO save by many or
by few ". 81.
Armorbearer-Do all that Is in thine
heart: behold I am with thee.
Jonathan-we will pass :.
over, and will discover ourselves.
The test. as recorded In verses
and 10 was a real one and reve-
iation OF Jonathan's. shrewdness. Not
to be invited up by the Philistines
would suggest desire they may have
had 10 cover up any weakness To ae
asked to come" suggests their
confidence.
Todsy's Message. Two young men
OF faith saved a nation sunk In despair
and disgrace. They inspired conn
dence in God and his promises. Youth
for battles, old age for counsel. ba'
there are times that demand action
more than conference and considera-
ton. Courage is only OF value. how
ever. when based upon much training
devotion 20 God. the interests OF 9TH
ers, and a clear vision. II Ia not n
mere fash in life's pathway. Courage
Is contagious: Jonathan's feat set on
FIRE the soul OF a nation. Read again
the roll OF honor in the eleventh chap
ter OF Hebrews. The highest courage
is not physical but moral. This cour-
age is open to all. but II Is Intelligent
; ly grounded upon Gods sure revela.
tion In his word and In the person OF
his Son, our Lord. And his armor'
bearer after him"
. Jonathan did not go alone. on the
other hand II IL not probable this young
lad would have gone up those ROCKS
had not Jonathan led the way; Do
cause one went before him, he was
able 20 scale the fortress. God alone
knows the heights TO which We may
attain. but does not ask us to 80 alone
nor expect US to do the Impossible
The greatest heroes are not military
they are Christian heroes. who pu'
on the Christian armor and whose
strength Is the strength OF ten DC
cause their hearts are pure" suc'