The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-07-23
IMPROVED UNlroRM INTERNATIONAL
.SUNDMS0nOOL
LESSON
by REV. p. B. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING.


LESSON TExT-II Sam. 2:1-7; 6:1-5
GOLDEN TExT-Trust In the Lord with |
Ill thy heart. and lean not upon thine un- |
Iaerstanding--Prov. 35.
| ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-I Sam. 81: |
t-13; II Sam. III; 2:S-4:12.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Shepherd Boy |
Becomes King.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How David Became a
King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC |
The Secret of Davids Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC |
True Success and How to Win 1t,
The death of Saul lay open to David
the path to the throne. This would
have rejoiced the heart of many. but
David was sad. Instead of reward be-
ing given to the slayer of Saul, quick
vengeance was executed upon him.
|. David Made King over Judah
(2:1-4).
He knew full well that the Lord by
the hand of Samuel had anointed him
to be the successor of Saul. He had
learned the essential lesson which the
School of Providence was designed to
teach, nar ely, that the position now
open to him was no easy one to fill.
, |
control. He had the good sense to
know that promotion to the throne did
but bring harder duties and multi
piled perplexities.' He threw himself
upon God and asked for guidance. He
, rendered instant obedience to the
, Lords answer. If we are to enjoy
Gods fellowship and blessing we must
render quick obedience. He made a
right beginning, therefore God pros
pered him. When he reached Hebron
the men of Judah came and anointed
him king over them. Thus part of
the nation recognized him as king and
. ratified the work which Samuel did
many years before. When David went
, up he took with him all who had been
with him in exile and suffering. They
are now sharers with him in the king
3 dom. When David's great son, Christ,
shall enter upon his glorious reign,
those who have been faithful to him
in his rejection shall reign with him.
! "If we suffer we shall also reign with
I him." (II Tim. 2:12); 'sTo him that
8 overcometh will l. grant to sit with me
q in my throne, even as also overcame.
I and am set down with my father in his
!, throne" (Rev. 3:2D. a.
!. ii. David's' Behavior Toward the
Men Of Jabssh- -ciiead f2i;4-71. " s-s-ss- =,
Il The men Of Jabesh owed much ito
l. Saul Il Sam. 11), and they showed
n this recognition of debt by making a
y daring dash to rescue. his body from
+ the ignominious exposure at Bethle-
( hem. David's act of sending men to
~
. for their affectionate remembrance of
+ Saul is an exhibition Of his noble gen
d erosity His love for the unfortunate
I king survived all the injuries which
he suffered at his hands. He, forgave
8 and forgot them all. This was an act
= of political shrewdness as well as q
j generous one. In fact the only policy
: which proves effective IS that which
: proceeds from a generous heart. lie
s, deftly follows this generous com
4 mendation with a solicitude for the
men OF Jabesh to transfer their loyal
e ty to himself, since he is now their
: legal king. Since Saul is now dead
t he urges them to be valiant for him. In
view of the civil war which was to
follow he knew it would require vail
appeal to be valiant Is needed now, for
t we are all called upon to take sides
between Gods appointed king, Jesus
7 Christ. and Satan, the pretender to the
throne. May Christ's appeal result in
making us faithful and valiant fol
:. him.
III. The Dual kinadom-War Be-
, tween the House Of Saul and the House
) Of David (2:s-4:12).
) This period of civil war lasted seven
and half years Most Of the tribes
: of Israel cIung to Ishbosheth. Sauls
,, son. whom Abner had proclaimed king
at Mahanaim. Feuds continued be
tween the rival generals. David's
power increased while that of Ishbos
heth's waned
iv. David Crowned King Over
United Israel OLD.
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long and was a bitter one, Alb
ner's death and Ishbosheth's assassina
ton put an end to David's opposition
David's behavior during this time grad
ually won for him the confidence oi
the tribes so that they all came to hin
at Hebron and anointed him as theii
king. They accepted his divine right
TO rule (v. 81. The reasons for anoint'
Ing him their king were:
I. He is their brother ". u. This is
true of Christ our King Through the
incarnation he has become one with us
2. He was their true leader in war
oven in Saul's time ". 2).
8. He was the Lords choice ". 2)-