The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-03-20

GOLDEN TEXT-Let us put on the ar
NOR of light.-Rom. 1912.
Samuels review of his life of integ-
rity, HIS charge to the Israelites, Gods
testimony of displeasure wei their
persistent desire to have a king, and
Samuel's words Of comfort and as
surance as found in chapter IL, form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter 10 we
have the record of Israel again in dis
tress and of Saul's folly in his assum-
Ing the priestly office wv. 10, 14).
J.. saul's Distress, w.. IA. That
SauFs ~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 100000 (ch. 1853 to
a feeble 600 ". p. They we're further
handicapped by a lack of weapons
(ch. 13:19-2S). Deserted by Jehovah,
by Samuel, Jehovah's priest, and by
nearly all of his enthusiastic subjects
(see 11:12) Saul was Gin the uttermost
part of Gibeah" hiding under a pome-
granate tree (see Wv. II, % and 1850.
This may refer to his being at Rimmon
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 a successor
in the high priests office (ch. 2:30-
S6). Such an outward form of dead
works" cannot take the place of a liv-
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 spir-
itual apprehension. The references
made to Saul's conduct Chapters IL,
49, are an indication of his character
and emphasize the psalmist's words
as found in Ps. 1911, los.
u. Jonathan's Victory, v 4-13. 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
J~onathan's dealings with David. There
seems to be a 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 S wildly picture the
nature Of the location wherein Jona-
than undertook this feat. Jonathan
clearly counted upon the fleshly COW
enant sign as ground upon which to
expect help and victory over his enc
mics, who lacked such q sign ". g..
The army of the Philistines had been
divided into three sections (Ch. 10:
I'D, and this gave Jonathan his op-
portunity. The garrison at Michmash
was on the opposite side of the ra-
vine from Geba, Saul's headquarters.
Hidden by the cliffs 1t was quite Easy
to approach the Philistines.
Jonathan-It may be that the Lord
will work for us; for there is no re-
straint to the Lord to ave by many or
by few ". g..
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 9
and 10 was a real one and a reve-
lation Of Jonathan's shrewdness. Not
to be invited up by the Philistines
would suggest a desire they may have
had to cover up any weakness. To be
asked to come" suggests their Self
confidence, carelessness and lack of
suspicion. Their contempt is indi-
Gated and emphasized in the words:
"The Hebrews come forth out Of the
holes where they had hid themselves"
". III. Their pride is shown by the
invitation extended: Come .
and we will show you a thing" ". 12).
At the first blow Jonathan and his
companion struck terror into the
hearts of the camp, and this is in
tensifed by an earthquake, for God
fought on his side. From across the
valley the watchers of Saul's army
saw the CONSERVATION and together
those who had hidden themselves
Joined in making the victory both
great and complete " 22). We of this
age have the covenant of the protec-
ton and support of One who enables
the weakest to win victories Il Cor.
1869; Zech. AS; Matt. 1920. JON
athan redeemed Gods promise that
"one shall chase a thousand, and two
put ten thousand to flight" (Deut. 80:
30), and had an armorbearer ready at
his command" The exhortation to
each one is that we say to u great
Leader: do all that is in thine
heart; behold I I'm with thee" Such
faith and ~intrepidity was sufficient to
strike terror into the heart Of the en-
envy. but 1t is only possible to those
whose confidence is that "the Lord will
deliver"
Today's Message. Two young men
Of faith saved a nation sunk In despair
and disgrace. They inspired conf
dence in God and his promises. youth
for battles, old age for counsel" but
there are times that demand action
more than conference and considera-
ton. Courage is only Of value. how
ever. when based upon much training.