The Brinkley argus., 1915-03-19
LESSON FOR MARCH 2l
AND HIS ARMoR
 BEARER.

JONATHAN AND HIS AnMOUs BEARER.
 LESSON TExT-I Samuel H:1-13. GOLDEN TExT-Let us put on the ar- nor of light.-Rom. 13:12.
 Samuels review of his life of integ- rity, his charge to the Israelites, Gods testimony of displeasure over their persistent desire to have . king, and Samuel's words of comfort and as-
 surance as found in chapter 12. form
 an interesting connection with last Sundays lesson. In chapter 13 we have the record of Israel again in dis
 tress and of Saups folly in his assum-
 ing the priestly office (vv. 13. 14)N |. sauI's DIstress, w. IA. That Saurs disobedience, just indicated. had incurred Gods displeasure, we know. It evidently had it's effect upon the people also, for his army had dwindled during the intervening fifteen or eight
 cen years, from 33O,000 (ch. 11:s) to feeble 600 (v. 9. They were further handicapped by . lack of weapons (ch. 13: 1923. Deserted by Jehovah, by Samuel, Jehovah's priest, and by nearly all of his enthusiastic subjects (see 11:12) Saul was "in the uttermost part of Gibeah" hiding under pome- granate tree (see w. Il, 22 and 1S:6). This may refer to his being at Rimmon Judges 20:4S-47). In this retirement Saul retains Ahiah (v. 3 az priest, thus keeping up tho outward form of worship. This priest is not referred to as Jehovah's. He was a grandson of Phinehas, one of Eli's wicked sons, and as such was not to be successor
 in the high priests ofice (ch. 2:so- 36). Such an outward form of dead
 works" cannot take the place of hv- Ing faith. For Saul to consult tho or acle of the Urim and Thummim worn y the priest and later to call up fa- miliar spirits, shows his lack of spir' ltual apprehension. The references made to Saul's conduct Chapters IA, 13) are an indication of his character
 and emphasize the psalmist's words
 as found in Ps. 119:11, 105.
 II. Jonathan's Victory, w. 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. It was
 Q brave deed, and an evidence of that
 triumphant faith shown so clearly In Jonathan's dealings with David. There
 seems to be . suggestion that Jona- than had lost confidence in his fa- l ther, for neither he nor the people knew where Jonathan had gone. Verses 4 and 5 vividly picture the l nature of the location wherein Joua- than undertook this feat. Jonathan | clearly counted upon the fieshly GOV l enant sign as ground upon which to | expect help and victory over his enc. mics, who lacked such sign (v. 0. The army of the Philistines had been
 divided into three sections (Ch. 1Si ID, 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 it was quite easy to approach the Philistines. It Is m interesting and enlightening conversa- ton recorded as ensuing on that jour
 ney.
 Jonathan-It may be that the Lord
 will work for us; for there is no re- straint to the Lord to save by many or by few (v. 0.
 Armorbearer-Do all that Is in thine
 heart; behold l am with thee.
 Jonathan-We will pass . over, and will discover ourselves. The test, as recorded in verses 3 and 10 was a real one and 8 reve- lation of Jonathan's shrewdness. Not to be invited up by the Philistines would suggest desire they may have had to cover up any weakness. To be asked to come" suggests their self confidence.
 Today's Messaoe. Two young men of faith saved nation sunk in despair and disgrace. They inspired confi- dence in God and his promises. Youth for battles. old age for counsel" but there are times that demand action moro than conference and considera- l tion. Courage is only of value, how ever, when based upon much training. devotion to God. the interests of oth. CTS, and a clear vision. It Is not .
 mere flash in lifes 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 it Is intelligent 1 ly grounded upon Gods sure revela- l 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 1t is not probable this young
 lad would have gone up those rocks
 had not Jonathan led the way; be- cause one went before him. he was l able to scale the fortress. God alone
 knows the heights to which we may attain. but does not ask us to go alone.
 nor cxrect us to do the impossible.
 The greatest heroes are not military, l they are Christian heroes, who put
 on the Christian armor and whose
 strength is the strength of ten b.
 cause their hearts are pure" saon
 heroes ara not dismayed at tho D6DI
 tempt and gibes of tho enemya - | ------->o-s->)-s--or-