The Raymer enterprise., 1920-07-22
LESSON FOR July rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING

DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING
LESSON TEXT--II Sam. ALL; 5:l-5
GOLDEN TExT-Trust in the Lord with
al thy heart. and lean not upon thine un.
dsrstanding.-Prov. 3.5
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam. II:
l-lS: II Sam. IN: e:S-4ls
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Shepherd Boy
Becomes King.
JUNIOR ToPIC-How David Became :
King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Secret OF Davids Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Success and How to 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
(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. namely. that the position now
open to him was no easy one to I'LL.
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 to the
Lords answer. II we are to enjoy
Gods fellowship and blessing We must
render quick obedience. He made q
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 Davld's great son. Christ,
shall enter upon his glorious reign,
those who have been faithful to him
In his rejection shall reign with him
''lf we suffer We shall also reign with
him" tlT Tim 2:i2); ITO him that
overcometh Will grant to sit with me
In my throne. even as also oyereame
md am set down with my father In his
throne" tRev. 3:2D.
II. David's Behavior Toward the
Men Of Jabesh. .Giiead t2:4-7).
The men OF Iabesh owed much to
| Saul Il Sam. 1D, and they showed
this recognition Of debt by making a
| daring dash to rescue his body from
the lgnominious exposure at Bethle
hem. Dayid's act Of sending men to
| Jabesh with message Of good will
for their affectionate remembrance Of
| Saul Is an exhibition Of his noble gen.
erosity. His love for the unfortunate
king survived all the injuries which
| he suffered at his hands. He fOrgaye
and forgot them all. This was nn act
| Of political shrewdness as well as u
generous one. In fact the only policy
| which proves effective Is thnt which
| proceeds from generous heart. He
deftly follows this generous com
mendalion with soleitude for the
men oi Jabesh to transfer their loyal.
| ~ to himself. since lie Is now their
LEGAL king. Since Saul Is now dead
| he urges them TO be valiant for him. In
view Of the civil war which was to
| follow he knew II would require vail.
ant men 10 stand by Gods king. This
appeal To be valiant Is needed now. for
We are all called upon TO lake sides
between Gods appointed king, Jesus
| Christ. and Satan. the preiender to the
throne. May Christ's appeal result In
| making US faithful and valiant for
| bin.
III. The Dual kingdom-War Be-
tween the House Of Saul and the House
Of David t2:s-4:l2).
This period Of civil war lasted seven
and a half years. Most Of the tribes
Of Israel clung to Ishhosheth. Sauls
son. whom Abner had proclaimed king
at Malianaim. Feuds continued be-
tweer the rival generals. Dayld's
power increased while that Of fshbos.
hetll's waned.
w. David Crowned King Over
United israel t5:1-5).
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long and was bitter one. Ab-
ner's death and Ishbosheth's assassina-
tion put IN end to Davids opposition
David's behavior during this time grad
ually won for him the confidence Of
the tribes so tho. they all came to him
at Hebron and an0Inled him as their
king. They accepted his divine right
| to rule ". 81. The reasons for anoint-
Ing him their king were:
!. He Is their brother ". -. This Is
true OF Christ our King. Through the
incarnation he has become one with u.s.
2 He was their true lender In war,
even In Saul'a time ". ~.
3. He was the Lords choice ". ~
prcerastination.
ProcrastInatiOn Ii helping the devil