Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-02
Saul Tries to Kill David
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD w. TONkINS.
Text, Samuel xix.

Saul Is psychological study" as
we would say in these modern times
You can see his gradual failure as the
Bible story is read. He began by dis
obedience. then pride set In. followed
quickly by jealousy. and jealousy was
replaced soon by mingling fear and
hatred. The final result was self-dc-
struction. And VIC must remember that
all OF these qualities which Saul sue
ccssirely entertained are essentially
self-destructive. No man can disregard
tho will OF God or the love which he
should have for his brothers without
bringing into his nature that which, IL
uncurbed, will finally bring ruin. Tina,
Is really tho meaning Of Gods words
The soul that sinneth. it shall die" ;
and Of st. Jamcss words again: Sin,
whom il is finished. bringeth forth
death" The effect OF anything which
is wrong Is final destruction. rhere-
fore. our whole effort must Ne to over
come the evil effects OF sin. and We
have TO rely upon Christ In order that
His great power may be graciously ex-
crted on our behalf.
But Saul. alas. did not know Christ
for He had not vet been revealed lie
knew God and Samuel Gods prophet
but he did not realize his danger in
yielding to unworthy passions. This
offers no excuse. but il should make us
lenicnt In our Judgment. Saul. in mod :
crn Christian times, would be Il char
acter whose acts would be inexcusable.
Hut Saul Of old is TO he piticd, even
while his errors are condemned
DAVID DID NOTHING
TO EXCITE, SAILS WRATH
IT is interesting to note how David
did nothing himself TO excite Saurs
wrath. With all OF his subsequent
faults. David in his relationship to
Saul was absolutely faulticss. He rev
erenced him as King: he tried to help
him as sick man TO whom he could
minister: and he always showed him
self generous and thoughtful II we
could surely feel that We were not to
blame when people treated us unfair
~ and cruelty what relief it
would he.
A great thing for us all is to live
peaccably with all men. so far as in us
lies. Then. whatever any one may do
TO us We need not be ashamed or
afraid. Jonathan's part In the tragedy
is also beautiful feature. He loved
David and he did his hest to guard kim
against his fathers bitterness, and yet
At tho same time Jonathan seems to
have been absolutely loyal to his
father. both as parent and King.
Michal. the daughter OF Saul, also did
what she could. and her attempt 10 save
her father from crime by putting an
Image in the bed. which he might think
70 be David. atoncs little bit for her
conduct in other WAYS. for VIC cannot
altogether cXalt Michal as an ideal
wife.
PROGRESSIVE POWER
TO BE FOUND N SIN
Lot us note three lessons: First.
There is progressive power in sin. II
begins fecblv. hut it grows rapidly aud
gains great power. We must be careful
about the beginnings OF error. The
tongue. uncontrolled, will by and by
speak terrible things; jealousy. allowed
to breathe. mus: b. and by sweep aside
all laws and authorities and work its
cruel Will. Criticism. when indulcc ii,
soon forgcts justice and is most unfair.
Fear. urmastered. will become
mighty spectre. destroying all peace.
People sometimes do not think OF these
emotions as wrong. but they certainly
arc sinful. and they arc the cause Of
most Of the troubles OF life. The way
to clear them away is to replace them
with elements Of goodness Instead Of
speaking cruel things. must speak
kind things: instead OF being jealous,
must he sympathctic: instead OF being
critical must be appreciativc. Then
my character will he built up. and in
stead OF seeking to kill I will strive
TO bless
Second. The second lesson comes in
the fact that Saul, forgetting Cod. fol-
lowed his own inclinations. The mo-
mcnt man thinks himself indcpen-
dent. that moment he takes the first
step toward trouble. There is. indeed,
personal power with which God has
endowed us and which VIC arc TO Guilt
vate: but II must never he cultiva ed
NJ C-h
when nc acts, says TO himself or TO
others: II can do this: have a perfect
right to do that; no man can interfere
with my action" is simply proving
feeble In his resistance of wrong prin-
ciples
MAN WHO FEARS GOD
AVOIDS DANGEROUS PATHS
\ man, on the other hand. who fears
'"d and governs his actions as we'll as
his thoughts by Gods will avoids the
d7"gerous paths Of wild indiv1ualism.
-" grows into a strong and useful
'""riood, made all the more distinctive
" his reliance upon the Infinite. In
=" words, what we need. every one
e, is to live near 10 God in love
:" trust. We must try to follow His
VII; we must talk to our Master in
diligently and constantly that we may
know His mind concerning us Then
which overlook and destroyed the first
King OF Israel
Third. The third lesson is based upon
that strange expression. THE evil spirit
from the Lord was upon Saul" That
verse has puzzled some people They
say. "ITow could an evil spirit come
from the Lord or why should God have
sent such spirit to ruin weak
''an?" Phillips Brooks had beauti-
r"l sermon on this subject. which 1
"'ormly commend. We must rem emhe r
'"nt Saul rejected the loving spirit OF
cd. AS we read the story, God helped
I'm in every way, opening great oppor-
tunities. and giving him Samuel. the
wsest OF men, as his friend and guide
Rut Saul rejected all these i'm his will
fulness. and SO that which was intend
ed as blessing became by his own
foolishness curse Samuel. from be-
ing n friend. seemed to him to be a
foe: God, from being on his side seemed
no, Il