Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-05-28
LESSON FOR MAY 80
AND HIS ARMoR-
BEARER.

JONATHAN AND HIS ARMoH
BEARER.
LESSON TEXT Sam. H1-iG
GOLDEN TE%T--For the promise |
unto YOU and your children, and to al
that are afar off, even as many as tn
Lord our God shall call--Acts 1883
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam 10
i-23
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Story of Brave
Prince.
JUNIOR TOPlC-How Two Men Put al
Army TO Flight.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Our Foes and How to Overcome Them
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Value Of Initiative in Christian
Work.
|. IsraePs Reduced Condition wv
1-3).
The Philistine oppression had be
come so terrible that the king had
only about 600 men, and they were
completely dlsarmed, except that Saul
and Jonathan had each a sword and
spear. Lest the lSraeltes should
make unto themselves swords and
spears the Philistlnes took from them
their smiths; they only left them file
to sharpen their Instruments of hus-
bandry. This left them under the ne
cesslty of going to the Philistlnes to
have their tools sharpened Saul him
self was in hiding. Because he had
presumptuously ntruded into the
priests office God rejected him. While
In this desperate condition God moved
Jonathan to go against the Philistines.
II. Description Of the Passageway
Between Israel and the PhiIistinss
wv. 1. 81.
Over against the way which J6na-
than and his armorbearer had to tray
erSe, on either side lay sharp rocks
called Bozez and Seneh. The opposing
camps were probably three miles
apart. 1t required great effort to
scale the clln. The feat of Jonathan
ind his armorbearer was one Of the
most daring ever attempted.
III. Jonathan's Resolution TO Go
Against the ehilistines wv. 6-10)
|. Jonathan's summons 10 the young
man ". 6). Here the thought of verse
one Is resumed, verses two TO five be-
Ing parenthetica. Jonathan did not
doubt hut that the Lord was leading
him. He recognized his covenant re-
lationship with God, and therefore his
claim upon him as against the uncir-
rumciSed Philstines, asserting that
There is no restraint to the Lord to
save by many or by few" God is all.
so with him numbers cut no
figure. Whatever he wills for us he
can do. One with God Is a majority /
one. going cut IN the energy of the
living God shall chase thousand and |
two shall put ten thousand to flight
(Deut. 30 ;30).
>. The noble response Of his armOr.
bearer ". y. He was actuated by the
same faith and courage as Jonathan
and entered heartily into the under
taking. When two agree together us
touching anything in the name OF
Thirst it shall be done Matt. IS 10,
10Y.
3. Watching for the will of God wv
il0). Doubtless the same Spirit who
,ad moved Jonathan to go had in.
'hucted him to watch for the Divine
eading. The sign that God would de-
liver the Philstines into their hands
ras the invitation for Jonathan and
lis companion to come up to the Phil
shines. They did not go forward until
he sign Of divine leading was given
The walk by faith means that we
stand still at times to ascertain the
will of God, but II also means that we
IKE the steps as indicated.
". Jonathan's Marvellous Victor,
w. 11-1G).
Being assured Of the divine leading
Jonathan with his armorbearer sprana
Onward saying that the Lord had de-
ivered the enemy into the hands OF
srael. He did not say into ouI
'ands," but into the hands Of Israeli
This Is fine touch of humility; Il
hows that II was zeal for God, NOT
elfish ambition that impelled hlmetc
o forth. God lnterposed by a great
causing CONSERVATION +
mong the Phillstines, moving them to
estroy each other.
v. SauPs Foolish Behavior wv
7-46).
!. His carnal zeal wv. 1929. After
he Lord had given the victory at the
ands of Jonathan. Saul called for the
rk of God to be brought, after which
e went forth in pursuit. of the enemy
Tho had already been routed.
2. His foolish obligation imposed
w. 24-30). 1t was that Il curse would
e upon any one of his soldiers who
hould stop to eat on that day. Fast.
ig is proper at times, but 1t was the
eight of folly to demand strenuous
ervice Of his soldiers without the
ecessary nourishment.
3. His determination to kill iona.
nan. Jonathan not having heard this
ash oath, partook of the honey as he ,
assed through the woods and was
realty refreshed. When this was re.
orted to Saul he was about to take :
he life of his own son, who had SC
Ioriously wrought in the deliverance