Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-07-22
LESSON FOR JULY rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING.

LESSON TExT-II Sam. 2;l-7; 6l-5,
GOLDEN TExT--Trust In the Lord with
all thy heart and lean not upon thine un-
derstanding -Prov. S:5.
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam 81:
49, ii Sam. l-s7; 2:S-4:l2
PRIMARY ToPiC-The Shepherd Boy
Becomes King.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How David Became q
King
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Secret OF David's Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Success and How 10 Win It.
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
CHA.
He knew fun 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
liz W
open to him was no easy one to fill.
His exile and sufferings gave him self
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 the
Lords answer. II 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
dom. When Davids 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
him" GU Tim. 2:12); ''To him that
Oyercometh win grant to sit with me
| in my throne, even as ! also overcaine.
and am set down with my fatberin his
throne" Grew. 3:21).
/" II. David's Behavior ToHard the
| Men Of Jabesh- Giiead q 40.
The men Of Jabesh owed much to
Saul Il SAM ~, and they showed
this recognition Of debt by making 9
! daring dash to rescue his body from
the ignominious exposure at Bethie
/ hem. David's act of sending men td
| Jabesh with a message of good viii
| for their affectionate remembrance OF
Saul is an exhibition of his noble gem
crosby. His love for the unfortunate
king survived all the injuries which
he suffered at his hands. He forgave
and forgot them all. This was an act
Of political shrewdness as well as
generous one. In fact the only policy
which proves effective is that which
| proceeds from generous heart lie
deftly follows this generous com
mendation with a soIicitude for the
men of Jabesh to transfer their loyal
ty to himself, since he is now theii
legal king. Since Saul Is now dead
he urges them to be valiant for him In
| view Of the civil war which was tt
follow he knew 1t would require vail
ant men to stand by Gods king. This
appeal to be valiant Is needed now, fol
we are all called upon to take sides
between Coos appointed king, Jesus
Christ, and Satan, the pretender to the
throne May Christ's appeal result II
making US faithful and valiant fol
him.
m. The Dual Kingdom--War Be
tween the House of Saul and the HOUSE
of David e :S-4 :12).
This period Of civil war lasted sever
and half years Most Of the tribes
of Israel chung to Ishbosheth, SauP'
son, whom Abner had proclaimed kint
at Mahanaim. Feuds continued be
tween the rival generals. David'i
power increased while that Of Ishbos
heth's waned.
~. David Crowned King Owe
United Israel 5:l-5).
Though the struggle for supremac,
lasted long and was bitter one, Alb
ner's death and Ishbosheth's assassina
ton put an end to Davids opposition
David's behavior during this time grad
ually won for him the confidence o
the tribes so that they all came to hin
at Hebron and anointed him as thel
king. They accepted his divine RICH
to rule ". 81. The reasons for anoint
ing him their king were:
/. He is their brother ". y. This |,
true OF Christ our King. Through tn
incarnation he has become one with us
2. He was their true leader in war
even in SauPs time ". p.
3. He was the Lords choice ". p.
procrastination.
Procrastinati0n is helping the devi
in retarding righteousness In thu